If The Tainted Cup was weird, brilliant foreplay, A Drop of Corruption is where things get messier, more layered, and way more personal—in the best, most brain-melting way.

This isn’t just another murder mystery in a fantasy world. It’s a story about two people—Ana and Din—who look like the empire’s perfect tools, but who quietly carry grief, memory, and impossible expectations under the surface.

Din’s inner life cracked open in a way that genuinely surprised me. He’s not just the guy with the perfect memory—he’s deeply human. Yearning, flawed, burdened by love and loyalty and family. And Ana? She remains sharp as ever, but the little glimpses into her past have me waiting impatiently for the third book. Their relationship—still all banter and brilliance—grows into something even more real here. It’s not romantic, but it’s intimate in the way that truly matters.

The mystery itself is twisty and fascinating (locked-room crime with spores, yes please), but it’s the way this book balances intellect with emotional undercurrents that makes it hit different. It asks you to pay attention—to the politics, the details, the pain behind precision.

Was the ending a bit drawn out? Sure. But honestly, that didn’t matter to me. This series is doing something smart, strange, and deeply thoughtful. And it deserves way more people screaming about it.

4.75/5

Best for fans of eerie worldbuilding, morally questionable empires, and characters who are way too competent for their own good.

Well, my review is going up about a week later than planned. By sitting on it, I believe my thoughts have fully formed. The second book in this series gives us a broader look into the world. From here, each book is only going to get more intriguing with the depth we learn. One of the main draws of the series, though, is not just the fantastical world but the mystery elements. This shows a new case and mostly stands as its own story in that regard. The case of a missing official in a politically fraught kingdom unearths more questions to push the Empire's best detective to her limits. I loved getting to see more of Ana’s brilliance in action. With the concluding chapter of the novel, I can’t wait to see how Din and Ana tackle their next adventure. Thank you to Netgalley & Random House for the copy to be able to review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me an eARC copy! I also took advantage of it being an Aardvark box pick, if that already tells you anything.

I love both the 1st and 2nd installment of this series for different reasons. The first book focused on the mystery and introduction to our main detective duo plus the world itself. This second book went into the politics of this world and how the Leviathans are so important as not only an enemy to be fought but a resource to be used. On top of that, a mystery of someone trying to bring the Empire down with murder and other “corruption”. We also get introduced more into the magical characteristics of this world.
This would have been a 5 star, but I didn't really care for the choice of showing Din basically having one night stands as a coping mechanism. I understand its being used to show Din is a heartbroken character and is using this behavior to fill that brokenness, but I almost DNFd really soon in the story because that's not something I care to read. Though, I appreciate it not being overly spicy, because I defintely couldn't get passed that. I appreciated the 2nd instance where it was ALL closed door though. I would rather have implication than telling me "the deed" was done.
I am glad I continued though, because I did really enjoy the twisty mystery. Ana is still as crass as ever, but I still find her my favorite character in the series. I CANNOT wait for the next book.
I also enjoyed the author's note for the commentary on why he chose to write the particular events happening in this one.

4 stars

I am in love with this series! It is so complex and unique and really keeps me on my toes while I was reading. There is so much going on between the plot, the main characters, the society and not to mention the medical science is fascinating. Din and Ana's relationship is weird, but they really complement each other in their partnership during investigations. I learned a great deal about each, but they still have some secrets that I can not wait to learn more about. This story is very character driven and I think both Din and Ana are great and keep the story moving. The plot of this second book was quite a bit slower in the development and conclusion, when we did get to the climax of the story it was amazing and still left me hanging. I can't wait to get the next book with these characters and the challenges their next cases brings.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley & Del Ray for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Robert Jackson Bennett has once again proven himself a master of world-building in this sequel to The Tainted Cup. If you get as excited as I do about the in-depth ins & outs of fantasy worlds, I highly recommend the Shadow of the Leviathon series.

He has also excelled in weaving an intriguing mystery... within a mystery! There's obviously the mystery of the crime itself, but getting hints and clues that we were beginning to question who and what Ana is was so well executed. I was almost as excited to uncover her secrets as I was the plot to murder, scheme, and steal!

Ana and Din's banter is still perfect, and I laughed at various times during this dark fantasy-mystery. I'm also super excited about the hint to possibly get more from Malo in the coming sequels! As well as, it seems, getting more involved with the political side of the Empire a little more in-depth. The theme I sense this series is drawing on is working so well. I will definitely be trying to get my hands on the next one's ARC, too!

ARC Review:

To be honest, the book sounded so good that I applied for it and got it without realizing I haven’t read the first one yet. As any responsible ARC reader should do, I bought the first book just to read both of them as fast as I could before the publish date for the second one! I can say that it was DEFINITELY worth it. So far, this trilogy has blown my mind in more ways than I can count. Even if I can guess bits of the ending, I still cannot put it together to make any sense the way than Ana does. We get to see Din develop more as a character, with hopes and dreams, financial problems, a little grief, longing, casual sex, friendship, and his intellect as he grows more experienced and accustomed to his job as an investigator. Somehow, this plot was even more heinous than the plot in the first book!! I would even go as far to say that it was even a little horror with fantasy. We get to learn about more magical elements in the world building that tie in nicely. Somehow, Din has to travel to even scarier/more dangerous locations than he did in the first book. I will say that this book had even MORE politics in it, which I’m not always here for, but I was here for ALL of it in this book. This author knows how to write an amazing story that allows you to feel immersed in this world he has created, while also rooting for the main characters to solve their cases (murders/crimes)! If that did not convince you, then read it to find out more about Ana!!!!!!! ;) I already can’t wait to read the third and final book of this trilogy.

I love this series so much. Din and Ana’s relationship and banter is a ton of fun! Sherlock Holmes with sci-fi. I highly recommend!!

High fantasy is not a genre I normally indulge in. This took me completely out of my comfort zone as the detailed, inexplicable and complicated workings of this world was slowly unfolding in the story.

A Treasury Officer disappears from a locked room, and the greatest detective of the realm is set to find him. So far the story panned out like any mystery but it stopped there. Very complex, and for a novice reader of this genre puzzling, interesting and oh so different.

I was determined to finish the book, though I did find it hard going, though that is my own fault definitely not the author.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

In "A Drop of Corruption," Robert Jackson Bennett crafts a thrilling mystery set in Yarrowdale, where a Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room. Detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol are called to solve not just a disappearance but a cunning murder that threatens the Empire's power.

Bennett’s world-building immerses readers in a universe where magic and politics intertwine, particularly around the high-security Shroud compound. Ana is a strong protagonist, and her dynamic with Din adds depth to their investigation.

The plot is intricately woven, filled with unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. While the complexity can be overwhelming at times, the story remains gripping. Themes of power and corruption resonate, making "A Drop of Corruption" a captivating addition to the series that will leave fans eager for more.

First I want to send a big thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Tainted Cup was one of my top reads in 2024, so when I saw I got approved for this ARC I was beyond thrilled. I just love these characters and this hella interesting world that Robert Jackson Bennett has created. Ana is one of the best characters in any fantasy series I’ve read in the past few years! I eat up every single page she’s on! I loved getting a little more into her story in this book. And Din and Ana play off each other so well. I just love the dynamic between the two! Once again Bennett has delivered a case that’s both mysterious and terrifying. The new characters were fantastic, and I’m excited that at least one of them may join our duo on future cases. I cannot wait to see where and what they get up to next!

I love this series. This book is just as wonderful as the first. A more complex new murder to solve, more world building, fantasy mixed with crime solving. Witty banter between Ana and Din and more character development. The twist and turns were fantastic. I love this series's and can wait for more.

So good, and makes me think I can read other fantasy bits and have just a good of time. Which usually leaves me disappointed, because no one quite makes high fantasy mystery and character work as entertaining as Robert Jackson Bennet.

Needles to say, I had a really great time. The story was intricate, but never overbearing, and if you enjoyed the Tainted Cup, you will have an equally, if not more, enjoyable time with A Drop of Corruption. Honor & Din return for another weird and necissarily convoluted mystery in the outskirts of the empire. Mystery busting ensues, and we're in for an exciting time while things are revealed.

The authors note at the end, was *chefs kiss*.

I listened to the audio for this and the narrator Andrew Fallaize does an amazing job. Standing ovation for you sir.

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for an e-copy.

I’ve been pining away for this book since I finished The Tainted Cup last year and of course it didn’t disappoint. Sophomore novels in an ongoing book series are not the easiest task to complete and stick the landing, but Jackson Bennett makes it look easy.

A Drop of Corruption runs about fifty pages longer than The Tainted Cup, and I suspect it’s because ADoC has to do the double duty of intense character work on Ana and Din as well as the intricate plot work involving a murdered Treasury officer, government secrets, and a shadowy opponent who confounds Ana at almost every turn. Since Din is our main protagonist, we are always privy to his characterization developments, which shift and evolve as the plot builds and the story unfolds; but Ana’s evolution as a character is driven almost harshly by the plot and worldbuilding, like she’s being backed into a corner. They’re both put through the wringer, physically. Emotionally? Well, it’s always a little hard to tell with Ana. With Din, though? He has some revelations.

The plot looks straightforward, but as the book goes on there is just layer after layer and the whole puzzle becomes more and more complicated. For every problem solved, three more become apparent. The thing is? I found the whole book really predictable but didn’t care. I guessed plot points hundreds of pages ahead of time. Still didn’t care. I was having far too much fun with Ana and Din and loving the journey so much I couldn’t care less if I knew how the story would end. That’s how good this book is. 5⭐️


I was provided a copy of this title by the author and publisher via Netgalley. All thoughts, opinions, views, and ideas expressed herein are mine and mine alone. Thank you.

File Under: 5 Stars Review/Action-Adventure/Adult Fantasy/Body Horror/Book Series/Dark Fantasy/Fantasy/Fantasy Series/LGBTQ Fantasy/Mystery/Political Fantasy

When I first started reading this, I wondered if I had missed a book or novella because it seemed like a reasonable amount of time had passed and I wasn't quite sure what was going on. And, I'm afraid to admit, I didn't quite remember if the previous book had information that tied it together, so I re-read the last 5 chapters.

Because of that confusion, it seems to take me longer to settle into this book. I felt like I was trying to read into things a little too much and notice too many details in the hopes of figuring out what was going on. I am pretty proud of myself because I was on the right path for Pyktis throughout the book. I want to know so much more about Ana and Din, and I need another book soon so I can figure them out more and see what happens with them!

I have a conflicting image of Ana in my head and think Din may have that, too, and he works with her. I felt like the author's note was a bit prophetic, since it was written in September 2024 and the stock market is falling in April 2025 after tariffs were announced.

I think this book might be even better than the first book. I really enjoyed the mystery in this one. This is such a fun and new series! I love a Fantasy Mystery. Robert's character building is fantastic, I am very invested in them. I will pick up anything by this author and I will recommend it to my fantasy readers. This would be a great recommendation for ones that are looking to find something a bit out of their usual comfort read.

This one fell into the Sequel Slump a little bit for me, to be honest. I absolutely LOVED the first book and don't get me wrong, this book was also good and I did enjoy it, but I felt like it was a little bit of a letdown from the first. Same two main characters, different cast of supporting characters and setting. The mystery itself was good, although yes I did prefer the first one. Worldbuilding had the previous novel to rely on so there was less general setup, which I did enjoy. Overall: well worth reading, I just had very high expectations after enjoying the first one SO much and this was just Good, not Great.

This is book two so I don’t want to get into too much detail but please read this series. It’s so good. I love the story, I love the characters and I cannot wait to see what happens next. 100% worth the read.

4.5 Stars. Can I have more mystery fantasy? This genre mix is one I’m absolutely loving!
I was initially drawn to these books by the comparisons to Sherlock and Watson, and I’m thrilled to say they hold true. Ana is just as brilliant as any famous detective, complete with her own delightful quirks.
This time, the case truly surprised me. I suspected so many different people, and I definitely needed Ana to uncover the truth. When she finally revealed the mystery, I had that exhilarating moment of realization—ahhhh, all the clues were there!
Din, my wonderfully chaotic bisexual who feels both lost and found, is so compelling. I love watching him pull the pieces together, showcasing his cleverness and insight.

I highly suggest you don’t skip over the author’s note: ““Kings. What a good idea”what a powerful and seductive notion that ultimately should be condemned.”

I can’t wait for the next book! Give me all the Ana and Din mysteries, and maybe let’s give Din back a certain boy he left behind at the sea walls!

After enjoying The Tainted Cup so much, with its unique worldbuilding and bizarre abilities, I was eager to return in this continuation.

Bennett once again delivers and dare I say I enjoyed this one more than it's predecessor.

I loved the moments where we get to see more of Din's personality outside the job and his ambitions. Also can never get tired of that world. It's so darkly imaginative and rife with intriguing ideas.

***Thank you to Del Rey for providing a copy of the book via NetGalley. My review contains my honest thoughts about my reading experience.***

There’s only one word that could describe my thoughts on A Drop of Corruption: brilliant. This book was absolutely fucking brilliant. It gets ALL THE STARS! I could not put it down and had a visceral need to know what would happen next. It was the perfect mix of breathtaking fantasy and riveting mystery.

The plot of A Drop of Corruption had my head spinning but in a good way. There were so many great twists and turns that I gave up trying to figure things out. I just went along for the ride, and what a ride it turned out to be. The murder mystery was such an interesting one from the start, and things just got crazier and crazier as the perpetrator’s whole plan unfolded. The pace also never let up. Even in the quieter moments, it always felt like something significant was happening to pull the story forward. I just ate it all up and never wanted it to end despite also wanting to know all the answers. lol.

It’s hard to pick a favorite thing about such a great book. However, the world-building in A Drop of Corruption stood out to me the most. The basics of this world were introduced in the previous book. So, a lot of the heavy lifting was already done, but this story added so much finesse to different aspects that I hadn’t even considered when reading the first installment. My favorite thing, though, was how the information got presented. The story didn’t beat the reader over the head with random information or unnecessary minute details. As the mystery unfolded, so did key bits of the world that added depth. It was all meticulous in how the mystery informed the world-building, and vice versa, but felt natural and engrossing while reading. It didn’t hurt that the magic was just super cool, too.

Unsurprisingly, I still loved Din and Ana in A Drop of Corruption. Ana was still wickedly smart and acerbically blunt. Although, I enjoyed her being thrown off a bit by an (almost) equally smart opponent. The mystery of her mods and history had some fascinating developments, as well, and I felt like we got to know her as a person a little better. Her relationship with Din was also great, and I appreciated how she gave him space to grow and understand how important their work was to the Empire. Din’s POV was such a great one, mostly because he was the work horse doing most of the investigating. I also just liked him. He’s someone trying to get by who gets wrapped up in his boss’s crazy. lol.

I’ll end this review where I started it. A Drop of Corruption was a brilliant read. It had a lot to say without taking the focus off of telling a compelling story. The world-building, characters, and mystery were all fantastic, and I can’t wait to see what Din and Ana get up to next. Therefore, I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars.