Thank you NetGalley for providing me a free e-arc in exchange for an honest review. This book was a little bit more complicated or challenging for me than book one. I absolutely loved the characters, old and new. The story developed a little slow but I loved the conclusion and Ana’s wits to solve yet another mystery with Kol’s assistance.

The second book follows Ana and her assistant in a locked room mystery but the book still has insane world/magic building throughout. The duo attempt to solve a murder but in doing so it also uncovers deep themes rooted around politics and morality that had me second guessing the whole time. I feel like since majority of The Tainted Cup was establishing the setting and magic system that this book was much more easy to follow. We were able to have more crumbs of knowledge regarding Din's background and although I would've also like to see more development from Ana, this was still very well done. RJB was the first author I read a thriller fantasy novel and I adore this series. Too often the endings or climax of a thriller genre is pretty easy for me to guess but for once I felt myself not knowing what was going to happen until it actually occurred which is a breath of fresh air. The murder mystery "whodunnit" theme was well written and plotted to give readers the expected shock factor while also making sense. Can't wait for book 3!

A Drop of Corruption is the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan series and reunites slightly insane investigator Ana Dolabra and her beleaguered assistant Dinios Kol as they try to solve a disappearance/murder/attempt to overthrow a backwoods monarch/maybe the entire empire. Much like the first book, a simple case quickly snowballs and leads readers further into the inner workings of an empire that relies upon the blood of giant sea monsters for their advancements. As a fan of fantasy more than mysteries and thrillers, I loved discovering more about Ana and the newly described Shroud where the dead leviathans are processed, whereas the whodunit is more of a staging grounds for the character development and world building. The author's note addressing the rise of authoritarianism is particularly timely.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for an advanced copy of this book in return for an honest and unbiased review.

Ana is Din’s Sherlock Holmes and the pair take on a murder in an entrenching fantasy world - this is book two in the Shadow of the Leviathan Series. The Empire has lost an important spokesperson to the wild realm of Yarrowdale and they are not happy. Ana… I mean Din, is sent to investigate, with his hyper-photographic-memory, the murder and bring back the details to the blindfolded Ana to solve - and what an adventure this mystery was. I was suspense-d. I was engrossed. I was yearning for more after every word read. Robert Jackson Bennet is a god. Eh hem, I mean a phenomenal writer. I cannot begin to comprehend how someone creates such a unique and detailed world, then writes that in a way that you feel immersed in that world completely… Then, adds a mystery that keeps you guessing… THEN, makes that mystery thrilling, engaging, and completely unguessable until the very end. I was in awe after The Tainted Cup and was screaming at my screen when I got the email that I had been given an advanced e-copy of A Drop of Corruption. I cannot recommend this book, this series, and this author enough. What a wild and fun ride this book was.

5 stars - would give 10 if possible.

Trigger Warnings: Death, murder, mention of suicide, body horror, animal death, slavery/forced servitude, sex

the tainted cup was my favorite read of 2024, and i'm so glad to say i loved this one just as much!

as a murder mystery set in a high fantasy world, RJB managed to create a very balanced story, with a really good and layered mystery while also exploring societal themes within this world. the author's note is the cherry on the top, and can't be skipped.

Din and Ana remain such a great duo, and I liked that we got to understand some of their layers without taking away from the main focus of the plot. i can't wait to read where they go from here

Ana and Din's workplace banter is so well written!

The storyline was well drafted, a few twists I didn't see coming but the big reveal I pondered about halfway through the book.

From the minor details we get from Din and his personal life in book one I was surprised by the peak into his personal life at the beginning of this novel. Yes the character was present for some of the story but were those chapters necessary for the story, no.

4.5 stars, rounded up, because I liked this book even more than the first one. Bennett's fantasy mystery series 'Shadow of the Leviathan' is compulsively readable with fascinating characters and storylines. He manages to explore weighty themes and organically weave them in to the stories he writes without getting bogged down in moralizing. In A Drop of Corruption, we get an intriguing locked room mystery as well as a deeper look into both Din and Ana's characters. Din in particular grows throughout these two books and I can't wait to see where Bennett takes these two next! Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for a digital review copy.

The Tainted Cup was my most surprising read of 2024, and its follow up A Drop of Corruption was even BETTER. Giving this a 4.5 out of 5 stars.

The neurodiverse-coded Sherlock and Holmes duo of Ana and Din continues where they left off in solving buck wild mysteries across the land. Now that the world has been established, we can see a deeper dive into Din and his motivations and we learn more about the morally grey research the government funds with leviathans.

I'm really glad that this story took place during a period of time where leviathans were NOT attacking, because compared to book 1, I feel like we got a deeper glimpse into the "everyday" of the world and the consequences and impacts of said leviathan attacks without imminent doom hovering over everyone's heads. What amazes me is that this world still feels so alien and strange despite all the human characters. You can really see how these Lovecraft-like leviathans have just absolutely corrupted (no pun intended) the land and the people living on it. But the need to survive and to do whatever it takes to survive is such a human emotion that the story is so compelling.

I need book three like yesterday!

3.5 stars. There was much to love about this installment. A murder and a locked-room situation in a fantasy world, with a fantasy Sherlock-and-Watson duo leading the charge? Honestly, if Bennett keeps writing these books, I'll keep reading them.

The character moments were the best. Whenever we had a chance to see a character be themselves or express something about their past, that was when it held my attention the most. And of course, the strange and eccentric Ana was the star of the show. Just as with book 1, I loved the dynamic between Din and Ana.

Speaking of characters, Malo was a great addition. Even as a side character, she had a distinct personality and background that made her a valuable contribution to the story.

This installment also seamlessly continued on the worldbuilding. I feel it’s rare to have such extensive fantasy worldbuilding in a story where grand wars and politicking are not the story, but instead a murder mystery. Just as with book 1, it’s a refreshing take on the mystery genre, because even while the characters are human with human motivations, the how involves new rules and logic and magic that we must incorporate into our theories.

The only reason my rating isn’t higher is that I found myself losing immersion sometimes, so I wouldn’t say I was necessarily compelled to fly through the chapters. Part of this may have been that, as an investigation, it felt like I spent a lot of time reading conversations as opposed to seeing any action or character development. And because a lot of information was relayed verbally this way, there was a deal of rehashing throughout. This isn’t necessarily a bad thing for every reader, so just an observation.

Thanks to Netgalley and Del Rey for the ARC!

(Instagram, Pixelfed, and blog link will be active Thursday 3/27 -- I will come back to add links)

The second book in the Ana and Din mysteries took hold of my senses and imagination and sent me laughing into the abyss.

Disclaimer: I read this book as a tandem read with an ALC from the PRH Audio Influencer club and a Phusicla Galley from the publisher Del Rey. All opinions are my own. This is my honest and voluntary review.

I loved the Tainted Cup and this book was no exception. We are thrust into another mystery and Ana and Din set off across the empire to solve a murder/mystery that quickly becomes complicated and deadly. On top of the murder and its need to be solved quickly, Din is embroiled in personal issues that have him stressed and looking for relief in any way possible. Thrown into a world where nothing is as it seems, and you can trust literally no one, Ana and Din must work with a slew of people with different graphs and augmentations in order to solve a mystery that spans decades empires, and hold the fate of the entire world in their hands.

The comedy relief in this book was absolutely stellar. I found myself laughing out loud numerous times throughout this book. The mystery was absolutely mind-boggling. I thought I knew who was at the head of it numerous times, but I was always thwarted and sent back to square one. It was absolutely wonderful and complicated and included so many layers and different types of people. I enjoyed the murder mystery plot the most out of this entire book. We learn even more about Din and Ana and I loved the revelations surrounding them and their circumstances.

I can't wait for the next book. I'm sitting on pins and needles.

As other reviews noted, this is such a better book than the first because not as much world-building was necessary. There's still plenty new that is uncovered about how the world works and neurodiversity is taken up a notch in exciting and respectful ways.
The main characters don't develop quite as much during this story line as I would have liked, especially Anna, but there are so many other new characters that it's not at all needed to keep the story fresh and alive.
I was never a fan of Sherlock but having a series with an acid-dropping Sherlock and a wicked smart, sex-fiend Holmes is apparently the magic that keeps me interested in whodunnits!

These books are so strange because I feel slightly too stupid to be able to picture the world and the characters as accurately as Robert Jackson Bennett would probably like, but I find them to be great fun anyways.

The world of Shadow of the Leviathan is so alien, but the mysteries at the heart of each installment remain intensely fun and intriguing. It's also hard for me to actually predict anything, because there's so much weird shit built into the world that Bennett could whip out just about anything and I'd probably buy it. Titan blood? Reagents? Sure, sure, makes sense.

The banter between Din and Ana remains as entertaining as ever, and I appreciated that we got some good character development for the two in this one. There were certain elements I missed from The Tainted Cup, but book added a great character in Malo and I look forward to how this series continues to develop.

Bennett constructs a solid narrative that explores universal themes such as betrayal, loyalty, and the difficulty of distinguishing between good and evil in a world where moral lines are blurred. The author's writing is one of his defining characteristics. His prose is fluid yet never lacking in complexity, managing to combine moments of frantic action with slower, more reflective passages. The world-building is meticulous, with a well-developed political and social system that recalls the works of well-known authors like George R.R. Martin and Brandon Sanderson, but with a more political and psychological focus. The city that serves as the backdrop to the story is alive and tangible, almost a character in its own right, actively influencing the plot and the fate of its inhabitants.

Another strength of the novel is the characterization. Bennett excels at making his characters complex, showcasing their weaknesses and inner conflicts, which makes them human and, consequently, engaging. His ability to address political and moral themes through his characters makes the novel more than just an adventure story: it becomes an investigation into the human soul and the nature of power.

The tension that pervades "A Drop of Corruption" is palpable, as Bennett skillfully manipulates the narrative rhythm, and the element of mystery that permeates the plot keeps the reader glued to the pages with continuous twists that enrich the story and increase the desire to keep reading. However, it is a dense text, rich in subplots and with an expansive world that requires significant effort and imagination from the reader. There are also some unanswered questions by the end of the story, but this helps maintain suspense in anticipation of the next volume in the series.

The Shadow of the Leviathan series follow 2 investigators, Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol on their adventures and investigations through an imaginative, cutthroat world filled with mutated humans with superhuman abilities and giant monsters. Think Sherlock Holmes with Kaiju.

I enjoyed this second book in the series, but just a little less than the first installment. Like the first, the writing is excellent, the mystery compelling and satisfying, and the world building immersive. I liked that this book is set in a new location, introduces a new cast of characters, and reveals more of the world rather than retreading old ground. The first one focuses more on Dinios' secrets while this one unearths more of Ana's secrets.

While I enjoyed meeting a new cast, I found them less compelling than the first. I felt like there was so much action in this story that there was no time for character development, even for our two main characters. Kol felt a bit flat in this and Ana felt like a caricature instead of a three dimensional person. In book one, there were compelling secondary characters like the love interest Kepheus. I would have happily read many chapters about that burgeoning relationship. The love interest in this one, Sabudara, was a brief character sketch and I think only meant to provide some comic relief, so if you're looking for romance, prepare for disappointment. Finally, I found some of the violence and language times jarring at times; instead of naturally flowing with the story, they felt like an attempt to inject more edginess into the book.

My disclaimer is that I might be judging A Drop of Corruption too harshly. Tainted Cup was one of my favorite books of 2024 and my expectations were extremely high going in. While I still loved the world, the writing, and the surprises, I felt like book two in the series fell a little short of the magic of the first for me. That being said, I will definitely read book three (hopefully there will be one)!

Thanks to Robert Jackson Bennett, Del Rey, and Netgalley for the ARC.

3,5

This was such a hard review to write because its a good book with only one flaw. But the flaw was so persistent trough the book that it made me enjoy it less.

I once again loved the cast of characters. Din and Ana are such a lovely take on a sherlock/Watson duo. I enjoyed their interactions with each other and the new cast members as well as their character arcs.

The world is once again filled with such whimsy and wonder. This series handled its ”magic” system like no other. I love the way it uses plants and biology. This book expanded on both old and new concepts and i was intrigued trough the entire thing.

The murder mystery was okay but I do think the first book was better.

Now to my Issue. In the efforts to be anti monarchy the book manages to feel incredibly pro-imperialism. It also made a lot in the book feel racially charged in a way I’m pretty sure the author didn’t intend. But it soured the book quite a but for me and I think it could have been handled better.

In the end i think it was a misstep from the author and i will of course continue with book three, especially since it could technically fix all the issues i had with this book.

I often find with series that I never enjoy the following books quite as much as the initial one, but for once that was not the case here!

This was a wonderfully done sequel that expanded upon our main characters, Ana and Din, and their dynamic. As well as the story’s world and lore. I find myself captivated to know even more and will be excited to read more of this series if/when its available.

I’m usually able to piece together mystery/detective stories pretty well, and thats still the case here. BUT - there’s usually a twist or two that even I didn’t put together until looking back on some details provided in hindsight. It’s the perfect blend of feeling like all the pieces make sense while still providing some surprise.

The pacing is well done, the author sets the scenes beautifully without feeling like the descriptions tear us away from the plot for too long, and all the characters feel well-rounded and full (even side characters!).

Wow 5 ⭐️

Ana and Din are my two favourite investigators, The Shadow of Leviathan series is so refreshing and interesting to read with high fantasy and mystery combine in the most perfect way. In this sequel to The Tainted Cup(which I also gave 5⭐️ too) the individual character development of Ana and Din really adds so much more to the story on how they think and approach the investigation of the mystery. If you love mystery plot lines with the atmosphere of fantasy world, this series will have you hooked. I can’t wait for the next book in the series.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

4.5 stars rounded up

I was super excited to read more of Ana and Din’s detective adventures, and A Drop Of Corruption did not disappoint! Whilst not quite as solid as The Tainted Cup (a very high bar to clear in my opinion), this is an excellent sequel with a distinct plot that builds on the established world and characters from the first book.

This novel takes place in a brand new area of the world from the first instalment, in the swampy, humid canals and northern coastal town of Yarrow. This region of the world faces very different threats than other areas of the empire previously explored, and the novel did a great job in showing the diversity of life among places and people in this world. As with the first book, the location is very intertwined with the book’s plot and has clearly been carefully planned out, making the mystery feel genuine.

As with The Tainted Cup, the mystery element starts small (in this case a classic Locked Room murder mystery), but quickly unravels to reveal a complex web of intrigue that goes much deeper. The stakes in Drop Of Corruption feel as high as ever, with the tension gradually building towards an exciting conclusion and final reveal. I struggled a lot more with the names in this book than its predecessor, with a flood of new characters that I found difficult to keep track of at first. I also found the mystery itself to be a little more far fetched, though it was still cleverly plotted and enjoyable to read.

I was really pleased to see a little development of both Ana and Din in book two, with a drip feeding of backstories for both characters feeding the intrigue. I really hope this is a series that runs for many future books, as I’d be eager to regularly check in on their investigations!

Thank you to Netgalley.com for providing me with an ARC of this title.

I read The Tainted Cup last month and it was my first Robert Jackson Bennett novel so i was unsure what to expect. I loved that book and rated it 5 stars so I couldn't wait to delve back into the lives of Ana & Din who have become my favourite detective duo!

The books are set in a very unique fantasy world and both books had strong plots.

A Drop Of Corruption was equally as brilliant and chaotic as i was hoping for. It is very well written with great pacing. I was never bored. There were moments where I took my time to understand what was going on in parts.

I loved that i didn't know what would happen next! The story was complex and full of twists and turns! As a murder mystery, it certainly kept me on my toes!

I enjoyed the introduction of Malo and can't wait to see how she fares in Ashradel. She filled the gap that Captain Kepheus Strovi left from book one. I really hope that Din is reunited with him in the next book!

The banter between Ana and Din was great. Her eating scenes & Din's reaction to it cracked me up! I love how she knows Din better than himself & clearly cates for him. Her helping to expose the debt company for him was heart warming!

I can't wait for the next installment!

Thank you Penguin Random House @penguinrandomhouse , NetGalley @netgalley , and Robert Jackson Bennett @r.Jackson.bennett for this free ebook. “…for if we are not instruments in service to one another, then we are nothing at all.” RJB

“A Drop of Corruption: An Ana and Din Mystery” (Shadow of the Leviathan #2) by Robert Jackson Bennett⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️Genre: Fantasy/Classic Detective. Location: The Empire of Khanum. Time: Empire date 1129

THE SERIES: Tall, yellow-eyed, white-haired, bizarrely eccentric Ana Dolabra (40s-50s?) is a brilliant detective. She almost always wears a blindfold, and solves impossible cases without leaving her book-filled room. Dinios Kol (20) is Ana’s assistant. Din is an engraver, magically altered to remember everything he sees and hears. This makes him the perfect Dr Watson for Ana’s Sherlock Holmes. He investigates and remembers; she analyzes, evaluates, and finds hidden truths.

THIS BOOK: In far Yarrowdale, a Treasury officer disappears from a locked room in a heavily guarded tower. The Empire calls Ana and Din to solve the case. Ana discovers a cunning murder instead. The killer may be targeting the Shroud, a dangerous off-shore compound where colossal, monstrous leviathans are harvested for their blood magic. If the Shroud falls, the Empire loses its magic. Assisted by warden Tira Malo with her super hearing and enhanced sense of smell, Din travels upstream to find the killer. But the death toll grows, and Din fears Ana has met an enemy she can’t defeat.

Author Bennett has created a Sherlock Holmes and Dr Watson duo in a land full of magical enhancements. He builds an amazing world full of shaped life-root and branch, flesh and bone. Book 1 had scary parts about the leviathans, but this books leans toward horror in its descriptions of horrible killings and altered bodies. Bennett includes a map and a list of military ranks! His book is an homage to classic murder mysteries in the most glorious, magical way. It’s long and complicated, so you might want to read book 1 first. It’s 5 stars from me👩🏼‍🦳