Series: Shadow of the Leviathan #1
Release Date: February 6 2024
Publisher: Hodderscape
Pages: 413
Find it: Goodreads Waterstones
Source: I received an E-ARC via Netgalley
Rating: 4.25/5 stars

Synopsis

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.

Review

Robert Jackson Bennett’s newest release follows assistant investigator Din as he assists the rather eccentric Ana Dolabra with investigating the murder of a high imperial officer. The murder is very unusual as he is killed when a tree erupts from his body. As Ana and Din investigate they find themselves wrapped up in a mystery far larger than they thought. With secrets at every turn will they be able to uncover who is responsible and at what cost?

Robert Jackson Bennett is one of those authors that I’ve always wanted to try but just hadn’t gotten around to picking up yet. I’m now kicking myself for having waited so long because this was such a gripping read. The story is set in such a unique, fascinating world and Bennett does a terrific job of bringing Daretana to life. I found it so easy to get completely caught up in the story and the setting felt so vivid. I’m so intrigued to see more of the world and the leviathans in the subsequent books in the series.

The Tainted Cup really did feel different to anything I’ve read before. It’s a murder mystery wrapped up in a fantasy novel. It was well paced, with plenty of surprise twists and turns that I didn’t see coming. It has a very Sherlock and Watson feel to it and I was fascinated by how Ana deduced things about the murder. The story is definitely a clever one and it has made me so desperate to go back and read more from Robert Jackson Bennett.

Ana and Din are well crafted characters and I really liked their dynamic. Din is very much the suffering assistant and Ana is brilliant and full of witty banter. I loved seeing how she would manipulate a conversation or situation to uncover the answers she needed. I can’t wait to read more of their adventures. If you’re looking for a fantasy tale that’s fun, full of mystery and incredibly gripping, you won’t want to miss The Tainted Cup.