Lily Johnson

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Lily is Currently Reading

Lily Johnson is currently reading

The Tainted Cup (Ana and Din Mysteries, #1)

by Robert Jackson Bennett (Goodreads Author)

bookshelves: currently-reading

Reading for the 3rd time

read in December 2024

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Lily Johnson said:

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

" I’m cursed to start excellent series when only one book has been published.

Just finished my second read-through in time for the sequel in April. God it’s a good read. I had so much fun rediscovering everything. RJB is so damn good and the story ties I’m cursed to start excellent series when only one book has been published.

Just finished my second read-through in time for the sequel in April. God it’s a good read. I had so much fun rediscovering everything. RJB is so damn good and the story ties together extremely neatly in the last 10%, with a fun kick in the last 5%, where earlier I was scrambling to put the pieces together. And I read this book three months ago lol. Testament to the skill and convolution of his writing and plot, separately.

Very good dynamic between the two main characters. I’ve read some reviews saying that Ana is by far the more interesting of the two, and I see that perspective and can’t wait for more of her in the sequels, but to be totally upfront I love Din and I love dry, matter of fact blunt characters like him. He is so sharp, an excellent foil to Ana’s eccentricities, and I’m dying to get more backstory. I also think that he has so much potential to develop further. Love love love them. If we’re comparing to Sherlock Holmes I see them very much as Robert Downey Junior and Jude Law’s interpretation in the ‘08 movies (which I absolutely adore). I just think the wildness and unpredictability of Ana and RDJ strike so well against the dry wit, exasperation and tolerance of Din and JL.

I love the romance in there although it’s seeded so carefully that it really isn’t a focus, more like chocolate on top of a cappuccino. Nice touch but very much not overwhelming. Just enough to set it apart.

Coming around to the world it’s set in. Where are we tech-wise - is this the 1800s? Is it our time with a completely different evolution of science? What is going onnnnnnnn. I love that the science is so out there that it really does become almost its own magic system - great touch. Love the bioengineering too, and I love that it’s not really explained, just hinted at. Also, may be an AOT ripoff but I don’t care (never seen them, just saw other reviews). WHAT IS GOING ON WITH THE FUCKING LEVIATHANS?

I had a thought that they’re harbingers of the apocalypse and their faces are trying to speak to and warn people. The higher power sends bigger and bigger ones each year because the apocalypse gets nearer and nearer. I don’t think that’s real but it helps me to get over the fuckery of the faces on their underbellies. I can’t even imagine the scale - so feral. Can’t wait to get more into that

BRING ON ROUND TWO I CANNOT WAIT ...more "

progress:

(73%)
— Mar 18, 2025 03:57PM

Apr 15, 2025 09:49PM · see review