Spoiler-Free Review

If you’re looking for a Sherlock-and-Watson dynamic in a unique fantasy world – The Tainted Cup is for you. This story explores corruption and power dynamics within a fantasy empire that fights a constant external threat of sea monsters.

Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC. All opinions are my own. This one is set to release on February 6, 2024.

What’s The Tainted Cup about?

In a world reminiscent of Attack on Titan, an assistant investigator must solve a string of murders involving trees exploding out of people, a powerful old family, and magical enhancements, all before leviathans destroy the sea wall.

File this one under dynamic duo.

Our main character, Din, is the assistant to his canton’s new investigator, Ana – I wouldn’t have guessed that these two characters would work so well together, but their interactions were the star of the show.

Ana, the middle-aged investigator with a vague past, is extremely eccentric, but brilliant. She can think her way around any problem they face, make connections in the case, and drill down any witness regardless of their status. Even if she elects to occasionally wear a blindfold, lock herself into a box, or any other strange behavior in the name of thinking clearly.

Din, on the other hand, plays strictly by the rules in all he does. His actions are driven by policy and a clear sense of right and wrong. He’s young, and this is his first real position. Beyond this, he’s what’s known as an “engraver” – meaning that he has magically-imbued photographic memory. So it’s up to him to see, hear, and notice everything about every crime scene, every interview, and every interaction. He’s a walking repository of information.

I also just want to say that the worldbuilding here is stunning. It’s thorough in its detail, but I never felt like I was being info-dumped on. This book immersed me slowly, giving a little at a time, so I never felt overwhelmed. By about a third of the way in, I felt I had a strong grasp on the world and how it worked, how the power dynamics operated, and what the holes in the system were.

I appreciated that the mystery was not overly convoluted – though, on that note, I did solve it. Overall, it was fun and engaging, and I look forward to more in this series.

Should you read The Tainted Cup?

You’ll like this one if you enjoy both worldbuilding and murder mysteries. I can also confirm that it doesn’t have any romance, though it’s mentioned in the second half that the main character fancies a specific person – but this story doesn’t explore it. It is on the slower-paced side, and while it does have a couple fight scenes, this isn’t an action-packed fantasy.

I recommend it. Mark your calendars for February 6!

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