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The Tainted Cup (Shadow of the Leviathan)
HUGO AWARD WINNER • NATIONAL BESTSELLER • A Holmes and Watson–style detective duo take the stage in this fantasy with a mystery twist, from acclaimed author Robert Jackson Bennett
“Like an endearing fantasy version of Knives Out . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it’s in a fantasy setting only makes it better.”—T. J. Klune, The New York Times
WORLD FANTASY AWARD FINALIST • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle, BookPage
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.
Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.
“Like an endearing fantasy version of Knives Out . . . A great murder mystery is hard to pull off but Bennett structures his perfectly, and the fact that it’s in a fantasy setting only makes it better.”—T. J. Klune, The New York Times
WORLD FANTASY AWARD FINALIST • LOCUS AWARD FINALIST • EDGAR AWARD NOMINEE
A BEST BOOK OF THE YEAR: The New York Times Book Review, NPR, Elle, BookPage
In Daretana’s greatest mansion, a high imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree erupted from his body. Even here at the Empire’s borders, where contagions abound and the blood of the leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death both terrifying and impossible.
Assigned to investigate is Ana Dolabra, a detective whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities. Rumor has it that she wears a blindfold at all times, and that she can solve impossible cases without even stepping outside the walls of her home.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol, magically altered in ways that make him the perfect aide to Ana’s brilliance. Din is at turns scandalized, perplexed, and utterly infuriated by his new superior—but as the case unfolds and he watches Ana’s mind leap from one startling deduction to the next, he must admit that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the Empire itself, Din realizes he’s barely begun to assemble the puzzle that is Ana Dolabra—and wonders how long he’ll be able to keep his own secrets safe from her piercing intellect.
By an “endlessly inventive” (Vulture) author with a “wicked sense of humor” (NPR), The Tainted Cup mixes the charms of detective fiction with brilliant world-building to deliver a fiendishly clever mystery that’s at once instantly recognizable and thrillingly new.
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Community Reviews
I received this DRC from NetGalley.
I liked this one. It's a crime mystery with fantasy elements. I think it's hard to find a balance between having obvious resolutions vs. clues being too obscure; I found some of the answers to be too obvious, which made me question why the main character was surprised at some of the revelations, especially when his boss just seemed to know more than everyone else. I think the strong part of the book was its worldbuilding. I would read the next one just to get more answers about what's going on with the leviathans.
I liked this one. It's a crime mystery with fantasy elements. I think it's hard to find a balance between having obvious resolutions vs. clues being too obscure; I found some of the answers to be too obvious, which made me question why the main character was surprised at some of the revelations, especially when his boss just seemed to know more than everyone else. I think the strong part of the book was its worldbuilding. I would read the next one just to get more answers about what's going on with the leviathans.
This was my first time reading Robert Jackson Bennett, but I've heard lots of good things about their writing. This didn't disappoint. I really enjoyed the "biopunk" universe where technology was based on plants and biology. I liked Dinios Kol and Ana Dolabra very much, which I had been a little worried about before reading. They charmed me quickly and I enjoyed their conversations. I wasn't really trying to solve the mystery, but I did manage to put together some pieces for myself before the reveals. When I talked about it with my friend, they said that sometimes fantasy mysteries are a bit easier to solve because the author has to explain how the world works, and what they are required to point out and explain for things to make sense tends to be relevant to solving the mystery. I listened to this on audiobook and thought the narrator did a great job, but I do think it made it a little harder for me to follow all the unusual names and keep things straight. With regards to content warnings, there is a fair amount of body horror and gore, but (extremely mild spoiler) there was one weird gross sexual scene that I'm not sure how to accurately content warn about. I'll file it under Sexual Harassment I suppose? I found that scene unsettling.
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Classism, Ableism, and Drug use
Content Warnings:
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Sexual harassment, Violence, Blood, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Classism, Ableism, and Drug use
Titan's taint! What a ride, what a ride. I thought l'd outgrown enjoying murder mysteries but l'd never tried a fantasy murder mystery before, CLEARLY.
Bc this story was incredibly fantastical and refreshing!! I love Ana dearly and sweet baby Din is so, so easy to like as a MC. The world is v unique and the actual murder mystery was done well. You might guess some smaller things here or there if you pay attention to details but that's the point bc overall if you think you know whodunnit, no you really don't. I found myself hoping there was going to be a second book halfway through the story just so l could get more time with Ana and Din!
Thankfully there will be so suffice to say the second book will be picked up promptly 💅
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