The Tainted Cup was such a fun read. Once you got past being tossed into a new world with new words, new science, and confusing politics, it’s easy to get swept away in the story. The understanding comes along the way. 

Kol was a sweet, tenderhearted choice to have as the POV, which was a great way to balance the frequent brutality of the murder mystery he and Ana have been tasked with solving. Ana was a delight, and though she was reminiscent of Sherlock Holmes in many ways, she was still a fully realized and unique character. Her affection for Kol slowly starting to show throughout the book was a delight to watch. 

I loved the political intrigue that bloomed alongside the murder mystery. Learning more about the empire little by little, through context and small things people would say, was like its own little mystery for us as the readers. The plant/fungal science was fascinating, and really added to the strangeness of the world along with upping the stakes. And to have all of the politics and investigating and betrayals happening under the looming shadow of these massive fungal leviathans! It made me appreciate how we sometimes can feel so foolish going about our lives as destruction and hopelessness looms, but we do it so that we can still participate in life. So that humanity can still celebrate, and love, and exist. 

I can’t wait to read the sequel.