Ana and Din are in Yarrowdale to investigate the disappearance of a treasury officer. What seems to be a locked room mystery that might be solved relatively easily, given Ana's skills, turns into more victims and a case of political intrigue.

The world-building continues to be good. Yarrowdale is not part of the Empire, but the Treasury officers working there are, which is why Din and Ana had to be called in. This means that there are some issues of jurisdiction that might complicate the investigation. Furthermore, we get to see a different part of the fantastic world; different people, different languages, and different socio-economic and political problems.

I liked this sequel to The Tainted Cup, although I could see some of the twists long before they happened. Maybe I am too much of an armchair detective.

Now I am looking forward to the next book in the series. Meanwhile I should catch up with Bennett's other series, which have been on my TBR for years.

4.5/5 stars, rounded up

This second installment in the Shadow of the Leviathan series was just as amazing as the first book. I will never get over how interesting this world is. It’s so unique and endless in its growth, such a delight to read about.
The new mystery for this book is unpredictable. One moment I think I got it but I really didn’t. It was exciting and fun, it could be gruesome at times though. A hint of horror at some points, which I loved.
Just as the first book, the characters were relatable and enjoyable. I love them so much and can’t wait to see what else is to come.
Not only is it a murder mystery but there’s also a political mystery that reflects today’s issues. The authors note is also a good read, please don’t skip it. The conflicts make you really think and you can see by the writing that RJB fleshed this story out so well. Thought of everything so perfectly.
If you are considering this series, just read it. You won’t regret it.
Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me this digital arc in exchange for an honest review!

yet again, rjb has knocked it out of the park! this sequel to one of my favorite books of 2024, The Tainted Cup, delivered in quite possibly every manner. the classic mystery plot mixed with a fascinating high-fantasy world and utterly charming characters to top it all off. could not have asked for more!

Ever since finishing Robert Jackson Bennett’s The Divine Cities series, I knew that I’m already a fan. And while I have not yet touched his the The Founders Trilogy, rest assured that it’s already added on my TBR list. I’m just swamped with a lot of ARCs that I need to finish right now including this book. Anyhow, I’m so glad that Del Rey had given me the opportunity to read and review A Drop of Corruption because heaven knows, I’ve been waiting for it since I finished The Tainted Cup last year. You really know how good an author and his/her writings are when you find yourself pining over and agonizingly wait for their next books. I waited for A Drop of Corruption like a heartbroken lover, praying that all is not lost. So finally, the ARC was released and here I am, happy once again.

Technically, I am not really ready to write this review as I am still savoring all the goodness of A Drop of Corruption. It’s even better than the Tainted Cup and if you read the book, you’d know how amazing it is. Given that this book is written by Bennett, I expected that it’d be good. I just did not expect that it would be so arresting that I forgot to do a lot of important house chores and other lifely errands. I just can’t put it down.

Our two beloved heroes, Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol, are at it again arriving Yarrowdale where a mysterious murder of an Imperial Tax Officer took place. Just like the Tainted Cup, the murder seemed unsolvable again as the culprit was a genius through and through in hiding his tracks. And it’s up for Ana and Dinios to unravel what happened. What amazes me about this book that it’s perfect in every way. And it did not need a damn romance to ensure such perfection.

We have flawed and well-developed characters who are likeable from beginning to end. We have a plot that kept me on my toes at every turn of the page. There was neither dragging nor rushing for things to happen. Everything just unfolded at the right moment, just when your emotion and mental wirings are all jumbled together trying to wonder what happened that led to the horrific events in the story. Of course, the world building was also pure gold as it transported us to Yarrowdale and provided us further insights on what the Empire of Khanum is. And as I delve deeper into the story, Bennett also managed to insert small pieces of crucial revelations here and there that would just make you gasp once all the puzzle pieces are complete. There were also a lot of themes explored in the book which made it so much more than just a murder mystery story. Without being preachy, you will find that the story is not just about providing justice to the victims and culprits and puzzling out the unknown, that it boils down to humanity and what it actually takes for someone to be called a human.

Suffice to say that the month of March was really kind to me for I have just read something that will surely stay with me, just like the author’s Divine Cities, for the years (not just months) to come. And as much as I tell myself that I am already way too old for gushing, I had to throw the said rule of the of window after finishing A Drop of Corruption. So please do yourself a favor, fulfill your SFF fetish and get this book.

When I reviewed The Tainted Cup last year, I said I didn't think I had ever read a better fantasy mystery. Suffice it to say, I had high expectations for A Drop of Corruption. Somehow, book two of the Shadow of the Leviathan series is even better than the first.

In A Drop of Corruption, Ana and Din travel to an unincorporated Kingdom not yet under the Empire's control, introducing us to new characters, murders, and mysteries.

I loved this installment's mystery. I was so intrigued by the methodology behind the mayhem. The mystery is well-plotted and satisfying and provides fresh information about the Empire and the magic system. The world-building remains fantastic despite the leviathans persisting in the shadows, their secrets only skirting the story's edge.

Ana and Din are magical, and the development of their characters, particularly as it pertains to their relationship, was beautiful to read. If you pay special attention to Ana, you learn quite a lot about her past in this installment. Their charm, wit, and humor shine once again. Din might be my favorite sad boy. I hope he gets the love story he deserves in book three, especially if this is only a three-book series. I need 15 of these stories. I love them that much.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing, and Del Rey for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

First off, thank you to Random House Publishing Group and NetGalley for providing me with this arc! But omg, this book took me forever to finish! I ended up putting it down and picked up other books on my March TBR, but then finally decided to go back to it because I wanted to finish it before it comes out. But I don’t know, I really just could not care enough about the story and I found it very predictable this time and very repetitive. It wasn’t like the first book, where it was so funny and you were on the edge of your seat with the great action and trying to solve “who done it?” along with Din and Ana. But I just didn’t feel invested enough in this one to care about the murders as much, and I did feel that this one was a lot of setup for the next book coming. I will definitely read the next one though, I’m giving this a 3.25 stars. I had high hopes for this, also there was barely any fantasy in this one and we didn’t really get much more about Din and Ana’s characters. But hopefully more will be explained in the 3rd book.

Thank you NetGalley & Random House for the ARC

4.5⭐️

I strongly enjoyed A Drop of Corruption, but I do think Tainted Cup has it mildly beat. This is still a solid sequel though! We get more world building, more questions answered - yet still wanting more!

There is a bit of a slow build up to the story as we’re in a new region, but once things get moving - they’re moving. I did find this one a bit less action packed as it seemed more focused on the mystery and politics. Not that that’s bad, just an observation.

My only complaint is I called some of the twists before the big reveals. I’m not sure if it was because they were so well laid out or I was just channeling too much of Anna 😆 can’t wait for the next book because I have QUESTIONS!

Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again! A Drop of Corruption is the second book in the Ana and Din mystery series, and it is just as good as the first one. This is a perfect blend of fantasy and mystery and I’m all for this combined genre.

The brilliant detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol have met their match in a bizarre case that sends them (mostly Din) on a wild goose chase across the outer realm of the Empire. How does a treasury officer simply disappear into thin air? A crime so puzzling it had me instantly hooked. What starts as a disappearance case turns quickly into something more mysterious with perplexing twists and turns as new evidence emerges.

Ana is a chaotic, intelligent, ever so unpredictable, quirky character that is balanced with Din’s emotional vulnerability and sensibleness. Din brings a level of calm to an otherwise chaotic mess of an investigation. Bennett does a fantastic job of world-building and placing clever clues throughout the story that are just enough for you to maybe figure out the mystery. I highly recommend reading this series.

Thank you Random House Publishing Group – Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore and NetGalley for the eARC in return for my honest review.

First of all, i’d say thank youuuu to Random House and Netgalley for the ARC! Because omgg i love The Shadow of Leviathan series~

Someone said book sequel might be not as good as the first book, but here we have A Drop of Corruption that i would proudly happily say that it’s even more excellent!

The murder mysteries is always thrilling, in this sequel Ana had an on par enemy and it makes the story itself to be more unpredictable for me. The layer of riddles that RJB creates.. more riddles for one revelations (Unputdownable book!)

I love the world is expanding, that we can see one of important part of the world building “The Shroud”. I still couldn’t fathom how complex it is!

I was so upset when i thought the book will end just like that and have no satisfying twist, but okaaaay i need to fully trust RJB because oh the twist at the end of the book was good. There’s clue all over the story but i’m not as careful and clever as other readers so i didn’t see it coming.

And how happy i am when i got to see there’s a hints of Ana’s alterations! More more adventures with Din and Ana! I CAN’T WAIT FOR THE NEXT BOOK 😭

The hapless Dinios Kol has seen a lot of strange things during his time with the mercurial but brilliant imperial investigator Ana Dolabra, but in the canton of Yarrowdale at the edge of the empire, it seems as though Ana has met her match in the form of a criminal of such intelligence and cunning that is seems as though they can predict her every move well before she makes it.

After a Treasury officer disappears from a locked room in a tower under constant surveillance, Ana and Din are summoned to investigate, as Yarrowdale is the site of one of the empire's most critical and sensitive sites: the notorious Shroud where magical experiments are conducted to push the boundaries of the magic that keeps the empire running. The further they delve into the tangled politics of Yarrowdale, the thornier problem grows. Soon enough, they find that they have bigger problems than a missing Treasury agent, for their road leads to the hornet's nest of Yarrowdale's royal politics– and into the foundations of the empire itself.

—

The locked room mystery is a staple of the mystery genre: if all the doors and windows were locked from within and the murder victim was alone, then how was crime done? The whodunnit is almost secondary to the crime's basic logistics. Throw a world of magic into the mix, and the questions grow even thornier. When strange magics can grant people heightened senses, increase their intelligence, or give them eidetic memories, then how does a man disappear from a locked tower room without a trace? And what does it mean when the trail of evidence leads Dinios and Ana toward a deeper mystery pointing directly at the heart of the aging empire they serve?

The Tainted Cup introduced readers to this world where monstrous blood produces weird magic, and A Drop of Corruption asks what it means to live in such a world. To find the culprit, Ana and Din must investigate the notions of power and empire and how these things affect the ordinary people in their world.

That's not to say that the author is didactic about his messages. Robert Jackson Bennett might not be the most subtle author, but the questions his characters ask are interesting, and they don't always come up with the most straightforward answers– if they come up with answers at all. It's not as though anyone can solve the riddle of "what do we do about our aging, brittle empire when it's the only thing holding back a destructive force?". For Din, as it is for most of us, the only answer to that is, "we do the best we can". He stumbles through a quagmire of an investigation until he gains his footing and starts to piece things together.

And then there's Ana Dolabra, the Holmes to Din's (and our) Watson, whose gifts grant her extraordinary abilities of observation and intellect. And whole it's difficult to initially see where her leaps of logic come from, there is always an explanation in the end. The clues are all there, if we have the wits to see it. Like Din, we the readers usually don't see all the pieces, but by the end we know where they were the whole time. The twists are predictable, if you're as clever as Ana and know where to look. Fortunately for the ordinary reader, those twists are difficult to see coming, and so the mystery is compelling throughout the book.

The world building and development of the magic system continues apace, as well. The Tainted Cup was heavy on both elements, but Bennett crafted a narrative that managed to explain the basics of an empire under threat and the magics that kept it safe without belaboring the point. A Drop of Corruption builds upon that foundation and expands the world so the reader can get a clearer idea of how brittle the empire truly is, and what that could mean for its people.

But while A Drop of Corruption provides empire-level world building and questions the nature of empire, it is, at its core, a story of one beleaguered man just trying to get through each day unscathed. Dinios Kol is a sympathetic character who is relatable enough to lead readers through the complexities of this strange world and its even stranger magics. The mysteries are compelling, the ideas rich, and the whole package is a fascinating page-turner that leaves the reader wanting the next book as soon as possible.


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Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for an advance review copy.

Robert Jackson Bennett was sent to this earth to personally craft stories that make my brain explode, of this I am certain. I may be biased because he is my favorite author, but I just love this series. I really like the Sherlock and Watson vibes, I think that the world and the mystery is really compelling and I just love these characters. I think this was a really solid second installment in this series, and while I did enjoy book 1 slightly more (I think I was just so so excited for a new world from this author) this was still fantastic and I cannot recommend this series enough!

Unfortunately this series is not my cup of tea. It is great for fans of a Sherlock Holmes and Watson type duo, but the language and conversation was a bit much for me and I couldn’t get into it. I never really connected with any of the characters or their stories.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House / Del Rey for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.

When it comes to books I absolutely loved, I typically worry that the sequel won't live up to my expectations, as I've been burned too many times by a phenomenal first entry, only to be disappointed by the direction further entries in the series took. I am thrilled to say that is not the case with A Drop of Corruption. If anything, I loved it even more than The Tainted Cup.

A Drop of Corruption is the second entry in the Shadow of the Leviathan series and once again follows Dinias Kol and the brilliant but eccentric Ana Dolabra as they are called upon to investigate a murder, which inevitably spirals out to reveal a much larger plot that puts the fate of the empire at risk.

Given that this is the second entry in the series, I found myself much better equipped to follow Bennett's particular rhythm, and was even able to piece together some of the clues to determine the murderer before the grand reveal in the novel (granted, I did have about 5 or 6 theories working in tandem, so statistically speaking, I was bound to stumble upon the correct one at some point or another). That isn't to say that the book is predictable or too transparent! Rather, Bennett is meticulous with his writing, and deliberately lays clues for careful readers to pick up on. I'll be the first to admit that I'm not typically a fan of mysteries, as I find them tedious and needlessly full of red herrings to obscure the truth from the reader until the last moment. Rather than fall into that trap, A Drop of Corruption skillfully builds upon each reveal to further complicate the situation, while still allowing the reader to follow along. Part of Bennett's rhythm with this book that I loved the most was the fact that Din frequently reported his findings to Ana, and the two worked through the reveals together to carefully categorize everything they (and by extension the reader) had learned. I never felt like I had to go back and reread previous sections in order to pick up on some important detail I might have missed, which thus allowed me to just sink into the narrative and immerse myself in the world.

And what a world it is! If pressed, I might describe A Drop of Corruption as Sherlock Holmes meets Pacific Rim, as this world features giant leviathans that cyclically emerge from the depths of the ocean to threaten those living closer to coastal regions. However, despite the fact that it's a world filled with magic (Dinias has a perfect memory as a result of a sort of magical procedure that allows him to do his job by turning him into what is known as an Engraver), this novel is also so grounded in human concerns. For example, Din has a mountain of debts to pay off, which motivates a number of his actions and anxieties, and allows the reader to find a relatable touch-point to connect with him through. It is these real-world connections that allow the reader to actually immerse themselves in the story, rather than finding their eyes glaze over after reading the seventh made-up proper noun in a row.

Beyond all of that, though, A Drop of Corruption is fundamentally a mystery novel. I personally find that a the difference between a good mystery and a mediocre one rests of the charisma of its detective. The dynamic between Ana and Din is fantastic. She's eccentric and condescending, but also empathetic and frequently on the back foot -- even she cannot know everything. One can feel a genuine sense of respect, admiration, and perhaps even love between these two characters. I'm not typically one for a series that exceeds two or three books, but I would happily read ten more of these if Bennett decided to keep writing them. In the meantime, I'll be anxiously anticipating the third entry, and recommending this series to anyone who will listen.

Ok follow-up, and will still be eagerly awaiting Jackson Bennetts next book! I preferred book one, but Jackson Bennett kept me engaged enough to wonder where we are headed next!

I’ll read anything by this author. But I’m not 100% sure this is better than book one in this series. Is it good? Yes. Maybe if I hadn’t had such a large amount of time between reading the books. But the story is intriguing. All sorts of who-dun-it along with bigger implications. The world building is top notch. This book definitely opens up interesting story lines that go beyond that immediate characters, and that speaks to me. Overall, I enjoyed the book and look forward to the next one.

A Drop of Corruption is the outstanding sequel to The Tainted Cup. Readers return to investigators Ana and Din as they are summoned to an impossible locked room murder. Watching Ana and Din work together to solve mysteries is such a delight. I loved how we learned more about them both during this tricky mystery. Malo was a new character who I really enjoyed getting to know as she helped them untangle the murder. I am in awe of how Robert Jackson Bennett creates these enthralling mysteries that have you holding your breath right up until the last page! I also loved the rich world-building and politics of this world.

Readers who love complex fantasy mysteries, entertaining characters, and excellent magic systems will devour this series.

Thank you so much to Robert Jackson Bennett, Del Rey and NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

For publisher: My review will be posted on Goodreads, Amazon, Storygraph, and Barnes & Noble etc.

Our Holmesian duo, Anna and Din, are back to solve another gruesome murder whose political implications threaten to destabilize the Khanum Empire.

I continue to love the base elements of this series: [1] the unique blend of high fantasy / scifi / eldritch horror created by the Empire's dependance on plant-based constructions and extreme body modifications; [2] the incisive political commentary, as Din struggles with the thankless task of managing but never resolving the corruption of a large autocratic state; and [3] the fast-paced, multi-layered investigation full of clues that almost make sense but only fully come together at the end.

But there was no real expansion to the world-building or to the overarching plot of the trilogy, despite the murder being set in another canton. And the character interactions, especially between Din and everyone else, were missing the depth and dynamism of the first book. The result is a bit formulaic — more of a standalone thriller than the sequel in an ongoing high fantasy narrative. It's still an enjoyable read, but not an amazing one.

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC of this book!

I read the first book in this series, The Tainted Cup, late last year and was captivated not only by the story and the characters, but also the world everything is set in. When I saw there was a second book coming out, I knew I had to read it. When I was approved for the ARC of the sequel? Reader, I was positively giddy with excitement.

This time around, Ana and Din first set out to investigate the disappearance of a Treasury officer from a locked room at the far reaches of the Empire. But, everything is not as it seems, and the case eventually leads them to a swamp inhabited by smugglers, a castle filled with people they can't trust, and a mysterious structure that could bring salvation to the Empire-or destruction.

This was an excellent sequel, and I enjoyed it a lot. The mystery itself was intriguing, and kept evolving as the story progressed. Don't get me started on the ending; by the time I got to the last thirty or forty pages, I was practically devouring pages as fast as I could, and they didn't disappoint. I also liked the addition of Malo, an Apoth who assists Ana and Din with their investigation this time. She is sharp and wry, and her scenes with Din added a bit of levity to the whole story. I hope we get to see her again in the future.

This series remains probably the best comparison to the original Sherlock Holmes that I've ever read. The narration is spot-on. The relationship between Ana and Din is very Holmes/Watson, as you'd expect when hearing such a comparison. But at the same time, the characters are very much their own, the world is so unique, and the mysteries are wild and strange. I really, really enjoy these books, and I'll continue to read them as long as RJB decides to write them.

I was not expecting to love the sequel more than A Tainted Cup but boy, was I wrong. The plot was even more intriguing, I loved Din so much more and I absolutely devoured all the descriptions of the Shroud and everything that happened there. Mind you, I am not a big mystery/thriller reader so I was not expecting to enjoy this series as much as I do. Learning more about Ana was something I hoped would be part of A Drop of Corruption and I was definitely not disappointed. Can’t wait to see what crimes will the duo solve next!

Though Robert Jackson Bennett isn’t exactly a new face in the fantasy scene, my first experience with his work came last year, when The Tainted Cup became one of my favorite books of the year. So it’s no surprise that I was particularly excited to get to this year’s sequel: A Drop of Corruption. 

The Tainted Cup is a fantasy murder mystery in an ecologically weird world regularly threatened by massive, magical leviathans from which they derive a good chunk of their innovation. The lead is psychologically altered for perfect recall and serves as a field observer for the reclusive, neurodivergent, and absolutely brilliant investigator who employs him. It feels a bit like a Holmes and Watson dynamic, though evidently filtered through Nero Wolfe (which was previously unfamiliar to me). At any rate, The Tainted Cup captures the dynamic well, providing a gripping fantasy mystery that does justice to both the fantasy and the mystery elements—a rare feat!—and builds a wide and strange world ripe for future adventures. A Drop of Corruption takes the investigators across the map to the outside fringes of the empire in order to solve a locked room mystery in a bordering land whose industry in processing leviathan remains is vital to so much of the empire’s magical might. 

Like in the first book, A Drop of Corruption can be read as a satisfying standalone murder mystery—though in this case, previous familiarity with the characters and world can’t hurt—but it develops in a way that gradually unfurls more and more pieces of the world and its politics. Some of those are directly relevant to the mystery and are explored as thoroughly as is needed to establish motive, whereas others simply reveal bits and pieces about the characters and the strange leaders they serve. 

From a mystery standpoint, it’s compelling throughout. Despite a page count more at home in fantasy than mystery, it’s well-paced and difficult to put down. The locked room element of the murder provides intrigue from the start, and once the “how?” question is resolved, there’s still plenty more to do in distinguishing accomplices from bystanders and determining how exactly to capture such a clever killer. It’s easily enough mystery to sustain nearly 500 pages without the book ever beginning to drag, and the lead finds himself in enough peril to keep the tension high without the story ever devolving into a series of action sequences. 

And while the mystery offers plenty of intrigue and dramatic tension, it’s clear that Robert Jackson Bennett isn’t interested in pure popcorn here. There’s a whole lot of interrogation of power, with an empire on one side and local kings on another, and while it’s clear from the Author’s Note that Bennett has been thinking a lot along pretty specific lines, it comes through in a way that’s so thoroughly folded into the main plot that it never comes across as preachy or immersion-breaking—the themes and the plot support each other wonderfully. 

The dynamic between the main characters—both with preternatural abilities and struggles that go along with them—added an interesting dynamic underneath the main plot in The Tainted Cup, and given the same main cast, it should be no surprise that it returns in  A Drop of Corruption. But the sequel isn’t quite as consistent in exploring the lead’s psyche, instead spending a little more time offering tidbits about the enigmatic genius he works for. There may be a wobble or two on the lead’s characterization, but any complaints here are fairly minor, and the drips of new information about his mysterious superior will be very welcome to fans of the first book. 

Overall, A Drop of Corruption is exactly the sort of follow-up I wanted after The Tainted Cup was one of my favorite books of last year. The mystery is well-executed, it’s consistently exciting, and the themes and story support each other well. It’s hard for me to imagine fans of the first not loving the second. 

Recommended if you like: SFF mysteries, weird ecology, The Tainted Cup.

Overall rating: 17 of Tar Vol's 20. Five stars on Goodreads.