Two things immediately struck me as I read The Tainted Cup. The first is that I love the increasing number of fantasy and science fiction stories coming to the market that take inspiration from around the world. The second is there is a very specific reason why I’m not keen on science fiction (something for another time because I wouldn’t consider The Tainted Cup to be science fiction). That being said, it’s also not you’re run of the mill fantasy novel either, I prefer a classification on the lines of Plant Punk (I’ve also seen Bio Punk used as well).
The author takes us to a Japanese inspired world where the coastlines are ravaged by mighty leviathans that humankind must successfully repel or face the destruction of towns and cities as they rampage inland. However, the book doesn’t primarily concern itself with the creatures. They are ever present, not just because of their attacks, but also because their fallen bodies form a part of the landscape.
The story focuses on an investigator whose memory has been enhanced to the point where he remembers everything he sees. The young man works for a highly intelligent, and seemingly eccentric detective who spends much of her time alone and blindfolded. He is her eyes and ears in the busy outside world.
As you’d expect from any high performing literary crime fighting duo, they are not above bending the rules when it suits them, and their relationship with authority can be complex. And there’s a good supply of zingy one-liners, but ultimately, they are sincere in their mission and support for humanity.
This is most definitely a solid example of its genre (genres if you want to separate the detective element from the Plant Punk). Everything I would want, and expect, from this sort of story is there in absolute spades. The story twists and turns in a reasonably expected manner, but it is definitely not boring. The setting of the story and the plant-based technology employed in the Empire is fascinating and applied in interesting ways, elevating the overall offering. It adds a really novel twist to every part of the story and elevates the investigation by creating additional intrigue and complexity. The investigation itself becomes a great tool to help the reader explore the setting. I’ve already started on the second book, A Drop of Corruption, and would recommend it to anyone who enjoys crime genres in amazing settings.
That’s all for this week. Toy soldiers will return next week!
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The Wizard's Bookshelf 