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Shadow of the Leviathan #2
A Drop of Corruption
The brilliant detective Ana Dolabra may have finally met her match in the gripping sequel to The Tainted Cup—from the bestselling author of The Founders Trilogy.
In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.
To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.
Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.
Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.
Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.
In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.
To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.
Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.
Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.
Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.
465 pages, Hardcover
First published April 1, 2025
2,108 people are currently reading
45.3k people want to read
About the author
Robert Jackson Bennett
29 books20.4k followersRobert Jackson Bennett is a two-time award winner of the Shirley Jackson Award for Best Novel, an Edgar Award winner for Best Paperback Original, and is also the 2010 recipient of the Sydney J Bounds Award for Best Newcomer, and a Philip K Dick Award Citation of Excellence. City of Stairs was shortlisted for the Locus Award and the World Fantasy Award. City of Blades was a finalist for the 2015 World Fantasy, Locus, and British Fantasy Awards. His eighth novel, FOUNDRYSIDE, will be available in the US on 8/21 of 2018 and the UK on 8/23.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 1,254 reviews
March 7, 2025
4 1/2 stars. Even better than The Tainted Cup!
I am having so much fun with this series. Even though it is a high fantasy setting with an incredibly detailed world, the tone of the stories reminds me very much of urban fantasy mysteries I've enjoyed over the years. Once again, the plot is a murder mystery, and, once again, the delightfully funny banter between Din and Ana drives the narrative.
Before beginning this series I saw comparisons to Sherlock and Watson and I rolled my eyes and thought yeah, whatever, but it's actually a fairly good comparison in this case. Ana is just as brilliant as Cumberbatch's Sherlock, and even more prone to eccentricities and social faux pas. Din narrates the story Watson-style, recounting Ana's brilliance with no small amount of bafflement, while also showing ingenuity of his own.
The mysteries in both books have been really well-crafted, layered and satisfying. I've gotten much better at discovering culprits and spotting wild twists after years of reading mysteries and thrillers, but I have so far found Bennett's mysteries impenetrable. I think it is because there is so much going on and each mystery opens up to an even larger mystery before it is solved. By the time I got to the "Aha! So it's..." point, Ana was confirming what I'd figured out in the next paragraph.
But while much of this book is fun, underneath it is something deeper-- a criticism of autocracy in a genre enamored by kingdoms and divine rule. The author's note is a must-read.
Now to wait for the next book.
I am having so much fun with this series. Even though it is a high fantasy setting with an incredibly detailed world, the tone of the stories reminds me very much of urban fantasy mysteries I've enjoyed over the years. Once again, the plot is a murder mystery, and, once again, the delightfully funny banter between Din and Ana drives the narrative.
Before beginning this series I saw comparisons to Sherlock and Watson and I rolled my eyes and thought yeah, whatever, but it's actually a fairly good comparison in this case. Ana is just as brilliant as Cumberbatch's Sherlock, and even more prone to eccentricities and social faux pas. Din narrates the story Watson-style, recounting Ana's brilliance with no small amount of bafflement, while also showing ingenuity of his own.
The mysteries in both books have been really well-crafted, layered and satisfying. I've gotten much better at discovering culprits and spotting wild twists after years of reading mysteries and thrillers, but I have so far found Bennett's mysteries impenetrable. I think it is because there is so much going on and each mystery opens up to an even larger mystery before it is solved. By the time I got to the "Aha! So it's..." point, Ana was confirming what I'd figured out in the next paragraph.
But while much of this book is fun, underneath it is something deeper-- a criticism of autocracy in a genre enamored by kingdoms and divine rule. The author's note is a must-read.
Now to wait for the next book.
April 2, 2025
dinios kol my disastrous bisexual son is back!! and hes sleep deprived!! he’s vomiting!!! he’s yearning!!! he’s slowly losing his marbles!! he’s in severe debt!! he’s in way over his head!!
robert jackson bennetts competition continues to only be himself
oh and i need kepheus back in book three or else!!
Read my full review
thank you to the entire del rey team for providing this arc
Bookstagram | Blog
robert jackson bennetts competition continues to only be himself
oh and i need kepheus back in book three or else!!
Read my full review
thank you to the entire del rey team for providing this arc
Bookstagram | Blog
February 22, 2025
By the last page I already knew this was pretty much perfect, but then I read the Author’s Note in the end and knew that it just got even better. You see, Bennett just happens to share the same views on hereditary power and strongmen in charge of autocracies as I do, and he’s very much clear about it, and it is such a refreshing view in the fantasy genre that otherwise seems hopelessly hung up on royalty and chosen ones and all that absolute nonsense. Me (and Bennett apparently) — it seems that we’d prefer a bureaucracy of checks and balances any time over any strongman who claims to been born out of “right” gametes.
And true to that, Bennett gives us another fantasy murder mystery adventure with two investigators - a brilliantly eccentric Ana Dolabra ( “If she isn’t included in whatever this is, there’ll be hell to pay,” I said. “This is not a threat, but just … physics. When defied, she breaks things.” ) and her pragmatic assistant Dinios Kol (who suffers from a bit of tired disillusionment from the job where every day, despite making a difference, you see more stuff happen that makes you feel that the difference you made is non-existent) in an Empire that runs on graft alterations of humans in a fascinatingly complex fantasy world where the Iudex - the law - are among exactly those checks and balances that keep everyone accountable and keep even the powerful in check.
It’s a wonderfully complex murder and political mystery that flies along through a few hundred pages without ever missing a beat, without ever dragging or rushing, paced perfectly and with constant tension and high stakes and the satisfying feeling you get when you read a story that’s plotted and executed with confident mastery. The fantasy world feels unique and well-developed, and Bennett’s world-building is top-notch as usual, and the characters are fun to follow (although a few scenes with Ana’s peculiar feasts made me want to unsee the paragraphs I just read and skip dinner), and I’d be glad to read a few books set in this universe.
Bennett, as usual, develops pretty serious themes throughout, seamlessly integrating them into the story without the slightest didacticism. The corruption that comes with power and greed and the need for someone to put in the effort to keep that corruption in check — it’s something we all can use more of in the real world just as much as Bennett’s characters can use it in theirs. As Ana says to somewhat disillusioned Din, “I suspect you shall come to realize what many Iudexii eventually learn—that though the Legion defends our Empire, it falls to us to keep an Empire worth defending.”
5 stars with no hesitation. I love it as much as his Divine Cities series, although this one is a lighter, less gloomy read.
My review of the first book in the series, The Tainted Cup.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House / Del Rey for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
“Because all the characters in this story—like all of humanity, apparently—have a little blank spot in their heads that says, “Kings. What a good idea.” The idea is powerful, and seductive, and should not be underestimated. To be a civilization of any worth, however, means acknowledging the idea—and then condemning it as laughably, madly stupid.”
And true to that, Bennett gives us another fantasy murder mystery adventure with two investigators - a brilliantly eccentric Ana Dolabra ( “If she isn’t included in whatever this is, there’ll be hell to pay,” I said. “This is not a threat, but just … physics. When defied, she breaks things.” ) and her pragmatic assistant Dinios Kol (who suffers from a bit of tired disillusionment from the job where every day, despite making a difference, you see more stuff happen that makes you feel that the difference you made is non-existent) in an Empire that runs on graft alterations of humans in a fascinatingly complex fantasy world where the Iudex - the law - are among exactly those checks and balances that keep everyone accountable and keep even the powerful in check.
“This work can never satisfy, Din, for it can never finish. The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist. The duty of the Iudex is not to boldly vanquish it but to manage it. We keep the stain from spreading, yes, but it is never gone. Yet this job is perhaps the most important in all the Iyalets, for without it, well … The Empire would come to look much like Yarrow, where the powerful and the cruel prevail without check. And tell me—does that realm look capable of fighting off a leviathan?”
It’s a wonderfully complex murder and political mystery that flies along through a few hundred pages without ever missing a beat, without ever dragging or rushing, paced perfectly and with constant tension and high stakes and the satisfying feeling you get when you read a story that’s plotted and executed with confident mastery. The fantasy world feels unique and well-developed, and Bennett’s world-building is top-notch as usual, and the characters are fun to follow (although a few scenes with Ana’s peculiar feasts made me want to unsee the paragraphs I just read and skip dinner), and I’d be glad to read a few books set in this universe.
“But … when we come, the deed is already done. The body is cold, the blood cleaned away. We often find the killer, but that heals nothing, as far as I can see. It only leads to a rope, or a cage, and many more tears.” I swallowed. “Is it so strange a thing, ma’am, to helplessly look upon the slain and dream of instead saving lives?”
Bennett, as usual, develops pretty serious themes throughout, seamlessly integrating them into the story without the slightest didacticism. The corruption that comes with power and greed and the need for someone to put in the effort to keep that corruption in check — it’s something we all can use more of in the real world just as much as Bennett’s characters can use it in theirs. As Ana says to somewhat disillusioned Din, “I suspect you shall come to realize what many Iudexii eventually learn—that though the Legion defends our Empire, it falls to us to keep an Empire worth defending.”
5 stars with no hesitation. I love it as much as his Divine Cities series, although this one is a lighter, less gloomy read.
My review of the first book in the series, The Tainted Cup.
——————
Thanks to NetGalley and Random House / Del Rey for providing me with a digital ARC in exchange for an honest review.
“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.
——————
Also posted on my blog.
Currently reading
April 11, 2025I'm so excited to move forward with this series!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse- Ballantine for an E-ARC.*
*Thank you to Netgalley and Randomhouse- Ballantine for an E-ARC.*
April 9, 2025
♡ thank you so much, del rey, for sending me a finished copy!
i didn't love this as much as the first (i'll get into why in my actual review lol >.<), but i still loooooved reading this so so much! and the author's note? 6 stars for sure. review to come soon soon <3 (and publishers, please pub all the fantasy murder mysteries now pls) s
1.) The Tainted Cup ★★★★★
probably my most anticipated sequel of the year! :]
♡ buddy read with penny
♡ Foundryside ★★★
i didn't love this as much as the first (i'll get into why in my actual review lol >.<), but i still loooooved reading this so so much! and the author's note? 6 stars for sure. review to come soon soon <3 (and publishers, please pub all the fantasy murder mysteries now pls) s
1.) The Tainted Cup ★★★★★
probably my most anticipated sequel of the year! :]
♡ buddy read with penny
♡ Foundryside ★★★
March 7, 2025
I'm addicted to this fantasy thriller series, and I can honestly read dozens of sequel books as long as Robert Jackson Bennett keeps writing them. Thankfully, one of the quirkiest and most unusual investigation duos with unique searching skills and powers is back: Ladies and gentlemen, let's give a huge round of applause to Anna Dolabra and Dinios Koll, who are back to work on the strangest case about a victim in a locked room, possibly killed by a ghost-like perpetrator who passes through warded doors of a high tower, leaving no trace, no murder weapon behind, and seemingly serving the empire's political chess game in choosing a Treasury Officer.
Robert Jackson Bennett does it again with A Drop of Corruption, the kind of fantasy-mystery that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. Ana Dolabra, the Empire’s most unconventional investigator, and her loyal but increasingly overwhelmed assistant, Din Kol, are called upon to untangle a case that defies all logic: a Treasury officer vanishes from a secured room with no exit and no sign of foul play—at least at first glance.
What starts as a puzzling disappearance soon spirals into something far darker, with Ana and Din chasing a perpetrator who seems to walk through solid barriers and anticipate their every move. Bennett seamlessly combines an impossible mystery with the broader machinations of a crumbling Empire, whose very survival hinges on the mysterious power drawn from the remains of titanic creatures. As the investigation takes them deeper into this dangerous world, the duo’s bond is tested by political scheming, escalating chaos, and an enemy who may finally be smarter than even Ana herself.
Ana is a marvel of a character—chaotic, whip-smart, and never predictable. Her wild intelligence is offset beautifully by Din’s humanity and quiet tenacity. While Ana’s brilliance keeps the case moving, Din’s quieter moments of vulnerability, humor, and doubt give the story its emotional center. Their dynamic is sharp, entertaining, and never feels stale—equal parts bickering and unspoken trust.
Bennett’s world-building is extraordinary, with a setting so vivid it feels alive. The decaying grandeur of the Empire, the eerie presence of leviathan remains, and the layered political tensions all create an atmosphere that’s rich and textured without being overwhelming. Each piece of the puzzle is laid with precision, leading to a finale that feels both surprising and inevitable—one of those endings that makes you want to reread just to see how cleverly the clues were hidden in plain sight.
A Drop of Corruption stands out for its ability to combine thrilling tension, sharp wit, and an unforgettable setting. It’s a story that delivers on every front: a page-turning mystery, compelling characters, and a world you won’t want to leave. I’m already impatient for the next book because if this series continues at this level, it’s destined to become a modern fantasy classic.
A flawless mix of intrigue and imagination—this book is a triumph. I'm giving my blazing highly deserved five stars!
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sharing this amazing sequel's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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Robert Jackson Bennett does it again with A Drop of Corruption, the kind of fantasy-mystery that grips you from the first page and refuses to let go. Ana Dolabra, the Empire’s most unconventional investigator, and her loyal but increasingly overwhelmed assistant, Din Kol, are called upon to untangle a case that defies all logic: a Treasury officer vanishes from a secured room with no exit and no sign of foul play—at least at first glance.
What starts as a puzzling disappearance soon spirals into something far darker, with Ana and Din chasing a perpetrator who seems to walk through solid barriers and anticipate their every move. Bennett seamlessly combines an impossible mystery with the broader machinations of a crumbling Empire, whose very survival hinges on the mysterious power drawn from the remains of titanic creatures. As the investigation takes them deeper into this dangerous world, the duo’s bond is tested by political scheming, escalating chaos, and an enemy who may finally be smarter than even Ana herself.
Ana is a marvel of a character—chaotic, whip-smart, and never predictable. Her wild intelligence is offset beautifully by Din’s humanity and quiet tenacity. While Ana’s brilliance keeps the case moving, Din’s quieter moments of vulnerability, humor, and doubt give the story its emotional center. Their dynamic is sharp, entertaining, and never feels stale—equal parts bickering and unspoken trust.
Bennett’s world-building is extraordinary, with a setting so vivid it feels alive. The decaying grandeur of the Empire, the eerie presence of leviathan remains, and the layered political tensions all create an atmosphere that’s rich and textured without being overwhelming. Each piece of the puzzle is laid with precision, leading to a finale that feels both surprising and inevitable—one of those endings that makes you want to reread just to see how cleverly the clues were hidden in plain sight.
A Drop of Corruption stands out for its ability to combine thrilling tension, sharp wit, and an unforgettable setting. It’s a story that delivers on every front: a page-turning mystery, compelling characters, and a world you won’t want to leave. I’m already impatient for the next book because if this series continues at this level, it’s destined to become a modern fantasy classic.
A flawless mix of intrigue and imagination—this book is a triumph. I'm giving my blazing highly deserved five stars!
A huge thanks to NetGalley and Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for sharing this amazing sequel's digital reviewer copy with me in exchange for my honest thoughts.
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March 22, 2025
4.25 STARS! 🌟 Huge thanks to Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, Random House Worlds, Inklore | Del Rey for the ARC via NetGalley! 💌
A locked-room mystery, an eccentric genius detective, and a high-stakes fantasy world where magic is everything? SIGN ME UP. 😩🔥
Ana Dolabra is BACK, and she's as unhinged and brilliant as ever. 😭💖 If you thought The Tainted Cup was a wild ride, A Drop of Corruption takes it up a notch—bigger stakes, sharper twists, and even more of Ana's chaotic genius.
From page one, I was HOOKED. A Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room—no doors opened, no windows broken, no trace of how he got out. Just gone. And of course, only one person can crack this: Ana, with Din (our Watson-esque, eternally exasperated narrator) by her side.
WHAT I LOVED:
✔️ The Mystery: Clever, layered, and impossible to predict. The deeper Ana and Din dig, the more it unravels into something MUCH bigger than a simple murder.
✔️ Ana & Din’s Banter: I LIVE for their dynamic. Ana is as sharp and socially oblivious as ever, and Din’s resigned acceptance of her antics makes it even funnier. Their snarky, ride-or-die partnership is the heart of this series.
✔️ The Magic System: Titan blood as a power source?? The Shroud as a high-security compound where they harvest it?? I’M OBSESSED.
✔️ Themes of Corruption & Power: It’s not just a whodunit—this book dives deep into power, bureaucracy, and the ugly truths behind empires.
The author’s note at the end is a MUST-READ because beneath all the murder and chaos, there’s some SERIOUS commentary on power, corruption, and control. And I love that in my fantasy mysteries.
And OMG, that ending?? 😭 I NEED BOOK THREE ASAP.
Whether you're here for the mystery, the mind-blowing worldbuilding, or just to watch Ana and Din verbally spar their way through life, A Drop of Corruption DELIVERS.
If you love:
🔎 Sherlock-style detective brilliance
✨ A rich fantasy world with a unique magic system
🖤 Snarky, morally grey characters
📖 Mysteries that make your brain hurt (in a good way)
Then this book is FOR YOU.
Now excuse me while I stare at my calendar waiting for the next one. 😭💖
A locked-room mystery, an eccentric genius detective, and a high-stakes fantasy world where magic is everything? SIGN ME UP. 😩🔥
Ana Dolabra is BACK, and she's as unhinged and brilliant as ever. 😭💖 If you thought The Tainted Cup was a wild ride, A Drop of Corruption takes it up a notch—bigger stakes, sharper twists, and even more of Ana's chaotic genius.
From page one, I was HOOKED. A Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room—no doors opened, no windows broken, no trace of how he got out. Just gone. And of course, only one person can crack this: Ana, with Din (our Watson-esque, eternally exasperated narrator) by her side.
WHAT I LOVED:
✔️ The Mystery: Clever, layered, and impossible to predict. The deeper Ana and Din dig, the more it unravels into something MUCH bigger than a simple murder.
✔️ Ana & Din’s Banter: I LIVE for their dynamic. Ana is as sharp and socially oblivious as ever, and Din’s resigned acceptance of her antics makes it even funnier. Their snarky, ride-or-die partnership is the heart of this series.
✔️ The Magic System: Titan blood as a power source?? The Shroud as a high-security compound where they harvest it?? I’M OBSESSED.
✔️ Themes of Corruption & Power: It’s not just a whodunit—this book dives deep into power, bureaucracy, and the ugly truths behind empires.
The author’s note at the end is a MUST-READ because beneath all the murder and chaos, there’s some SERIOUS commentary on power, corruption, and control. And I love that in my fantasy mysteries.
And OMG, that ending?? 😭 I NEED BOOK THREE ASAP.
Whether you're here for the mystery, the mind-blowing worldbuilding, or just to watch Ana and Din verbally spar their way through life, A Drop of Corruption DELIVERS.
If you love:
🔎 Sherlock-style detective brilliance
✨ A rich fantasy world with a unique magic system
🖤 Snarky, morally grey characters
📖 Mysteries that make your brain hurt (in a good way)
Then this book is FOR YOU.
Now excuse me while I stare at my calendar waiting for the next one. 😭💖
March 29, 2025
5*
Is the second book in series just as good as first one? Yes.
I don't think I am the only reader who is craving for more fantasy mystery novels. This question get asked on various social media outlets on a weekly basis, so I guess there is an appetite for it and I would argue that the success of The Tainted Cup is partially the reason for it. Both book in the series worked so well for me and I think it's because, despite the fact a lot of fantasy novels have elements of mystery to it and vice versa, Robert Jackson Bennett managed to make a perfect blend of two genres, an equal ratio of both which makes this series great.
Bare bones:From the precarious edges of the Khanum Empire, Ana Dolabra and Din Kol are sent to the port town of Yarrowdale to investigate the murder of high official of Treasury who was part of the delegation coming to negotiate with the King of Yarrow the terms of Yarrow's assimilation into the Khanum. With seemingly impossible murder, riddles and red herrings, Ana and Din are faced with a foe like no other.
As I was wrapping this novel Edgar Awards announced their 2025 nominees and among the nominees for the prize of the night, Best Novel, is The Tainted Cup, where Din and Ana are introduced. It makes me really happy TTC was recognized for its mystery aspect in a category where genre-blenders are not that common. The point I am trying to make with this is, that among the leviathans and man-devouring mushrooms, this series is actually following a classic mystery novel to a T. RJB mentioned his main inspiration for this series were Nero Wolfe novels and if the genius recluse and her poor suffering sidekick didn't clue you in yet, let me tell you that inspiration was more obvious in this novel because Ana's appetite is astonishing and disgusting everyone around her. It's a theme.:)
Joke aside, as an avid reader of both genres, I loved how well Bennett integrated classic, well-known mystery elements into fantasy setting. For example, the incident that kicks the story going is at its heart a "locked room" mystery popularized through works of Arthur Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr. It got its name by posing the question of how the murderer got in the room of the victim and did the crime if the door is locked from the inside and there is no window. So, with the seemingly impossible crime, Din and Ana first must figure out "how it was done" before going onto "who has done it". Or how for example, many long running series like to give their main detective/investigator a rival who is on their level, of equal capabilities and intelligence, like Moriarty is to Sherlock or indeed Arnold Zeck is to Wolfe. In A Drop of Corruption, Ana, a uniquely augmented individual is faced with an equally gifted enemy and she has to work against the clock. It's the battle of minds.
But the real mystery of the series are, of course, leviathans, the "fantasy" part of this blend. A source of Khanum's power and the constant threat to their safety. Bennett is in his element expanding on this fantasy setting making it equally intriguing. On one side, we already saw that the blood of leviathan is responsible for mostly poisonous and parasitic flora and fauna of this land. But, and this is what I love most about it, it's not just a make-up of the setting, Bennett actually makes it a key element of both cases we saw Din and Ana working on. There is a body horror/anime/Annihilation coded scenery to make a point just how violent and unrestrained nature of this setting can get and left to humans it can get out of control.
But, leviathans are also what gave the social structure of Khanum's Empire its concentric look with the elites residing at the most inner part of the Empire, safe from the wet seasons. In this novel, Yarrow has some autonomy because the bay of Yarrow with its canal infrastructure is essential for Khanum's economy because it's where grafts are manufactured and shipped to the other parts of the empire. So, not big enough to resist the inevitability of Khanum's power but important enough to negotiate the terms of integration. This adds another layer of complexity to Ana's and Din's investigation who are sent to Yarrow in their capacity as Imperial Iudices, the "invader's officials". I am so intrigued by the leviathans and conzulates and I concocted bunch of theories in my head already.
I feel like Bennett has so much fun writing Ana because she is so eccentric and unpredictable and over the top about everything, but it's Din's character that's actually the heart of the story. He is young and still learning about the world around him*, but he is essentially a good guy who wants to do the right thing and it makes him a perfect narrator. These characters are lovable and I liked the fact their relationship is evolving. I think it may prove crucial for next part of the story, wherever Bennett sends them next. Maybe to the center of the Empire, Imperial Sanctum? Who knows, but I can't wait to read about it. I can't get enough of this series.
*The most relatable thing about our boy is the fact he is dealing with the heartbreak** in all the wrong ways.
**I am dealing with the same heartbreak in more mature way (will totally cry ugly tears if we don't see Strovi again.).
I would like to thank Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, and Robert Jackson Bennett for an advanced copy of A Drop of Corruption. All opinions are my own.
_______________________
I am manifesting an investigation that will make the presence of Captain Kepheus Strovi absolutely necessary.
We need this greenest of flags.
Everybody needs it.
Leviathans will understand and leave the walls alone for this to happen.
I am manifesting an investigation that will make the presence of Captain Kepheus Strovi absolutely necessary.
We need this greenest of flags.
Everybody needs it.
Leviathans will understand and leave the walls alone for this to happen.
Is the second book in series just as good as first one? Yes.
I don't think I am the only reader who is craving for more fantasy mystery novels. This question get asked on various social media outlets on a weekly basis, so I guess there is an appetite for it and I would argue that the success of The Tainted Cup is partially the reason for it. Both book in the series worked so well for me and I think it's because, despite the fact a lot of fantasy novels have elements of mystery to it and vice versa, Robert Jackson Bennett managed to make a perfect blend of two genres, an equal ratio of both which makes this series great.
Bare bones:From the precarious edges of the Khanum Empire, Ana Dolabra and Din Kol are sent to the port town of Yarrowdale to investigate the murder of high official of Treasury who was part of the delegation coming to negotiate with the King of Yarrow the terms of Yarrow's assimilation into the Khanum. With seemingly impossible murder, riddles and red herrings, Ana and Din are faced with a foe like no other.
As I was wrapping this novel Edgar Awards announced their 2025 nominees and among the nominees for the prize of the night, Best Novel, is The Tainted Cup, where Din and Ana are introduced. It makes me really happy TTC was recognized for its mystery aspect in a category where genre-blenders are not that common. The point I am trying to make with this is, that among the leviathans and man-devouring mushrooms, this series is actually following a classic mystery novel to a T. RJB mentioned his main inspiration for this series were Nero Wolfe novels and if the genius recluse and her poor suffering sidekick didn't clue you in yet, let me tell you that inspiration was more obvious in this novel because Ana's appetite is astonishing and disgusting everyone around her. It's a theme.:)
Joke aside, as an avid reader of both genres, I loved how well Bennett integrated classic, well-known mystery elements into fantasy setting. For example, the incident that kicks the story going is at its heart a "locked room" mystery popularized through works of Arthur Conan Doyle and John Dickson Carr. It got its name by posing the question of how the murderer got in the room of the victim and did the crime if the door is locked from the inside and there is no window. So, with the seemingly impossible crime, Din and Ana first must figure out "how it was done" before going onto "who has done it". Or how for example, many long running series like to give their main detective/investigator a rival who is on their level, of equal capabilities and intelligence, like Moriarty is to Sherlock or indeed Arnold Zeck is to Wolfe. In A Drop of Corruption, Ana, a uniquely augmented individual is faced with an equally gifted enemy and she has to work against the clock. It's the battle of minds.
But the real mystery of the series are, of course, leviathans, the "fantasy" part of this blend. A source of Khanum's power and the constant threat to their safety. Bennett is in his element expanding on this fantasy setting making it equally intriguing. On one side, we already saw that the blood of leviathan is responsible for mostly poisonous and parasitic flora and fauna of this land. But, and this is what I love most about it, it's not just a make-up of the setting, Bennett actually makes it a key element of both cases we saw Din and Ana working on. There is a body horror/anime/Annihilation coded scenery to make a point just how violent and unrestrained nature of this setting can get and left to humans it can get out of control.
But, leviathans are also what gave the social structure of Khanum's Empire its concentric look with the elites residing at the most inner part of the Empire, safe from the wet seasons. In this novel, Yarrow has some autonomy because the bay of Yarrow with its canal infrastructure is essential for Khanum's economy because it's where grafts are manufactured and shipped to the other parts of the empire. So, not big enough to resist the inevitability of Khanum's power but important enough to negotiate the terms of integration. This adds another layer of complexity to Ana's and Din's investigation who are sent to Yarrow in their capacity as Imperial Iudices, the "invader's officials". I am so intrigued by the leviathans and conzulates and I concocted bunch of theories in my head already.
I feel like Bennett has so much fun writing Ana because she is so eccentric and unpredictable and over the top about everything, but it's Din's character that's actually the heart of the story. He is young and still learning about the world around him*, but he is essentially a good guy who wants to do the right thing and it makes him a perfect narrator. These characters are lovable and I liked the fact their relationship is evolving. I think it may prove crucial for next part of the story, wherever Bennett sends them next. Maybe to the center of the Empire, Imperial Sanctum? Who knows, but I can't wait to read about it. I can't get enough of this series.
*The most relatable thing about our boy is the fact he is dealing with the heartbreak** in all the wrong ways.
**I am dealing with the same heartbreak in more mature way (will totally cry ugly tears if we don't see Strovi again.).
I would like to thank Netgalley, Random House Publishing Group - Del Rey, and Robert Jackson Bennett for an advanced copy of A Drop of Corruption. All opinions are my own.
_______________________
I am manifesting an investigation that will make the presence of Captain Kepheus Strovi absolutely necessary.
We need this greenest of flags.
Everybody needs it.
Leviathans will understand and leave the walls alone for this to happen.
I am manifesting an investigation that will make the presence of Captain Kepheus Strovi absolutely necessary.
We need this greenest of flags.
Everybody needs it.
Leviathans will understand and leave the walls alone for this to happen.
April 2, 2025
✨Happy Release Day ✨
‘The Tainted Cup’ was one of my favourite reads of 2024 and ‘A Drop of Corruption’ was lined up to be one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, so I feel both incredibly blessed, and also kind of cheeky, that I was fortunate enough to get an early copy of this book, which I then fell upon with reckless abandon.
I find it so fascinating how much this series seems to draw inspiration from various popular mangas. If Book 1 had strong ‘Attack on Titan’ vibes, then this one, with all its blooming humans and jungle vibes, aesthetically felt heavily inspired by ‘Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 1’ (a personal favourite of mine).
One of my biggest complaints with book 1 was that the first 40% or so felt like a bit of work to try and understand and familiarize myself with all the heavy world building. Thankfully coming into this book with that knowledge already in place meant that we could dive into the story head first and straight into the latest murder mystery for Din and Ana.
As far as the story goes, this book, set months into the future of Book 1, is cut from the same Sherlock Holmes-esque deductive reasoning and mystery as the first book but we get the opportunity to see more depth of character in both Din and Ana, whilst continuing to see more to their dynamic working together as well. I loved the mystery in this one and was kept guessing throughout (although I had my suspicions early on and some of them even turned out to be pretty close).
Malo was a fabulous new addition to this cast of characters and I dearly hope we get to see more of her into the future.
In Book 1 I became immediately enamored with Captain Strovi (as Din himself evidently did as well) and the little crumbs of romance we got between them were a highlight for me and I had hoped to see more of him in this book. I understand why we didn’t, but I was still a little disappointed that we only really see glimpses of him in Dins poor little heartsick mind. I must admit I was a bit taken aback by the development of Din becoming a bit of a fuckboy, but I guess when you’re looking for distraction and comfort you take it in whatever form you can get it. The flip side to that is that it’s genuinely delightful to see some completely normalized and unapologetically bisexual representation (it’s never discussed, it just is a fact that exists).
No middle book syndrome here. Book 2 has taken the groundwork of book 1 and has expanded upon the world building and produced a fantastic mystery and enjoyable adventure. Now I just have the horrible wait for book 3 to endure.
(Reading RJBs AMA on reddit saying that he imagines this series developing into a Miss Marple like series with a dozen installments of Ana and Din just galivanting around solving murders and having emotions makes me want to put my face in my hands and scream I'm so excited).
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my thoughts.
My threatened riot from my Book 1 review on Captain Strovi’s behalf has been put on pause cause I still hold a hope that they’ll be end game.
‘The Tainted Cup’ was one of my favourite reads of 2024 and ‘A Drop of Corruption’ was lined up to be one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, so I feel both incredibly blessed, and also kind of cheeky, that I was fortunate enough to get an early copy of this book, which I then fell upon with reckless abandon.
I find it so fascinating how much this series seems to draw inspiration from various popular mangas. If Book 1 had strong ‘Attack on Titan’ vibes, then this one, with all its blooming humans and jungle vibes, aesthetically felt heavily inspired by ‘Hell's Paradise: Jigokuraku, Vol. 1’ (a personal favourite of mine).
One of my biggest complaints with book 1 was that the first 40% or so felt like a bit of work to try and understand and familiarize myself with all the heavy world building. Thankfully coming into this book with that knowledge already in place meant that we could dive into the story head first and straight into the latest murder mystery for Din and Ana.
As far as the story goes, this book, set months into the future of Book 1, is cut from the same Sherlock Holmes-esque deductive reasoning and mystery as the first book but we get the opportunity to see more depth of character in both Din and Ana, whilst continuing to see more to their dynamic working together as well. I loved the mystery in this one and was kept guessing throughout (although I had my suspicions early on and some of them even turned out to be pretty close).
Malo was a fabulous new addition to this cast of characters and I dearly hope we get to see more of her into the future.
In Book 1 I became immediately enamored with Captain Strovi (as Din himself evidently did as well) and the little crumbs of romance we got between them were a highlight for me and I had hoped to see more of him in this book. I understand why we didn’t, but I was still a little disappointed that we only really see glimpses of him in Dins poor little heartsick mind. I must admit I was a bit taken aback by the development of Din becoming a bit of a fuckboy, but I guess when you’re looking for distraction and comfort you take it in whatever form you can get it. The flip side to that is that it’s genuinely delightful to see some completely normalized and unapologetically bisexual representation (it’s never discussed, it just is a fact that exists).
No middle book syndrome here. Book 2 has taken the groundwork of book 1 and has expanded upon the world building and produced a fantastic mystery and enjoyable adventure. Now I just have the horrible wait for book 3 to endure.
(Reading RJBs AMA on reddit saying that he imagines this series developing into a Miss Marple like series with a dozen installments of Ana and Din just galivanting around solving murders and having emotions makes me want to put my face in my hands and scream I'm so excited).
Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read this ARC and provide my thoughts.
My threatened riot from my Book 1 review on Captain Strovi’s behalf has been put on pause cause I still hold a hope that they’ll be end game.
March 16, 2025
2025 has been bringing banger after banger in the adult fantasy space and thankfully this extends to sequels because holy crap this was GOOD. The Shadow of the Leviathan series pushes the conventions you’d expect of similarly written mystery fantasy books. Sure, there aren’t many books like this out there currently, but for all our sakes, I hope there will be soon.
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/hollyheartsbooks
December 12, 2024
3.5 stars
I really enjoyed this, but I felt it was a little repetitive. Book 1 was such a breath of fresh air, but this one didn’t quite have the same blow. It felt like the same formula with a different culprit, Din running around asking questions, and Ana with all her bizarreness doing the thinking.
I loved Ana, she’s still my favorite character. The plot was solid, but what felt missing this time was the emotions. There was so little about both of them. I wanted to know more about them, their background stories, their thoughts—something to make me connect more. I’m not asking for romance, just a little something extra to bring them to life. Maybe even bringing back that legionnaire guy from book 1 would’ve added something.
This one felt like a full-blown, fast-paced investigation with no nonsense, which isn’t bad, but I missed the emotional beats. And okay, this is on me, but I was really hoping for some real live Titans this time around.
Still, it wasn’t a bad read. I liked it, but just not as much as the first one.
Note: Big thanks to the author and publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I really enjoyed this, but I felt it was a little repetitive. Book 1 was such a breath of fresh air, but this one didn’t quite have the same blow. It felt like the same formula with a different culprit, Din running around asking questions, and Ana with all her bizarreness doing the thinking.
I loved Ana, she’s still my favorite character. The plot was solid, but what felt missing this time was the emotions. There was so little about both of them. I wanted to know more about them, their background stories, their thoughts—something to make me connect more. I’m not asking for romance, just a little something extra to bring them to life. Maybe even bringing back that legionnaire guy from book 1 would’ve added something.
This one felt like a full-blown, fast-paced investigation with no nonsense, which isn’t bad, but I missed the emotional beats. And okay, this is on me, but I was really hoping for some real live Titans this time around.
Still, it wasn’t a bad read. I liked it, but just not as much as the first one.
Note: Big thanks to the author and publisher for giving me this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
December 23, 2024
4.5 stars. What a pleasant surprise to enjoy a sequel more than the first book in the series!
I've always been more of a fantasy reader than a mystery reader, so it actually means a lot to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the detective part of the story. The clues are nicely set up, and quite a few of the twists/schemes are delightfully clever. I was also glad to see that one of my main complaints about the first book -- the fact that many mysteries got solved by someone knowing a piece of information that the reader does not (oh! I didn't tell you this poison would cause mold on the wall!) -- no longer applies to this second installment. All the hints are skillfully tucked into seemingly unimportant dialogues and details, which makes it so satisfying whenever I manage to spot a cue. And when I don't, that just adds even more fun to the ah-ha moment.
The fantasy side, however, especially in the last part the book, is what made this story truly resonate with me and left me thinking. The tonal shift midway in the series is interesting, and the thematic emphasis on cultural clashes, bureaucracies, power corruptions, etc. makes it feel more like RJB's other fantasy mystery trilogy rather than the first book in this one, but that's exactly the way I like it. The occasional philosophical commentaries about the divine and the ephemeral, or about glory and duty, or relating to the bold references made in the author's acknowledgements, are precisely the reason why I love fantasy worlds. Seeing them in this book was a little unexpected, but very pleasantly so.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-approved ARC, which forced me to fit this read into a terribly managed schedule that would've otherwise not allowed it. 3.5 stars for the first 70% of the book, 5 stars for the last 30%. Now I'm looking forward to the next one more than ever.
I've always been more of a fantasy reader than a mystery reader, so it actually means a lot to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the detective part of the story. The clues are nicely set up, and quite a few of the twists/schemes are delightfully clever. I was also glad to see that one of my main complaints about the first book -- the fact that many mysteries got solved by someone knowing a piece of information that the reader does not (oh! I didn't tell you this poison would cause mold on the wall!) -- no longer applies to this second installment. All the hints are skillfully tucked into seemingly unimportant dialogues and details, which makes it so satisfying whenever I manage to spot a cue. And when I don't, that just adds even more fun to the ah-ha moment.
The fantasy side, however, especially in the last part the book, is what made this story truly resonate with me and left me thinking. The tonal shift midway in the series is interesting, and the thematic emphasis on cultural clashes, bureaucracies, power corruptions, etc. makes it feel more like RJB's other fantasy mystery trilogy rather than the first book in this one, but that's exactly the way I like it. The occasional philosophical commentaries about the divine and the ephemeral, or about glory and duty, or relating to the bold references made in the author's acknowledgements, are precisely the reason why I love fantasy worlds. Seeing them in this book was a little unexpected, but very pleasantly so.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for a pre-approved ARC, which forced me to fit this read into a terribly managed schedule that would've otherwise not allowed it. 3.5 stars for the first 70% of the book, 5 stars for the last 30%. Now I'm looking forward to the next one more than ever.
March 29, 2025
our favorite mystery solving duo, Ana and Din are back again to solve a murder in another town. the culprit seems to be able to do things that should be impossible, but of course Ana is hot on their heels. i’m so fascinated by the the world building for some reason, the glimpses we get of what’s going on around the characters behind the scenes always makes me want to crawl into the book and get some answers for myself.
“We built this, i thought. We have built this unnatural thing, and it has built us in turn.”
i mentioned before that im not the biggest fan of mystery-leaning books, but RJB is one of my favorite authors and this series is turning out to be so compelling. i already love Ana and Din’s dynamic and there’s some interesting things happening with Ana’s character right now especially. the way the truth is slowly revealed is always so rewarding. i honestly wouldn’t have guessed who ended up being responsible for the murders, but the ending was just so good. we got introduced to a new character— Malo, and i hope we get to see more of her in the future books in the series. i can’t wait to see what they’ll be solving next!
↛ many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Random House Publishing for the arc, all opinions are my own.
“We built this, i thought. We have built this unnatural thing, and it has built us in turn.”
i mentioned before that im not the biggest fan of mystery-leaning books, but RJB is one of my favorite authors and this series is turning out to be so compelling. i already love Ana and Din’s dynamic and there’s some interesting things happening with Ana’s character right now especially. the way the truth is slowly revealed is always so rewarding. i honestly wouldn’t have guessed who ended up being responsible for the murders, but the ending was just so good. we got introduced to a new character— Malo, and i hope we get to see more of her in the future books in the series. i can’t wait to see what they’ll be solving next!
↛ many thanks to NetGalley, the author, and Random House Publishing for the arc, all opinions are my own.
April 2, 2025
✨ RELEASE DAY! ✨
Woah. What a book!
We get up close and very personal with Din, and have a look at what troubles him behind his very controlled facade. It's both fun and messy, up to the point we follow him in a serious realization that will help settle his turmoil and begin a new, self-aware chapter.
We get to know Ana a lot more too, and while she is unpredictable as ever, she is also made bare and vulnerable, and like with Din, this helps us care about her a great deal more.
From a character development stand point, this feels like meeting again with some friends you've been too long away from.
Story-wise, like the first book, we have a very rare blend of fantasy, science fiction and murder mystery, where the fantasy word building is quite unique and the mystery full of twists and turns, without a single dull moment. I will not dwelve any deeper in the mystery, as I do not want to inadvertently spoil anything.
I feel very small writing praise for this book, as I've just finished reading the author's perfectly worded sentences, that will make many other books feel poorly written.
Please let us have many more books in this series. I don't think I'll ever get enough.
Crappy Pic (it looks like a cheap and trashy perfume commercial fake shot— it's quite hilarious 🤣) cause AI is not cooperating today and I don't have the patience
Maybe pics?
I was lucky enough to have received an ARC for this book via NetGalley(thanks so much to the author and to Del Rey), and all expressed opinions are my own.
Woah. What a book!
We get up close and very personal with Din, and have a look at what troubles him behind his very controlled facade. It's both fun and messy, up to the point we follow him in a serious realization that will help settle his turmoil and begin a new, self-aware chapter.
We get to know Ana a lot more too, and while she is unpredictable as ever, she is also made bare and vulnerable, and like with Din, this helps us care about her a great deal more.
From a character development stand point, this feels like meeting again with some friends you've been too long away from.
Story-wise, like the first book, we have a very rare blend of fantasy, science fiction and murder mystery, where the fantasy word building is quite unique and the mystery full of twists and turns, without a single dull moment. I will not dwelve any deeper in the mystery, as I do not want to inadvertently spoil anything.
I feel very small writing praise for this book, as I've just finished reading the author's perfectly worded sentences, that will make many other books feel poorly written.
Please let us have many more books in this series. I don't think I'll ever get enough.
Crappy Pic (it looks like a cheap and trashy perfume commercial fake shot— it's quite hilarious 🤣) cause AI is not cooperating today and I don't have the patience
Maybe pics?
I was lucky enough to have received an ARC for this book via NetGalley(thanks so much to the author and to Del Rey), and all expressed opinions are my own.
March 31, 2025
cunty as always
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THE EAGLE HAS LANDED ‼️‼️ I REPEAT ‼️‼️ THE EAGLE HAS LANDED ‼️‼️ ITS TIMEEEEE ‼️‼️
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THE EAGLE HAS LANDED ‼️‼️ I REPEAT ‼️‼️ THE EAGLE HAS LANDED ‼️‼️ ITS TIMEEEEE ‼️‼️
February 14, 2025
I don’t think I have ever struggled this much to rate a book. If I were one to give quarter stars I think this would likely be a 4.75. In many ways I think this is an improvement on book one but when I think about whether I liked it that much more than book one I get stuck. I am trying to stop talking myself out of giving five star ratings so I have decided to just round up and commit to the five star. The stories are tonally quite different so what (who) I missed from book one probably wouldn’t have fit in this story. (I’m a romantic and I am holding on to my hope for the next book you can’t stop me) Honestly I suspect I won’t feel confident in my rating on this book until I’m able to consider it in the context of the full series.
Know that this debate is literally between a 4.5 or a 5 star so it is a glowing review either way lol.
Full review to come but I will leave you with some initial thoughts:
- really enjoyed it overall and did not want to stop reading
- loved some of the darker, unsettling twists the story took
- loved exploring Din’s struggles with his work and his desire for justice/to have an impact
- a much more layered mystery than book one
- LOTS of monologuing and conversations needed to unpack each layer of the mystery
- I stand by the fact that the book isn’t always consistent with Din’s struggles with reading BUT it’s mainly contained to how he reacted to specific clues and therefore didn’t bother me much in the end
- Occasionally I found myself missing the emotional variance that some of the side characters from book one brought to the story. But in general this sequel is tonally heavier than the first book so it made sense
- Very excited for book three though I know I have a long wait 😭
Know that this debate is literally between a 4.5 or a 5 star so it is a glowing review either way lol.
Full review to come but I will leave you with some initial thoughts:
- really enjoyed it overall and did not want to stop reading
- loved some of the darker, unsettling twists the story took
- loved exploring Din’s struggles with his work and his desire for justice/to have an impact
- a much more layered mystery than book one
- LOTS of monologuing and conversations needed to unpack each layer of the mystery
- I stand by the fact that the book isn’t always consistent with Din’s struggles with reading BUT it’s mainly contained to how he reacted to specific clues and therefore didn’t bother me much in the end
- Occasionally I found myself missing the emotional variance that some of the side characters from book one brought to the story. But in general this sequel is tonally heavier than the first book so it made sense
- Very excited for book three though I know I have a long wait 😭
December 12, 2024
Unshackled by the need for extensive world-building, Robert Jackson Bennett has room in this sequel to craft a more complex and satisfying mystery, centered around his winning duo of lead characters. It succeeds as both a mystery and a fantasy novel, blending the two genres beautifully.
While I’m more invested in the evolving interpersonal dynamics between Ana and Din than the “Mystery of the Week” plot in each installment, this sequel lays the groundwork for even richer character development to come in future books.
A Drop of Corruption is a more assured, exciting sequel than its predecessor, and I look forward to seeing where the overarching story goes from here.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Bluesky
While I’m more invested in the evolving interpersonal dynamics between Ana and Din than the “Mystery of the Week” plot in each installment, this sequel lays the groundwork for even richer character development to come in future books.
A Drop of Corruption is a more assured, exciting sequel than its predecessor, and I look forward to seeing where the overarching story goes from here.
My thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
Blog | Twitter | Instagram | Bluesky
January 2, 2025
The Tainted Cup was such a pleasant surprise when I read it last year, with it combining fantasy and murder mystery perfectly while also offering an intriguing magic system and lovable characters. Needless to say that I was thrilled when I got an arc for book two. I even made it my first read of the year, hoping for a 5 star book, and well … I was not disappointed.
A Drop of Corruption brings a new murder case for my favorite supernatural investigators Din and Ana, this time not set in the Empire but in the hot and swampy Kingdom of Yarrow. At first they are confronted with a seemingly impossible locked room mystery and some severed body parts, but the story quickly becomes something far bigger than that. The investigation leads them from a seaside town to the jungle to the high court and reveals political schemes, biological weapons and more gruesome deaths. And what can I say? I followed along with greatest interest for the entirety of the book.
Book 2 is expanding the world in the most interesting way, for Yarrowdale is home of the Shroud, the place where gigantic leviathan carcasses are brought to and are experimented on. It's a mix of body horror and magical science talk, making it very fascinating to read. The characters are explored a little bit more as well, but I wish there would have been even more of that for I like them very much. Ana is still the eccentric and rude yet brilliant creature with the strangest habits, and Din is a stressed-out bisexual icon, who is struggling with money and his job, and somehow always finds himself in the world's most deadly places. Book 2 also adds Malo as a new character and I did like her no nonsense, ever slightly annoyed personality a lot as well as her alterations. With her heightened senses, Din's infinite memory and Ana's gift for comprehension of basically everything they are quite the unstoppable trio now. I don't know if Malo will return in book 3 though, because no side character of book 1 returned in book 2.
I do hope for many more books in this series. There is not really an overarching plot throughout books 1 and 2, and I'm sure there are more mysteries to solve and places to go for Ana and Din. I'm very excited to see where this series is going in the future. (I also take my enjoyment of A Drop of Corruption as a call to finally read Foundryside. I've owned a copy for years now, why in the world have I not picked it up yet?)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
A Drop of Corruption brings a new murder case for my favorite supernatural investigators Din and Ana, this time not set in the Empire but in the hot and swampy Kingdom of Yarrow. At first they are confronted with a seemingly impossible locked room mystery and some severed body parts, but the story quickly becomes something far bigger than that. The investigation leads them from a seaside town to the jungle to the high court and reveals political schemes, biological weapons and more gruesome deaths. And what can I say? I followed along with greatest interest for the entirety of the book.
Book 2 is expanding the world in the most interesting way, for Yarrowdale is home of the Shroud, the place where gigantic leviathan carcasses are brought to and are experimented on. It's a mix of body horror and magical science talk, making it very fascinating to read. The characters are explored a little bit more as well, but I wish there would have been even more of that for I like them very much. Ana is still the eccentric and rude yet brilliant creature with the strangest habits, and Din is a stressed-out bisexual icon, who is struggling with money and his job, and somehow always finds himself in the world's most deadly places. Book 2 also adds Malo as a new character and I did like her no nonsense, ever slightly annoyed personality a lot as well as her alterations. With her heightened senses, Din's infinite memory and Ana's gift for comprehension of basically everything they are quite the unstoppable trio now. I don't know if Malo will return in book 3 though, because no side character of book 1 returned in book 2.
I do hope for many more books in this series. There is not really an overarching plot throughout books 1 and 2, and I'm sure there are more mysteries to solve and places to go for Ana and Din. I'm very excited to see where this series is going in the future. (I also take my enjoyment of A Drop of Corruption as a call to finally read Foundryside. I've owned a copy for years now, why in the world have I not picked it up yet?)
Huge thanks to NetGalley and Del Rey for providing a digital arc in exchange for an honest review.
February 20, 2025
First off, thank you NetGalley for the ARC!
This is the second part of the Shadow of the Leviathan series.
NO spoilers for the first part or this one!
I read the first book two months ago, and I really liked it, but I had some doubts about wanting to read the next part.
But when I saw the second part, I jumped at the chance to request it.
And I'm so glad I did!
1️⃣Each part features a murder that Dinios Kol and his boss, the brilliant and quirky Ana Dolabra, investigate, and they're all caught up in the intrigues and politics of this captivating world with tons of seas and the Leviathans, who are the biggest threat to it all. Din's job is to observe, report, and act as Ana's eyes and ears—literally, since she's got this quirky thing about wearing a blindfold all the time.
2️⃣The main plot of the second part involves a bizarre murder in a locked room. The characters get pulled into a world of conspiracies, strange crimes, and shocking twists that even Ana struggles to predict, and she has to push herself to the limit. The action takes place in a remote corner of the Empire—a place that isn't technically considered part of the grand state but is crucial for its stability and even survival.
The series is told from Din's first-person perspective. There are small details and descriptions that make you feel like you're right there with him.
Ana's central antagonist turns out to be a sadistic genius who can stay several steps ahead. Gradually, Din uncovers not just the mysteries around him but also Ana herself—her tragic secrets and true nature, which really adds depth to the story.
New characters are popping up that I really liked. And I ended up loving the main characters even more.
Ana>>>
Now I definitely know that I’m looking forward to the next part🙌🏻
Heads up, there are some gross descriptions in the book, so don’t read it while you’re eating❗️
4,5/5⭐️
📜🗡🩸🧫🪙
This is the second part of the Shadow of the Leviathan series.
NO spoilers for the first part or this one!
I read the first book two months ago, and I really liked it, but I had some doubts about wanting to read the next part.
But when I saw the second part, I jumped at the chance to request it.
And I'm so glad I did!
1️⃣Each part features a murder that Dinios Kol and his boss, the brilliant and quirky Ana Dolabra, investigate, and they're all caught up in the intrigues and politics of this captivating world with tons of seas and the Leviathans, who are the biggest threat to it all. Din's job is to observe, report, and act as Ana's eyes and ears—literally, since she's got this quirky thing about wearing a blindfold all the time.
2️⃣The main plot of the second part involves a bizarre murder in a locked room. The characters get pulled into a world of conspiracies, strange crimes, and shocking twists that even Ana struggles to predict, and she has to push herself to the limit. The action takes place in a remote corner of the Empire—a place that isn't technically considered part of the grand state but is crucial for its stability and even survival.
The series is told from Din's first-person perspective. There are small details and descriptions that make you feel like you're right there with him.
Ana's central antagonist turns out to be a sadistic genius who can stay several steps ahead. Gradually, Din uncovers not just the mysteries around him but also Ana herself—her tragic secrets and true nature, which really adds depth to the story.
New characters are popping up that I really liked. And I ended up loving the main characters even more.
Ana>>>
Now I definitely know that I’m looking forward to the next part🙌🏻
Heads up, there are some gross descriptions in the book, so don’t read it while you’re eating❗️
4,5/5⭐️
📜🗡🩸🧫🪙
December 7, 2024
This was such an enjoyable and satisfying read. I honestly think that, despite being Fantasy first and foremost, Robert Jackson Bennett is writing some of the best quality mysteries in publishing right now.
Overall this book both removed some of my complaints of the first book (namely Ana's character development) and left me much more confused on how this could ever be wrapped up in a single additional installment with all the ground left to cover. I think/hope there are plans for this to be longer than a trilogy!!
Edit: (taken from his AMA, Feb 2024)
The Characters:
In book one my only minor complaint, really, was that Ana felt more like a caricature. Sure, I was seeing her through Din's eyes and she's a larger than life type of person anyway, but I couldn't get a good grasp on who she was and what made her tick. But I'm happy to report that she got so much more development and backstory and humanizing talks with Din in this installment. For those who wanted more Ana and more Ana answers-- you're gonna get it!
I also really loved the introduction of a new character in this location: Malo. She's got a real swagger and grittiness that the manic-but-poised Ana and proper-to-the-point-of-sometimes-near-roboticness Din could never bring to the story. It was good to see her play off the main characters here from her bravado to her on-her-sleeve emotions.
And Din, oh Din. He certainly has a time in this one, the poor lad. But at least someone finally takes notice and commends him for his most excellent skill at... vomiting precisely. 😅
The Romance:
The Ana lovers are gonna eat with this novel, but I'm sorry for the Kepheus and Din shippers as there's not a single appearance of Kepheus in this. Perhaps in the next one, but not today.
The Writing:
The Pithians of Yarrowland have some very colorful phrases and I very much enjoyed quoting them aloud to my partner, bereft of context.
The Mystery:
I really loved the mystery here. I think it took interesting twists and turns, I had multiple theories running from even just chapter 2-3 (several of which were right! which means he did a good job telegraphing clues to pick up on!), and yet the Fantasy elements and the way the reader learns more information about the world meant that it was never wholly solvable from just the beginning.
But the pacing and seeding of clues was impeccably done. And I like that whenever Ana started putting pieces together (usually dropping another clue in her speech, but not a full unravelling) it was my cue to start thinking about what further pieces I could put together myself. It led to a lot of interest and engagement on my end so that I could often feel clever, invested in finding more clues, and also impressed by the cleverness of Ana, our Sherlock analog.
Based on the percentage of this story that's truly just devoted to the continual layers of the mystery, this felt more akin to an installment in a Mystery series than a middle book in a Fantasy series. If you're here because you liked the mysteries of book 1, I think you'll be very satisfied with the amount of screentime devoted to the mysteries of book 2.
The World-Building:
This is part of where I start to become concerned about everything I know, and everything I feel I've yet to know, and where the series could possibly conclude. For while I did get a lot of answers in this novel about the Titans and the Empire and augmentations... there are still so many questions left from book 1, questions introduced in this book, and bombastic action I predict will happen but was not developed at all in this installment. It all needs so much time to cook, still!
Granted, after reading several RJB trilogies before this one, I suspect our next book will feature some sort of significant time jump in order to accomplish everything that must be in place before the finale (several years into the Fifth Empire). But with how much time each book devotes to its particular mystery... it's gonna be a narrow squeeze or an impressive feat for sure.
The Politics:
Rather than expounding further on the politics of the Empire we were introduced to in book one, this novel takes a full reprieve and bounces over to Yarrow, a land not yet fully incorporated into the Empire. As such it is Yarrow in the limelight and Yarrow that we are better coming to understand, and only the occasional tastes and teases of the Empire-- mostly through history lessons and quotes from their most famous ancestors.
(Just how big is book 3 gonna be to tie everything up? Or will we be blessed with more books?)
The Author:
The world is a funny place, these last few years. It's almost impossible to escape the politics of our particular moment in time. And based on the author's note at the end, it's something that weighed heavily on him while writing this book. (Reading the author's note on the same day South Korea implemented what's gotta be one of the shortest coups/instances of martial law... definitely hit different.)
While he overall did a good job of keeping it a Fantasy novel first and not so outwardly and obviously political, there were a few moments toward the end that could get a tad preachy. Though I don't feel like it's so much more egregious than his usual flavor in prior books, just perhaps a tad more noticeable here? ymmv
Overall:
Overall I really loved this book. I absorbed it slowly over multiple days because I didn't really want it to end. I care so much more about these characters than I did at the end of book one, and I'm so excited by many of the revelations and world-building nuggets we were given in this book.
I think this is an excellent follow-up to book one that will satisfy Fantasy readers, Mystery readers, and both character and plot-driven readers alike.
The Arc:
For the sake of all Americans who are too terminally online or know too much US slang, I really hope they change the colors of the rockets before they go to print. My immature little brain could not handle so many people talking about "red rocket." 😅😅😅😅 whoops
Please please please let them be crimson.
Thank you to Del Rey for granting me an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Overall this book both removed some of my complaints of the first book (namely Ana's character development) and left me much more confused on how this could ever be wrapped up in a single additional installment with all the ground left to cover. I think/hope there are plans for this to be longer than a trilogy!!
Edit: (taken from his AMA, Feb 2024)
I'm almost done with the sequel, and am contracted for a third. I imagined this series with lots of installments, like a Miss Marple or a Nero Wolfe series, so I'd write 12 of these suckers if I could. Din and Ana just traveling all over the Empire, experiencing uncanny new biological developments and trying to understand the human heart. That kind of shit.
The Characters:
In book one my only minor complaint, really, was that Ana felt more like a caricature. Sure, I was seeing her through Din's eyes and she's a larger than life type of person anyway, but I couldn't get a good grasp on who she was and what made her tick. But I'm happy to report that she got so much more development and backstory and humanizing talks with Din in this installment. For those who wanted more Ana and more Ana answers-- you're gonna get it!
I also really loved the introduction of a new character in this location: Malo. She's got a real swagger and grittiness that the manic-but-poised Ana and proper-to-the-point-of-sometimes-near-roboticness Din could never bring to the story. It was good to see her play off the main characters here from her bravado to her on-her-sleeve emotions.
And Din, oh Din. He certainly has a time in this one, the poor lad. But at least someone finally takes notice and commends him for his most excellent skill at... vomiting precisely. 😅
The Romance:
The Ana lovers are gonna eat with this novel, but I'm sorry for the Kepheus and Din shippers as there's not a single appearance of Kepheus in this. Perhaps in the next one, but not today.
The Writing:
The Pithians of Yarrowland have some very colorful phrases and I very much enjoyed quoting them aloud to my partner, bereft of context.
The Mystery:
I really loved the mystery here. I think it took interesting twists and turns, I had multiple theories running from even just chapter 2-3 (several of which were right! which means he did a good job telegraphing clues to pick up on!), and yet the Fantasy elements and the way the reader learns more information about the world meant that it was never wholly solvable from just the beginning.
But the pacing and seeding of clues was impeccably done. And I like that whenever Ana started putting pieces together (usually dropping another clue in her speech, but not a full unravelling) it was my cue to start thinking about what further pieces I could put together myself. It led to a lot of interest and engagement on my end so that I could often feel clever, invested in finding more clues, and also impressed by the cleverness of Ana, our Sherlock analog.
Based on the percentage of this story that's truly just devoted to the continual layers of the mystery, this felt more akin to an installment in a Mystery series than a middle book in a Fantasy series. If you're here because you liked the mysteries of book 1, I think you'll be very satisfied with the amount of screentime devoted to the mysteries of book 2.
The World-Building:
This is part of where I start to become concerned about everything I know, and everything I feel I've yet to know, and where the series could possibly conclude. For while I did get a lot of answers in this novel about the Titans and the Empire and augmentations... there are still so many questions left from book 1, questions introduced in this book, and bombastic action I predict will happen but was not developed at all in this installment. It all needs so much time to cook, still!
Granted, after reading several RJB trilogies before this one, I suspect our next book will feature some sort of significant time jump in order to accomplish everything that must be in place before the finale (several years into the Fifth Empire). But with how much time each book devotes to its particular mystery... it's gonna be a narrow squeeze or an impressive feat for sure.
The Politics:
Rather than expounding further on the politics of the Empire we were introduced to in book one, this novel takes a full reprieve and bounces over to Yarrow, a land not yet fully incorporated into the Empire. As such it is Yarrow in the limelight and Yarrow that we are better coming to understand, and only the occasional tastes and teases of the Empire-- mostly through history lessons and quotes from their most famous ancestors.
(Just how big is book 3 gonna be to tie everything up? Or will we be blessed with more books?)
The Author:
The world is a funny place, these last few years. It's almost impossible to escape the politics of our particular moment in time. And based on the author's note at the end, it's something that weighed heavily on him while writing this book. (Reading the author's note on the same day South Korea implemented what's gotta be one of the shortest coups/instances of martial law... definitely hit different.)
While he overall did a good job of keeping it a Fantasy novel first and not so outwardly and obviously political, there were a few moments toward the end that could get a tad preachy. Though I don't feel like it's so much more egregious than his usual flavor in prior books, just perhaps a tad more noticeable here? ymmv
Overall:
Overall I really loved this book. I absorbed it slowly over multiple days because I didn't really want it to end. I care so much more about these characters than I did at the end of book one, and I'm so excited by many of the revelations and world-building nuggets we were given in this book.
I think this is an excellent follow-up to book one that will satisfy Fantasy readers, Mystery readers, and both character and plot-driven readers alike.
The Arc:
For the sake of all Americans who are too terminally online or know too much US slang, I really hope they change the colors of the rockets before they go to print. My immature little brain could not handle so many people talking about "red rocket." 😅😅😅😅 whoops
Please please please let them be crimson.
Thank you to Del Rey for granting me an eARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.
November 30, 2024
Ana, I am here for your quirky craziness and wild diet.
Dinios, Iudex Special Division, is sent alongside his mentor, Ana, to investigate a strange murder in Yarrow, far from the Empire’s reach and purview. The deceased was a member of a Treasury delegation, sent to confer with the king of Yarrow on high imperial business.
Ana always makes me crack up. Her eccentricity and Din’s resigned acceptance makes their partnership a delight to behold - fresh, unique, and delightful!
“If she isn’t included in whatever this is, there’ll be hell to pay,” I said. “This is not a threat, but just … physics. When defied, she breaks things.”
There no live leviathans that far north. Instead, we are introduced to the Shroud where the leviathans bodies are harvested for the augmentation elixirs. It is obviously shrouded (couldn’t help myself!) in secrets.
I did miss the absence of Captain Strovi and the burgeoning romance we got between them in book one. I understand why it wouldn’t make sense for his presence, but I admit to missing him except for mentions of him only through Din’s longing.
This definitely has the potential to be a longer on-going series with an episodic feel with new introductions of locations, world-building, and characters.
“I suspect you shall come to realize what many Iudexii eventually learn—that though the Legion defends our Empire, it falls to us to keep an Empire worth defending.”
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
Dinios, Iudex Special Division, is sent alongside his mentor, Ana, to investigate a strange murder in Yarrow, far from the Empire’s reach and purview. The deceased was a member of a Treasury delegation, sent to confer with the king of Yarrow on high imperial business.
Ana always makes me crack up. Her eccentricity and Din’s resigned acceptance makes their partnership a delight to behold - fresh, unique, and delightful!
“If she isn’t included in whatever this is, there’ll be hell to pay,” I said. “This is not a threat, but just … physics. When defied, she breaks things.”
There no live leviathans that far north. Instead, we are introduced to the Shroud where the leviathans bodies are harvested for the augmentation elixirs. It is obviously shrouded (couldn’t help myself!) in secrets.
I did miss the absence of Captain Strovi and the burgeoning romance we got between them in book one. I understand why it wouldn’t make sense for his presence, but I admit to missing him except for mentions of him only through Din’s longing.
This definitely has the potential to be a longer on-going series with an episodic feel with new introductions of locations, world-building, and characters.
“I suspect you shall come to realize what many Iudexii eventually learn—that though the Legion defends our Empire, it falls to us to keep an Empire worth defending.”
Arc gifted by Del Rey.
Bookstagram
March 10, 2025
Back Cover Blurb:
In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.
To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.
Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.
Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.
Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.
Review:
Robert Jackson Bennett simply cannot write a bad book. I've come to this realization after embarking on his third series now where each book I've read is better than the last. There's not much more room to go honestly and I don't understand how he constantly tops himself. Another thing about Bennett that's really impressive is that none of his series follow anything similar toa certain formula. They are all completely different in tone and worldbuilding.
A DROP OF CORRUPTION continues the murder mystery Shadow of the Leviathan series in amazing fashion. Fantasy mystery is tough to do write but Bennett injects another intriguing investigation while not shirking the fantasy elements one single bit. And that's what truly makes these book so fun is that just when you forget you are reading a fantasy novel, a giant leviathan shows up to attach a city. There's also enough magic elements to delight any reader who likes a little sorcery in their life.
I won't get into to many details as this is the second book in an ongoing series but suffice to say I loved this book even more than the first. I suspect its because I know these characters that much more and have gone along with all of their exploits and experienced them getting into one perilous situation after another. This book ramps up the action as well so it was a much quicker read than the first which understandably had to set up the world and the character background stories.
The ending left me totally rocked as Bennett always seems to do and I look forward to the next one with much anticipation. Robert Jackson Bennett may just be one of the top 3 fantasy authors in the game right now. His body of work is enough that I believe that can be said with utmost confidence. Treat yourself to this brilliant series and then go back and read all of his other books if you haven't yet. A DROP OF CORRUPTION blew me away and I'm sure that when this is all wrapped up it will take its place along the other stupendous series that Bennett has penned. I can't believe how much talent this guy has!
In the canton of Yarrowdale, at the very edge of the Empire’s reach, an impossible crime has occurred. A Treasury officer has disappeared into thin air—abducted from his quarters while the door and windows remained locked from the inside, in a building whose entrances and exits are all under constant guard.
To solve the case, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra. At her side, as always, is her bemused assistant Dinios Kol.
Before long, Ana’s discovered that they’re not investigating a disappearance, but a murder—and that the killing was just the first chess move by an adversary who seems to be able to pass through warded doors like a ghost, and who can predict every one of Ana’s moves as though they can see the future.
Worse still, the killer seems to be targeting the high-security compound known as the Shroud. Here, the Empire's greatest minds dissect fallen Titans to harness the volatile magic found in their blood. Should it fall, the destruction would be terrible indeed—and the Empire itself will grind to a halt, robbed of the magic that allows its wheels of power to turn.
Din has seen Ana solve impossible cases before. But this time, with the stakes higher than ever and Ana seemingly a step behind their adversary at every turn, he fears that his superior has finally met an enemy she can’t defeat.
Review:
Robert Jackson Bennett simply cannot write a bad book. I've come to this realization after embarking on his third series now where each book I've read is better than the last. There's not much more room to go honestly and I don't understand how he constantly tops himself. Another thing about Bennett that's really impressive is that none of his series follow anything similar toa certain formula. They are all completely different in tone and worldbuilding.
A DROP OF CORRUPTION continues the murder mystery Shadow of the Leviathan series in amazing fashion. Fantasy mystery is tough to do write but Bennett injects another intriguing investigation while not shirking the fantasy elements one single bit. And that's what truly makes these book so fun is that just when you forget you are reading a fantasy novel, a giant leviathan shows up to attach a city. There's also enough magic elements to delight any reader who likes a little sorcery in their life.
I won't get into to many details as this is the second book in an ongoing series but suffice to say I loved this book even more than the first. I suspect its because I know these characters that much more and have gone along with all of their exploits and experienced them getting into one perilous situation after another. This book ramps up the action as well so it was a much quicker read than the first which understandably had to set up the world and the character background stories.
The ending left me totally rocked as Bennett always seems to do and I look forward to the next one with much anticipation. Robert Jackson Bennett may just be one of the top 3 fantasy authors in the game right now. His body of work is enough that I believe that can be said with utmost confidence. Treat yourself to this brilliant series and then go back and read all of his other books if you haven't yet. A DROP OF CORRUPTION blew me away and I'm sure that when this is all wrapped up it will take its place along the other stupendous series that Bennett has penned. I can't believe how much talent this guy has!
March 7, 2025
A locked-room mystery, a brilliant but eccentric investigator, and a world where magic fuels an empire—this book had me hooked from the first page.
What I Loved:
✔️ Intriguing Mystery – A Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room, and what starts as a disappearance turns into a murder investigation that only gets more complex. The layers of deception, political intrigue, and impossible clues made for an addictive read.
✔️ Ana Dolabra is Fantastic – She’s the classic genius detective—brilliant, unpredictable, and always ten steps ahead… or at least, she usually is. Watching her face a seemingly unstoppable opponent added real tension.
✔️ Din as the Watson-esque Assistant – His dry observations and loyalty to Ana made for a great dynamic. He’s both impressed by her intellect and exasperated by her eccentricities, which added some levity to the high-stakes plot.
✔️ Magic and Mystery Collide – The concept of dissecting fallen Titans for magic-infused power is fascinating. It adds an almost sci-fi element to the fantasy setting, and the threat to the Shroud raises the stakes beyond just solving a murder.
If you love locked-room mysteries, detectives with Sherlock-level intellect, and fantasy worlds packed with intrigue, this is absolutely worth reading. It’s a thrilling, cleverly plotted mystery with high stakes and a compelling duo at its heart.
🎶"House of the Rising Sun" – Lauren O’Connell
🎶"I Know the End" – Phoebe Bridgers
What I Loved:
✔️ Intriguing Mystery – A Treasury officer vanishes from a locked room, and what starts as a disappearance turns into a murder investigation that only gets more complex. The layers of deception, political intrigue, and impossible clues made for an addictive read.
✔️ Ana Dolabra is Fantastic – She’s the classic genius detective—brilliant, unpredictable, and always ten steps ahead… or at least, she usually is. Watching her face a seemingly unstoppable opponent added real tension.
✔️ Din as the Watson-esque Assistant – His dry observations and loyalty to Ana made for a great dynamic. He’s both impressed by her intellect and exasperated by her eccentricities, which added some levity to the high-stakes plot.
✔️ Magic and Mystery Collide – The concept of dissecting fallen Titans for magic-infused power is fascinating. It adds an almost sci-fi element to the fantasy setting, and the threat to the Shroud raises the stakes beyond just solving a murder.
If you love locked-room mysteries, detectives with Sherlock-level intellect, and fantasy worlds packed with intrigue, this is absolutely worth reading. It’s a thrilling, cleverly plotted mystery with high stakes and a compelling duo at its heart.
🎶"House of the Rising Sun" – Lauren O’Connell
🎶"I Know the End" – Phoebe Bridgers
February 27, 2025
Robert Jackson Bennett has done it again. A Drop of Corruption takes everything that made The Tainted Cup great (impossible murders, weird biology, razor-sharp wit) and somehow makes it even better. There’s a new impossible crime, more unsettling biology, and, most importantly, more Ana Dolabra - the world’s strangest mind.
This time around, Ana and her long-suffering assistant Dinios Kol are sent to the empire’s edges to investigate a treasury officer’s disappearance. And let me tell you - it’s a gruesome murder, because if there’s one thing Bennett knows how to do, it’s making sure every crime scene sticks in your brain. This one involves dismemberment, vanished body parts, and a killer who seems to walk through walls.
Ana solves the surface-level mystery in about five minutes, but the deeper they dig, the more tangled the case becomes. The stakes turn shockingly high. If they fail, the entire empire could collapse, and leave the world defenseless against the leviathans. No pressure. Someone out there is playing a game Ana isn’t used to losing, and Din finds himself torn between his duty as her “engraver” and his growing realization that being an investigator might not be the life he truly wants.
Now, for me the series works because we follow a brilliant and fascinating character (Ana) through the eyes of a much more bland one (Din). Din is to Ana what Watson was to Sherlock - a trusted assistant with some personality but not enough charisma to carry the series. A Drop of Corruption gives us glimpses into Ana’s past and hints at what she truly is. She’s still an enigma, but things get much clearer and much more exciting. Din, meanwhile, starts questioning his place in all of this. He signed up to be Ana’s eyes and ears to pay off his father’s debts, but as he gets drawn deeper into the empire’s ugly truths, he starts to wonder if he should be fighting to save it or choose a simpler and more profitable path.
The world-building continues to impress and remains one of the most inventive things I’ve ever read. The concept of Leviathans and the horrifying ways in which their blood transforms environment is cool. Then we have the Shroud - a living, organic space with peculiar properties. And the new characters fit right into this strange, unsettling world. Mala, for example, has an enhanced sense of smell (and more), which makes her an excellent investigator but also means she’s experiencing reality in ways that most people can’t understand.
Since Bennett doesn’t do one-note villains, the antagonist is ruthless, brilliant, and broken. Their backstory is a slow-burn tragedy that creeps up on you. If I had to nitpick, I’d say that the book is sometimes too detailed and repetitive in the middle. But honestly, when the writing is this good, why would I want to nitpick?
Ultimately, I’m satisfied, impressed, and desperately hoping we get another one in the series. Because if Bennett keeps building on this foundation, we might just be looking at one of the best fantasy mystery series of the decade.
This time around, Ana and her long-suffering assistant Dinios Kol are sent to the empire’s edges to investigate a treasury officer’s disappearance. And let me tell you - it’s a gruesome murder, because if there’s one thing Bennett knows how to do, it’s making sure every crime scene sticks in your brain. This one involves dismemberment, vanished body parts, and a killer who seems to walk through walls.
Ana solves the surface-level mystery in about five minutes, but the deeper they dig, the more tangled the case becomes. The stakes turn shockingly high. If they fail, the entire empire could collapse, and leave the world defenseless against the leviathans. No pressure. Someone out there is playing a game Ana isn’t used to losing, and Din finds himself torn between his duty as her “engraver” and his growing realization that being an investigator might not be the life he truly wants.
Now, for me the series works because we follow a brilliant and fascinating character (Ana) through the eyes of a much more bland one (Din). Din is to Ana what Watson was to Sherlock - a trusted assistant with some personality but not enough charisma to carry the series. A Drop of Corruption gives us glimpses into Ana’s past and hints at what she truly is. She’s still an enigma, but things get much clearer and much more exciting. Din, meanwhile, starts questioning his place in all of this. He signed up to be Ana’s eyes and ears to pay off his father’s debts, but as he gets drawn deeper into the empire’s ugly truths, he starts to wonder if he should be fighting to save it or choose a simpler and more profitable path.
The world-building continues to impress and remains one of the most inventive things I’ve ever read. The concept of Leviathans and the horrifying ways in which their blood transforms environment is cool. Then we have the Shroud - a living, organic space with peculiar properties. And the new characters fit right into this strange, unsettling world. Mala, for example, has an enhanced sense of smell (and more), which makes her an excellent investigator but also means she’s experiencing reality in ways that most people can’t understand.
Since Bennett doesn’t do one-note villains, the antagonist is ruthless, brilliant, and broken. Their backstory is a slow-burn tragedy that creeps up on you. If I had to nitpick, I’d say that the book is sometimes too detailed and repetitive in the middle. But honestly, when the writing is this good, why would I want to nitpick?
Ultimately, I’m satisfied, impressed, and desperately hoping we get another one in the series. Because if Bennett keeps building on this foundation, we might just be looking at one of the best fantasy mystery series of the decade.
January 19, 2025
(thank you netgalley and random house publishing group - del rey for an arc in exchange for an honest review)
“A Drop of Corruption” is the second entry in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. Robert Jackson Bennett looked in the eye of middle-book-syndrome and said “no”
Now an official officer in the Iudex Special Division, Dinios ‘Din’ Kol is sent ahead to investigate the scene of a crime in Yarrowdale. The Kingdom of Yarrow — considered a canton — is to join the Empire in a deal made centuries ago, foregoing many of their cultural practices, but not everyone is fond of the idea. Though the locals are eager to leave behind the Yarrow monarchial government, the royalty seek to end the deal as it would mean losing the advantage they have in sourcing many of the alchemical potions derived from the felled leviathans. But before they join the Empire, they must pay taxes and no one likes the taxman. Which is why it is less of a surprise when Immunis Mineti Sujedo of the Imperial Treasury is found dead. No, what is a surprise is how he died.
In a guarded locked room, high up in a tower with no exits, a pool of blood no one can survive losing is found. No body is in sight and everyone assumes the man had been murdered and the corpse disposed of. But when remains are found in the swamp miles away, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra to solve this mystery. What Ana doesn't know is that she is about to meet a rival who will challenge her throughout the investigation.
The mystery in this book is my favourite so far. There’s nothing I love more than a classic locked-room mystery and while Ana is quick to solve the how — the who, why and to-what-end of the mystery were the most engaging and heart racing. Especially the who. The antagonist here is quite possibly my favourite I’ve read in a murder mystery. They had our cast (and me!) sweating. What made me realise that we had a near-genius in our hands, was that towards the 90% mark of the book, our antagonist’s plans had our genius Ana say three words — “I don’t know.” When I tell you I got chills.
Everything was elevated in this book: the humour, the characters, the mystery and the worldbuilding. By Sanctum the worldbuilding in this book was insane. The atmosphere in the first chapter had me so immersed, I practically felt the suffocating heat of the swamp and the putrid smell of rotting fish. The Empire’s capabilities were expanded in this book and nothing portrayed this more than the augurs. Chapters 45 and 46 were chef’s kiss, chef’s kiss, chef’s kiss! Here’s to the next book and it hopefully starting with Din throwing up as it has in the last two books.
“And all the world a savage garden, mindless and raging.”
“A Drop of Corruption” is the second entry in the Shadow of the Leviathan series. Robert Jackson Bennett looked in the eye of middle-book-syndrome and said “no”
Now an official officer in the Iudex Special Division, Dinios ‘Din’ Kol is sent ahead to investigate the scene of a crime in Yarrowdale. The Kingdom of Yarrow — considered a canton — is to join the Empire in a deal made centuries ago, foregoing many of their cultural practices, but not everyone is fond of the idea. Though the locals are eager to leave behind the Yarrow monarchial government, the royalty seek to end the deal as it would mean losing the advantage they have in sourcing many of the alchemical potions derived from the felled leviathans. But before they join the Empire, they must pay taxes and no one likes the taxman. Which is why it is less of a surprise when Immunis Mineti Sujedo of the Imperial Treasury is found dead. No, what is a surprise is how he died.
In a guarded locked room, high up in a tower with no exits, a pool of blood no one can survive losing is found. No body is in sight and everyone assumes the man had been murdered and the corpse disposed of. But when remains are found in the swamp miles away, the Empire calls on its most brilliant and mercurial investigator, the great Ana Dolabra to solve this mystery. What Ana doesn't know is that she is about to meet a rival who will challenge her throughout the investigation.
For those who sip from the marrow. Te siz imperiya.
The mystery in this book is my favourite so far. There’s nothing I love more than a classic locked-room mystery and while Ana is quick to solve the how — the who, why and to-what-end of the mystery were the most engaging and heart racing. Especially the who. The antagonist here is quite possibly my favourite I’ve read in a murder mystery. They had our cast (and me!) sweating. What made me realise that we had a near-genius in our hands, was that towards the 90% mark of the book, our antagonist’s plans had our genius Ana say three words — “I don’t know.” When I tell you I got chills.
“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.
Everything was elevated in this book: the humour, the characters, the mystery and the worldbuilding. By Sanctum the worldbuilding in this book was insane. The atmosphere in the first chapter had me so immersed, I practically felt the suffocating heat of the swamp and the putrid smell of rotting fish. The Empire’s capabilities were expanded in this book and nothing portrayed this more than the augurs. Chapters 45 and 46 were chef’s kiss, chef’s kiss, chef’s kiss! Here’s to the next book and it hopefully starting with Din throwing up as it has in the last two books.
“I suspect you shall come to realize what many Iudexii eventually learn—that though the Legion defends our Empire, it falls to us to keep an Empire worth defending.”
December 31, 2024
rjb you did it again... this was fucking phenomenal. RTC
November 25, 2024
Brilliant second novel in the Shadow of the Leviathan series that is a page turner while adding considerably more depth to the universe. Starting with an impossible locked room murder - which Ana solves on the spot of course though the solution leads to the discovery of plots, crimes and the real story so to speak - set in a corner of the Empire that is not really into the Empire but is also utterly crucial to the continual prosperity and even existence, the novel narrated as the first one by Din, just rocks from the first few pages.
This time we know the setup and terminology so the genetic wizardry that underpins the empire is not as strange anymore though of course there are new revelations and twists. With a sadistic genius who can almost foresee the future as the main villain, Ana needs to use her full talents (and Din with us finally gets an inkling who she truly is) to even catch up with his scheming not to speak of getting a step ahead and stop his cunning plans ...
As somewhat of an aside not related to the plot of the novel, but important to the series in general, we get a lot more about Din's motivation and beliefs - when he joined the Iudex (the Empire Justiciary/Investigatory Arm) and became Ana's eyes and ears, he did it pretty much as a way to make enough money to pay his (late) father's debts and keep his family out of poverty, but after fighting on the wall and befriending the Legion's soldiers and officers, he feels that his true duty is to fight with them to preserve the Empire as the Iudex seems like a job that solves nothing even when they bring criminals to justice as he puts it to Ana when cornered by her to express his true feelings:
“But … when we come, the deed is already done. The body is cold, the blood cleaned away. We often find the killer, but that heals nothing, as far as I can see. It only leads to a rope, or a cage, and many more tears.” I swallowed. “Is it so strange a thing, ma’am, to helplessly look upon the slain and dream of instead saving lives?”
While Ana doesn't quite answer fully immediately, just telling Din that he will eventually get it or if he doesn't, he will have her blessing and full recommendation to transfer to the Legion, she later actually does answer in a way that among other things shows where the title came from:
“Oh, no,” she said, sighing. “I do not mean to mock you, Din. For I understand. Justice is not a terribly satisfying task, is it? The Engineer can see a bridge span a river, and marvel at what they made. The Legionnaire can look upon the carcass of a leviathan, and know they’ve saved countless lives. And the Apoth can watch a body mend and heal and change, and smile. But the Iudex … we are not granted such favors.”
She leaned closer to the glass. “This work can never satisfy, Din, for it can never finish. The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist. The duty of the Iudex is not to boldly vanquish it but to manage it. We keep the stain from spreading, yes, but it is never gone. Yet this job is perhaps the most important in all the Iyalets, for without it, well … The Empire would come to look much like Yarrow, where the powerful and the cruel prevail without check. And tell me—does that realm look capable of fighting off a leviathan?”
Lots of cool new characters including an iron willed officer scientist who wants to improve the Empire at any cost, a local partner for Din who complements his skills and various officials and nobles both of the Empire and of the local "affiliated" kingdom where the action takes place. A Drop of Corruption is just superb and a fantasy mystery to remember.
Highly recommended and eagerly waiting another series installment though it will be hard to top this one
This time we know the setup and terminology so the genetic wizardry that underpins the empire is not as strange anymore though of course there are new revelations and twists. With a sadistic genius who can almost foresee the future as the main villain, Ana needs to use her full talents (and Din with us finally gets an inkling who she truly is) to even catch up with his scheming not to speak of getting a step ahead and stop his cunning plans ...
As somewhat of an aside not related to the plot of the novel, but important to the series in general, we get a lot more about Din's motivation and beliefs - when he joined the Iudex (the Empire Justiciary/Investigatory Arm) and became Ana's eyes and ears, he did it pretty much as a way to make enough money to pay his (late) father's debts and keep his family out of poverty, but after fighting on the wall and befriending the Legion's soldiers and officers, he feels that his true duty is to fight with them to preserve the Empire as the Iudex seems like a job that solves nothing even when they bring criminals to justice as he puts it to Ana when cornered by her to express his true feelings:
“But … when we come, the deed is already done. The body is cold, the blood cleaned away. We often find the killer, but that heals nothing, as far as I can see. It only leads to a rope, or a cage, and many more tears.” I swallowed. “Is it so strange a thing, ma’am, to helplessly look upon the slain and dream of instead saving lives?”
While Ana doesn't quite answer fully immediately, just telling Din that he will eventually get it or if he doesn't, he will have her blessing and full recommendation to transfer to the Legion, she later actually does answer in a way that among other things shows where the title came from:
“Oh, no,” she said, sighing. “I do not mean to mock you, Din. For I understand. Justice is not a terribly satisfying task, is it? The Engineer can see a bridge span a river, and marvel at what they made. The Legionnaire can look upon the carcass of a leviathan, and know they’ve saved countless lives. And the Apoth can watch a body mend and heal and change, and smile. But the Iudex … we are not granted such favors.”
She leaned closer to the glass. “This work can never satisfy, Din, for it can never finish. The dead cannot be restored. Vice and bribery will never be totally banished from the cantons. And the drop of corruption that lies within every society shall always persist. The duty of the Iudex is not to boldly vanquish it but to manage it. We keep the stain from spreading, yes, but it is never gone. Yet this job is perhaps the most important in all the Iyalets, for without it, well … The Empire would come to look much like Yarrow, where the powerful and the cruel prevail without check. And tell me—does that realm look capable of fighting off a leviathan?”
Lots of cool new characters including an iron willed officer scientist who wants to improve the Empire at any cost, a local partner for Din who complements his skills and various officials and nobles both of the Empire and of the local "affiliated" kingdom where the action takes place. A Drop of Corruption is just superb and a fantasy mystery to remember.
Highly recommended and eagerly waiting another series installment though it will be hard to top this one
April 6, 2025
Master detective Ana and her young assistant Din are again required to solve murders in a world threatened by leviathans. The book begins with a locked room mystery and progresses to other puzzling deaths. They are assisted by warden Tira Malo, who is gruff, perceptive and determined.
My favorite book by this author is still “City of Stairs”, but I am also enjoying this series/ trilogy. This book was a little too busy for me, with more political intrigue than I wanted. Sometimes I found the plot too convoluted and difficult to follow. However, I still love the Ana/ Din collaboration, and Malo was also a very entertaining character. If there is a third book, I will definitely read it. Andrew Fallaize did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
My favorite book by this author is still “City of Stairs”, but I am also enjoying this series/ trilogy. This book was a little too busy for me, with more political intrigue than I wanted. Sometimes I found the plot too convoluted and difficult to follow. However, I still love the Ana/ Din collaboration, and Malo was also a very entertaining character. If there is a third book, I will definitely read it. Andrew Fallaize did an excellent job narrating the audiobook.
I received a free copy of this book from the publisher.
March 4, 2025
A Drop of Corruption
by Robert Jackson Bennett
An Ana and Din Mystery #2
Fantasy Mystery
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Apr 1, 2025
Random House/Del Rey
Ages: 16+
Called to Yarrowdale, a kingdom at the very edge of the Empire, where the Shroud sits, Ana and Din investigate the disappearance of a Treasury officer, who days after vanishing, had reappeared in pieces.
As Din searches for clues, risking his life, Ana enjoys oysters and meditates on what Din discovers, and she believes that the Treasury officer's murder is linked to a much bigger danger, that threatens Yarrowdale, the Shroud, and the Empire.
But worse, it seems as if whoever is behind it all, can predict Ana's revelations and their plans stay steps ahead of Ana's and Din's reach.
This is the second book in a series and is its own story, so it's unlikely I'll give any spoilers to the first book.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, you'll probably like these, if Holmes is extra lazy and there are leviathans, and ways to alter your body to enhance sight, hearing, strength, etc...
Din, in first person, relays the story as he does all of the leg work, searching for clues, risking his life, and with his alterations he can recall all the details to Ana.
While Din was out and about I enjoyed the story because there was action, suspense, and details about what was happening. But when Ana came into the storyline, she talked (which was telling instead of showing), sniffed a lot, and was a b**ch to Din and everyone else. Sure she has her gifts and a flare for the dramatic which makes her an interesting character, but I don't like her. I got bored as she rambled on about the case, the clues, and pointless mutterings.
As for who did it... I guessed it as soon as they were introduced.
At least there was more history about the world in this book, but other than being mentioned, the Leviathans and other creatures weren't a big part of the story...
I didn't hate the story, but Ana's rambling ruined it for me. As to reading another book in this series, I honestly don't know. I like Din, the mysteries are good, but I don't like Ana, and she is the reason this book missed reaching the next star.
2 Stars
by Robert Jackson Bennett
An Ana and Din Mystery #2
Fantasy Mystery
NetGalley eARC
Pub Date: Apr 1, 2025
Random House/Del Rey
Ages: 16+
Called to Yarrowdale, a kingdom at the very edge of the Empire, where the Shroud sits, Ana and Din investigate the disappearance of a Treasury officer, who days after vanishing, had reappeared in pieces.
As Din searches for clues, risking his life, Ana enjoys oysters and meditates on what Din discovers, and she believes that the Treasury officer's murder is linked to a much bigger danger, that threatens Yarrowdale, the Shroud, and the Empire.
But worse, it seems as if whoever is behind it all, can predict Ana's revelations and their plans stay steps ahead of Ana's and Din's reach.
This is the second book in a series and is its own story, so it's unlikely I'll give any spoilers to the first book.
If you like Sherlock Holmes, you'll probably like these, if Holmes is extra lazy and there are leviathans, and ways to alter your body to enhance sight, hearing, strength, etc...
Din, in first person, relays the story as he does all of the leg work, searching for clues, risking his life, and with his alterations he can recall all the details to Ana.
While Din was out and about I enjoyed the story because there was action, suspense, and details about what was happening. But when Ana came into the storyline, she talked (which was telling instead of showing), sniffed a lot, and was a b**ch to Din and everyone else. Sure she has her gifts and a flare for the dramatic which makes her an interesting character, but I don't like her. I got bored as she rambled on about the case, the clues, and pointless mutterings.
As for who did it... I guessed it as soon as they were introduced.
At least there was more history about the world in this book, but other than being mentioned, the Leviathans and other creatures weren't a big part of the story...
I didn't hate the story, but Ana's rambling ruined it for me. As to reading another book in this series, I honestly don't know. I like Din, the mysteries are good, but I don't like Ana, and she is the reason this book missed reaching the next star.
2 Stars
February 13, 2025
The first book in this series, The Tainted Cup, was a favorite in 2024, so to say that I was looking forward to this book was an understatement. I've discovered something about second books in the series. I think one of the reasons people so often talk about 'second book slump' is that the second books become the opportunity for a deep delve into both character and world. Sometimes this works, sometimes less so. In the Divine Cities series, Bennett does a clever sidestep and focuses on a different character and moves forward a few years. A Drop of Corruption moves forward a few years, but it still centers on Din and the lead investigator Ana.
It begins simply enough, with a missing person and a locked room. It become more ominous as Ana and Din discover an empty bank drawer. Each individual scene makes a sort of sense, but the way they are strung together gets confusing. Like beads in a necklace, you have to hold them separately, trusting that when they come together, the piece will work. Jackson-Bennett states elsewhere that he would love to have a series of these, "like Miss Marple," but the wonderful thing about Miss Marple is that the microcosm of the mystery echoes the human condition. JB strays much too far into complicated society politics to even begin to think of this as Christie.
As they investigate, Din wrestles with deeply ambivalent feelings about his job. He acts out in ways that seem unrecognizable from the hard-working provincial in book one. I'd have to do a deep dive to be certain, but I also think his inner thoughts are more limited than in Tainted Cup. My empathy was challenged, witnessing what I perceived to be uncharacteristic behavior without clues as to how he had become that way. He seems to have become disengaged from the job he wanted so badly to do. Ana too seemed more exaggerated but we've been set up to expect both omnipotence and mercurial behavior, so it doesn't seem quite as outlandish. Eventually, it becomes clear that numerous jobs have passed since the episode of The Tainted Cup, so I begrudgingly shelved my concerns under, 'Time in Book-world Has Passed' and read on.
The investigation that seems so small and incidental, is the tip of a much larger iceberg. While that kind of complexity can be enjoyable, it is also just a little big sometimes. I think I'm finally catching the themes through Bennett's works.
The writing remains beautiful and evocative. I enjoyed the side characters, though Malo is the one who stood out the most.
I enjoyed it, to be sure. I will give it a re-read some day, and it might fare better.
Many thanks to Kathleen Quinlan at Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
It begins simply enough, with a missing person and a locked room. It become more ominous as Ana and Din discover an empty bank drawer. Each individual scene makes a sort of sense, but the way they are strung together gets confusing. Like beads in a necklace, you have to hold them separately, trusting that when they come together, the piece will work. Jackson-Bennett states elsewhere that he would love to have a series of these, "like Miss Marple," but the wonderful thing about Miss Marple is that the microcosm of the mystery echoes the human condition. JB strays much too far into complicated society politics to even begin to think of this as Christie.
As they investigate, Din wrestles with deeply ambivalent feelings about his job. He acts out in ways that seem unrecognizable from the hard-working provincial in book one. I'd have to do a deep dive to be certain, but I also think his inner thoughts are more limited than in Tainted Cup. My empathy was challenged, witnessing what I perceived to be uncharacteristic behavior without clues as to how he had become that way. He seems to have become disengaged from the job he wanted so badly to do. Ana too seemed more exaggerated but we've been set up to expect both omnipotence and mercurial behavior, so it doesn't seem quite as outlandish. Eventually, it becomes clear that numerous jobs have passed since the episode of The Tainted Cup, so I begrudgingly shelved my concerns under, 'Time in Book-world Has Passed' and read on.
The investigation that seems so small and incidental, is the tip of a much larger iceberg. While that kind of complexity can be enjoyable, it is also just a little big sometimes. I think I'm finally catching the themes through Bennett's works.
The writing remains beautiful and evocative. I enjoyed the side characters, though Malo is the one who stood out the most.
I enjoyed it, to be sure. I will give it a re-read some day, and it might fare better.
Many thanks to Kathleen Quinlan at Random House Publishing Group and Netgalley for the advance reader copy.
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