In the spirit of full disclosure, when I requested this book from NetGalley I just liked the cover and the blurb sounded interesting. I hadn’t read an ARC before and was excited for the opportunity. Thanks NetGalley and Robert Jackson Bennett for supplying me with a new experience and a fun read!

Originally, I didn’t realize ADOC was the second in a series. I immediately downloaded The Tainted Cup and began reading. I had a hard time getting into that book and felt like maybe I was not the target audience for this series. I didn’t feel smart enough to be delving so deeply into this new world. RJB writes stunning imagery that is easy to imagine and beautiful to bring to life in my mind. However his plots are involved. Not only that but the world building, new terms and magic system within this fantasy were a lot of work for me. Again, I found myself being somewhat offended about how little I felt I could follow. I became so frustrated with how insulted my intelligence felt while reading that I dragged my feet through the entirety of the book. About 70% through It started to come together and make sense.

Anyway, less on TTC and more on A Drop of Corruption. I spent weeks avoiding this book, only to pick it up, as my deadline to review was approaching, and be immediately interested in Dins new case.

The subtle sarcasm and dry humor in the dialogue is enjoyable, but also an acquired taste. It takes a bit of getting used to before understanding the seemingly chaotic exchanges between characters and different ranking folk. Dins character is achingly strait laced while Ana reads like a whirlwind of chaotic energy. The dichotomy between them is engaging enough to muddle through the less enjoyable parts (rotten seafood, mold, bloody organ-less bodies etc)

ADOC behaves like a true mystery with the added intensity of a fantastical setting and a crumbling empire in need of saving. How these marry so well is a credit to Robert Jackson Bennett because there is so much going on at once.

All together, I really enjoyed the humor, the intelligence and the overall weird that this book brought. The characters were compelling, the wit is razor sharp and the concept is next level.

Again, major thanks to NetGalley and publishers for the advance copy. I’m glad I got to step foot into Dinios Kols wild world.

Obsessed. RJB is at it again and even better than before. Every aspect of the groundwork of the first book has been enhanced in the second installment, from the depth of the worldbuilding, and the intrigue of the murder mysteries, to the furthered dynamic between Din and Ana. A Drop of Corruption is simply thrilling, and I'm eagerly awaiting the April publication date to pick up a physical copy.

Massive thank you to NetGalley for the arc! Truly an excellent start to 2025.

I really loved The Tainted Cup by Robert Jackson Bennet, it was one of my top books of 2024, so I was very much looking forward to this sequel and I am so happy I got to read it before release date! Thanks to NetGalley and Random House for approving me for this arc.

And yes, I loved A Drop of Corruption, it's a 5 star read for me, just like the first book was. It was a fast paced, action packed, fun filled, entertaining, and amusing romp in a truly amazing and unique world that hits several of my buzzwords. Leviathans. Weird Ecology (including fungus). Plant based technology. Mystery-Fantasy. Quirky characters.

And then it has it's serious points too, as it casually and easily digs deep into various social and political issues that are so easy to pretend don't exist in a fantasy world. The colonialism aspect to this book is quite interesting. It doesn't just look at the colonial aspect as a bad thing, it truly shows us the various good and bad parts of what it means for this empire to have annexed this land. In some ways it is a very good thing, not least cause it would end slavery! But it also shows us that it's not all good, there are bad aspects. And good or bad, there will always be supporters and detractors. And most interestingly, the empire itself might not want what it seems to want.

But truly the draw for me in this series is the world. This weird ecological world, with the technology that is plant based. Oh how I love stories that grow buildings out of plants. This book is not super heavy, it's relatively light reading, it has humour and fun and silliness and moments that have you rolling your eyes at characters. But then this world will occasionally just hit you with some extreme body horror moments. What else can you call it when plants, people, and objects all merge into single things. Dead things, thank goodness, but still. Deliciously horrifying for sure. I love it.

We learn some more interesting things about our characters, not too much as the story is very much more plot heavy than character driven. But just enough to really leave you wondering what we will learn next. And they are as quirky as ever of course. Ever suffering Din and his, uhm, 'interesting' immunis, Ana. We get to see Din in some embarrassing moments, he blushes a fair bit in this one and it's hilarious every time. And of course he is thrown into the most dangerous of dangers, because of course he is. We have several new characters who have their own stories and histories, and of course their own quirks and personalities. For while these books aren't super character driven, we still end up with unique individual characters, and that is always something to be desired.

I wish I could see the Shroud. I have these ideas in my head on what it looks like, or at least how it moves, but I wish I could see what it actually looks and moves like. So creepy, so amazing. When I envision this world I kind of see an Avatar like world, but dingier, swampier, less fluorescent, and more horrific. Which, I mean, how perfect is that?

The only issue with reading a highly anticipated book before its release date is that you now have to wait even longer for the next sequel. Oh dear. What have I done?

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett takes us on another investigation with Ana and her assistant, Din. Unraveling the mystery of this murder is complex and requires sacrifices by Din to discover the clever truth. Political aspects of their world are explored in more detail in this sequel, a Treasury officer has been murdered and the Empire is more at risk than ever before. Corruption, betrayal, and secrets are prevalent in a world where people are not what they seem.

I recommend this book for fantasy and mystery fans. Reading The Tainted Cup would be a must before diving into the sequel. It sets up most of the world building and back story of the main characters. Ana and Din are eccentric characters, you will be entertained by their unconventional methods and banter back and forth. This story is filled with revelations at every turn while it builds to a startling ending.

Thank you Random House Publishing/ Del Rey and Netgalley for the advanced reader copy. All opinions are my own.

I recently had the pleasure of reading an advance copy of "A Drop of Corruption" by Robert Jackson Bennett, the second installment in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, courtesy of NetGalley and the publisher. Scheduled for release in April 2025, this novel continues the adventures of Ana Dolabra and her assistant, Kol, in a world that masterfully blends fantasy with mystery.

Having thoroughly enjoyed the first book, The Tainted Cup, I was eager to dive into this sequel. Bennett's unique world-building and distinctive approach to fantasy had left a lasting impression. In A Drop of Corruption, the dynamic between Ana and Kol evokes the classic partnership of Sherlock Holmes and Dr. Watson, enriched with sharp humor and a darker, atmospheric tone reminiscent of The X-Files. This fusion creates a compelling narrative that holds the reader's attention throughout.

What sets this series apart is how utterly unique its fantasy elements are. I’ve never read anything quite like it—Bennett’s ability to weave complex mystery into a richly imagined world is unmatched.

While the first book delivered a profound "wow" factor, this sequel, though slightly less impactful, still offers a captivating experience. The mystery at the heart of the story is intricately layered and brilliantly paced, with each revelation peeling back another layer of intrigue. However, I found the resolution in this installment somewhat less satisfying compared to its predecessor. Additionally, I was left yearning for a deeper exploration of Ana's background, her motivations, and the overarching connection between the two books. The groundwork laid in this sequel suggests that future installments may delve further into these aspects, promising richer character development and a more interconnected narrative.

Overall, A Drop of Corruption is a commendable continuation of the series, showcasing Bennett's talent for blending genres and crafting engaging mysteries. While it may not have reached the heights of the first book, it remains a thoroughly enjoyable read that leaves me anticipating the next adventure of Ana and Kol. I rate this book four out of five stars.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for providing this advance copy. I look forward to seeing where Bennett takes this series next.

Another brilliant fantasy plantpunk (?) mystery. RJB is as reliable a writer as they come: always innovate, surprising, and exciting.

If ‘Holmes & Watson meets VanDerMeer’s “Annihilation”’ sounds up your alley, mark this series down in your TBR. And go read everything else from this guy while you’re waiting.

For the first book in this series, The Tainted Cup, I wrote, “Wow! Two of my favorite things in one book—a murder mystery (plural, actually) and a fully conceived fantasy world unlike any I’ve ever read.”

That’s still true with A Drop of Corruption. Except this time, you get to learn so much more about Ana and Din. As I noted previously, the series contains great characters—imperfect and absolutely fascinating. And the Leviathans are back but in a completely new and unique way. And there are more people enhanced in a wide variety of ways, including the absolutely brilliant murderer.

Unfortunately, the murderer has not counted on going toe to toe with Ana Dolabra, the eccentric but genius investigator, and her assistant, Dinios Kol, who is getting more and more astute when it comes to investigating. And, because it's a fantasy world, there are also sword fights and clueless royalty and their constantly plotting minions. What’s not to love?

I already can’t wait for #3 (please let there be a third book in the series!) and the second hasn’t even been published yet! I bought a hard copy of The Tainted Cup when it came out last year, and I’ve already pre-ordered A Drop of Corruption. These books are definitely keepers.

Thank you Penguin Random House and NetGalley for the advanced copy.

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett was a fantastic fantasy. Full of complex characters trying to solve a crime that could destroy all they know. A race against the clock to find a genius criminal who knows how to hide in plain view and is always several steps ahead of the authorities. Will the authorities be able to solve the mystery and catch this madman?

This was a wonderful sequel to The Tainted Cup. Each chapter was engaging and made me want to keep reading and reading and reading.

thank you to NetGalley and Random House/Del Rey for providing me with an advance copy of this book to review!

a great follow-up to one of my favorite books of all time. I do kind of feel like this book was very much "suffering from success" so to speak because Bennett did such an incredible job with the characters and mystery in the first book that a lot of the particular delights of the second one are... very similar to those of the first one. but don't get me wrong, there are a lot of delights. and horrors! this series is so gnarly. I do think the mystery kind of spun its wheels for a bit, as the "who" is figured out by the first third or so, but it does go completely insane in a good and very earned way at the end.

the end of the first book made me feel torn apart in the best way possible. this book doesn't really have anything like that, but I would genuinely read 900 books of Din and Ana doing their thing in this unbelievably cool world.

In a drop of corruption, Robbert Jackson Bennett masterfully weaves another captivating murder mystery into his richly imagined world. The return of Ana and Din provides deeper insights into their personalities and abilities, offering readers a more intimate understanding of these compelling figures. Bennett cleverly expands the world-building, seamlessly integrating the mystery into the empire's unique history and further enriching the narrative. Thank you to Netgally, the author, and publisher for the ARC. I look forward to Robbert Jackson Bennett future novels!

After having early access from Net Galley, grateful for the opportunity to read Robert Jackson Bennett’s second instalment of A Drop of Corruption, after previously reading The Tainted Cup.

This book was brilliant- I loved the constant twists and schemes that unfolded. However, it lost some stars for me as I felt it became a bit repetitive, however the last 30% of this book wrapped up so well. I can’t wait to read more from Bennett! 3.5 stars.

One of the rare occasions where I enjoyed a sequel more than the first book! I think because a lot of the more basic world-building happened in Tainted Cup, Bennett was able to not only write a much more developed and twisty mystery (I actually GASPED at least twice) but also add more depth and texture to the setting. Yarrow's swampy decay, the steampunk yet magical mystery of the Shroud. I could picture the scenes in this book so crisply and deliciously. Also, as always, extra points for disaster bisexual lead. I eagerly await the next book in the series!

I’ve said this many, many times when talking about Robert Jackson Bennett’s books, but it bears repeating: he’s up there with the best fantasy authors of recent times. Each of his books is creative and compelling, and populated by characters you don’t want to stop reading about. A Drop of Corruption simply proves this further.

The Tainted Cup was always going to be a hard act to follow, but A Drop of Corruption has a good go at it. I think, marginally, I would rate book one higher than book two (only marginally!), but it’s still an incredible sequel. And, really, the only reason for that is there wasn’t an immediate ‘oh fuck what are the implications of this’ moment towards the end.

But anyway! A Drop of Corruption takes us to a new canton, this time the farthest reaches of the Empire, where there is a tension between the Empire and the vassal rulers of the place, made worse by the inexplicable disappearance (and subsequent death) of a Treasury officer.

First and foremost, I love the worldbuilding in this series. It’s so vibrant and detailed, so that you can sense it come to life in the words. Yarrowdale is a starkly different backdrop than Daretana, but both are immersive locations in the world, themselves as much characters as the people in them. I could honestly have just read a book with no plot except exploring the locations within the Empire.

As it was, the plot here is a gradual one, slowburning until all of a sudden it catches fire and you’re left feverishly turning the pages to find out how it’ll all end. What I especially liked here is that Ana meets her match: she’s positioned as a brilliant detective, whom many of her colleagues struggle to keep up with (a trope I have, historically, not loved), but here she’s up against someone who seems even able to predict the future. It’s a fascinating puzzle and very deftly navigated in the book.

The growth of Ana and Din’s relationship is also an aspect of this one that I enjoyed a lot. They have such a fun dynamic that I would read a never-ending series of their adventures, if I could. They play off one another so well and the ending here (no spoilers!) is one that I particularly enjoyed. All of the side characters too are memorable and fleshed out, and I really hope we get to see some of them again.

So, what are you waiting for? Get your hands on this series today, don’t waste a second!

A Drop of Corruption was mine and it is an absolute gem of a read. I had already been awed by Robert Jackson Bennett’s imagination in Tainted Cup and he definitely builds on it in the sequel delivering world-building so vivid and filled with lush, biopunk-inspired elements that are both strange and mesmerizing. The story itself is a brilliant blend of a Sherlock Holmes-style murder mystery and political intrigue, which will definitely keep you hooked and turning pages.

While it’s a sequel to Tainted Cup, this book tackles a completely new case. So if you’re hesitant to dive in because it’s part of a series, don’t worry—there are no cliffhangers to leave you hanging! The characters are sharp, the dynamics and banter between Ana and Din soo captivating, the plot is razor-tight, and the conspiracies are layered enough to make your head spin—in the best way possible.

It’s rare to find a book in fantasy these days that are this original and gripping, and for me, it was the perfect way to kick off 2025. Five stars and more for this brilliant sequel!

This is a great follow-up to the first book in the series. I loved returning to these witty and entertaining characters, plus the world it is set in is so different from our own, but also somewhat similar.

This book, like the first, is a highlight in regards to the two main characters, Din and Ana. I love how they interact, and how they work together. In the second installment, Bennett takes us to a completely different City and on a new adventure. This book is filled with twists and turns, which makes it almost unputdownable.

Sadly, at least for me, all the twists and turns got a bit out of hand, and I could no longer keep up with the speed at which things were happening. Still, Din is a very captivating character, so I also couldn’t stop reading.

This book is for you if you’re looking for an enticing world, interesting characters and a plot filled with twists and turns, betrayals and death.

Another awesome investigation piece set in a super interesting world. I felt this book gave me even more depth into the world of Din and Ana. I enjoyed that.

The pacing was great and it was just go go go. Although I must admit some part felt repetitive and was just almost there to allow a little more banter between our MC’s.

Where the book fell down for me was lack of characterisation depth as a book 2. I was hoping to get to know more about Ana and Dins past and just more about them too.. but this book fell short. Yes we get some more at the end but it just wasn’t enough.

All in all it’s another fabulous story that I thoroughly enjoyed. I only took a while to read because holiday season got in the way!

Thank you NetGalley for allowing me to access this ARC.

I am of the strong opinion that is is always difficult to match the magic of a truly great read. Time and time again, I find the second book in a series to be lacking from the original thrill of the first - either the characters do not hold shape or the pacing is off. This is absolutely not the case with the second installment of Robert Jackson Bennette's The Shadow of the Leviathan series and I spent several days unable to put down A Drop of Corruption.

Once again, we return to the unlikely duo of Din and Ana and their investigation into a new murder, this time in a northern seaside town where the Shroud lays off shore and is essentially the super secret manufacturing facility for dead titans. Expanding on the epic worldbuilding that Bennett introduced us to in The Tainted Cup, the reader gets a glimpse of a more rural culture that is still steeped in an ancient monarchy and has its own rules and customs outside of the Empire's grasp. Quirky new characters, including a bloodhound type investigator with a nose for criminal activity and lots of suspects with hidden agendas and secrets add depth and amusing interactions with both Din and Ana.

What I love most about this series is that the clues are divined out almost in real time. As a reader, we are given the exact same information as our main characters and nothing is held back. There is never any "surprise" reveal of information that either Din or Ana has held onto that has not been revealed. Ana is just as stumped at situations as we are and until the story progresses and the investigation unfolds, the mystery cannot be solved.

That being said, I took personal pride in this one that I had a suspicion early on based on some vague information given as to the killer's identity and was happily proven correct by the end. That is not to say that this mystery is easily solved. Like Ana, although I had suspicions, they were not proven until enough evidence was collected to confirm.

I will continue to read this series as long as Robert Jackson Bennett continues to write them. The books are whipsmart, quirky, and utterly captivating in the worldbuilding and mystery storytelling. Hopefully the next one will have a publication date that coincides with a holiday or vacation as I know that nothing will be accomplished for several days as I devour it and lose myself in the shadow of the leviathan.

Recommended for lovers of genre bending fantasy and Holmes and Watson styled mysteries. Although each book has a self-contained mystery, I recommend reading the books in order from the start as to get to know the characters and their quirks.

Thank you to NetGalley, Del Rey, and Robert Jackson Bennett for an advanced readers copy in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you to NetGalley and Random House for this ARC of A Drop of Corruption.


While not having read The Tainted Cup, I can now say I am very eager to go back and read the first of this series, as no spoilers occur, and it can be read without reading the first. As a detective mystery set in the Khanum, this book took me on a journey from what I thought would be a straightforward who-done-it to uncovering a bigger plot I hadn’t seen coming.

The characters are potentially my favourite part about this book, each had flaws, hopes and aspirations, some of which were not realistic or may not be achieved. I felt that this made the book much more realistic, with not every aspect being perfect about the people. Ana is an eclectic but loveable detective, din is having a bit of a crisis throughout the book, and malo is struggling between helping the yarrow and getting the hell out (but not knowing how).

The society is far from perfect and struggling with power holds, the empire and the monarchy (diplomatically) fighting for control in Yarrow. It seemed everywhere you look, more and more secrets were being revealed.
It touches on the morally grey aspects of advancing your civilisation and helping others, with the costs compromising your moral compass. I found myself questioning which would be better, to not make the advances for the cost of few, or to make the advances for the benefit of all.

In the end, a drop of corruption had surprises around every corner, and telling you anymore would ruin it.