Review copy was received from NetGalley. This does not affect my opinion of the book or the content of my review.
A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett Series: Shadow of the Leviathon #2
Published by Ballantine, Del Ray on April 1, 2025
Genres: Fantasy, Mystery
Pages: 432
Format: eARC
Source: NetGalley
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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.
I had such a favorable experience with The Tainted Cup I was eager to continue Shadow of the Leviathan series. I chose the ebook version again even though I now purchased the audio version of the first book. I am encouraged to go read this author’s backlist also.
I’m seeing more of these scifi mysteries and they are a real favorite combining my favorite genres.
While the world-building and plot are complex and interesting, the reading is easy and fun. The pace was comfortable and kept me engaged, even in a longer book. I would read the series in order as the personal aspects build on the previous book.
This fantasy world has augmented human, political classes, and huge monsters. We learn about some of the different types of augmentations which also divides them somewhat into the kind of work they perform. Travel between regions seems to take time and they travel by cart or by horse. People seem to only be knowledgeable about their own area and not well traveled unless they are more wealthy or travel for work. But usually investigators do not travel and stay in their own region.
I have come to love our main characters Din and Ana. They are curious and not easily classified. Din is an engraver, which is an augmented human, who remembers everything and can recite it back. Ana is an investigator who shuts out stimuli to solve mysteries. They solve problems with a very Sherlock Holmes style with much observing and witness statements. Din goes out to gather the evidence and report back to Ana. Ana is genius but Din has some skills too.
We learned a bit more of their personal history as they come out to Yarrowdale to investigate a murder. Yarrow has a king who has planned to turn over the kingdom to the Empire. The Treasury people have been negotiating the integration, ie. the taxes. A man from the Treasury has turned up dead. It gets worse when they realize a number of healing potions have been stolen.
This series is brilliant and I hope there will be many books. I want to learn much more about these characters and their world.
About Robert Jackson Bennett
Robert 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.
I read all types of books but my favorites are urban fantasy and romantic suspense.I like some romance and some action / adventure / mystery in everything.I like sex in my books but please, only between TWO people.Intimate conversation is equally important to the sex in a book.It lets me see the characters.The other thing I enjoy is humor.
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Reading this book contributed to these challenges:
- 25-COYER
So happy to see your 5 star rating! I’m hoping to start this soon, I can’t wait.
Thank you Tammy. It’s just brilliant.
This was a highly anticipated read for me after The Tainted Cup. I’m so glad it turned out just as good and like you, hope there are many more to come.
yes I’m already worrying it will only be a trilogy but I guess if he keeps writing something it might be ok. lol
Yes. The combination of the characters and world makes this series brilliant.
There is just so much to love.
Just checking out the reviews before going for it. btw great insights.
Thank you. I hope you love it!
Anne I also thought it was a five star read. Love Ana and Din in this new mystery. What an interesting world.
I’ve really enjoyed the fantasy and scifi mysteries I’ve read. It seems a good way to ease into those genres as I’m predominately a mystery reader! This sounds really interesting. I’ll have to pick up the first book.