I wanted a change of pace and Robert Jackson Bennett's The Tainted Cup appeared to be exactly what I needed. I wasn't sure about a fantasy murder mystery novel, but overall it worked quite well. It's definitely not for everyone, especially demanding readers who are looking for depth and substance. However, as a lighter and more entertaining read, this will appeal to a good chunk of the SFF fandom.
Here's the blurb:
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.
The worldbuilding is particularly creative. Robert Jackson Bennett's new world is quite intriguing, with its gigantic leviathan threatening coastal cities protected by miles-long seawalls and a magical system based on flora. The author's imagination seems boundless, yet he doesn't offer any answers to all the questions raised by this tale. The whole premise is original, but the fantasy elements are never explored with any sort of depth. Hence,
The Tainted Cup reads as murder mystery procedural and nothing else. Everything that has to do with fantasy must be taken at face value, which I found a bit disappointing. I wanted to discover so much more about so many facets of the plot, and I couldn't help but be disappointed when absolutely no effort was deployed in that regard. Understandably your mileage will vary concerning this aspect.
The characterization is well done. The banter between Din and Ana keeps things fun and interesting. Although I must admit that Ana can be insufferable at times. Each would have benefited from more depth, especially Ana. But her past is kept secret throughout the book. Other than Captain Miljin and Kepheus, the supporting cast is nothing special. Again, they all serve a purpose in the murder mystery plot, but no one is even close to being three-dimensional. As the main protagonist, Din is the only character that shows any depth. Here's to hoping that we'll learn more about Ana in the two sequels.
Robert Jackson Bennett keeps things moving at a good clip and
The Tainted Cup is a quick read. Perhaps a little too fast, especially the endgame which felt rushed. The whole deal about the Preservation Boards turned out to be a bit lacking in its execution. And since the resolution of the plot relies on this storyline, I felt that it was a bit glossed over while other puzzle pieces that didn't deserve as much focus got a lot more pagecount.
In the end, I feel that
The Tainted Cup works extremely well as a light read or a palate-cleanser after a heavier read. Here's to hoping that the subsequent volumes will add layers and expand this innovative universe. If they're just new cases for Ana and Din to solve, with no exploration of the themes and concepts introduced in this first installment, I would probably lose interest in this series. I want to learn more about the world at large, its politics and its people, as well as the author's inventive take on magic. Anything less would be a major disappointment.
The final verdict: 7.5/10
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