This story was complex and engaging and the prose was lush and brilliant. Part fantasy, part mystery and in part a manifesto on how power and greed can corrupt, the story of an Investigator for the Empire as told through the voice of her begrudging assistant is a marvel to read.

I don’t usually read books like this—in fact, almost never—but for some reason (which I’ve completely forgotten), I picked up The Tainted Cup and loved it. Ever since, I’ve been eagerly waiting for A Drop of Corruption, and it did not disappoint!

Once again, we follow Ana and Din as they’re sent to Yarrowdale to investigate the suspicious death of a treasury officer. I adored the Leviathans in the first book, and while they didn’t play quite as big a role here, the author’s world-building was still top-notch. This time around, we also get even more of Ana and Din’s backstory, which was really well done.

And can we talk about the new secondary characters? Malo and Javi—I see you! I really hope they make an appearance in future books.

If you love quirky characters, a good mystery, and fantastic world-building, this book is definitely worth a read!

Fair review provided in exchange for ARC received from the publisher.

A Drop of Corruption is a great follow up to the Tainted Cup with another tangled mystery that had me finish the book in one sitting. The pacing is great, with each new discovery in the murder case driving the book forward. Pieces seem to come together, only to be shattered as Din and Ana realize the killer is two steps ahead of them, building a momentum that makes it hard to put the book down. The revelations that lead to the book’s conclusions are satisfying, with enough hints throughout the story to lead to the answer if you’re paying close attention.

It’s great to return to the alien world of the Empire of Khanum, and the new tribute region of Yarrow is put on full display from deadly jungles to holy stone cities. Getting a look at a region not officially in the Empire and the resulting tension makes the world feel more lived in and real, and Bennet’s worldbuilding also gives more insight to the Empire itself through a deeper look into the order of the Apoths. While the stakes feel smaller than the first book, the work the author does on creating the new region helps make them matter.

The character dynamics also drive further investment in the case, as we get to know a whole new cast for the second mystery. There’s plenty of suspicions on each individual, and ever changing twists in the case create interesting new conflicts between them. Din has a satisfying arc for the book, wrestling more with his position and future. We get some more hints at Ana’s past, but she remains fairly static without much development in this installment. She still has great scenes and tirades following up her performance from the first book.

Overall the book delivers another great mystery, satisfying twists amidst a cat and mouse chase, and has me excited for the third installment.

Thanks to NetGalley and RandomHouse for the advanced copy.

Obsessssssssed. That's the best word to describe my feelings for this book, honestly. Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again and, really, somehow wrote something even better than the first book, The Tainted Cup.

A Drop of Corruption is meatier and more in every aspect compared to the first book in this new series. We follow Ana and Din once more, as they're now being sent to the Yarrow canton to investigate the mysterious murder of a treasury officer. Sounds simple, right? Nope - of course things aren't that simple! This book expands heavily on the mythology and cultures of this world but it never feels overwhelming or like an info dump because Bennett weaves in everything so expertly that it barely registers you've just read five new words and learned three new things about this world. I'm also endlessly fascinated by the leviathans of the world and hope we learn more about them in future books.

I love that even though there is a lot of the Empire's politics in these books (Ana and Din are employed by the Empire of course), we're kept to the outer rings of the empire where things are wilder and messier and scarier. Particularly this new area in this book, Yarrowdale, a 'free' kingdom the Empire has been in talks of acquiring for many years. Being in Yarrowdale forces Din to walk a fine line between his role for the Empire and as a visitor to the canton. I really enjoyed him as an outsider to this world that feels so foreign, freeing him to make observations of their ways and ask questions the reader has.

We got a lot of Din in the last book and not nearly enough Ana, in my opinion, but in this book Bennett finally gives us a deeper and more curious look into his unusual Sherlock Holmes-esque protagonist. I'm not going to spoil anything but I LOVED all the reveals for her and cannot wait to read more and see where these new revelations take us in future books. We also get to learn more about Din as well, though as the Watson to Ana's Sherlock, I'm not as interested in him haha

This is my current favorite fantasy world and I never want to leave and only want more. I dream of this in an animated way similar to The Last Unicorn or the cartoon The Hobbit. What a dream it would be to have a film of these books in that style!

I know it's still early in the year but I feel safe in claiming A Drop of Corruption as one of my top favorites for 2025. Unless I encounter a slew of bangers after this, I'm certain it'll make my top 5 for sure. I'm also aware it looks like it took me 3 months to finish this - I could have finished this in a day for sure but I wanted to savor it rather than devour, because I just didn't want it to end.

For fans of: Dishonored, Game of Thrones, medieval/Victorian-ish fantasy with giant mysterious kaiju/leviathan creatures :P

Even though I loved the Tainted Cup and gave it 5 stars, A Drop of Corruption was even better!
The world and the characters really came to life in this sequel.
I loved the development of Ana and Din’s relationship and the slow unraveling of the deeper mysteries at play for Ana’s character. Their banter is just as entertaining as in the first book and the portrayal of neurodivergent traits is done exceedingly well and not something often seen in fantasy

We start off with a locked room murder mystery that quickly dissolves into a tale with many twists and turns as our opponent is always two steps ahead.
As we follow Din and Ana into another part of this fascinating world that’s unlike any I’ve read before, we also learn more about its workings. I loved that there was so much information about the leviathans and how the grafts are created interwoven with the story.

I’m already anxiously awaiting the next book in the series! Thank you to the publisher and Netgalley for the ARC!

I absolutely loved Tainted Cup, and so was hyped when I got an eARC for one of my most anticipated 2025 releases.

A Drop of Corruption starts off with a classic locked-room murder mystery set in a new region, Yarrow. An independent monarchy soon to be incorporated into the Empire, it hosts the Shroud, the site where dead leviathans are processed into the unearthly grafts and alterations that fuel the Empire.

I really enjoyed the way this book incorporated a new detective trope and a new setting within the world, while also delving deeper into the lore behind the leviathans and the Empire’s dependence upon them. There’s a great balance between the mystery plot which kept me engaged throughout, as well as further development of Din and Ana, and their relationship. I loved it all, and the next book can’t come soon enough!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for this eARC.

The mystery continues with Din and Ana! Fully immersed into the world of the Empire and all its secrets, there is a case that stumps not only our dear investigators but threatens the wellbeing of everyone in the Empire. Compelling narratives, tangible characters, and a fresh take on fantasy and mystery. Very excited for the next installment after the end reveal!

Ana Dolabra can adopt me and Dinios and I will be her disaster investigation children together. <3
The Empire is threatened by another murder! This time under very different but still SUPER suspicious circumstances and of course everything about the investigation is a tangled mess and nothing anyone knows is what it seems. Dinios Kol, however, has learned how to tend to his Immunis and has much better luck keeping Ana's mood under control. He now also trusts her instincts and so is left admitting he's not sure why he's here or what exactly he should find, but Ana said to, so he is. He's att the feet of the master, after all.
Once again, I am at the mercy of this series. The world-building is imaginative and thorough, the characters are firmly developed and we get so many more in this installment! The blurb does a great job of setting the premise and I will confirm it is a ride! If you liked The Tainted Cup, A Drop of Corruption is going to give you all the same goodies shaken up and cast into a very different feeling story. Its just what I wanted and Im very much looking forward to book 3!

Thank you to Netgalley and Del Rey - Random House for providing the advanced reader ebook in exchange for an honest review.

Yep. Yep. That's the stuff.

Disclaimer: I received a copy of this book from the publisher.

Robert Jackson Bennett cemented himself as an auto-read for me from now on. I love this world, everything about it. We desperately need more fantasy murder mystery, and this is a prime example of it executed near flawlessly. Book 3 can't come soon enough!

Robert Jackson Bennett’s “A Drop of Corruption” is the follow-up to “The Tainted Cup.” In this sequel, we return to the world of detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Dinios Kol.

This time, they are investigating a disappearance, theft, and murder in Yarrowdale, an outlying kingdom which may soon join the empire. Ana is put to the test by the mechinations of the criminal, and Dinios has a hard time keeping up but proves himself again and again. “Will we ever solve this mystery?” is the question hanging over the story from beginning to end, and the reader feels the weight of it.

Like “The Tainted Cup,” I loved “A Drop of Corruption.” It is very true to the original world-building, and mystery keeps one intrigued throughout the book. The supporting cast is interesting, and as always, Ana, through the eyes of Dinios, is an engaging and enticing character.

Author Bennett has definitely found his genre, and I look forward to following these two on more adventures. I received this book from NetGalley.

The only thing "wrong" with this book was the lack of living leviathans! Bennett's newest world is a ton of fun, and so far both books do a great job revealing just enough about the empire and the beasts that threaten it. The twin reveal was great and I really want to find out more about Ana. I look forward to the next one!!!

"Flesh becomes as leaf, and leaf as bone, and so on. All is warped."

Thank you so much to Hodderscape and NetGalley for the ARC of A Drop of Corruption, the second instalment of the Shadow of the Leviathan series.

Ana and Din are back and are just as chaotic and wonderful as they were in The Tainted Cup! A Drop of Corruption starts out as a locked-room mystery, but branches out into a murder plot so calculated that it's as though the perpetrator can predict the future.

I love the world of this series, it's so detailed and unusual. It does of course give me Jeff Vandermeer vibes, but I think I prefer these books to the Area X series (bold claim for me!). RJB writes with such humour I find myself laughing out loud when I read these books, which is something I feel like you don't get very often in a fantasy world like this one. The story has so many twists and turns I felt like I was left guessing right up until the end, which I also enjoy because it feels like you as the reader and Din (the narrator) are discovering clues and information together.

A Drop of Corruption has excellent pacing, an engaging and complex plot, and some truly great science fiction writing. Go and read it!

“A drop of corruption” is a second installment in the “Shadow of the Leviathan” series by Robert Jackson Bennett.

It’s a story of two detectives - a huge eccentric Ana Doloraba and her assistant Dinos Kol. Kol is an engraver, and therefore had been modified to have an absolute memory. That’s what makes him a great investigator. They live in a world where the blood of Leviathans can make magic, but those monsters are also a huge danger to the whole society.

In the second installment the author shows us a slightly different part of his universe. He introduces new places, new characters and new problems to solve.

“A drop of corruption” extends the world that was created in the first book whilst keeping it still somehow connected and entangled with the whole empire. As the title may suggest, politics will also have its part in this volume. From the beginning till the end you can feel that everything was meticulously planned and you just need to wait and see how this intricate web of conspiracies untangles.

We’re also getting a bit more background story of the main characters. Even though it still isn’t the whole picture, it gives us a desire to know more.

Rober Jackson Bennet like no one knows how to create a unique and interesting magical system. When you combine it with amazing character work and intriguing investigation you’ll get a recipe for amazing entertainment.

Overall this series is a very pleasant read, especially for fans of fantasy and detective novels.

Thank you NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book and provide a review.

This book was a wonderful continuation in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. Ana and Din are such complex and fascinating characters and their relationship and dynamics are so fun to read. The world that RJB has created is extraordinary and complex with creepy horror elements and a fascinating political system. The mystery in this book was gripping, fast paced and winding and I thoroughly enjoyed every minute. If you liked book one, I definitely think book two is just as good, or possibly even better.

Wonderful! Ana and Kol are two amazing characters and this series is one of my favorites. A fantasy/mystery that grabs you and keeps you invested in an unforgettable world with incredible imagination. I can't wait for the next one.

In this followup to The Tainted Cup, brilliant detective Ana Dolabra and her bemused assistant, Dinios Kol investigate a mysterious crime on the outer reaches of the Empire. A treasury officer has disappeared into thin air from a locked and guarded room. As Kol and Dolabra investigate, they come to realize their opponent is devilishly clever and has a grand plan involving murder, royalty, and a substance that could bring healing or destruction to thousands of people. Bennett keeps things moving and provides a good dose of humor amidst the action and intrigue -- as well as a commentary on the evils of authoritarian rule. Recommended.

Locked room mystery? Check. Incredibly jaded sidekick? Check. New entertaining side character? Check. If you enjoyed the first book in the series, you should enjoy this one.

Many sequels pick up right after the first book ends. This isn’t that book. Ana Dolabra and Dinios Kol have now been working together for over a year. Dolabra’s methodology is no less zany, and Kol’s sarcastic sense of humor helps him survive the messiness of these investigations. They are once again thrown into a mystery that seems small, but grows. Without spoiling the plot, I’ll say that there is one beautifully macabre murder that the characters are tasked with solving that was described so well you could see how everything happened. I’m sure it will be even better on re-read.

Thank you to Random House / Del Rey and NetGalley for the ARC. As always, all opinions are my own.

Best reading experience for me is gobbling down this book right after I finished The Tainted Cup. It's so enjoyable to see Din and Ana solving mysterious gruesome most unordinary crime in far away land. In this sequel, we were brought to Yarrowdale. A part of the Empire but not exactly part of the empire. It revolved around kings and natives and empire "experiment" with the leviathan's carcass.

I felt like Din is more colorful in this book. We see more other side of him including his background. And Ana!!!! Omg. The eccentric Ana is back with even more mind-bending problem solving. Not only that, it's her vulnerability also that stole the spotlight. I love their dynamics so much. And I love how they have a new lovable friend to the group.

Same as the previous book, it started of as a gruesome murder, led to clues and investigations. However, in this book the interviews are followed with more action and field-investigation which is nice!!! The focus is in the apoth. We see more of their wonders.

Then the scheme👌🏾👌🏾👌🏾 the clues ar here and there along the way. The revelation is satisfying. I enjoy this so much.

Thanks so much Del Rey and Netgalley for this e-ARC in exchange for honest review 🩷

Thank you so much to Del Rey and NetGalley for allowing me to access this novel in advance in exchange for an honest review.

The Tainted Cup completely won me over last year. I'd never experienced a mystery set in a fantasy world before, and it blew me away! So, I was absolutely thrilled to dive back into that world with A Drop of Corruption.

Just like in the first book, the worldbuilding here is exceptional. The setting is richly detailed, but never feels overwhelming with exposition. The mystery itself is cleverly constructed, allowing you to piece together the subtle clues leading to the satisfying final reveal. The characters are always a hoot to follow, especially Ana, as she remains my favorite.

This is a complex and engaging novel that kept me hooked from beginning to end and I had a great time with it.

Also! What a beautiful cover!

A layered fantasy mystery that was gripping until the very end.

The author has a true talent for this genre!