Thank you Robert Jackson Bennett, NetGalley and Del Rey for this ARC

A Drop of Corruption is the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan trilogy (at the moment), which follows Ana Dolabra, a brilliant - if a bit weird- investigator, and her assistant, Dinios Kol. The world created by Robert Jackson Bennett is expanded to perfection, Din and Ana’s characters become even more three dimensional (if that is even possible).

Technicalities aside (like two grammatical mistakes and a name switcheroo), I’m still wiping away tears. The journey that Bennett took me was trilling, but that ending? It was beautiful, sweet and golden.

A Drop of Corruption is a wonderful return to the world of Ana, Din, the leviathans and everything that comes with them. We are dropped into the city of Yarrow, a city not yet part of the Empire of Khanum but absolutely vital to its inner workings through the presence of The Shroud off the coast.
As expected, one seemingly impossible murder leads to a string of revelations about the killer and their motives, and the characters turn to the task of trying to stop the next move from being made.
This installment of the series brings more of a thriller vibe to it rather than a straight murder mystery, and brings more action, drama and suspense into the quest to find and stop the murderer. We learn more about the characters and in particular, we discover a little bit more about the mystery of Ana herself. Each of the side characters are intricately characterised with their own voices and agendas, and add extra layers to the progression of solving the murders.
We thoroughly enjoyed this latest book in the series and highly recommend it to anyone who is looking for more Ana and Din mystery and chaos.

First I'd like to thank NetGalley for allowing me to read the ARC ahead of release!
While I felt like quite some time past between events in the series it all comes back with a bang! A new mystery to solve and disasters to avoid and prevent! Some new characters which I really enjoyed and more in-depth look at the various jobs and advances of the empire.
My favorite part is deep in the book, it feels almost like a possession sequence or characters talking through another. That whole 2 or so chapters had me absolutely riveted to the page.
I loved the growth between our two main characters and the world is still amazing. Can't wait for the official release!

⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ 5 STARS for Drop of Corruption – a brilliant fantasy-mystery from the author of The Tainted Cup! If you crave a 🕵️‍♂️ Sherlock + Watson style adventure with witty protagonists set in a richly developed fantasy empire, be sure to grab a copy when this book publishes on April 1, 2025!

📖 A QUICK 411:
Dinios Kol serves the Iudex, the Empire’s institution of justice, with a mind altered to forget nothing. He assists Ana Dolabra, a brilliant investigator who lives blindfolded to shield her mind from the chaos of the world. He observes and remembers; she analyzes and uncovers hidden truths. Together, they bring justice to the Empire. ⚖️🔍

⭐ ALL THE STARS FOR:
- The entertaining banter between Ana and Din 😂
- Every well-placed detail is relevant to the story 🎯
- Fast-paced action + a criminal mastermind 🏃‍♂️💨
- Amazing side characters— don't underestimate anyone! 😲
- A satisfying ending with all the loose ends tied up 🎀

I especially love when authors leverage fantasy to illustrate real-world issues... so 🎩 HATS OFF to Robert Jackson Bennett who confirms this in his Author's Note.

“Our headlines are dominated by regimes with one nigh-all-powerful man at the top making any number of terrible choices, and then—to the bafflement of the entire globe—doubling down on them, thus inflicting massive suffering on his people. It seems the talents that make a man capable of navigating palace intrigue until he wins the throne generally don’t coexist with the talents required for—or even a passing interest in—good governance.”

🔥 FAVORITE QUOTES:
🗡️ “You know, you are not a stupid person, Din.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, pleased.
“Or, rather, not an unusually stupid person.”
“Thank you, ma’am,” I said, far less pleased.

🗡️ “This work can never satisfy, Din, for it can never finish. The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist. The duty of the Iudex is not to boldly vanquish it but to manage it.”

Thank you to NetGalley, Robert Jackson Bennett, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, and Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the advance reader copy in exchange for my honest review!

I love this series and I'm so excited for there to be more. I enjoyed learning more about Ana's back story and Din's motivations and about the leviathons and how their blood is used, and more about a new aspect of this incredibly unique world. I took a long time to read this book, but I was still liking it the whole time. My biggest disappointment was that I figured out a lot of mystery before Ana did, and so I lost the big shock value of the final moment. But I still loved it and can't wait for the next book.

Din and Ana are back!!!

I swear RJB keeps getting better. He blends genres perfectly and I am reeling from some of the revelations at the end of this book. This is an extremely well crafted mystery with the perfect amount of intrigue, politics, fantasy, and horror. I always appreciate how Bennett drops a million threads for the reader to speculate on.

Can't wait to see how some of the implications from book 2 continue in book 3. Now... I wait lol.

"We built this, I thought. We have built this unnatural thing, and it has built us in turn."

What a fantastic book. A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett is the second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, and another Ana and Din novel.

When the first book, The Tainted Cup, was described as Sherlock Holmes meets epic fantasy, I expected that to be an exaggeration. But no, the comparison is apt, and I find these murder mysteries to be my favorites since first reading The Hound of the Baskervilles.

While this series takes place in an epic fantasy world, the author doesn't overwhelm you with the details but shows you the fantastical aspects, and how the empire of this land works, through the eyes of our characters and yet another murder mystery. I especially enjoyed our side characters in A Drop of Corruption, and the threat and mystery of the leviathans is still present.

I enjoyed this second installment even more than the first, and after some of my suspicions have been confirmed here, I cannot wait to read the next one. This series is a new all-time favorite for me, definitely a 5 star. (Also, I love the naked hardback covers from Del Rey).

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey for the copy of the eARC in exchange for an honest review.

A Drop of Corruption did not disappoint. Overall, it was everything you would want to see in a sequel to the Tainted Cup and more. While the book is long, the story is fast paced and had me engaged the entire time. A Drop of Corruption manages to be dark and beautiful with descriptions that will leave you both horrified and impressed. My only complaint is that the dialogue was somewhat crude which I could have done without but it does fit the theme, characters, and setting. Overall this was a five star read and I’d like to thank the author, publishers, and NetGalley for providing an advance review copy in exchange for an honest review.

4.25 STARS! 🌟 Huge thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the ARC via NetGalley! 💌

A locked-room mystery, an eccentric genius detective, and a high-stakes fantasy world where magic is everything? SIGN ME UP. 😩🔥

Ana Dolabra is BACK, and she's as unhinged and brilliant as ever. 😭💖 If you thought The Tainted Cup was a wild ride, A Drop of Corruption takes it up a notch—bigger stakes, sharper twists, and even more of Ana's chaotic genius.

From page one, I was HOOKED. A Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room—no doors opened, no windows broken, no trace of how he got out. Just gone. And of course, only one person can crack this: Ana, with Din (our Watson-esque, eternally exasperated narrator) by her side.

WHAT I LOVED:

✔️ The Mystery: Clever, layered, and impossible to predict. The deeper Ana and Din dig, the more it unravels into something MUCH bigger than a simple murder.

✔️ Ana & Din’s Banter: I LIVE for their dynamic. Ana is as sharp and socially oblivious as ever, and Din’s resigned acceptance of her antics makes it even funnier. Their snarky, ride-or-die partnership is the heart of this series.

✔️ The Magic System: Titan blood as a power source?? The Shroud as a high-security compound where they harvest it?? I’M OBSESSED.

✔️ Themes of Corruption & Power: It’s not just a whodunit—this book dives deep into power, bureaucracy, and the ugly truths behind empires.

The author’s note at the end is a MUST-READ because beneath all the murder and chaos, there’s some SERIOUS commentary on power, corruption, and control. And I love that in my fantasy mysteries.

And OMG, that ending?? 😭 I NEED BOOK THREE ASAP.

Whether you're here for the mystery, the mind-blowing worldbuilding, or just to watch Ana and Din verbally spar their way through life, A Drop of Corruption DELIVERS.

If you love:
🔎 Sherlock-style detective brilliance
✨ A rich fantasy world with a unique magic system
🖤 Snarky, morally grey characters
📖 Mysteries that make your brain hurt (in a good way)

Then this book is FOR YOU.

Now excuse me while I stare at my calendar waiting for the next one. 😭💖

A big thank you to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the eARC in exchange of an honest review.

I enjoyed the world that was created in the Tainted Cup and looked forward to diving back in.
Unfortunately, this one fell a little flat for me. I still had a fun time following the investigation, but felt like it was missing the 'je-ne-sais-quoi' the first book had.

If you enjoyed the first book, it's definitely still worth picking up, I'm sure it will be a favorite for most!

I was sent a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review, which I am providing here. Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for a copy of the ARC.

I did not think it was possible for me to like the sequel to the first book more than the first one, but between the political intrigue, the magic introduced, the character development, and Din just being Din, this book is my favorite in the series so far. The second in the series follows after the first one in a brand new mystery that expands not just our understanding of the characters but also the universe that Bennett has created. It's awesome to see a world that is so flawlessly complex but feels like a world that could easily exist. The characters are realistic, meaning they have reactions that feel true to themselves and to not just further the plot. The aspects of the story are consistent and the characters are just some of my favorite in fantasy. Din, our loveable, confused, bisexual is back and is just as confused but is starting to almost settle into the wild life he has found himself in. His story expands and we get a bit more of a look at his internal struggles that are maturing alongside him. Ana is just as strange but I find myself so intrigued by her as a character especially because of the revelations in the first two books in the series.

I honestly cannot wait to see where this series goes and I hope that it is longer than a trilogy because I don't know that I'll ever be tired of these characters. This book has high ratings for a good reason and I can't recommend the series enough to my fantasy lovers! Five out of five!

Building upon The Tainted Cup, A Drop of Corruption follows Din and Ana as they tackle yet another twisty, dark mystery set in Bennett's truly unique world. This follows another high stakes locked-room case that tests Ana and Din as complications arise at every point.

Ana is still the same entertaining conundrum character we know and love. Din is still a hot mess of complications and determination. I didn't really love how Din tried to deal with his feelings of the Captain he left behind form the first book. But the growing relationship between Din and Ana was great and I can't wait to see more from them.

The mystery itself is multifaceted and complex. Maybe slightly predictable but nevertheless entertaining and kept me hooked in until the end.

I cannot wait to read more in this series!

So grateful to Netgalley and Del Ray for the eARC!

Unbelievably unputdownable. I swear, anything from this series is gold! I love how RJB knits together the worldbuilding and the humorous and ever so smart Dinios Kol and Ana Dolabra. The dialogues are fun to read but also engaging as it evokes its murder mystery tone. The ending was really good and I’m hoping to read more of Din and Ana and their adventures! I just can’t wrap my mind around the fact that this book is great fantasy-wise and also character-wise. Ana Dolabra is AMAZING. Dinios Kol is sooo fun to read about and I’m glad this book was his point of view. Can’t wait for the next installment!!

Many thanks to NetGalley, Random House and Robert Bennett Jackson for the ARC on which this review is based.

A Drop of Corruption builds upon The Tainted Cup with another entertaining mystery set in Bennett’s unique fantasy world. The novel follows investigator Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Din Kol, as they tackle a high-stakes case involving a gruesome murder, missing body parts, and a conspiracy that could shake the empire. The locked-room mystery, unsettling biological elements, and razor-sharp dialogue keep the tension high.

Ana remains a brilliant yet enigmatic force, but Din undergoes a notable transformation. Where he was once eager and ambitious, he now grapples with disillusionment, questioning his role in the empire. Also, Din’s coping mechanism to get over the love interest he left behind in Talagray left me unimpressed. The dynamic between Ana and Din continues to be a strong point, though there is a desire for more emotional depth in their interactions. Malo is an interesting and witty new character - an augmented jungle warden/ranger who’s got enhanced senses of smell and night vision

The setting remains one of the book’s greatest strengths, with the introduction of new environments like the jungle kingdom of Yarrow and the enigmatic Shroud, a structure linked to the empire’s use of Leviathans. While the political intrigue is complex, it occasionally slows the pacing and feels less engaging than the core mystery. The mystery is gripping, with strong opening chapters and fascinating forensic details.

The mid-book revelation of the culprit diminishes some of the tension. The antagonist is OK and lacks the sense of intellectual rivalry needed for a true game of cat-and-mouse.

A Drop of Corruption is a worthy sequel, showcasing Bennett’s talent for intricate storytelling, immersive world-building, and clever mysteries. While it doesn’t quite match the freshness of the first book, it remains an engaging read with strong characters and thought-provoking themes. Fans of The Tainted Cup will enjoy the continued journey, even if they may hope for more surprises in future installments.

Thank you to NetGalley for the eARC!

Dinios Kol is THE disaster bisexual and I am here for all of it.

4.5/5 ⭐️ Only issue I had was the pacing. Next please!!!

It's not an exaggeration to say that this book was at the top of my most anticipated releases of 2025, and when I saw the notification in my inbox that I had received a copy, I screamed like I had won a million and immediately started reading.

Although I liked this book less than the previous one, it was impossible to put it down. The plot twists from the first pages and immediately draws us into a whirlpool of mysteries and secrets. I grew up on Agatha Christie and Conan Doyle detectives, so it wasn't hard for me to figure out the culprit. But I had my doubts until the very end, because it was too... predictable? I couldn't believe that our killer was who I thought he was. But when I read the author's note, I realized that this was the intention. In order to reveal the essence of this story, the murderer had to be only this character. And although I was disappointed from a detective point of view, from an idea's point of view, I could not help but applaud the author.

From the very first book, I was most interested in Ana's story, the mystery of her origin, her extraordinary abilities and talents, and I am very glad this book has lifted the veil over this mystery. I'm looking forward to the next book even more, and hope that it will give more answers and reveal more secrets of this world.

P.S. I really hope that in the third book we will meet our favorite Captain because I was a little disappointed not to see the continuation of his relationship with Din.

A deeply complex, layered mystery set in a richly developed fantasy world with living, breathing characters. I adore Din and Ana—they’re truly complex and well fleshed out. The story kept me hooked from start to finish, and the ending was both satisfying and thought-provoking, leaving just enough unanswered to make me eager for the next installment. One of my favorite fantasy series, and I can’t wait to see these characters again!

If you loved [book:The Tainted Cup|150247395], you'll love this. If you haven't read The Tainted Cup, what are you waiting for? Stop reading this review and pick up that book immediately. Come back when you're done.

Ready? Ok, let's go.

Our new favorite crime solving duo is back at it and this time the stakes are even higher. We have a killer killing, a potential targeted attack on the Shroud (a place where they do...important things that I will not disclose), and new political disputes where pretty much everyone acts suspiciously! I don't even want to divulge much more than that for fear of spoiling anything. I've found these books best to go into almost completely blind.

So, what <i>can</i> I say?

▪️The big world building gets even <b>bigger.</b> And <b>more complex.</b>
▪️There's a whole new cast of characters with new skills/magics.
▪️The relationship between Ana and Din continues to develop. And never fear - the adorable banter and admiration between the two that we savored in the first book is still there. We learn more about each character individually as well, and I'm already excited to see how these developments affect the next book.
▪️The vibe here is still very Sherlock/Watson or many of Agatha Christie's - except with a way cooler world.
▪️This book did one thing the first one did not: <b>it made me tear up.</b> So I guess now I can't deny I'm emotionally invested.

You'll have to pay close attention - this is a fun read but also a slightly challenging one with intricate layers - but the pay-off for doing so is so very worth it. Not all authors can succeed in creating distinct characters <i>and</i> atmosphere/worlds, but Robert Jackson Bennett nails both. There are beautiful, highly detailed descriptions of both the world and the characters, and it is well worth reading every single word to both capture these descriptions and feel like you're <b>in</b> the story and to try to solve the mystery before Ana does (good luck and trust no one, my friends!).

<i>The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist.</i>

My many thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore for providing me with a digital ARC of this book.

<b>5 Stars</b>

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett is the highly anticipated sequel to The Tainted Cup, which is a book I feel like only ever see positive reviews of and it’s also a great beginner fantasy novel.

I was so excited to pick up the sequel and I’m so happy that it did not disappoint! We are back with Ana and Din as they are solving another mystery. More of the world and what is going on is discovered while the characters are solving the main mystery.

One thing I love about this series is how easy it is to recommend to people. It’s got a lot going for it. Mystery, fantasy, great characters, a well thought out magic system that is pretty easy to understand. This series is great for anyone who loved the Sherlock tv show and wanted more of that vibe but make it fantasy. There is so much humor in this book as well which helps balance it out.

I think there were a couple stretches of this book that dragged a bit around the middle. I know it’s important information but I found myself a little bored. And while a lot of the world opened up, I didn’t feel like Ana or Din really grew as characters. I would have loved a little more depth from them.

I did really enjoy this book overall and will continue to recommend this series!

“But is he a villain, or simple political swine? It is often hard to tell those two apart.”

In the second book in The Shadow of the Leviathan series Imperial Investigator Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Dinias Kol are sent to unravel a locked room mystery set in far off Yarrowdale. I loved the extremely deep and evocative world building of the first book, The Tainted Cup, and Bennett continues and expands that in A Drop of Corruption.

The writing is masterful, both beautiful and witty. All of the characters are fascinating with all their quirks, eccentricities, and inner demons. I particularly liked the Yarrow Warden Tira Malo, a new character that I’d love to see more of.

The mystery is complex and multifaceted and kept me guessing throughout the story.
As with book one, the story is grotesque, bordering on horror, yet also funny, poignant, and at times, profound.

I loved the exchanges between Din and the brilliant but strange Ana. And I especially loved the ending. The world they inhabit is unique and there are a lot of new ideas, names, titles and jargon used. I quickly got used to it, but it’s a bit confusing at the beginning.

I would definitely recommend starting with the first book that introduces the characters and some of the ideas. The world building is dense and is better understood from the beginning.