A review by thecozyarchivist
The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennett

adventurous funny mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

The Tainted Cup introduced me to a new favorite genre: murder mystery set in a fantasy world! I absolutely loved this book. It hit the ground running right from the start, and didn't let up until the end. I loved how all the characters were quirky and had their own very distinct personality, which often went along with their magical abilities. The magic system in this book was also very interesting with people being assigned certain abilities based on their jobs, and also having the option to do body modifications to enhance your magic. The murder mystery itself was also really fun to watch unfold. I really felt like I didn't know who did it until the end, and that made it even more satisfying.

I will definitely be picking up more of Robert Jackson Bennett's books in the future, and I hope to see more books set in this universe.

Thank you Ballantine & NetGalley for the ARC!