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.

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.

 

Best.

Book.

Ever.

That's it. That's the review. Drop everything you're doing right now and go read this masterpiece. I beg you.

Ok, but seriously. This is the first book by Robert Jackson Bennet that I've read and it certainly won't be the last. I've had The Founders trilogy on my TBR for ages, and I can't wait to read it, especially now that I know his writing style is magnificent and I'm in love with it.

What a great introduction to a series! I'm 100% sure it will become amazing and beloved by so many people. I can't wait for the next books to be published and be back in this world.

The plot of The Tainted Cup is extremely interesting and engaging. It starts as a very strange, but simple murder, but as the story continues and our main characters discover more clues, the plot becomes something much, much bigger. The scope of this entire investigation is huge. I loved every single second of it. I couldn't stop reading; I wanted to know what would come next. This story is heavily inspired by Sherlock Holmes, and you can clearly see it. I enjoyed finding all the little clues and trying to guess what they meant and what they would lead to. Everything is connected in some way or another, and it was so satisfying when we finally learned who was behind it all and why. I felt particularly proud of myself when I found the answer to one the questions in this mystery

I knew that Uhad was the third poisoner!

. That is to say that if you pay attention, you might be able to connect all the pieces together and find the answer alongside our main characters. Though it will be hard, because there are so many shocking twists!

This is a fantasy series, and as the first book, you can expect tons of worldbuilding. But it won't be too boring and annoying; Jackson Bennet did a great job blending the worldbuilding parts with the rest of the story, creating a perfect balance. Right from the beginning we are told things such as: ''I wondered if even the air was expensive in here, then saw it was: a massive kirpis mushroom had been built into the corner of every main room—a tall, black fungus built to suck in air, clean it, and exhale it out at a cooler temperature''. And you know exactly what to expect: a captivating, fascinating and extremely creative world with a magic system that will continue to surprise you the more you read.

And finally, the characters in this book are the most lovable you'll ever find. Our two main characters: Din and Ana are the perfect pair. They complement each other perfectly, working together in perfect harmony to solve the mystery. Ana is very eccentric right from the beginning and I felt a bit frustrated by her. I found her annoying and rude; HOWEVER, none of that is true (except the eccentric part), for she is very well developed throughout the story, and you just can't help but grow to love her dearly. She's a very interesting main character with a fascinating backstory that I can't wait to read more about in the future books. And Din, my beloved. My sweetheart. My honeypie. My everything. He's so amazing and incredible. I love him so, so, so much. He's smart, he's strong, he's sweet, he's funny, he's everything you want in a main character and more. So much more. His character development in this one is top-notch. I can't wait for everyone to read this book and fall in love with Din.

There are some other characters, though not as important as our main two, who are still well-written. I really loved Miljin as well. I didn't trust him at the beginning, but as the story progressed, he became very dear to me and I wish him nothing but the best.

You really need to pick this book up and give it a chance. You will be so surprised and have the best time ever reading it. I'm sure it will be in many people's Best of 2024 lists at the end of the year. It will definitely be in mine. 

What an imaginative world with a great "who done it?" storyline. 

The world building was intriguing, a mixture of dark cottagecore, dark academia, and high fantasy all wrapped up in a mystery bow. The dynamic between Ana and Kol do give off a Sherlock and Watson vibe a la Benedict Cumberbatch but for my Anime/Manga fans I instantly thought of xxxHolic. A cunningly smart older investigator, and a young fresh out of academy assistant with a mind full of secrets, solving a bizarre string of deaths with a backdrop of giant threats, corrupts, and deadly plants.

I appreciated that Bennett threw the reader right into the world, no long description of the history and creating of this world. It caused my imagination to create a conclusion and then adapt as an item or location was described to me. 
Unfortunately what did take me out of the story was the use of our real world curse words in a fantasy world. I didn't feel like it fit in the world. It did its purpose to convey annoyance, urgency, and the character's predicament, it would just throw me off, really.

Over all, I enjoyed this introduction to a new series and look forward to these misfits creating havoc and finding justice.

I received a copy from NetGalley for review. 

So this book is very much a Sherlock Holmes/Watson type mystery, but instead of them chasing down the murderer together, Holmes has a mild case of agoraphobia and Watson uses smell to remember everything about a scene then reports back to Holmes to process everything. I ate it up. I find with reading Robert Jackson Bennett's books you just kind of have to bumble along with the story. They're highly entertaining and everything the Sci-fi genre should be. 

I found the pacing in this sometimes to be a little too slow, but that didn't hinder the book. I really enjoyed all of the characters, especially Din and Strovi.

I loved this so much. Going to be so hard for another book to beat this as my fave of the year. It is queer! Has all my fave things and I loved everyone.