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hyuzen's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
A fantastic, deep, well-realized setting. This would apply to Robert Jackson Bennett's Foundryside just as easily as The Tainted Cup. He's adept at digging into the minutiae and logistics of the world's he creates. In this setting, an Empire uses concoctions developed from attacking Leviathan's to augment and modify humans. The empire's citizens are instrumentalized into tools to sustain the empire.
Din, the main character, has been granted a perfect memory, which he uses to gather clues for his boss, and investigator. What starts as a kind of Holmes and Watson pairing looking into a murder starts to tease a bigger mystery that looked like it may delve into a conspiracy against the empire itself but eventually turns out to be slightly more mundane and grounded. That's not necessarily a knock against it as it keeps the stakes relatable. Told in first person perspective we learn about the secret disability Din manages that may make his job difficult.
The groundwork for the romance is better established compared to Foundryside which I appreciated.
As someone with perfect memory investigating a murder, Bennett dwells on the gore and violence, trying to make it stick in your mind the way it will forever be lodged in Din's. An improvement on the prose in his previous trilogy, but still nothing incredible.
But Din is a fairly dry character, fitting into the Watson mold. Sancia was a more interesting character to follow.
Din, the main character, has been granted a perfect memory, which he uses to gather clues for his boss, and investigator. What starts as a kind of Holmes and Watson pairing looking into a murder starts to tease a bigger mystery that looked like it may delve into a conspiracy against the empire itself but eventually turns out to be slightly more mundane and grounded. That's not necessarily a knock against it as it keeps the stakes relatable. Told in first person perspective we learn about the secret disability Din manages that may make his job difficult.
The groundwork for the romance is better established compared to Foundryside which I appreciated.
As someone with perfect memory investigating a murder, Bennett dwells on the gore and violence, trying to make it stick in your mind the way it will forever be lodged in Din's. An improvement on the prose in his previous trilogy, but still nothing incredible.
But Din is a fairly dry character, fitting into the Watson mold. Sancia was a more interesting character to follow.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Gore and Violence
Minor: Drug use
mariakureads's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
My first favorite read of the year!!!
This was just fun from the first paragraph! It was fast, action-filled, and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.
The dialogue is fast-paced, well-written, and witty. I was in love with the first-person POV of Din, the "Watson" to Ana, the "Holmes" if you will of this mystery thriller, they have such an interesting dynamic, which I loved as he's her apprentice and so about the book vs her more dynamic vibe that I can't get over how much I loved reading about her from his perspective because there's just so much truth coming across that she feels real.
Bennett's use of language to create the world's, characters, backstory, and tension was atmospheric and his choice of the first person POV gave, me the reader, a front seat to what Din saw and experienced and I love that feeling.
I didn't know what to expect as this is my first read from this author but not my last! I need to know what else Ana and Din get themselves into as Ana is still very much a mystery as she was at the beginning of the book, actually more so.
This was just fun from the first paragraph! It was fast, action-filled, and full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.
The dialogue is fast-paced, well-written, and witty. I was in love with the first-person POV of Din, the "Watson" to Ana, the "Holmes" if you will of this mystery thriller, they have such an interesting dynamic, which I loved as he's her apprentice and so about the book vs her more dynamic vibe that I can't get over how much I loved reading about her from his perspective because there's just so much truth coming across that she feels real.
Bennett's use of language to create the world's, characters, backstory, and tension was atmospheric and his choice of the first person POV gave, me the reader, a front seat to what Din saw and experienced and I love that feeling.
I didn't know what to expect as this is my first read from this author but not my last! I need to know what else Ana and Din get themselves into as Ana is still very much a mystery as she was at the beginning of the book, actually more so.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Classism
Minor: Animal death
korpney's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Blood, Murder, and Classism
Minor: Sexual content
blewballoon's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
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: Violence, Blood, Sexual harassment, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Ableism, Drug use, and Classism
aileron's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Violence, Blood, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Animal death, Bullying, Sexual assault, Medical content, Stalking, Fire/Fire injury, War, Classism, and Pandemic/Epidemic
sarahweyand's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Thanks to Del Rey and NetGalley for providing me an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review. All thoughts and feedback are my own.
The worst part about this book is that I can't consume the sequel immediately. This book has me in a chokehold. This book is my favorite book so far this year and will probably be in my top five in December. I've been looking for this book in stores to buy a physical copy even though I already read an ARC and I don't ever do that with books I've already read. I LOVE.
There is so much about this book that's going to appeal to such a variety of people. There's a mystery at the heart of the plot that is well-thought-out and twisty, a Sherlock Holmes-level detective with a sense of humor to die for, BIG MONSTERS, politics, a very interesting magic/worldbuilding systems, fantastic writing.
I also cannot give enough praise to authors writing a series who keep their plot arcs confined within a single book. Of course, there are overarching plot points and themes that will weave all the books in the series together and compel you to want to read the next book, but the mystery and inciting incident in this book has been solved. I have answers and I can find peace in waiting for the sequel.
Absolutely cannot recommend this one enough - might become a go-to recommendation for me. A real real great time.
The worst part about this book is that I can't consume the sequel immediately. This book has me in a chokehold. This book is my favorite book so far this year and will probably be in my top five in December. I've been looking for this book in stores to buy a physical copy even though I already read an ARC and I don't ever do that with books I've already read. I LOVE.
There is so much about this book that's going to appeal to such a variety of people. There's a mystery at the heart of the plot that is well-thought-out and twisty, a Sherlock Holmes-level detective with a sense of humor to die for, BIG MONSTERS, politics, a very interesting magic/worldbuilding systems, fantastic writing.
I also cannot give enough praise to authors writing a series who keep their plot arcs confined within a single book. Of course, there are overarching plot points and themes that will weave all the books in the series together and compel you to want to read the next book, but the mystery and inciting incident in this book has been solved. I have answers and I can find peace in waiting for the sequel.
Absolutely cannot recommend this one enough - might become a go-to recommendation for me. A real real great time.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, and Murder
Moderate: Ableism and Violence
vigil's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Cursing, Death, Drug abuse, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Blood, Medical content, Death of parent, Murder, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Pandemic/Epidemic
susanatherly's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
funny
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
Content Warnings
Moderate: Body horror, Bullying, Cursing, Death, Violence, Murder, and Pandemic/Epidemic
Minor: Blood, War, and Classism
snowwhitehatesapples's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? N/A
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Also on Snow White Hates Apples.
I stepped into this book without any expectations (I know, silly me because I’ve not read an RJB book before) and came out devasted by how much of an absolute stunner it is. From lush imagery and rich worldbuilding to a tense murder mystery that keeps the pages turning, there is so much to gush about when it comes to The Tainted Cup and if I had a stronger lyrical bone in my body, I would write an ode to it.
What I loved about this book is not limited to just the aforementioned points. I adored the seamless blend between mystery and fantasy — how everything felt different yet familiar at the same time. It was both comforting and refreshing to experience the common elements of a murder mystery book in such fantastical ways. Moreover, the presence of enormous leviathans that are both boon and bane to the world brings to mind Attack on Titan , Pacific Rim and other similar works. So, if you’re a fan of those, this book would definitely tickle your fancy. Doubly so if you’re a fan of murder mysteries as well.
Other than that, I also greatly adored the neurodivergent characters, the Holmes and Watson-style detective duo that’ll, without fail, make you tender-hearted. In a world where people can readily augment themselves in so many different ways just so they’re perfect for specific tasks to keep the Empire functioning, the characters here are still faced with their own relatable trials and tribulations. Our protagonists — or more evidently Din as he has yet to reach the status Ana has achieved — have to work doubly hard to gain worth and recognition. Being dyslexic has resulted in him failing all but one test which earned him the status of being an engraver. However, despite his hard work and capabilities, being dyslexic is also a dangerous flaw for an engraver to have because memorising everything is their speciality.
These struggles add a new layer of depth to the story as no longer is it simply about human survival against monsters, but also human survival within systems where power makes little allowance for differences that don’t benefit those holding the reigns. It is a complex world filled with many moments that impressively come to a circle — a compelling, multilayered book that resonates and echoes events that have happened in our reality.
I cannot wait to see where the next book in this series will bring us.
I stepped into this book without any expectations (I know, silly me because I’ve not read an RJB book before) and came out devasted by how much of an absolute stunner it is. From lush imagery and rich worldbuilding to a tense murder mystery that keeps the pages turning, there is so much to gush about when it comes to The Tainted Cup and if I had a stronger lyrical bone in my body, I would write an ode to it.
What I loved about this book is not limited to just the aforementioned points. I adored the seamless blend between mystery and fantasy — how everything felt different yet familiar at the same time. It was both comforting and refreshing to experience the common elements of a murder mystery book in such fantastical ways. Moreover, the presence of enormous leviathans that are both boon and bane to the world brings to mind Attack on Titan , Pacific Rim and other similar works. So, if you’re a fan of those, this book would definitely tickle your fancy. Doubly so if you’re a fan of murder mysteries as well.
Other than that, I also greatly adored the neurodivergent characters, the Holmes and Watson-style detective duo that’ll, without fail, make you tender-hearted. In a world where people can readily augment themselves in so many different ways just so they’re perfect for specific tasks to keep the Empire functioning, the characters here are still faced with their own relatable trials and tribulations. Our protagonists — or more evidently Din as he has yet to reach the status Ana has achieved — have to work doubly hard to gain worth and recognition. Being dyslexic has resulted in him failing all but one test which earned him the status of being an engraver. However, despite his hard work and capabilities, being dyslexic is also a dangerous flaw for an engraver to have because memorising everything is their speciality.
These struggles add a new layer of depth to the story as no longer is it simply about human survival against monsters, but also human survival within systems where power makes little allowance for differences that don’t benefit those holding the reigns. It is a complex world filled with many moments that impressively come to a circle — a compelling, multilayered book that resonates and echoes events that have happened in our reality.
I cannot wait to see where the next book in this series will bring us.
Thank you so much Hodder & Stoughton and Netgalley for providing me an ARC of this in exchange for an honest review! The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett is available at all good bookstores.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Cursing, Death, Drug use, Gore, Violence, Blood, Vomit, Murder, Alcohol, and Classism
h0neypie's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
funny
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Content Warnings
Graphic: Ableism, Death, Gore, and Violence