This second story of inspectors Ana and Din doesn't disappoint. The setting moves to a jungle-forested kingdom, Yarrow, as the intrepid duo become mired in an investigation involving murder and intrigue in a harsh, decadent autocratic culture in a state of decline and denial. There are plot developments involving the all-important extraction of materials from leviathan bodies encapsulated in a bio-shroud, involving vast wealth and vitally central to the Empire's survival.

Once more the characters are well-portrayed, especially the leaders of factions in the Yarrow court and the mysterious group of Apoths. We get to see some light and amusing experiences involving Din, and surprising revelations about the nature of the formidable Ana herself. And the clues, mysteries and unveilings of secrets are bound to keep readers, like I was, engaged till the last minute.

This time round there perhaps was a big of a saggy second third of the story, and some of the vivid atmosphere may have been less than in the first book. But on the plus side, the earlier philosophizing of the characters has been pleasingly trimmed and the cracking dialogue is probably even sharper.

Thanks to Netgalley and DelRey for an ARC of this book.

Rating: 5 stars (out of 5)

I was so excited to get this book early from Netgalley! I was so hyped up for this book and it did not disappoint. Most of what I loved about the first book continues in this one. The main characters are dynamic and interesting. Not one part of it was boring. I would have loved to give it fives stars like I did the first one, but I did find some issues.

Sabudara can't speak the main characters language, then near the end of the book all of a sudden she speaks fluently, completely unexplained. If I understood the timeline right only a couple weeks have gone by. I don't think she would learn it that quickly or speak so fluently.

And did I completely misunderstand, but in the first book, Din couldn't read right? He had to sound it out and then remember the sound of what he said, right? Because that is completely gone in this book. I'm dyslexic and could really relate to that part and was sad it was missing in this book.

I even went back through the book and made sure I wasn't missing something.

Despite those discrepancies I really enjoyed this book. I loved gradually learning more about Ana. The ending was unique and unexpected!

The authors note at the end was so good.

The second installment is a fantastic way to round out the story. I wish this could be made into a 10 book series to devour all the mysteries of very unique cases. Th second book follows Kol and Dolara investigating a new mystery in a 'colony' of the Empire just about to join in. The pacing of the book for a fantasy murder mystery was amazing. The characters are also so engaging. Overall, I really enjoyed the book.

A great sequel to continue and definitely got rereadability because of the Detective and mystery solving plot. I love the vibes and Din and Ana's personalities never fail to get me to laugh

✪✪✪✪: the vibes are fun and convoluted (in a good way!)

I loved returning to this world created by Robert Jackson Bennett. I had the opportunity to read the first book in this series last year and, never having read anything by him before, went in completely blind. It turned out to be one of the best reads of the year and this return is no different.

The characters and the world that Bennett creates are so unique at a time when we're seeing a lot of the same characters and tropes in the fantasy world. This world is so new but even from the first book it felt inhabited and it felt easy to understand the world he was building. So to return to this place, so very different (but is it?) from our own, only allows your enjoyment and understanding to grow. And to return to our heroes, Ana and Din, was like coming home.

These two are very obviously a Holmes and Watson-inspired duo, but only in the broad strokes. It doesnt feel like Bennett is "ripping off" those age old characters, rather sipping from the same elixir of inspiration. And it works! They're dynamic is fantastic and they bounce off one another so well. Ana's quirkiness is tempered by Din's solidness. I always love to see what Ana might say or do next.

I do think this book suffers a bit from a mid-story lull, where things are happening but it feels like its dragging out more slowly than the beginning of the story or even the end. But even that cannot take away from how well this story unfolds, the clues it drops about where it might be going, and the relationships between our characters. I cannot wait to see where this story goes next!

Robert Jackson Bennett’s A Drop of Corruption is an absolute delight, blending fantasy and detective work in a way that feels fresh and exciting. Picking up after The Tainted Cup, it follows the sharp and unpredictable investigator Ana Dolabra and her clever assistant, Din, as they unravel a bizarre locked-room murder. The world Bennett builds is so immersive—magic is extracted from massive leviathans, and corruption seeps into every level of the Empire. Ana and Din’s dynamic is what really makes the book shine; their banter is sharp, funny, and full of heart. The mystery itself is gripping, constantly keeping you on your toes, and the antagonist is just as clever as Ana, making for a real battle of wits. Beneath the thrilling plot, the book also explores deeper themes of power and justice in a way that never feels heavy-handed. If you love a mix of fantasy, mystery, and whip-smart characters, this is a book you won’t want to put down.

A winning sequel that takes everything that was great about the first book and ramps it up—more worldbuilding and fleshing out of the Empire, new alterations and information revealed about the titans, and endless banter between characters. Din is going full force chaotic bisexual mess in this book and I didn't know if I wanted to hug him or knock him out so he could get some much needed sleep.

Thank you to NetGalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, and most importantly Robert Jackson Bennett for this eARC of A Drop of Corruption.

Ana & Din are back and the Shadow of the Leviathan series continues to impress. The mysteries only grow more layered and nuanced from The Tainted Cup, the characters deal with authentic existential crises, and the worldbuilding continues to seamlessly astound.

I am consistently blown away by RJB, and this book is no exception - I can't wait for book three!

Amazing sequel to “The Tainted Cup.” I absolutely loved returning to the atmosphere of this book and its characters. My library will be purchasing this title and I will be recommending this title through readers advisory.

Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again. A Drop of Corruption takes everything great about The Tainted Cup and pushes the story in an unexpected, thrilling direction.

This sequel shines in its character depth. Din’s carefully controlled façade cracks, revealing raw inner turmoil, while Ana—still as unpredictable as ever—is made more vulnerable, making her all the more compelling. Their evolving dynamic feels like reuniting with old friends, but with fresh layers to uncover.

What I Loved:
✔ A seamless mix of fantasy, sci-fi, and intricate murder mystery—without a single dull moment.
✔ A more complex, layered mystery than book one, packed with unsettling twists.
✔ Din’s struggles with justice and self-worth add emotional weight.
✔ The introduction of Malo—another brilliantly crafted, no-nonsense female character.
✔ World-building that’s eerie, immersive, and utterly unique.

Minor Quibbles:
➖ Heavy on monologues and dense conversations, which slow the pacing at times.
➖ Din’s reading struggles aren’t always consistent, but it’s a minor issue.
➖ Some of book one’s side-character energy is missing, making this sequel feel heavier—but in a way that fits the story’s evolution.

Final Thoughts:
This series is an evolved, mind-bending take on Sherlock Holmes & Watson—set in a world so uniquely crafted. The mystery keeps you hooked, the tension is razor-sharp, and the characters are richer than ever.

The hype is real. A Drop of Corruption is another knockout from RJB, and I couldn’t put it down. If you loved The Tainted Cup, get ready for an even wilder ride.

I'm completely hooked on this fantasy thriller series. Every time I dive into these books, I picture the moody, atmospheric setting of The Alienist—but with a touch of magic. And thankfully, one of the most unconventional investigative duos is back: Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol, returning to tackle yet another impossible mystery. This time, they’re faced with a locked-room murder—one that defies all logic. A Treasury Officer is found dead in a high tower, seemingly killed by an entity that moves through warded doors without a trace. No murder weapon, no clear suspect—just a crime steeped in the dangerous political chess game shaping the Empire’s future.

With A Drop of Corruption, Bennett once again delivers a masterful blend of fantasy and mystery that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. If The Tainted Cup was an impressive start, this sequel is on a whole other level—ten times better, bolder, and more exhilarating. Ana Dolabra, the Empire’s most unorthodox investigator, and her ever-exasperated but endlessly loyal assistant, Din Kol, find themselves entangled in a case that not only bends the laws of reality but also pushes them to their limits. What starts as a baffling disappearance quickly unravels into something far more sinister, pulling them deeper into a world where politics, power, and the remnants of ancient, godlike beings collide. As they chase a perpetrator who moves through solid walls and always seems one step ahead, the stakes rise—not just for the case, but for an Empire teetering on the edge of collapse, sustained by the terrifying power of leviathan remains.

The journey this book takes you on is a wild one—full of sharp twists, escalating danger, and revelations that left me breathless. Ana remains a force of nature—brilliant, unpredictable, and utterly magnetic. But what truly makes this series shine is her dynamic with Din. Their relationship, built on razor-sharp wit, unspoken trust, and moments of raw vulnerability, evolves beautifully in this sequel. Ana’s chaotic genius drives the investigation, while Din’s quiet strength, humor, and occasional exasperation add an emotional depth that makes every interaction between them compelling.

Bennett’s worldbuilding is nothing short of breathtaking. The decaying grandeur of the Empire, the eerie omnipresence of leviathan remains, and the intricate layers of political maneuvering create an atmosphere so immersive it feels tangible. Every detail is meticulously placed, leading to a finale that is both shocking and inevitable—one of those rare endings that makes you want to flip back and reread just to catch the clues hidden in plain sight.

A Drop of Corruption is an absolute triumph—a seamless blend of high-stakes intrigue, razor-sharp dialogue, and masterful storytelling. It delivers everything: a gripping mystery, unforgettable characters, and a world so richly woven that leaving it feels impossible. I already need the next book.

A flawless, exhilarating read. Five blazing stars. And that author’s note at the end? The perfect cherry on top. I may or may not have teared up at Ana and Din’s final conversation.

A Drop of Corruption will be released on 1 April 2025! Thank you @netgalley and @delreybooks for the e-ARC!

Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again. I think it's even better than the first one. With already  established world, characters we can explore all of that and the author is taking us to an entirely different setting. It was interesting to see a place different from the Empire we were introduced to in the first book. We are seeing all of that from Din's perspective (and how I love our lovesick boy). He's somewhat darker, but learning about his problems and dilemmas made it clear why he is like that. Ana's still as weird and cunning as the last time, but we are shown more of her Identity, and it’s quite a revelation. All of that is giving us characters who are changing, growing and becoming family. I loved how Ana know everything about Din but is giving him time to learn things about himself in his own time, their relationship is so great. BUT we also got new characters and I already love one of them, and have feeling it's not the last time we see them. 
I really loved intrigue and mystery, it's dark, full of layers and makes so much sense in a world it's all happening. Murders are even more gruesome and death is lurking just behind the corner. Especially with the main culprit being so elusive, when I thought I had everything figured out there was another plot reveal, and then I wasn’t so sure anymore.
I highly recommend this to everyone who want to read some mystery story in an interesting fantasy setting. 
And please, I need more Strovi in next instalment, please. 
Also really great note from the author, which made this book even better.

Review: A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ (5/5)

Robert Jackson Bennett once again proves his mastery of world-building and intricate mystery with A Drop of Corruption. This sequel to The Tainted Cup deepens the lore of its darkly fantastical world while delivering a razor-sharp detective narrative that grips from start to finish.

Like a darker, more fantastical Sherlock and Watson, the dynamic between Ana Dolabra and Din continues to shine. Ana, with her relentless intellect and enigmatic presence, cements herself as one of the most fascinating protagonists in recent fantasy, while Din’s growth throughout the story adds a rich emotional depth that makes their partnership all the more compelling.

Bennett’s signature blend of sharp dialogue, immersive settings, and mind-bending mysteries makes this an absolute page-turner. The twists are expertly executed, and the tension never lets up—so much so that putting the book down felt nearly impossible. With its eerie atmosphere, inventive magic system, and characters that linger in your mind long after the last page, this book is a must-read for fans of fantasy-mystery hybrids.

Thank you to Del Rey and NetGalley for the eARC.

This exceeded all expectations. I loved returning to the world of the Empire, and exploring the new setting of Yarrowdale. A solid murder mystery, a fantastic setting to return to, and unforgettable pair of characters make for a book I want to revisit again and again.

Book Review: Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennet

Drop of Corruption picks up where The Tainted Cup left off (kinda), diving back into the gritty underbelly of the Empire with Din and Ana once again at the heart of the mystery. Right from the start, the book gives off a distinct old-school crime show vibe — the kind where the city is a living, breathing thing and corruption seeps into every corner. I was immediately hooked by the atmosphere.

I have to be honest — fantasy books with taxes and debt from a dead parent? Not exactly my favorite trope. There's something about mundane bureaucracy in a magical setting that makes me squirm. But it serves a purpose here, grounding the world and adding another layer of tension to Din's already precarious situation.

The world-building really shines in this sequel. Where the first book introduced the crumbling Empire, Drop of Corruption digs deeper into the foundations that brought the world to its current state. The political and social structures feel more fleshed out, making the mysteries feel like part of something bigger — a puzzle with pieces scattered across the Empire's history.

What stood out most is how much the job has changed Din. He's less hopeful, more cynical — a natural progression given everything he's been through. I sometimes struggle with sequels because characters either change too much or not enough, but Din's evolution feels just right. Anna, on the other hand, remains steady — but there's a sense that more of her backstory is about to unfold, especially towards the book's end.

The writing feels more fluid this time around. The back-and-forth between Din and Ana is still sharp, but the flow feels smoother — or maybe I'm just more familiar with Bennet's style now. Their dynamic continues to give Sherlock and Watson in the best way, especially as this mystery leans more into outwitting the criminal rather than simply solving the crime.

One of the standout moments is the midway murder switch-up. Just when I thought I had a handle on the plot, a new murder happens, reinvigorating the entire story. It adds a layer of unpredictability that kept me turning pages late into the night.

Reviewing mysteries — especially sequels — is always hard without giving too much away. But what I can say is that if you enjoyed The Tainted Cup, this book offers something a little different: a different vibe, a different mystery, and a different approach. The heart of the story is still there, but with higher stakes and a more layered narrative.

Rating: 4/5

Would I recommend it? Absolutely — especially if you're a fan of crime stories wrapped in dark fantasy settings. Just maybe brace yourself for some fantasy bureaucracy along the way.

At the risk of getting absolutely pelted by rotten eggs by my fellow, like-minded fantasy enthusiasts, I’m going to rain on the parade for this one.  Perhaps I was hoping for more of what The Tainted Cup offered:  mystery combined with a more traditional, high-stakes action fantasy and seasoned with fantastic characters who have quirks all bundled together to make a well-balanced meal of a great story.  Bennett really went slow, heavy, and intricate for A Drop of Corruption.  As I inherently despise detective stories, I didn’t like this installment as much as the first.  I found the detection dry and the goings-on so incredibly complicated and all over the place.  My eye balls rolled back in my head several times from the drag.  I will say that all of my perseverance paid off at the end—some of the stuff I wondered about the world and the characters actually had on-page answers instead of teasing cliffhangers.  In a world of string-along fantasy, the relief of those reveals alone made me hug my eReader.  

Perhaps what I found so encumbering had to do with the fact that Din features heavily in this one.  Ana comes in closer to the end, and I didn’t get that constant interaction between her and Din that provided such entertainment for me in the first book.  Here, Din does nothing but wander around grudgingly, sleeping his way through the locals and whining all. the. time.  Din was bummed.  I was bummed.  The story was a bummer.  While the mystery in the first really propelled me through the story, this one shifted gears and ruminated in an armchair with a pipe and smoking jacket, like an old BBC episode of Poirot.  Now, there’s absolutely nothing wrong with a good, dry mystery.  I can only take small increments of them at a time, however, and this one spanned 480 pages.

It doesn’t matter, though.  I still didn’t peg the culprit, had no idea even how to solve the blasted mystery at all, and Ana swooped in and perked the story right up before dropping an absolute banger of a bombshell right at the end.  I think maybe I just love these books more when both Ana and Din show in them at the same time.  I’ll read the next one, so just take my money anyway, I guess.

My thanks to Del Rey via NetGalley for the DRC, for which I willingly give my own, honest opinion.

Once again Din and Ana are tasked with solving a murder, this time one that may have significant political impact for the Kingdom of Yarrow and even the future of the Empire itself. This time the body of a government official involved in the fraught negotiations is found in the swampy outskirts of the town, but how did he disappear from his room without his guard noticing?

We meet some new characters, one that I hope to see again is Malo a local Apoth and Warden who is there to guide and protect them while they are in Yarrow. But of course the situation keeps getting worse, more mysteries are uncovered and the Iudex are not making any friends. Everyone has hidden motivations and no body is who they seem to be.. Or are they?

The future of the Empire now lies in the hands of the investigators, and we finally learn more about Ana's augmentations. In addition to this Din is once again faced with his family problems and has to make a choice, stay or leave to be a hero at the wall.

One distinctly odd element in the story was Din's struggles with stress and how they choose to deal with it. This felt a little out of place and surprising when compared to the emotional connections they made in the first book.

Overall I love this series. I adore how the science works, how the fantastical elements exist, how nature can become strange and fantastical but still feel realistic and almost normal. Highly recommend.

If you loved the first book, you're going to love this. Din and Ana are back solving another case; what starts as a locked room murder mystery soon spirals out into a conspiracy that could threaten the Empire itself. It was nice to get dropped into a completely different part of the world and experience its culture - the world building is part of what keeps me coming back. Yarrow is a kingdom that is strategically important to the Empire, but is not technically part of the Empire yet. It creates a lovely culture clash throughout and makes the world feel alive.

The other is the characters, where I have some reservations. Din has a kind of silly character arc in this book. He's convinced that the Iudex isn't a very glorious or important part of the Empire because they never actually prevent any crime, and catching criminals just doesn't feel as good or useful as it would be if he was manning the walls against Leviathans (alongside the man he has a crush on, of course). He deals with this by being mopey and having a bunch of random sex. However, the conclusion of this arc was such a nice emotional moment that I give it a pass. The one that truly bothered me is that it felt like Bennett forgot that Din is disabled. Din's dyslexia is a major plot point in the first book as it actively hampers the investigation. Here, it is casually mentioned once. The murderer is leaving notes behind and Din is just engraving them in his memory without comment? I really, really disliked this and it bothered me throughout.

The mystery this time felt a bit different to me. I felt like Bennett was spending more time reviewing the facts with the reader, which made it far more easier to make inferences (I figured out a major aspect of the murderer for the first time in a mystery!). At the same time, this is a deeply political book about the allure and failure of autocracies. He wanted to make sure that everyone reading was following along, which can be irritating for those of us that prefer subtlety in our stories.

Overall, this is a great entry into what I hope becomes a long series, and I can't wait for the next book to be announced!

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for giving me an ARC in exchange for my honest review.

I love this series! Robert Jackson Bennett is an incredibly exciting voice in the genre and the mix of fantasy and mystery was super engaging. The lovecraftian vibe of the setting is engrossing and keeps the somewhat familiar homesian dynamics fresh for the reader. The characters are likeable and diverse. I also really like the ongoing building mystery of Ana's origins mixed with a new mystery each book. It reminds me of other great mystery series, like the Gamache books. Overall, I would recommend the series to anyone who likes fantasy, mysteries with a twist, weird worlds, or someone who is looking for a book like nothing they've ever read before. This book improved upon the first in the series and I can't wait to see where we go next!

Many thanks to NetGalley and DelRey for the e-arc of one of my most anticipated books of 2025.

From the first page of “A drop of corruption” I knew I will love this one as much as I loved the first book. Robert Jackson Bennet writes stunningly fantasy mystery books, better than most of the authors that write only this genre. He surprised me from the beginning until the very end of the book, I was left wondering what I just read and how he wrote something like this?? Because people, this was better than the first one.

Anna Dolabra and Dinios Koll are two of my favourite characters of all time. The quirkiness of Anna and the quietness of Dinn create a marvellous duo and atmosphere throughout the whole book. It’s hard to have a favourite between them, but it’s harder to not choose Anna. Because she’s so unique and unpredictable and mysterious and I keep wondering how did the author imagined such a character. She’s very unconventional and I can’t wait to discover more things about her, I do have some theories about who she could be and I’m very interested and intrigued by her character.

“Anna Dolabra, a woman so brilliant she loved most of her days blindfolded and rarely leaves her rooms, for fear that common life shall overwhelm her mind.”

I loved how Dinn was in this book, I felt more connected to him than in the first book. I liked how we saw some Dinn’s inner thoughts about his own life and future and how he made peace with his life and choices in the end. He grew so much from the first book and I’m sure he will continue to do so.
They make the perfect team and nothing can escape their attention. They complete each other in a very unique way and they protect each other as well. To take part in their journey and work, to discover the small details and secrets is a delight.

“Together, they bring justice to the Empire.”

I must say, regarding the mystery, I loved this one a lot more than the previous one. A close door mystery, where someone disappears and then is find dead in another part of the city? Sounds amazing. It was fantastic. It left me speechless the way Anna discovered the truth and how far she had to go to figure this case out. And the fact that this case was actually difficult for her was nice to see, thanks to this we could see more things about her behaviour and herself as a person.

The worldbuilding is great, of course. Very detailed and well done, and the plot together with the world is darker than in the previous book.
I loved the secondary characters as well and I hope we will see Malo in the next story.
Throughout the whole book, I had no idea who the killer was or what were his reasons, which is funny, because I always have at least an idea in the usual mystery books.

“That’s what faith and the divine is, isn’t it? A line stretching from little beings like it, to the ineffable, the incomprehensible.”

“The tainted cup” was the best book I read in 2024 and I’m sure that “A drop of corruption” will be at the top as well. I read it so fast and I’m sure i would’ve read it faster if not for work and adulthood. The mystery was amazing, the characters are to die for, the worldbuilding is magnificent and the magic system was great. This series is about more than crime and leviathans, it’s about corruption, politics and lies.

“And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist.”

Now I’m here, waiting not so patiently for book 3.

“I shall keep you close-for though you and I are small, together we shall forge grand things indeed.”