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.
Lie or Die is a fast-paced and twisty young adult thriller that follows a young girl named Kass who ends up auditioning for a new reality TV show that pits players against each other as they attempt to discover who is the murderous agent among them. Who is telling the truth and who isn’t? Kass knows she can’t trust anyone. As tensions climb in the game and players start actually dying, Kass has to use all her wits to discover what’s really going on and save those around her.
Justin Lee Anderson’s The Lost War was my first five star read of 2024. It was a brilliantly addictive read and after that ending, I knew I’d need to immediately pick up The Bitter Crown. Following on from the events in book one, Aranok and his group of allies are now trying to do everything they can to restore Mynagog to the throne, cure the blackened, and return the country to some semblance of normality. But with danger and conspiracy at every turn, will they succeed and will their friendship be the same after all they’ve faced?
The Court of Miracles caught my eye because I saw it described as ‘Les Misérables meets Six of Crows.’ The story follows Nina, a young girl who has a talent for burglary and is a member of the thieves guild. When Nina’s adopted sister Ettie catches the eye of the Tiger (the lord of the Guild of Flesh) Nina must do everything she can to keep Ettie safe. Doing so will take her into the dark underworld of the guilds as well as the lavish court of Louis XVII. Will Nina be able to save her sister from the Tiger and at what cost?
An Education in Malice is the newest release from S T Gibson, author of A Dowry of Blood. The story follows Laura Sheridan, a young woman starting at Saint Perpetua’s College. There she forms an academic rivalry with a girl in her poetry class named Carmilla, but their teacher Ms De Lafontaine, has her own secrets, and as the two are drawn into her confidence, Laura and Carmilla find themselves tangled in a dark web of secrets.
The Trials of Empire is the third and final instalment in Richard Swan’s Empire of the Wolf trilogy, a series that follows Justice Sir Konra Vonvalt and his protege Helena. In this final instalment, we follow the pair as they attempt to stop Claver from destroying the empire once and for all but Claver now wields dark and demonic powers that even Vonvalt might not be able to defeat. They must find allies where they can and even they might not be enough. Will the empire survive or will Claver ascend the imperial throne?
Grieving Gold, the first in an all new fantasy series from Daniel McDaniel, centres on five protagonists who live in Luminocity. Laxerion Tama has returned home as his father is gravely ill, but after years of being disowned, Laxerion finds the noble family house is not what it once was. His brother Val-Gustus Tama is doing what he can to uphold the mantle his father leaves behind and must do what he can to protect the city from war. Ilumi is a young scientist newly arrived in Luminocity, but is way more than meets the eye. Aiana is desperate to become a huntress and will do anything to make that dream happen. Finally Dawb is an orphan who spends his days running cons in the streets and seeks revenge for the loss of his best friend.
Upon a Frosted Star was a book that drew me in with that absolutely beautiful cover. When I saw it described as “The Great Gatsby meets Swan Lake” I was really intrigued to pick this one up. The story follows Forster, a struggling artist who finds a mysterious invitation to a magical party that takes place once a year. Determined to find out who the host is, Forster soon discovers the mysterious lady is way more than meets the eye and will do anything to free her from her curse.
Anthony Ryan is an author I have had on my TBR for the longest time, so when I heard about this standalone thriller I decided to pick this one up immediately. The story follows a man who wakes up on a boat in the middle of the ocean with no memory of who he is. There are six others there with him all with no memories. When the group receives a mysterious message and is sent on a mission together, they have to use all their unique skills in order to find a way to survive.
I really enjoyed Tricia Levenseller’s Daughter of the Pirate King and Daughter of the Siren Queen so I was really intrigued to return to this world and these characters. The story follows Sorinda, the Queen’s assassin, who is sent on a rescue mission to find a missing ship. Queen Alosa has handpicked the crew that will accompany Sorinda, including sailing master Kearan. Sorinda finds him insufferable, but she will have to put up with him nonetheless. When the crew travel into uncharted waters they find something much darker than they expected and their rescue mission becomes a fight for survival, but will they all make it out alive?
The Bibliophile Chronicles 