Divine Cities or Founders first?
City of Stairs (2014) and Foundryside (2018) are different Robert Jackson Bennett series. The Tainted Cup (2024) is a third door, not book four.
Short answer · Start here
Whichever series you meant. Not one sequence.
The Divine Cities start at City of Stairs (2014). Founders starts at Foundryside (2018). The Tainted Cup (2024) opens a third series. Do not chain them.
Book 1 on Amazon · Whichever series you meant. Not one sequence.
Why the shelves get merged
Both are finished Bennett trilogies, and a third series followed. An author sort on a shop page looks like one long run: City of Miracles into Foundryside into The Tainted Cup. They are three doors.
What this house does
Name the series, then open its book one. Divine Cities: City of Stairs, City of Blades, City of Miracles. Founders: Foundryside, Shorefall, Locklands. Shadow of the Leviathan: The Tainted Cup, then A Drop of Corruption, then A Trade of Blood. Full tables on the Divine Cities and Founders guide.
If you wanted a single clear book one on a different fantasy shelf, Osten Ard starts at The Dragonbone Chair.
FAQ
Do I need City of Stairs before Foundryside?
No.
Is The Tainted Cup Founders book 4?
No.
Are the early Bennett novels required?
No. They are standalones.
Full maps