Quick Thoughts Reviews

📖 what’s a letter that starts with W E D N E S D A or Y that describes your day so far? For me, it’s struggling, as in, struggling to figure out what to wear 🤣. I have changed my outfit three times & I’m about to go back for a fourth.

🌼 Broken Souls & Bones has a lot of potential on the romance front: forbidden attraction, betrayal, secrets. The fantasy parts, though, are a bit hard for me to follow. Still, if you’re in the mood for a solid introductory book with 🔥& a cliffie, you might want to read this one. 4 ⭐️, out 04/29. (Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.


🌼 A Drop of Corruption (part of the Ana & Din series) is book 2 of a Sherlock Holmes re-telling with a whip-smart, mysteriously augmented Sherlock & a Watson who’s both part & not-part of it all. This series is fantastic, you all. The mystery & the character development are there; a perfect combo. 5 ⭐️, out now. (Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)


🌼 A Fate Forged in Fire has a secret princess heroine with a temper, a marriage of convenience, & dragons! The vibes in this one skew a bit too dark for my taste, but this will make a super satisfying fantasy for someone! The tension between leads is a big part of their dynamic. 3.5 ⭐️, out 05/27. (Thanks to the publisher and Netgalley for the complimentary ARC. All opinions provided are my own.)

JUST as good as book one, I may even prefer this one, because I was already familiar with the world and the missing person case was more intriguing to me personally.
I love that even though we are in the same world we get a very unique new setting. I could follow the MCs through case after case and would not get bored. Highly recommend you check this series out if you haven´t already.

Man, this book elevates the story and world in every way. We are out of the wet season so the Leviathans are not a worry but RJB still manages to build on them and make them a central role in the story, This installment we journey to Yarrowdale. A canton outside if the empires reach that operates under its own rules and ruler. A hard left turn from the places we've seen so far. Yarrow is grimier, grittier, stuck in old practices and traditions. Which all weave themselves into the brilliant plotting and into a foe that makes the stakes for all extremely high. A foe that is ruthless and knows the workings of all lands intricately.

Once again we follow Din in the mystery and unravel some of his own mysteries. He has grown and while he can still be a stick in the mud you get a lot more of what makes him tick. His flaws, his anxieties, his strengths, and everything in-between are more so on display this time around. The side characters I really enjoyed. Malo in particular. Malo's both no sense attitude mixed with her seeming need to be a little reckless works really well. Ana is more prominent this time around and I am here for it. The mystery of Ana is still lingering in the background but you are given some solid detail to keep your interest in what her deal is alive. She is ever the brilliant shit and weirdo with a hidden heart I hope she always stays.

The mystery itself keeps you on your toes and is again so well plotted that you are fully immersed and when you think you know what is going on it tweaks things to a point that even if you guessed something you probably didn't get it quite right. The pacing is faster than the first book and keeps the story moving at a rate that you do not want to put it down. The first book I have told many about but this entry might make me insufferable as a suggest to any fantasy/murder mystery fans.

Thank you to @netgalley for a digital ARC of A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett.

A Drop of Corruption is the sequel to The Tainted Cup which I reviewed an ARC of last year as well.

If you're looking for a good murder mystery in an epic fantasy world, you'll love this series. The murders feel more complex on the surface, but aren't overly difficult to solve. They are made more intriguing by the world they're built within and the lack of difficulty is not a negative here as the journey is great!

The world building in the Ana and Din Mystery series is wonderful! This world is so cool and has a touch of sci-fi layered in which I am enjoying more and more lately. I know I will keep coming back to these books just to learn more about it!

The characters are enjoyable. I think my only complaint is that any romantic elements feels forced and I personally don't feel like these books need it at all (this is not between the main characters). The foundational relationship between Ana and Din holds its own and their dynamic is something I enjoy.

Had to continue after the first book (5 stars). While starting as a promisingly fantasy/locked room mystery with sinister elements, the book becomes bogged down by excessive complexity, reduced main character banter (made it special in the first book), and an exhausting political plotline. The magic system shifts to a more scientific approach, and while the book contains deeper social commentary—criticizing autocracy in a genre that often glorifies kingdoms—it ultimately lacks the wit, joy, and imagination that made the first book special, leaving the reader feeling overwhelmed by the end.

as always - 12 million stars for Ana and Din. I loved this as much as Tainted cup, maybe even more as we dig into the meat of Ana and her proclivities. Loved.

It was so fun to be back in this world! I really enjoy this combination of fantasy and mystery. Once again, the banter between Din and Ana was my favorite. It didn't quite live up to the first, but I find that happens a lot with second books in series for me. Can't wait for the series to continue!

** I received an e-ARC from NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.

Thanks to Del Rey Books and Netgalley for the ARC.


"You know, you are not a stupid person, Din."
"Thank you, ma'am," I said, pleased.
"Or rather, not an unusually stupid person."
"Thank you, ma'am," I said, far less pleased.
"It's only when you're really very befuddled that I know the work might offer some mild entertainment."

I ADORE Ana and Din's relationship and how it has grown through these two books. The banter and wit honestly have me cackling and I can't get enough of these two. As with The Tainted Cup this book has marvelous world building and another twisting mystery that makes for such a satisfying read. The great thing about a book two is that you're familiar already with the world and all the modifications so it just feels easier to delve into the mystery. Here we journey to Yarrowdale, an area outside of empire's borders to investigate a gruesome murder of a Treasury agent. I loved seeing an area outside of the empire and how if differed politically from Khanum, getting much more history of Khanum and all the craziness that goes with products of a leviathan. While I did have an idea where things were going to end up with the killer, I still found the mystery thoroughly entertaining and absolutely loved Malo!! Glad that she may come back in a future book. This is a fantastic series and can't wait for the next one!!

I really enjoy Bennett's work. Even though it is firmly sitting in a subgenre that it not my wheelhouse, mystery/fantasy, it is so well executed that I can't stop reading.

In this, the second book of the series, the superstar investigator and assistant is called into action. One gets to know the lead investigator more in this series, in a way that is compelling, and Dinios has growth as a character as well. There are Titans, Kaiju like monsters that wreck everything, and the story revolves around a facility built to better understand these monsters, and the investigation centers on that. I can't say too much more without affecting spoilers but fans of mysteries will like this series even without the fantasy aspects, and fans of Bennett certainly will. I hope people who like both genres will try this book!

When I tell you I was excited to get the ARC for this series, that's an understatement. I judged a book by its cover with The Tainted Cup, and I'm not ashamed to admit it. It ROCKED. The second book... better. Just so, so, so, so good. It is FUN, it is mysterious, it is engaging, it is magical and it is so detailed that it is insanely engaging. The layering of the mystery aspects of the plot is very well done and honestly never frustrating (I am guilty of getting annoyed at a lot of mystery aspects of a plot).

4.25/5 ⭐

A Drop of Corruption builds on the foundation of The Tainted Cup by expanding the world and the reader's understanding of it, and that's where this series really shines. The worldbuilding is incredible. We see more of the effects of the leviathans and how they are used and manipulated to both positive and negative effect in this world. Jackson Bennett is not just making things up as he goes along. Any new details about the world that emerge always feel like a natural extension of what we already know.

The mystery in this one was handled really well. One of my criticisms from the first book was that the mystery reveal was too much standing around and explaining. That was still present in this book—and I think it's inevitable with a character like Ana—but it was done in slow reveals throughout rather than all at once, which I appreciated. They are facing an adversary who is always one step ahead and seeing Ana and Din try to counter that was really fun.

At the end of the The Tainted Cup, I was expecting the next book to head to the heart of the empire and feature a lot of political maneuvering, as well as feature Din and Kepheus more. Their relationship was one of the standout elements from the first book for me, so I was a bit disappointed that A Drop of Corruption featured neither of those things.

The characters are fully fleshed out, but are missing depth. I don't find myself emotionally connected to them. However, I loved the addition of Malo as a character and seeing Din and Ana's relationship grow as they come to understand each other better. Observing Din's search for meaning in his life and his profession play out was also a highlight.

Overall, I had fun with this, and I will happily pick up any further continuations of Din's story.

Read if you like:
🧩 Locked room mysteries
🌿 Strange science/biology
🔎 Sherlock Holmes
🔀 Genre mashups

This follow-up to The Tainted Cup pulls no punches it drops us right back into a world that is both bizarre and brilliant, full of alchemical body modifications, empire politics, and a detective duo that somehow works despite everything saying it shouldn’t.

Din and Ana return with a new case, this time investigating a disappearance that quickly spirals into something much bigger. The plot takes its time building momentum, but once the story shifts to the swampy, eerie region of Yarrowdale, everything begins to click into place. There is murder. There is conspiracy. There is a slow creep of dread under all the clever dialogue and labyrinthine clues.

This book is longer and more layered than the first, which works both for and against it. The pacing does lag in spots, but the payoff is worth it. The mystery is solid, the clues are buried just deep enough to keep you second-guessing, and the new setting adds a rich, unsettling atmosphere to the story.

Ana remains a force of nature strange, unpredictable, and oddly endearing. Din continues to be the emotional center, awkward and perceptive and more than just a sidekick. Their dynamic is the beating heart of this series, and a new character added to the mix brings a welcome contrast that keeps their energy fresh.

What sets this series apart is not just the mystery but the way Bennett builds his world. It is immersive, weird in the best way, and feels both ancient and oddly modern. The magic system feels like science with a layer of ritual, and the empire they serve is full of cracks that hint at deeper trouble ahead.

This is not a quick or easy read. It asks for attention, but it rewards it. If you are in the mood for a cerebral mystery wrapped in fantasy with a touch of body horror and a lot of charm, this one is absolutely worth your time.

A slow beginning that demands patience, as it lays out a world of bureaucracy, ranks, and conspiracies. The early chapters are dense with names, politics, and formalities that feel like wading through mud, but once the narrative reaches the Shroud, the story sharpens, and the intrigue truly begins to shine.

Throughout the book, echoes of the first book in the series, The Tainted Cup, linger, suggesting answers without quite delivering them. What seemed foretold in the first novel edges closer to revelation, yet full disclosure remains out of reach. I assume this is deliberate to keep the reader leaning forward and turning the pages, but you never quite know.

Ana’s past is threaded into the narrative, adding layers to investigations and hidden truths. By the time Bennett reaches the final chapters, he reiterates the Easter eggs, rewarding attentive readers with nods to his broader plans. And yet, even in these moments of revelation, he holds back, leaving some mysteries deliberately unresolved.

But beneath all the layered plot, Ana and Din’s relationship is the true pulse of the novel. Their banter is sharp, witty, and grounded, which keeps the story human amid the political and fantastical complexities. The humor they weave between each moment of tension makes the book feel alive, ensuring that no matter how complicated the world-building gets, it never overwhelms.

Previous mentions of this series being a trilogy now have whispers suggesting it may expand further. For now, readers are left with lingering threads and unanswered questions—proof that Bennett’s world still holds more secrets than it’s willing to give up just yet.

This was the sequel to The Tainted Cup. I will say I enjoyed the 1st book more than this one, but it was such a treat to get back into this world and see what the next mystery would be! Another good book from this author!

Ana Dolabra, a brilliant augmented detective matches wits with a equally brilliant adversary who always seems one step ahead. She is accompanied by her assistant and engraver, Dinios Kol as they work through the baffling clues of a disappearing Treasury Office in a backwater canton called Yarrowdale, that is supposed to be in process of being adopted into the Empire. Yarrowdale is important to the Empire because the Apoths are responsible for creating all kinds of reagents, fixes and cures for the people of the Empire. Their most important work takes place offshore in the Shroud, a mysterious place where dead leviathans are processed in hopes of harvesting the creature's blood which has magical potency and properties. Quickly this becomes not only a disappearance but a murder mystery and the plot snowballs into deadly occurrences and puzzling problems. Dolabra seems to almost magically untangle the continuing maze of clues and circumstances with her traditional blindfolded and odd augmentations. Kol is ever at her side or out doing the dangerous "leg" work to help.
This book is the second in the series and the plot moves faster than in the first book because the world-building is mostly done. It is probably necessary to read the first book to establish the characters and the fantastically strange world they exist in.
The books have been compared to Sherlock Holmes in their mystery sense But the world is so different from anything I have ever encountered that there is no comparison. I thoroughly enjoyed both books in this series and anxiously await the next book!

I think I enjoyed this book even more than the first one! Even though the first book had lots of action, this seemed to have even more, but I still think the pacing worked very well. And I freaking love Din and Ana. Din is so baby and such a bi disaster. Yeah he sleeps around, but he just doesn’t want to be lonely :( Ana, however, I picture in my head as the grandmother from “The Croods”, reptilian tail and all. I really liked that this novel dug deeper into her character and wtf she is. Perfect amounts of unsettling mixed with affection. I love them, and I really enjoyed the background cast too.

The mystery itself was really well planned as well. Just enough clues to have the reader satisfied with their predictions, but not too many that I guessed the whole reveal. And the worldbuilding was phenomenal! The first story had a lot of explanation, and this one seemed to weave in the explanation more subtly. I also enjoyed the change in scenery compared to the first novel. Heck yeah swamp people! And f-you colonization! This is definitely going on my favourite reads shelf; I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Din and Ana next :)

Enjoyed the overall reading experience - an intriguing mystery, character developments that took me by surprise, fun explorations of the leviathans' part of the world-building. The Urdu and Punjabi-inspired language was interesting but kept pulling me out of the story bc I kept trying to read into what the author was trying to convey (are we exploring pre-British Indian history with caste rules and selfish regional kings?) Then I came across the author's Reddit AMA and found out that he uses other real-world languages that I didn't pick up on, and they are meant to help world-build in a non-EU-centric manner, which I appreciate. I'll have to reread the book with that context and focus on the plot/mystery this time.

Fantastic sequel! As a librarian, I don't buy many books, but I bought Tainted Cup, I loved it so much! Wildly creative world-building and interesting characters set this series apart from other Sherlock reimaginings I've read. A Drop of Corruption did not disappoint as it continued the story of Din, sidekick to the great Ana Dolabra. As in the first book, Din is the front-runner who interviews subjects and observes and commits to memory, the scene. Ana gets there when she gets there and seems to always be ahead of the game, making massive leaps of intuition and setting up elaborate staging to expose the criminals.
I was excited in book 2 to get more details about Ana's enhancements. I am completely hooked and will keep reading this fantastic series.

3.55!

“To serve is a tremendously humbling thing. How easy it is to mistake glory and fame for duty! But duty is thankless, invisible, Forgettable—but oh, so very necessary.”

Robert Jackson Bennett has the writing style to deliver books to my liking but my luck with his books so far, it's not that they're bad or because I don't enjoy them because I do enjoy them. It's just the past two books I've read from him were when I was in a slump so that affected my rating a lot but I would love to get back to them after a while and see where it leads. I loved the underlying themes that the author painted through this book and how it highlighted some real world issues. Ana was honestly such a good fmc I had sm fun reading her perspective and her thoughts and the way the story got so elevated as we read her point of view was something I enjoyed, I liked Din as well and the banter between them was SOOOO good. The twist and turns had me shocked but the pacing was so slow and my slump didn't really need that and I also found some of the things in this book to be repetitive. I do feel like I would rate it more if my slump wasn't here but objectively this was a good book and it had all the things which would to the liking of someone who reads mystery books.

Overall, it was enjoyable.

So much more exciting and interesting than book 1 (and book 1 was amazing!) a much more spooky setting and mystery with even more body/plant horror happening.

We learn more about both Din and Ana as while as the history of the empire and a little more on the leviathan while still leaving a lot of room for sequels to delve even further into the mysteries and the world building.

I'm so excited to read even more of theses books!

Felt similar to Grave Empire by Richard Swan