If you love the idea of a Sherlock and Holmes style in a fantasy world look no further. This gives you that thrilling investigative mystery duo vibe. And there’s also magical alteration for memories and giant Leviathans. Keep reading this book review of The Tainted Cup for my full thoughts.
Summary
In Daretana’s most opulent mansion, a high Imperial officer lies dead—killed, to all appearances, when a tree spontaneously erupted from his body. Even in this canton at the borders of the Empire, where contagions abound and the blood of the Leviathans works strange magical changes, it’s a death at once terrifying and impossible.
Called in to investigate this mystery is Ana Dolabra, an investigator whose reputation for brilliance is matched only by her eccentricities.
At her side is her new assistant, Dinios Kol. Din is an engraver,magically altered to possess a perfect memory. His job is to observe and report, and act as his superior’s eyes and ears–quite literally, in this case, as among Ana’s quirks are her insistence on wearing a blindfold at all times, and her refusal to step outside the walls of her home.
Din is most perplexed by Ana’s ravenous appetite for information and her mind’s frenzied leaps—not to mention her cheerful disregard for propriety and the apparent joy she takes in scandalizing her young counterpart. Yet as the case unfolds and Ana makes one startling deduction after the next, he finds it hard to deny that she is, indeed, the Empire’s greatest detective.
As the two close in on a mastermind and uncover a scheme that threatens the safety of 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
The Tainted Cup is perfect for those who want a fantastical investigation duo. It delivers the similar Sherlock Holmes vibes. We have a detective who is a bit arrogant, loves to make an entrance, and enjoys a good “aha!” moment. Then we have a sidekick – in this case the main character of The Tainted Cup – who records the happenings and unknowingly may solve the case. All of that with a world of Leviathans, magical languages and worlds, and memory talent. What more do I need to say? Similarly to episodic stories, The Tainted Cup has a distinct mystery in the book, while also hinting at some sequel threads.
(Disclaimer: Some of the links below are affiliate links. For more information you can look at the Policy page. If you’re uncomfortable with that, know you can look up the book on any of the sites below to avoid the link)
And I couldn’t be more here for it. There’s lies which people hold to their chest. The things they think aren’t important, which end up tipping the scale. Furthermore, there are these large scale implications, meetings, and conspiracies which keep you on your toes. I enjoyed the hints at the world we get i.e. the history of other countries and the new political powers. And I will be waiting eagerly for the sequel! Find The Tainted Cup on Goodreads, Storygraph, Amazon, Bookshop.org, Blackwells, & Libro. fm.