I was really eager to read A Drop of Corruption because I loved the first book in the series. This second instalment didn’t disappoint, delivering another gripping murder mystery set in a fascinating, unique and imaginative world.

The world of this series continues to captivate me and it was exciting to get further detail and expand on the knowledge from A Tainted Cup. The biotechnology feels fresh and original. I don’t enjoy when books that are overly descriptive, but this one struck the perfect balance. The descriptions were enough to keep me engaged while crafting an evocative and, at times, delightfully creepy atmosphere. The writing made the world feel alive without ever dragging or losing momentum.

The story begins similarly to the first book, with Din sent to investigate a murder and gather information for Anna, the foul-mouthed, irreverent, Sherlock Holmes-esque genius who ties everything together. Anna remains one of the most vivid characters I’ve come across, full of idiosyncrasies, grotesque eating habits, and brutal takedowns of Di or anyone else who dares get on her nerves. Her sharp wit and chaotic brilliance steal the show, and I was delighted by every scene she was in.

I also loved the introduction of Malo. Her snarky personality was such a fun addition to the cast. I hope to see more of her in future instalments. I think RJB did a great job at including moments of levity to balance the darker elements in the story. I enjoyed the dynamic between Ana, Malo and Din. and their mocking of Din’s sexual exploits killed me! Poor Din experienced numerous indignities in this story!

I did feel that Din’s character could have been fleshed out a bit more. There are flashes of his personality, in his desire to move in a different career path, when he is stressed out, in his pining over Kephus (I was so sad to not see him in this book). But I would love to see more depth and development in the future. However, his evolving relationship with Anna, progressing from just a working partnership to a bond built on genuine care (despite frequent exasperation), was a satisfying and added emotional weight.

The mystery itself was masterfully crafted. The story wrapped up with a big reveal that brought together tiny clues laid out along the way, an absolute masterclass in twists and turns. While I did anticipate a couple of elements early on in the initial murder case, the resolution still managed to surprise and deeply satisfy me.

Kol and Dolabra are at it again in this sequel to The Tainted Cup. Trying to solve an impossible mystery of a disappearing man who winds up dead and a killer who is like a ghost.
I was really excited to read this book because I gave the first book 4.5 stars. This one is even better in my opinion and is 5 stars for me. I felt I understood the world better and the characters were very strong and well thought out and each had their own dynamic story. The way he describes this world is just so atmospheric, I can picture everything and feel like I'm right there with the characters. I absolutely love Ana, she is wild and chaotic in the best way. She doesn't care what she says; she is their to solve this mystery and do it in her own unique way. The mystery in this one had me intrigued and guessing something different at every turn. The descriptions of these murders were vivid and gruesome. I am really hoping for a third book in this series. I need more!

A Drop of Corruption was one of my most anticipated reads for 2025 and as expected it did not disappoint. This is the second book in a series that takes a murder mystery and sets in a fantasy world that’s Sherlock Holmes meets kaiju meets Attack on Titan.

This takes what made the first novel so great and expands on it. We learn more about Ana and Din, more about their motivations and hopes and secrets, while introducing new intriguing characters. The world is also further expanded and explored as Ana and Din are summoned to investigate another murder in a new location with a different culture and politics that they must quickly learn and adjust to.

I loved the super creepy body horror elements and threat of contamination which added a deep feeling of dread and tension. It’s something we got a taste of in the first book and when we encounter the full scope of what we are dealing with this time it’s truly terrifying. The development of Ana and Din’s characters and learning more about their past and motivations was something I was looking forward to and happy to see. The addition of the character Malo, she’s a whole mood and I love her, really gave weight to the stakes for the people of the Yarrow. Then there is the biological technology in these novels, which is fascinating and terrifying, and getting a deeper look at it through the shroud and the secrets within was another aspect I really enjoyed. The twists and turns revealing new dangers, the well constructed mystery, and deeper world building, all made this an amazing read I couldn’t put down. I can’t wait for the next installment and what it might bring!

Thank you very much to NetGalley and the publisher. I received an advance review copy, and I am leaving this review voluntarily.

This second book in the series is even better than the first in some ways, so I was glad I got to read it after I was finished. I love Ana and Din; their relationship (not romantic) is a fascinating thing to watch. In this latest, they are right at the heart of the Empire, which isn’t really in the Empire, and there is an enemy that’s always one step ahead of them. One of the things I love about this series is the complex mystery solving; it reminds me of the show Sherlock. My only real complaints are personal preferences and not because of something terrible, but I don’t like books that take place in a past-like setting and sometimes there’s way too much description (for me). Other than that, this is a very unique and interesting universe, and I’m excited how the changes this book has wrought is going to do the Empire and how events change Ana and Din’s relationship. Oh, and I really hope we get to see Malo again: love her. Recommend. I was provided a complimentary copy which I voluntarily reviewed.

I was so excited to read this second book after I read The Tainted Cup last year. Tainted Cup was one of my favorite books and so I had high expectations from A Drop of Corruption and it did not disappoint!

Din and Ana were still their quirky selves to solve this new murder and mystery. The stakes felt higher than they were in the first book and we got to learn more about the world and leviathans. In the first book, there was a lot of world building and explaining, but I felt like this book went right into the story since we already were acquainted with the world. Mystery is one of my favorite genres and this book combines that beautifully with the fantasy aspect. Highly recommend even if you don’t think you like fantasy or mystery.

I cannot wait for the next book!

Thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for the ARC.

Review: A hybrid mystery and fantasy novel that catches your attention from the start. How about that cover art?

Oh my, this was really good and right on the heels of a Rooker Flynn series I just read. Lucky me. Besides the intricate and beguiling mystery and the great world building, what sets this novel apart from most is impeccable movement that builds a grand array of characters.

Din has a directed approach to the world which is at war with the emotions within. This is expressed by a rather droll and pedantic approach to life yet he would fuk a snake if you held it for him. Ana's expressions of genius really make the scenes pop. There is a mistake during the castle hunt for Pyktis. When Din's retinue arrive at the castle, the guards ask if they are armed to which they all say no. Later, Din has his sword drawn in the room where Gorthaus was killed. Specifics, Bob.

I could go on but I will not ruin your experience by shedding any more insights. Just get this and be happy for awhile. Great news that the author stopped using phrasing.......as much, ex. "softly" 63x.

I received this ARC for an honest review.

4.5/5

I really enjoy Robert Jackson Bennett's writing - his world building, his creative descriptions, his characters. After The Tainted Cup, I forgot how beautifully gruesome his death scenes can be. Wow! So descriptive and so f*cked up! His scene setting is just really fantastic. "Even the moss-laden trees had the look of grieving widows wandering the tombs in lace gowns." Beautiful!

I missed Signum Dinios Kol, and it hadn't even been that long since I read book 1! I really thought that this book might delve deeper into who the leviathan's are, maybe see that they're not evil? I don't know. I wasn't expecting to literally dig deeper into them... like into their bodies and organs and blood; that was a fun twist! To me, it seems like book 1 set up how dangerous they can be, this book sets up how important they are to the Empire, but still also how dangerous they can be (albeit in a different way). I can't wait to learn more about these creatures in the next book.

We once again have ourselves an Ana and Din mystery. I was able to guess the first twist in this story, which begins with the death of a Treasury officer in Yarrowdale, a city outside the Empire. I was not able to guess any of the other (many) twists throughout, even with some obvious foreshadowing sprinkled in, though I constantly had theories brewing. This story just called me to continue reading to find out each new twist and explanation.

I loved that we got to learn so much more about Ana in the story. Din's and her relationship is actually very entertaining for me. "..why come here at all? Why not send a letter?" "Probably to try new food. Or maybe just to punish me." She does it all for a reason my dude, just go with it! She admits that Din does help keep her in line a bit, from going too off-kilter: "I appreciate it when you throw rocks at my ideas, Din. Keeps me from going too far up my own ass."

Din himself is struggling here a bit, with financial issues and bigger dreams than he believes he can attain. Ana provides some guidance and perspective though, while still remaining supportive of him and his career. "..it falls to us to keep an Empire worth defending."

I would like to say that it is very helpful that Din, as an engraver, frequently recalls certain information for us as a the reader, instead of me having to flip back myself!

"I did not pay for my face. - Din on his beautiful face hahah. It does help him... mostly into many beds :P

Ana, who is pretty much a badass, has some really great quotes throughout, but my faves are probably:
"Just keep an eye out for the fellow with testicles large enough to cause back deformities, and we shall have our culprit!"
"Titan's taint!"

Thank you to NetGalley for approving me for an ARC of this story. I just couldn't wait for this release!

"A Drop of Corruption" masterfully combines the intrigue of a murder mystery with the imaginative depth of fantasy. It’s a must-read for fans of both genres.

The story grabs you immediately, plunging into a mystery filled with constant danger and intrigue that keeps you hooked. Dinios Kol shines in this installment, showing more of his personality as he begins to adapt to the chaos.

The bioengineered world remains as unsettling as ever. Familiarity with it allows for a deeper appreciation, but Bennett doesn't hold back, ramping up the tension and unease. His writing brings each character to life with distinct voices, enhancing the story’s immersion and impact.

The book effectively tackles the moral complexity of confronting oppressive systems without imposing one’s own ideals, adding layers to the narrative and characters.

This was a 5 star read for me!

3.75 ⭐️

HELLO SEQUELLLL 💫 after reading the first book last year, i needed my hands on this book asap rocky and she did not disappoint! the lore goes crazy and bennett’s world is, quite literally, a world of his own!! to each and every one of ya, pick up this series!!

I was so excited to read this! Thank you Netgalley and Penguin Random House for the arc!

Okay, Din and Ana are back!
And it feels like they've had enough time to work on a few mini investigations in-between the timeframe of this and where The Tainted Cup Left off.

Din is a little less uptight now, obviously spending time with Ana has loosened him up just a little bit.
A body has been found in a far off territory that has not yet officially joined the Empire, so the rules are a little different in Yarrow. It's a very rough, violent place, deeply set in the jungle.

There's a whole lot going on in Yarrow because of that, secret experiments, inner court corruption in the Court of Yarrow, officers looking out for themselves. The inner empire structure is there, but it's going to be a little harder to navigate this time.
There is a lot of reveled in this one, even some allusion to just what or who exactly Ana is and perhaps what her augments are. And perhaps why she does what she does. Din as always is exasperated with her behavior but has had some time to adjust.

Yarrow is home to The Shroud, the place where they drag in the carcasses of dead Leviathans and dissect them for blood, bones and flesh for the empire to power their various augments. It's what makes the empire run. If anything were to happen to it, it could take out almost the entirety of the empire itself, a dangerous, delicate thing to work on. Many Apoths perish doing the work.

I really enjoyed Malo as an addition to this investigative group and hope she turns up again!
Din has a lot of good character growth. Ana is as always, herself. An absolute menace.

This was an excellent second book! I cannot wait to see where the investigations take Ana and Din next.

A Drop of Corruption is the second book in the Ana and Din Mystery Series. I continue to be captured by this series. While it is wrapped in the environment of a traditional high fantasy setting, it really has more in common with your general cozy mystery. Throughout this story one thing I was struck by was the continued strong character development, the emphasis on telling a story with a plot that has a clear beginning, middle, and end, and finally, the expansion of the cast of individuals that circle Ana and Din. New characters have been added that I hope we will revisit in the future, they bring a different color to the investigations of the main duo.

Through this story we are introduced to new and strange individuals with rare and unique gifts that color in and expand the world-building. Despite that it never rises to the level of a traditional fantasy series. So far, these books as a self-contained series, do not follow any of the seven basic plots-Overcoming the Monster, Rags to Riches, The Quest, Voyage and Return, Comedy, Tragedy, or Rebirth. Additionally, as Jasper Fforde would write these stories also do not follow the 8 basic plots: Man vs. Man, Man vs. Nature, Man vs. Environment, Man vs. Machine, Man vs. The Supernatural, Man vs. Self, Man vs. God, Man vs. Fate. I do not know that there is a Hero's Journey (Man v. Man/Fate) or Quest at the center of this series that has been clearly articulated at this time. This is what makes it so hard to classify these excellent books.

I look forward to more stories in this series the potential locations and environments to explore in this new sandbox seem fairly limitless right now. With that in mind I would recommend that anyone who is a fan of the following authors read this book: Jasper Fforde, Ben Aaronovitch, Geneivieve Cogman, and T.L. Huchu will enjoy these stories.

Thank you to #netgalley for the ARC of this book. I look forward to listening to the Audiobook when it releases (it really was that good)!

Shadow of the Leviathan has quickly become one of my favorite fantasy series. A Drop of Corruption is a good follow-up to The Tainted Cup (Book 1). If you haven't started this series, I suggest you first pick that up. It's not fully necessary to understand, but A Drop of Corruption feels deeper after having read book 1.

It's a good continuation but I wouldn't say I loved it. I still love Din and Ana as a duo and the story was interesting, as only this series can be, but Acts III and IV become repetitious and dare I say, some of Ana's eccentricities become too much.

The world continues to be one of the most distinct fantasy worlds of any book I've read. Everything comes from nature and it's all soiled and mossy and moldy and is used to act in inventive ways. It is a character unto itself.

It'll be interesting to see where this series goes and what inventive mysteries Robert Jackson Bennett can come up with.

This second book in the Ana and Don mystery series is just as fantastic as the first. Robert Jackson Bennett has such an amazing ability to create worlds that are very realized--they feel lived in and fully fleshed out. The concepts of his worlds are unique and exciting, and the mystery does not disappoint. The fantasy elements add to the mystery.
If you enjoy Sherlock Holmes or House, M.D. these books are a must-read!

A Drop of Corruption? Maybe more. How does a person get murdered in a locked room in a tower? Many fictional detectives have figured out the puzzle. Here we are in a fantasy world where people could possibly walk through walls. It is time for Ana Dobrova, an extraordinary detective with brilliant insights (considering she likes to be blindfolded) and her eyes and ears Dinios Kol to travel outside the empire to a strategic canton to solve the case. What they uncover is a massive conspiracy that will take them from swampy Yarrowdale to The Shroud, a giant leviathan skin in the water stretching for miles housing a manufacturing operation extracting magic from dead leviathans critical to the Empire to the jungle and to the High Court situated miles away high in the hills.

There are political intrigues galore, a variety of characters with amazing abilities, twists and turns and plenty of magic. Then there is Ana, with her quirks and routines and her reliance on Din’s ability to recall everything perfectly, who never fails to amaze as she uncovers the truth. Even if you did not read The Tainted Cup, which you definitely should if you like fantasy, you could read this as a stand alone book.

The writing draws you into a world painted perfectly with words. Robert Jackson Bennett allows you to read the book as pure fantasy or examine the political, race and class undertones and get a deeper appreciation and enjoyment.You could try to imagine yourself with enhancements and how you would put them to use. There is a lot to unpack. Enjoy the read/ride.

Thank you NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.

The Tainted Cup was one of my favorite books of 2024 and I’m happy to say the sequel does not disappoint. I loved the set up of a locked room mystery in which the victim had disappeared from a room with no way out. RJBs mysteries are so well thought out and as a reader I appreciate the way that I get to solve things right along with Din.

The world building done in book one was great but it felt like it really got to shine in this book. I just can’t get enough of this strange eco apocalypse society and the science based magic that is really more on the sci-fi side of things. If you read book one and were craving more information about how the magic system works and the role of the leviathans this book will do it for you.

I love these characters even more than I did last book. I adore poor Din and the wonderful little odd couple dynamic that he has with Ana. There was some set up at the beginning of the book for Din angst but it felt like we kind of dropped it until the conclusion. However, this mystery becomes so world ending that I think it’s ok we spent less time on Din’s personal hang ups. The Ana lore that we got was so juicy in this book and I only fell more in love with her strange personality. Finally sweet sweet Malo, her abrasiveness and street smarts were a wonderful addition to the squad. I’m assuming that we won’t see her in the next book, but I’m crossing my fingers that she’ll reunite with the gang at a later date.

I can’t wait to see what RJB gives us in book three, I’ll be honest I could read a million of these stories and they’d never get old. I’m crossing my fingers for a Din/Kepheus reunion in book three because Din deserves nice things.

Thanks to the publisher for providing me with a free e-ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Free eARC provided by NetGalley and the publisher for reviewing purposes.
I'm THRILLED to be back in the Shadow of the Leviathan universe with brilliany yet eccentric detective Ana and her long-suffering assistant Din! This entry finds our Holmes and Watsonian pair at the outskirts of the empire, tangled up in a locked room mystery with political intrigue and the ever-present threat of the leviathans and their aftereffects. This universe is so complex and beautiful, and the worldbuilding is so rich and well-structured, I would read 20 more books in this series. That said, I can see it being overwhelming if you don't have the time to really dive headfirst into this book.
I really enjoyed the character development in this book, as well as the development of the ongoing mystery of Ana herself. Beyond that, the mystery that takes place in this book alone is well-plotted and extremely satisfying, with tiny clues throughout, and partial solves that carry you through to the end. This is quickly becoming one of my favorite series of all time.

A Drop of Corruption is the second in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, following Din and his superior officer Ana, as they investigate what appears to be an unsolvable crime. A treasurer officer arrives in the canton of Yarrowdale and is seemingly kidnapped from his tower room and later discovered to have been murdered and left for the carnivorous turtles in the canals of the area. The threat is quickly identified, but the foe appears to be multiple steps ahead of Ana and Din, with a threat placed against the Empire and the Shroud, where the magical blood of the Leviathans is extracted.
As with the previous book, the conclusions that Ana and Din draw as they investigate together are not fully given to the reader, so that by the end of the book, we don't fully know everything they know and understand. I particularly find this enjoyable, because the conclusion wraps things up fairly neatly but as a reader, I don't have all the answers until the final act reveal. I also enjoyed the new characters that assist them with the investigation, but primarily this book deepened my love for Ana and Din and how they work together. the mystery is intricate, the clues are profuse but also cleverly hidden throughout the book. Overall, the book felt very cleverly plotted, and extremely enjoyable. I can't wait for the third entry in the series!
Thank you to Random House - Del Ray and NetGalley for the electronic ARC of this novel for review.

I freaking LOVE this series. What a pair in Ana and Din! I hope there will be many more books in this series.

First of all, should we talk about the cover? Exqusite! It has everything, a pop of color but still the black and greys that keeps in touch with the books eerie feeling. This fantasy was a very nice read and kept me reading to late hours. I love how everything is explained without being written on my nose. The characters are growing on for every page I read and at last it felt sad leaving them.

Thanks to NetGalley, the publisher and the author for a chance to read this book.

This series is very Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson — if Holmes were an older woman with snowy white hair named Ana who usually wears a blindfold and eats lots of rare-ish meat and Watson were a 20-something-year-old bisexual man named Din who has been genetically modified to remember absolutely everything. Ana and Din have great banter, play off each other’s strengths — and are brilliant at solving crimes.

The first book in this series was great, but this one, the second, was sensational. I loved everything about it. Our characters continue to grow, the fantasy world is built out further, and the mystery is remarkably well-plotted and satisfying. Din and Ana have been called to the outskirts of the empire and presented with a troubling mystery: A Treasury officer disappeared from a guarded, locked room that towers off the ground — and pieces of him have been found in a nearby source of water rife with smugglers. The obvious threat comes from an individual who might even be smarter than Ana, someone who always seems to be steps ahead and seems to know things no one should be able to know. What progresses is a story of murder, corruption, intrigue, and treason, as Robert Jackson Bennett combines a fascinating story of politics in a fantasy world with a brilliantly clever mystery. He has found his footing.

In this book, nothing comes out of left field — there are no “gotcha” moments. Instead, Bennett puts clues in what seem to be throw-away conversations, which makes every reveal satisfying. His mystery is so complex that he can give little solutions along the way — no final-chapter denouement — to draw readers even further into the mystery.

This book is full and complex but easy to follow (perhaps because we’re already familiar with the setting and political structure and didn’t need some of the world-building slog the first book had). The characters are even more interesting in this book. Din is heartbroken, sleep-deprived, in debt as a result of his father’s death, questioning his role in the empire, and just generally being a mess. (I love him.) The side characters in this story feel like real people who add fullness to the story. And Ana is teetering on the edge of… something that seems dangerous and bad and shrouded in mystery, but her brilliance remains untouched, and her quirkiness remains as fun as ever.

Sherlock who?

Thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an e-ARC of this book in exchange for an honest review.