Another delightful installment in this series!

Din is at it again, investigating a locked-room mystery with his superior, Ana Dolabra. An already interesting mystery rapidly becomes more complex with court intrigue, a pale king emerging from the swamps and the Shroud, the mysterious source of the Empire's power to enhance its citizens. Din and Ana are so fascinating, and I love where this series is going. Count me in to read every installment!

Thanks to Del Ray for the early reader copy.

Thanks so much to NetGalley for the ARC!

Robert Jackson Bennett continues to prove why he is not only one of my favorite authors, but an absolute master of weird, quirky, totally out-there stories. Just like with The Tainted Cup - the breadcrumbs, the clues, the revelations....it all comes together so beautifully that my jaw was just on the floor. If you pay super close attention there are definitely some things you can guess, but I'm not upset to say that I'll never be as smart as Ana Doabara. That said, all her explanations make sense - I never felt like Bennett was just making things up to fill plot holes or force the story in a direction - everything was perfectly placed to get to the climax of the case.

My favorite thing about this world is the science-based magic system - giant Leviathans with magical blood that serves as the base for contagions, grafts, alterations....humans drastically altered to fit into an Empire focused primarily on survival. The magic is heavily influenced by biology and chemistry and it's nothing short of marvelous how Bennett weaves reality with fantasy. And the way this book dives even more deeply into the lore and history and why this is necessary - the ancestors of the world and their downfall; the way people are desperate to find a better way for the future, walking the knife's edge of death and advancement....it's amazing.

On top of an awesome plot and unique magic system, the characters and worldbuilding are simply unmatched. The description of "Sherlock Holmes and Watson meets Knives Out in a fantasy-setting mystery" is 100% accurate - everything and everyone are so unique and quirky and while it's utterly ridiculous, it's never outrageous outside the confines of the world. And the character development is as unique as the characters themselves - watching Din struggle with his purpose; learning tiny bits and pieces more about Ana and who or what she is; the new characters, especially Malo....just phenomenal and I love them. I would die for Ana or Din, you can't change my mind.

Honestly, whether you are a sci-fi, fantasy, mystery, or humor-loving reader you'll find something to love in this book. It's just such a fun and wonderful ride and I cannot WAIT for Bennett to write more in this world!

I didn’t realize this was the second book in a series when I requested this but I read it anyway, and I’m glad I did! With a new setting, mostly new characters, and a helpful summary of The Tainted Cup at the start, it works well as a standalone.

I loved the unique blend of fantasy and detective work-it’s refreshing and kept me hooked. The mystery was brilliantly crafted, with subtle clues woven throughout, leading to a big reveal that tied everything together in a deeply satisfying way. While I predicted a few elements early on, the twists still surprised me.

Ana is a fascinating protagonist, intimidating, powerful, and deeply flawed in the best way. The world-building is eerie and immersive, though the pacing dragged a bit in the middle. Still, the investigation kept me invested, and I’ll definitely go back to read the first book while eagerly awaiting the next!

Holy. Hell. This book is AMAZING.

You know that feeling when you pick up a book, expecting to enjoy it, and then—bam—it absolutely wrecks you in the best way? That’s A Drop of Corruption. The banter? Top-notch. The mystery? Utterly impossible—until Ana starts peeling back the layers in ways that had me gasping out loud.

And can we talk about the stakes? This isn’t just a locked-room mystery (though that part is chef’s kiss). There’s a killer who moves like a ghost, a high-security compound full of dangerous secrets, and an entire empire hanging in the balance. The twists kept coming, and every time I thought I had a handle on things, the book laughed in my face and threw me sideways.

If you loved The Tainted Cup, just cancel your plans now—this one’s even better. And if you haven’t read that one yet? Fix that immediately. You’re in for something truly special.

4.25 Stars out of 5


<i>A Drop of Corruption</i> takes everything I loved in <i>The Tainted Cup</i> and expands on it! I absolutely adored this one. Watching Kol, Ana and friends work fiendishly to uncover the mystery was enjoyable and nerve wracking. The balance between fantasy and mystery is masterfully done in this one. If you love either of those, this is definitely the series to pick up.

I loved getting to see Kol and Ana's partnership in solving the mystery, I can't find words to capture how much I enjoy reading their interactions. The detailed and simultaneously fast world building in this book had me hooked from the beginning, the intriguing mystery that kept growing and changing and kept you guessing was oh so enjoyable. Kol and Ana have been summoned to help solve a seemingly unsolvable murder, little do they know it's just the icing on the cake of the mystery going on here. They have to work alongside their colleagues and it seems that everyone is hiding something.

I really enjoyed getting to know our main characters more, and our side characters in this one were amazing, I hope we see more of them in the future. If you love mystery novels, fantasy, great characters, and just a good time, I would definitely pick this up. Thank you to the publisher for providing an advance copy via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

I love this series! They are so well written and just absolutely fun to read. The mystery kept me turning pages and I love these characters so much! Cannot wait for more.

Long story short:

This is an amazing book; if you liked book 1, you will like this one as well.It is fast-paced, beautiful prose, enough mystery to force you to read one more chapter.

The story continues some time after the first book; it may be years or months, but it is not specified, and again it follows Dinios Kol and Ana Dolabra. Dinios now has several cases solved under the tutelage of Ana, and he is far more experienced.and well-versed in the line of work they do.

There was an abduction in the canton of Yarrowdale; the treasury agent has disappeared from his room. and left no traces behind.Ana and Dinios were called to investigate and solve the mystery of the disappearance of said agent.

Canton of Yarrowdale also houses The Shroud, an artificially built facility that houses and processes corpses of Leviathans that are used for many different things in this world, from medicine to weapons.

In this book we also find out more about the Empire of Khanum, aka the nation where the story takes place, and the tribe Khanum, who built said empire, with the use of Leviathans and their blood.

We also find out more about both of our protagonists, and the mystery surrounding Ana Dolabra augmentations is revealed.

Pros:
-Fast-paced.
-Extremely well written and great prose.
-One POV, Dinios Kol.
-Characterization is really well done and shows Dinions in a different light than in the first book;
he is far more experienced but also has some inner turmoils related to his family.
-The world itself is really well thought out, and a "magic" system, biopunk, is pretty unique and
interesting.
Cons:
-Mystery wasn't that mysterious, like it was in the first book, and halfway through the book it
became obvious, at least to me.
-Some things are constantly repeated throughout the book, like why were Treasury agents in the
canton in the first place. I, personally, dislike when books do this.

Overall, pretty good book, and I cannot wait for the third installment.

Thanks, NetGalley, for providing ARC of the book.

Cheers!

This series got better the second time around. The world building in the first installment was fantastic, but this really deepened our understanding of the Empire and its environs, as well as the biological engineering that keeps the residents healthy and safe from the leviathans. This new installment pits Din and Ana against a murderer/terrorist whose motives are cloudy but whose tactics are brilliant. The reader comes to understand Ana much better. She moves well beyond her Holmesian characterization in the first novel into something stranger and deeply rooted in the Empire. Din is learning what is important to him while absolutely killing it in his job and continuing to sleep his way through the Empire. This was great fun and intricately plotted. Highly recommend. Thanks to Netgalley for the ARC.

A Drop of Corruption is the second novel of the Shadow of the Leviathan series, and like its predecessor, it combines inventive and unique world-building with a compelling story.

Following The Tainted Cup, Din Kol, our POV, travels to a remote area with his reclusive and eccentric boss, Ana Dolabra, to investigate a mysterious abduction. This corner of the world isn’t a part of the Empire, but it’s about to be annexed soon. However, talks between the local king and the Empire have stalled. The missing man is a member of the Empire tax delegation, gone from a room locked from the inside.

And, like last time, we’re off! The investigation hurtles through suspects and clues, interviews with witnesses by Din, astounding conclusions drawn by Ana. This mystery really seemed unsolvable at first, which meant I was on the edge of my seat, so to speak, anticipating the solution.

What I love most about the plotting in these books is that the initial murder unravels a thread, which, once it’s pulled by the characters, leads to another pulled thread and eventually to a whole knot of complex motivations, secrets, and corruption. The investigation, suspenseful and twisting and entertaining as it is, is the vehicle to reveal the dark corners of this fascinating world and to explore what makes it work. The Leviathan ‘verse is one of the most imaginative worlds I’ve encountered, and here we learn more about the Apoths and their concoctions and what happens to a leviathan once it’s killed.

Characterization is equally strong. Din’s a great narrator to follow, and my heart bled when he pined for Kepheus (I’m desperately hoping these two will meet again. Please, RJB!). We learn more about Ana, who is a fascinating cipher of a character, and the new secondary cast is vividly drawn.

First-rate characterization, excellent world-building, a twisty plot: they all make for an enjoyable story, sure, but what made this novel stand out for me even more were the reflections on what it means to serve one’s country; to seek and provide justice; to govern and be governed. What it means to wield power over others. The novel ends with an essay by the author on the nature of power and autocracy.

I truly loved this novel. I inhaled it in less than two days and had a blast throughout. To say I'm excited for more books in this 'verse is an understatement. Can’t think of anything better than following Din and Ana as they solve crimes and explore different corners of their world and have discussions about society and governance.

Many, many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for providing the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion.

A brilliant follow up to RJB’s The Tainted Cup — Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol return to solve another impossible puzzle in this high fantasy world filled with both political and biological corruption.

I love the blend of mystery, fantasy, and humor in this series. It’s unique and entertaining, and the mystery kept me guessing until the very end. RJB delivers well-timed reveals and perfectly balanced storylines that kept me turning the page.

The tone felt a bit more cynical in A Drop of Corruption, which ultimately makes sense for the characters’ arc. Though I did miss some of Din’s naïveté from book one.

I look forward to future investigations with Ana and Din.

My rating: 4.5⭐️

A great second installment in this fantasy/mystery series. You don't have to remember much about 'The Tainted Cup' in order to read 'A Drop of Corruption' -- this one does not pick up where the first book left off, but can be read almost as a standalone, with a new setting and mostly new characters. The author also provides a short summary of book one before the first chapter.

The central mystery of 'A Drop of Corruption' is quite intricate: we pull back one layer only to reveal new ones. In that sense, the mystery worked better for me than it did in 'The Tainted Cup', though I did feel that the first half was stronger than the second.

To me personally, however, the mystery is not where this series shines. Most of my enjoyment comes from the world-building, which is original and rich and a little creepy, and the characters. I love that Bennett allows his female characters to be imperfect and messy and strong, without falling into the trap of the generic 'strong female character'. Ana in particular is such a refreshing character in fantasy: an older woman who is not someone's mother, who is powerful and intimidating and yet needs help to function. Just like in the first book, Din is a bit of a blank slate, but he's a good vehicle to take the reader on this journey, and Ana makes up for him being slightly bland. I hope his character will get more development in the next installment.

The themes of authoritarianism that the author was trying to tackle in this book (as per the author's note) remained a little muddled and unclear to me, but that didn't detract from the enjoyment of the book. I was entertained throughout, and will definitely pick up the next book in the series.

Many thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the ARC.

I love this just as much as the first book! Ana and Din are everything to me and getting deeper into the lore of their world was so fun. I already can’t wait for the next one.

A Drop of Corruption is the captivating second book in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. This story masterfully blends fantasy with a gripping mystery. The protagonist, Ana Dolabra, is a fascinating investigator. With the assistance of her loyal aide, Dinios Kol, she embarks on a quest to solve the disappearance of a Treasury Officer in Yarrowdle. What begins as a locked-room abduction mystery quickly reveals itself as just the tip of the iceberg.

As Ana and Dinios dig deeper, they find themselves always a step behind a cunning adversary. The plot targets the Shroud, a secure facility where Titans are dissected to harness the magic of their blood. This process is vital for the empire’s stability. Without it, the empire could crumble. The stakes are impossibly high, and Ana struggles to keep up with the twisty plot and her formidable opponent.

Author Robert Jackson Bennett crafts a sharp narrative, combining an immersive setting with tension and wit. This kept me compulsively turning pages as the complex plot unfolded. The world Bennett creates is full of depth, with characters that possess intricate internal motivations. While Ana and Dinios are at the heart of the story, the book also delves into rich political intrigue.

The pacing is well-balanced, featuring engaging action and humor. The ending is completely satisfying. I particularly enjoyed Ana's quirky character and the unique investigative methods she employs, showcasing the author's style and skill. Overall, this book feels like a great political chess game that will leave you thoroughly entertained.

Thank you NetGalley and DelRey for the advanced reader copy. This is my honest review.

4.5 stars

A Drop of Corruption is the second installment of Robert Jackson Bennett's fantasy mystery series inspired by Sherlock Holmes. This was an excellent follow up to the first novel, with an intriguing mystery and some interesting revelations. I liked how this book expanded the world and the Shroud was a cool setting. I found this a little slower than the first novel, but not enough to bother me. The relationship between Din and Ana is one of the highlights of this series for me so it was nice to see that built on. Although the big reveal felt a little obvious it was still an exciting development and has me counting down for book 3.

This is book two of the Shadow or the Leviathan series from Robert Jackson Bennett, and it was just as good as the first.

Ana and Din are back for another mystery, this time with it bringing them to Yarrowdale, a city at the very edge of the Empire. A Treasury officer has simply vanished without a trace, and the duo is called on to solve the mystery.

Upon arrival to Yarrowdale it becomes obvious that a murder has taken place. What’s worse is that the perpetrator also seems to be targeting a vessel of ancient and powerful magic that if utilized could destroy the Empire.

This book was also five stars for me just like the first was, but I think I liked this one a bit better. Ana and Din were brilliant together, like in the first book, and I love reading Ana’s character. The worldbuilding is once again excellent and is expanded upon. The secondary characters in this novel were also loveable and I enjoyed the depth they added to the novel.

Recommended for anyone who loves a great fantasy book and a good mystery!

Thanks to the author, publisher, and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for a review.

A Drop of Corruption is my favorite kind of cozy mystery: mystery but make it fantasy too! This is the second book in the series, and it's a huge benefit to read the first in the series (The Tainted Cup) before this one. Din is a hot mess at the start of this: debts, unwise liaisons, and general lack of self-care. Ana is immensely intrigued by this new case she at first is quite stumped by. Never fear, however, this duo is on the case! I dragged out my reading of this one on purpose. I savored every single word. This series isn't for everyone, I'm sure, but it is my comfort series. Catch me curled up in bed with a cup of lemon tea reading a few pages like a nightcap. I will read 500 more of these gladly.
My only tiny gripe (the kind only a true fan can have) is that I miss the specific scents Din used to engrave in The Tainted Cup.
Massive thanks to NetGalley and Random House Del Rey for this ARC!!!

The prior book, The Tainted Cup really hooked me with the fantastic setting, and what absolute weirdos(affectionate) Ana and Din are. Thrilled to say my beloved weirdos are back at it again, pissing off corrupt politicians, and dealing with even gnarlier plant-based body horror! Also solving seemingly unsolveable murder mysteries, as you do. Plus we get a new addition to the cast this time, Malo the Warden with extremely heightened senses of smell/hearing/sight. She’s delightful, and her dynamic with Din was a lot of fun.

Very much looking forward to spending more time in this world, and gradually getting more information about the whole seasonal kaijus thing, because I am very intrigued.

Actual Rating: 4.25

I continue to be amazed by Robert Jackson Bennett. A Drop of Corruption continues Ana and Din’s investigations into corruption in the empire but this time into Yarrow, a kingdom not yet part of the empire. While the mystery in this sequel didn’t interest me as much as the first, I still enjoyed exploring this world and of course spending time with the characters. I can’t wait to see where Ana and Din go next!

This whole world I’m obsessed with!! Book one was one of my most recommended books last year and I am so happy to see book two hold it’s own. I’m also just besides myself how much I love our protagonist; well duo really and the dynamic they have.

Mostly, it’s the world building that I can’t turn away from. Every little bit we are given I just can’t get enough!

Thank you NetGalley and DelRey books for the opportunity to be an advanced reader.

I devoured this sequel! After reading the Tainted Cup I was hooked and as soon as this was available I requested it!

This sequel was very well done! The story picks up a while after the first book and we see how much how main character Kol has grown and changed. We also get a little more back story of our lovable choitic bisexual.
I love that we also get to start to unravel the mystery of Ana Dolabra and why she is the chaos demon she is! The addition of new character Malo is a nice balance with her rough and no bullshit demeanor. The challenge this case gives Ana is beautifully done and shows that it is possible to tangle her up and keep her on her toes.
With all the ups and downs and the emotional hardships I love these characters even more! 5 star read and I can't wait for more!