I thought this was really decent. I didn't absolutely love it, but I was entertained and felt like there was enough depth to care about how the storyline ended.

Fantastic!! A million stars from me! I really enjoyed The Tainted Cup, and this sequel has got me falling deeper and deeper in love with the world and the characters. I truly loved this book. It is such a unique world. The body augmentations are interesting. And even though its a fantasy world with rules and "sciences" different from the real world, the author does a fantastic job of mashing fantasy with mystery in a way that is still easy to follow along and exciting!

I definitely squealed when I got this ARC.

I loved book 1 so much, expected to enjoy this one but my expectations were exceeded!
More details of this world are painted in this book (the details relating to the old city added texture)
I loved that we had enough clues throughout the story that were just enough that we could figure it out in hindsight but not too much that they could be distracting.
My jaw literally dropped towards the end of the book when a couple of mysteries are revealed.

I am very much looking forward to the next installment in this series.

**I was provided an electronic ARC from the publisher through NetGalley.**

Robert Jackson Bennett returns to the tales of Ana and Din with A Drop of Corruption, the second book of the Shadows of the Leviathan. Being a sequel, there is only so much to be said. Another murder. Another mystery. Another case suited uniquely for Ana and Din's style of investigation. And, more Empire-wide ramifications.

In the interests of transparency. I read this book after its release, but in the ARC format. I had already gone out of my way to purchase three editions of this book. I loved book 1. I loved the Founders Trilogy from this author. Clearly I was going to love A Drop of Corruption also, right?

I was already waffling on a 4.5 rating when I finished the epilogue. Then I read the author's note. It is one thing to see patterns, themes, and possible tie-ins in books. It's another to know that not only is an author capable of making those links deliberately, but to know that, beyond a doubt, that is what the author did do. Robert Jackson Bennett has done that. And this book is 5 stars because he had the audacity and skill with which to do it.

This book was more subtle than book 1. I missed Kepheus' impact, but welcomed Malo happily. Where The Tainted Cup smacked me in the face with how much I loved it almost immediately, A Drop of Corruption seeped its way in and flourished. This type of reception couldn't possibly be more suited to each book. These are the types of stories to be re-read and appreciated anew once all the secrets are revealed.

Thanks so much to the publisher for sending me an early copy. I will, once again, be everyone's problem telling them to read this series.

I could’ve read this whole book in one sitting. I would’ve disregarded all societal conventions and bodily functions to drink this book in. But I had patience and spread it out over a few days. And when I wasn’t reading this book, I was thinking about this book.

Bennett has created such an interesting world here, and I think he does a great job of balancing worldbuilding and plot. Fortunately, as the second in a series, not a ton of worldbuilding needed to be established, so we could kick right off with the plot.

I love a Sherlock Holmes story - and this felt like our introduction to the Professor Moriarty of the group. Ana is such an interesting Holmes-type - and Din is a perfect fantasy Watson.

I know I’m impatient but I’d like to immediately devour three more of these books please.

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

If The Tainted Cup was the pilot episode of "Shadow of Leviathan" series, it feels like "A Drop of Corruption" is like the high stakes 2-part episode at the end of a season of a great TV Show. (the story is all told within 1 book though don't worry)

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. The characters that we already know feel more settled into who they are as people in this world and most of the characters we're introduced to all felt fully fleshed out in this strange northern country of Yarrow. I especially loved Malo's sass.

The mystery felt much higher stake than book 1 and the twists and turns occasionally had me saying "What the what?" out loud. I did find the conclusion and big reveal to be a bit less grand than the first book, and I was a little bummed out about it. However I've come to the conclusion that was kind of the point, especially after reading the authors note at the end.

Excited for hopefully another Ana and Din story in the future!

I have chosen this book as my choice for my book club in April and May. Links will be included below on where to find the VODs when they are streamed/uploaded.

Incredible! If The Tainted Cup was a masterclass in unique worldbuilding and intricate mystery, A Drop of Corruption somehow takes it even further. Bennett expands his eerie sci-fi/fantasy world to new heights, delivering a story packed with political intrigue, a corrupt government, and a mystery that keeps you guessing.

At the heart of it all, of course, is the fantastic investigative duo, Ana and Din. Their partnership gains even more depth in this sequel, balancing sharp detective work with their signature witty banter. The way Bennett crafts a complex mystery—layered with genius villains and shocking reveals—while still keeping it completely bingeable is fantastic. Some twists were guessable, but that never took away from their impact; the writing and storytelling ensured each revelation hit with full force.

The eerie, unsettling sci-fi magic continues to be one of the book’s highlights. It enhances the atmosphere, making the world feel as fascinating as it is unnerving. This is definitely an adult read, with elements of violence, body horror, dark themes, and some alluded-to spice, but it all serves the story rather than overwhelming it.

With its intricate plot, sharp humor, and a mystery that keeps you on the edge of your seat, A Drop of Corruption is an easy 5/5 stars. Highly recommended!

Another winner from Robert Jackson Bennett! I am hopeful we get many more installments in the Shadow of the Leviathan series, a la Sherlock Holmes. Din and Ana find themselves in a far-flung canton ruled by ancestral kings and some very antiquated traditions, investigating the mysterious and gruesome murder of a Treasury official. While the kingdom of Yarrow seems rather backward to Din, it houses many Apoth manufactories and the Shroud, the strange semi-organic island built to extract blood and other substances from the dead leviathans, which are used to make reagents and medicines, grafts, etc., for the Empire. However, all is in danger when a genius madman begins to wreak havoc, using leviathan blood and marrow, its most essential and powerful essence, to create horrors beyond which we have seen in The Tainted Cup.

The mystery and plot are as captivating as the first book, and I hope we someday see Din and Malo team up again in a future installment. We see some growth in Din and learn some interesting information about Ana, who is as entertainingly mad as ever. The horrifying biological mutations are even more terrifying in this second installment. I can't wait to see where Robert Jackson Bennett takes our heroes next.

Thanks NetGalley and Random House - Del Rey for an advanced copy of this book.

If The Tainted Cup was weird, brilliant foreplay, A Drop of Corruption is where things get messier, more layered, and way more personal—in the best, most brain-melting way.

This isn’t just another murder mystery in a fantasy world. It’s a story about two people—Ana and Din—who look like the empire’s perfect tools, but who quietly carry grief, memory, and impossible expectations under the surface.

Din’s inner life cracked open in a way that genuinely surprised me. He’s not just the guy with the perfect memory—he’s deeply human. Yearning, flawed, burdened by love and loyalty and family. And Ana? She remains sharp as ever, but the little glimpses into her past have me waiting impatiently for the third book. Their relationship—still all banter and brilliance—grows into something even more real here. It’s not romantic, but it’s intimate in the way that truly matters.

The mystery itself is twisty and fascinating (locked-room crime with spores, yes please), but it’s the way this book balances intellect with emotional undercurrents that makes it hit different. It asks you to pay attention—to the politics, the details, the pain behind precision.

Was the ending a bit drawn out? Sure. But honestly, that didn’t matter to me. This series is doing something smart, strange, and deeply thoughtful. And it deserves way more people screaming about it.

4.75/5

Best for fans of eerie worldbuilding, morally questionable empires, and characters who are way too competent for their own good.

Well, my review is going up about a week later than planned. By sitting on it, I believe my thoughts have fully formed. The second book in this series gives us a broader look into the world. From here, each book is only going to get more intriguing with the depth we learn. One of the main draws of the series, though, is not just the fantastical world but the mystery elements. This shows a new case and mostly stands as its own story in that regard. The case of a missing official in a politically fraught kingdom unearths more questions to push the Empire's best detective to her limits. I loved getting to see more of Ana’s brilliance in action. With the concluding chapter of the novel, I can’t wait to see how Din and Ana tackle their next adventure. Thank you to Netgalley & Random House for the copy to be able to review.

Thank you to the author and publisher for giving me an eARC copy! I also took advantage of it being an Aardvark box pick, if that already tells you anything.

I love both the 1st and 2nd installment of this series for different reasons. The first book focused on the mystery and introduction to our main detective duo plus the world itself. This second book went into the politics of this world and how the Leviathans are so important as not only an enemy to be fought but a resource to be used. On top of that, a mystery of someone trying to bring the Empire down with murder and other “corruption”. We also get introduced more into the magical characteristics of this world.
This would have been a 5 star, but I didn't really care for the choice of showing Din basically having one night stands as a coping mechanism. I understand its being used to show Din is a heartbroken character and is using this behavior to fill that brokenness, but I almost DNFd really soon in the story because that's not something I care to read. Though, I appreciate it not being overly spicy, because I defintely couldn't get passed that. I appreciated the 2nd instance where it was ALL closed door though. I would rather have implication than telling me "the deed" was done.
I am glad I continued though, because I did really enjoy the twisty mystery. Ana is still as crass as ever, but I still find her my favorite character in the series. I CANNOT wait for the next book.
I also enjoyed the author's note for the commentary on why he chose to write the particular events happening in this one.

4 stars

I am in love with this series! It is so complex and unique and really keeps me on my toes while I was reading. There is so much going on between the plot, the main characters, the society and not to mention the medical science is fascinating. Din and Ana's relationship is weird, but they really complement each other in their partnership during investigations. I learned a great deal about each, but they still have some secrets that I can not wait to learn more about. This story is very character driven and I think both Din and Ana are great and keep the story moving. The plot of this second book was quite a bit slower in the development and conclusion, when we did get to the climax of the story it was amazing and still left me hanging. I can't wait to get the next book with these characters and the challenges their next cases brings.
I received an advanced ebook, via Netgalley. This review is my own honest opinion.

Thank you to NetGalley & Del Ray for an eARC in exchange for an honest review!

Robert Jackson Bennett has once again proven himself a master of world-building in this sequel to The Tainted Cup. If you get as excited as I do about the in-depth ins & outs of fantasy worlds, I highly recommend the Shadow of the Leviathon series.

He has also excelled in weaving an intriguing mystery... within a mystery! There's obviously the mystery of the crime itself, but getting hints and clues that we were beginning to question who and what Ana is was so well executed. I was almost as excited to uncover her secrets as I was the plot to murder, scheme, and steal!

Ana and Din's banter is still perfect, and I laughed at various times during this dark fantasy-mystery. I'm also super excited about the hint to possibly get more from Malo in the coming sequels! As well as, it seems, getting more involved with the political side of the Empire a little more in-depth. The theme I sense this series is drawing on is working so well. I will definitely be trying to get my hands on the next one's ARC, too!

ARC Review:

To be honest, the book sounded so good that I applied for it and got it without realizing I haven’t read the first one yet. As any responsible ARC reader should do, I bought the first book just to read both of them as fast as I could before the publish date for the second one! I can say that it was DEFINITELY worth it. So far, this trilogy has blown my mind in more ways than I can count. Even if I can guess bits of the ending, I still cannot put it together to make any sense the way than Ana does. We get to see Din develop more as a character, with hopes and dreams, financial problems, a little grief, longing, casual sex, friendship, and his intellect as he grows more experienced and accustomed to his job as an investigator. Somehow, this plot was even more heinous than the plot in the first book!! I would even go as far to say that it was even a little horror with fantasy. We get to learn about more magical elements in the world building that tie in nicely. Somehow, Din has to travel to even scarier/more dangerous locations than he did in the first book. I will say that this book had even MORE politics in it, which I’m not always here for, but I was here for ALL of it in this book. This author knows how to write an amazing story that allows you to feel immersed in this world he has created, while also rooting for the main characters to solve their cases (murders/crimes)! If that did not convince you, then read it to find out more about Ana!!!!!!! ;) I already can’t wait to read the third and final book of this trilogy.

I love this series so much. Din and Ana’s relationship and banter is a ton of fun! Sherlock Holmes with sci-fi. I highly recommend!!

High fantasy is not a genre I normally indulge in. This took me completely out of my comfort zone as the detailed, inexplicable and complicated workings of this world was slowly unfolding in the story.

A Treasury Officer disappears from a locked room, and the greatest detective of the realm is set to find him. So far the story panned out like any mystery but it stopped there. Very complex, and for a novice reader of this genre puzzling, interesting and oh so different.

I was determined to finish the book, though I did find it hard going, though that is my own fault definitely not the author.

Rating: ★★★★☆ (4/5)

In "A Drop of Corruption," Robert Jackson Bennett crafts a thrilling mystery set in Yarrowdale, where a Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room. Detective Ana Dolabra and her assistant Dinios Kol are called to solve not just a disappearance but a cunning murder that threatens the Empire's power.

Bennett’s world-building immerses readers in a universe where magic and politics intertwine, particularly around the high-security Shroud compound. Ana is a strong protagonist, and her dynamic with Din adds depth to their investigation.

The plot is intricately woven, filled with unexpected twists that keep readers engaged. While the complexity can be overwhelming at times, the story remains gripping. Themes of power and corruption resonate, making "A Drop of Corruption" a captivating addition to the series that will leave fans eager for more.

First I want to send a big thank you to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing me with an eARC of this book in exchange for my honest review.

The Tainted Cup was one of my top reads in 2024, so when I saw I got approved for this ARC I was beyond thrilled. I just love these characters and this hella interesting world that Robert Jackson Bennett has created. Ana is one of the best characters in any fantasy series I’ve read in the past few years! I eat up every single page she’s on! I loved getting a little more into her story in this book. And Din and Ana play off each other so well. I just love the dynamic between the two! Once again Bennett has delivered a case that’s both mysterious and terrifying. The new characters were fantastic, and I’m excited that at least one of them may join our duo on future cases. I cannot wait to see where and what they get up to next!

I love this series. This book is just as wonderful as the first. A more complex new murder to solve, more world building, fantasy mixed with crime solving. Witty banter between Ana and Din and more character development. The twist and turns were fantastic. I love this series's and can wait for more.

So good, and makes me think I can read other fantasy bits and have just a good of time. Which usually leaves me disappointed, because no one quite makes high fantasy mystery and character work as entertaining as Robert Jackson Bennet.

Needles to say, I had a really great time. The story was intricate, but never overbearing, and if you enjoyed the Tainted Cup, you will have an equally, if not more, enjoyable time with A Drop of Corruption. Honor & Din return for another weird and necissarily convoluted mystery in the outskirts of the empire. Mystery busting ensues, and we're in for an exciting time while things are revealed.

The authors note at the end, was *chefs kiss*.

I listened to the audio for this and the narrator Andrew Fallaize does an amazing job. Standing ovation for you sir.

Thank you to Orbit Books and Netgalley for an e-copy.