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A review by avid_reader_sf_and_f
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett
adventurous
dark
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
The worldbuilding in this book is amazingly lush, verdant and flushed out. It was unique and very much a character of the story on its own. Then you have Din, who is both very much a Watson, to Ana's Holmes, and yet so very much not at all Holmesian. He is the foil to Ana, yes, but he is also the witness for the reader. He views the world, the actions of others, and helps to explain to the reader, what is going on.
I very much loved that the two main characters are clearly neurospicy, and not because of any biomanipulation. Maybe Din's bio-grafting was made better because of his neurospiciness? I also loved how unhinged Ana was in general and the banter between Din and Ana was a delight. I also liked that Din's LGBTQ status was just a part of the story, a missed opportunity and one I hope is revisited at a later time in the series.
The mystery was complex, layered and yet, I feel I could have known who the players were, if only I'd caught the hints the author had laid out. Overall, freaking brilliant. One I will for sure reread, if only to catch parts I missed on the first read. I highly recommend it.
I very much loved that the two main characters are clearly neurospicy, and not because of any biomanipulation. Maybe Din's bio-grafting was made better because of his neurospiciness? I also loved how unhinged Ana was in general and the banter between Din and Ana was a delight. I also liked that Din's LGBTQ status was just a part of the story, a missed opportunity and one I hope is revisited at a later time in the series.
The mystery was complex, layered and yet, I feel I could have known who the players were, if only I'd caught the hints the author had laid out. Overall, freaking brilliant. One I will for sure reread, if only to catch parts I missed on the first read. I highly recommend it.