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A review by strombolibones
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
2.5
A whodunit set in an epic fantasy world that hooked me right away, but fell flat in the end. Not even a 3 way buddy read salvaged this one for me.
The magic system and world-building were both pretty cool, the characters were fine, and I do enjoy myself a good Whodunit now and again, but...
Unfortunately this one really started to drag around the halfway point for me. I think the scale of Epic Fantasy was too big for this book (Unlike City of Stairs). The story worked really well within the World RJB set up, but as more and more parties and factions were introduced, then when the classic "Investigator info-dumps how they deduced Whodunit" reveal happens at the end, I found myself going "Wait who's that? Who was.... Who!?" Maybe that's on me, I started to check out like 50-66% through, BUT then there were also bits where information was revealed as though the author forgot that they already divulged that info to the reader, I guess? And I noticed those.... So I was paying attention enough for that!... Idk man, really mixed bag on this one.
Ultimately I think this book was far weaker than City of Stairs (same author, complete Trilogy) which in turn was weaker than Murder at Spindle Manor (which really leaned into the comedic angle - different author, complete trilogy) and so I'd recommend you read either of those instead.
The magic system and world-building were both pretty cool, the characters were fine, and I do enjoy myself a good Whodunit now and again, but...
Unfortunately this one really started to drag around the halfway point for me. I think the scale of Epic Fantasy was too big for this book (Unlike City of Stairs). The story worked really well within the World RJB set up, but as more and more parties and factions were introduced, then when the classic "Investigator info-dumps how they deduced Whodunit" reveal happens at the end, I found myself going "Wait who's that? Who was.... Who!?" Maybe that's on me, I started to check out like 50-66% through, BUT then there were also bits where information was revealed as though the author forgot that they already divulged that info to the reader, I guess? And I noticed those.... So I was paying attention enough for that!... Idk man, really mixed bag on this one.
Ultimately I think this book was far weaker than City of Stairs (same author, complete Trilogy) which in turn was weaker than Murder at Spindle Manor (which really leaned into the comedic angle - different author, complete trilogy) and so I'd recommend you read either of those instead.