Jelly-Bell Book Club

A Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson Bennett
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

The Shadow of the Leviathan series has been compared to Sherlock Holmes a number of times. And while I see that comparison, I also think that Robert Jackson has improved on the legendary detective novels in some important ways. For one, our POV character, Din Kol is not a witless bumbling normie unable to draw even simplest conclusions on his own, alla Dr. Watson. Dinios Kol is, by necessity of his job, very observant, keen on details, and clever. Kol is physically unable to forget anything. He therefore is very detailed in descriptions of the places he's been and the things he's seen. His accounts of what he's seen are so poetic that it's easy to follow him. Kol is able to spell out the complex almost alien fantasy world he lives in so precisely that we the reader are given are able to follow him as though we are born to it. This gives us a chance to put the clues together our selves in a way Sherlock novels refused to allow.

Ana, as the master Detective need Din to be her eyes. She's hyper sensative everything around her and being out in the world is maddening. Even though we are following Din closely, Anna is still able to sweep us off our feet with her broad and varied knowledge about things Kol is not familiar with, and is therefore strange to us. Unlike with the Homles stories however, I never feel duped. Ana's revolutions never felt like a card she had hidden behind her back so that she could show it off and make the audience feel stupid. Ana doesn't privately observe things and then mention them as a gotcha to show off to Kol. Ana is teaching Din, and he is learning, how to put the clues together and draw conclusion.

In this way we figure out a few of the tricks of the case right along with Kol. We are also able to see the moment Ana understands what Kol has relayed to her and get the satisfaction of being first to a clue, and right about it's conclusion. Watson never gets this vindication in the books I've read.

Ana of course is the only one who can put the entire puzzle together, but she doesn't leave Kol out of the revelation - even the audience is kept in the dark as she lays her trap to catch the bad guy. It was still thrilling to be right about who done it, and to watch the pure Ana way of capturing the culprit did not disappoint. It's quite a fun ride really. And ride made even better by the audiobook voice actor.

I say voice actor because Andrew Fallaize doesn't read this audiobook, he performs it! Every

character has a different and distinguished voice. Ana's personality comes off sharp and clear in her eccentric moments, but also tender during her intimate conversations with Din. I can't imagine Din Kol sounding any other way - so crisp and proper even as he struggles with his passions and private problems. Every other character is given an accent and vocal tick to help tell them apart from the others. Fallaize's performance is as captivating and enthralling as the novel itself. I couldn't have imagined it any better.

What I liked

I liked this story over all. I think it really was a step up from the Tainted Cup. They've moved away from the direct threat of the Leviathans to the threat of loosing the resource the Leviathans provide. We get more details about how this world works. And how important each and every job in the empire is including Din and Ana's roles.

The details I poiently delivered and there is never a dull moment. And meeting other apaths with specialites that Kol doesn't have is interesting. And getting a clue as to what Ana is, as well as learning that she physically can't talk about is enthralling.

What I love

Ana Delabra is not your typical blue-eyed genius detective. She wasn't born this way, she was made this way! Her existence is a torment and a luxury. She is a gift and curse to the empire she serves and she's not going to let them forget it for damned second. Being around Ana seems as very uncomfortible, but I can't help loving this character as gross and off putting as she seems to be. Also, wolfing down a room full of oysters sounds amazing to me. But I think Ana is the only person in her world that eats meat. Is everyone else eating fungus?

Dislikes

Some of the Yarrow bits for a little confusing - all be it intriguing. I probably just need listen to the court details a little clearer. I was still able to figure out the bad guy before Din put it together, but I got a little lost on who was doing what when. And what bodies were popping up where. And why the coins were important. But I'm sure on a second reading all of that will become more clear.

Conclusion

This was a great story which has once again inspired me to work on my own work of fantasy/sci-fiction. Samples of which are available on my WattPad. Go check that out.

For more about the author check out this interesting Reddit post that I found:

If you like Drop of Corruption by Robert Jackson perhaps try some of these. I haven't read these but they are mentioned by other readers who enjoyed this book.