I always enjoy reading books by R.F. Kuang and Katabasis was no exception. It delivered the same sharp insight and layered storytelling that I’ve come to expect from her. The concept is bold and strange in the best way, blending myth with academic satire in a story that somehow manages to be funny, devastating, and deeply human all at once.

The characters felt raw and real, especially Alice, whose emotional descent mirrored the literal journey through the underworld in a way that stuck with me. Kuang has a knack for asking difficult questions and letting her characters wrestle with them without easy answers, which makes her work consistently thought provoking.

My only hesitation was that a few sections dragged a bit, especially in the middle, but even then the writing kept me engaged. Overall, this was another compelling read from an author who never shies away from pushing boundaries.

Rebecca Kuang is a legend for a reason. Her ability to weave history and fantasy together is out of this world. Incredible.

This was one of my most anticipated releases this year, and wow I cannot wait to read it again when it is released in August! As someone who works in academia, hell being university themed felt so right! There were a lot of things that I really loved about this book. I frequently found myself reading and thinking 'I'll stop after this chapter' until I finished the chapter and I would think 'okay just one more chapter.' I enjoyed the way that the story unraveled and getting to know the two main characters bit by bit. Although I think most readers will enjoy the way that the story ended, I think for me the only thing that could have made this go from four to five stars would have been for the story to not wrap up so perfectly. I would've liked to see an ending that was maybe a bit more bittersweet in a way, but after everything that the characters have been through, I think most readers will be glad for them to get the ending they had. Overall I very much enjoyed this book and will be recommending it to a lot of readers when it comes out later this year!

A witty, gory, and harrowing critique of academia's power structures. Kuang crafts a unique story rich with allusion and illusion. A must-read for fans of dark academia.

My first R.F. Kuang read and it met my high expectations!! Classic lit mixed with horror and dark elements is right up my alley!!

Expect a therapy bill in the mail Becky because what the fuck.

Before anyone asks, no you do not need to read the literature that inspired/built the foundation for Katabasis as I went in blind.

The last thing I was expecting from this book is the amount of tears I shed because of this book. I thoroughly missed R.F. Kuang's writing and this is what I needed. Following Peter and Alice's journey was a rollercoaster of emotions. I caught myself laughing at the humor and most of all feeling so much empathy for both Peter and Alice. I also really enjoyed the descriptions of Hell which got me thinking about what Hell is whether it is the same for everyone or it is tailored for that specific person as most of the accounts of Hell are theoretical. One thing about R.F. Kuang is that she's going to criticize the academic institution and the impact it has toward the student pysche especially Alice. I related to Alice's journey from being an obsessive academic doing everything and anything to be perfect to realizing there is more to life than just the books. I also enjoyed the side characters as they not only helped with the story but helped with Alice's journey into not only realizing what is going on but also out the pieces together on who is really the good guy here. Something that I caught myself really enjoying are the villains of the story. With that said, Professor Grimes if I catch you, it is on site and hands will be thrown. One of the unexpected layers/somewhat expected layer explore is the way women are treated in academic spaces along with how women treat other woman in academic spaces. As for the love story, I really enjoyed it! The banter/dialogue was so good I was giggling and kicking my feet. I truly do believe that at this time Peter and Alice are enjoying their time together on step at a time and they are happy studying together.

Thank you NetGalley for providing me this ARC I am truly grateful.

R.F. Kuang excels at crafting morally grey characters, and Alice is no exception - she is perfectly balanced to be deeply relatable while still complex and messy, never a perfect, heroic protagonist.

R. F. Kuang has finally done it: she has written a novel that I had a blast reading. It is apparent from her previous books that Kuang is a talented writer and gifted scholar; what was missing for me, however, was a feeling of connection to the characters, or a sense that I was reading a novel worth the emotional investment rather than a thesis. Katabasis, though, was a novel I thoroughly enjoyed. I appreciated the depth of Alice's character, arrogant and flawed with a rich interior journey. I loved Peter as a foil to Alice—Kuang understands that the most poignant form of chemistry between two academics is intellectual chemistry—and I loved Kuang's creative, well-researched conception of Hell. Yes, she is a nerd, and yes, it is obvious how delighted she was crafting paradoxes and citing Greek philosophy. I know very little about logic or Greek philosophy, and I managed to feel delighted right along with her. The pacing did feel like it dragged in parts, particularly after a certain plot line was no longer in the picture—at one point I expected to be near the end and was shocked to see I was only 75% of the way through. But overall, Kuang has exceeded my expectations with Katabasis, and I look forward to seeing more of her growth as an author.

⭐ Rating: 3.75/5
🔥 Spice: 0/5 – There’s a hint of romance, but it’s not a major part of the story.

Thank you to HarperCollins for the advance reader copy!

This book had such a strong start. The idea of a magical descent into Hell, inspired by mythology and academic rivalry, really sparked my interest. I loved how creative the worldbuilding was—each level of Hell had its own feel, and it didn’t look or work the way you’d expect. It was fresh and interesting.

Things That Stood Out:
– The worldbuilding is great. Hell is full of unexpected details and fascinating places.
– The writing is very dense. There are long sections full of academic info and references to historical figures, philosophy, and magic theory. After a while, it started to feel more like I was reading a textbook.
– The pacing is slow. Every time things got exciting, the momentum would slow for another info-heavy section.
– The characters weren’t always likable. Alice stayed stuck in the same mindset for most of the book, and her relationship with Peter didn’t feel fully earned.

I think readers who love philosophical themes and dark academia will enjoy this—but it was hard to stay engaged sometimes. I found the reading experience more draining than exciting. Still, there’s no doubt this was ambitious and thought-provoking.

I love R. F. Kuang. While I would've preferred to do immersive reading for this one (no alc on netgalley), I enjoyed it all the same. I did find that this didn't live up to the hype I had built in my head. I felt it had something missing. I still enjoyed it and can't wait for its release in August!

The premise was compelling, and the author’s imaginative portrayal of hell stood out, especially the creative depiction of its various courts—each with distinct and intriguing traits. I particularly enjoyed the fresh takes on the seven deadly sins, which broke away from conventional interpretations in a way that felt both thoughtful and original. The early chapters drew me in with the promise of a rich, layered story.

However, as the narrative progressed, much of that initial intrigue began to fade.

One of my main issues was the excessive exposition. Rather than being drawn into the world, I often felt like I was sitting through a dense lecture. The book overflowed with references to philosophers, mathematicians, and historical figures, often delivered through long-winded info dumps that stalled the pacing and dulled the momentum of the plot. Over time, the story felt repetitive, circling the same ideas without forward movement.

Just when a scene began to build excitement, it would be abruptly interrupted by yet another heavy block of exposition, completely breaking the flow. The flashbacks, too, were problematic—intended to add depth, they often felt unnecessary and disruptive. Thrilling moments in the present were routinely derailed by drawn-out journeys into the past, which diluted the impact of the main storyline and made it increasingly difficult to stay engaged.

I sighed the BIGGEST sigh when I finished this. Jesus Christ I am so glad that is over.

thank you Netgalley for the arc, though!

At its core, Katabasis delves into the complexities of academia, ambition, and the human condition. Kuang critiques the academic system's pressures and the personal costs of relentless pursuit of success. The journey through Hell serves as a metaphor for the internal and external battles faced by those within academic circles.

eARC Review: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️.5/5

“Alice Law, you naughty girl. You’re trying to go to Hell.”
— Peter Murdoch, Chapter 1

Summary:
It’s about two PhD students studying magic who can’t stand each other—but end up teaming up to travel to hell and rescue their advisor’s soul after he dies in a magical accident. Why? So he can come back and write their recommendation letters. It’s weird, chaotic, full of dark academia vibes—and somehow, also a love story.

Review:
Tropes: rivals to lovers, forced proximity, SLOWEST burn imaginable

I feel really honored to have received an eARC of *Katabasis*! This book had such an original premise and an eerie, haunting tone that stuck with me, but there were a few aspects that didn’t totally hit.

The opening totally hooked me, but I think some readers might find the worldbuilding a bit lacking. I have to admit that the magick system didn’t feel fully fleshed out,I kept wanting more clarity around how things worked, especially with elements like the pentagram and the rituals. Compared to something like Babel or Blood Over Bright Havens, it just wasn’t as immersive or concrete.

That said, you don’t need to prep or study anything beforehand to get into this book. The story gives you just enough explanation and context to stay hooked and follow along, even when things get surreal.

The prose is gorgeous but dense. There were stretches where I realized I was skimming instead of fully reading, partly because the pacing dips. The key moments of action are spaced out between heavy narration, which sometimes made it hard to stay locked in.

I did not see that ending coming, and honestly, I’ll always appreciate a sliver of hope in a dark academic fantasy.

I’m left staring at the wall after finishing. It’s dark, layered, emotionally charged, and it lingers. Totally worth the read, and I’m so glad I got to experience it early. Special thanks to Harper Voyager for an early copy of this book!

Thank you so much to Harper Voyager and NetGalley for this ARC of Katabasis!

This was one of my favorite books of the year so far and an easy five star read. I had high expectations for this book because Babel by R. F. Kuang is one of my all time favorites. This book exceeded every expectation that I had.

Some of my favorite things about the book:
- The setting of academia. Competitive magical and academic settings are some of my favorite settings for a novel and this affirmed that.
- Two words: Character. Development.
- World building. Setting a fantasy novel in Hell? So ambitious and works so shockingly well.
- Unpredictability. I can often predict where a plot is going or how issues will resolve, and I can say I predicted absolutely nothing and that was a true delight.
- The mythology woven into a more modern setting. It was really cool to see how religion and myths were woven into this world in a way that made sense. They were easy to understand even if you were not familiar with the myth or religious beliefs, and even more interesting and exciting if you were.

I was unsure how a plot that consisted of two academic rivals descending into Hell to retrieve their professor could be serious, and sure there were moments of levity, but it was so impactful and serious to me. Kuang somehow managed to weave in meaningful isights on the human experience into the experiences of these characters in a completely different world that made me as a reader feel so seen and understood.

Although this digital ARC was provided to me by the publisher, I will absolutely be preordering a physical copy for myself. I can't wait to reread it soon.

4.5 stars for one of my most anticipated reads of 2025, which I cannot believe I am SO LUCKY to have gotten to read a galley of. I generally love RF Kuang's work and how academic her writing is, while also being fantastical and this book hits that mark for me. I was able to picture all of the happenings in this book, which rarely happens for me, and I enjoyed the dynamic between Alice and Peter. I did have some disappointment with how the love story sub-plot played out, but the ending redeemed those concerns for me. I felt that Kuang could do better with her descriptions in this story, there were some instances where it would have been helpful to have more exposition especially since they were in Hell which provided so much potential for craziness. I also was a little bit disappointed with how some of the problems were resolved in ways that felt very quickly resolved and might not have fed the plot as much as Kuang was aiming for. Overall though, I can forgive those small issues because this was such a fun read that I both wanted to take my time with, but also did not want to put down.

Katabasis was exactly what I was hoping it would be.

R. F. Kuang is incredibly smart, and it shows in her writing. There was a lot of commentary on a lot of different topics in this book - some I expected, and some that I was a little surprised (but not mad) by. To me, all of the conversations on real life topics were done very well, just maybe making your brain hurt a little if you try to inhale it all in one go. She handles specific scenarios and experiences with grace and poise, and her 'side quests' the characters go on always tie in well with furthering the main plot. However, there were times that during some of these longer conversations, or flashbacks that I fear I lost the plot just a tad bit in there for a second. The commentary turned less story-telling and more just telling. But like I said, it tied back in beautifully with the main plot when it found it again, so I guess that works out fine. I think I as the reader have to go in knowing that to get an even better experience out of the story.

I won't go into spoilers, but I did feel very satisfied with the ending. I was glad the story took the turns it did, and was happy it did not end how I expected it might. The only thing that kept me from giving a 5 stars was that it felt as though it were... missing a little something something. The journey into hell was filled with a lot more flashbacks and non-hell setting scenarios than I was expecting - though the scenarios themselves were hellish, so one could argue we were in hell the whole time. And there was action and conflict; just the balance of emotional conflict and physical adventure sometimes leaned a bit too heavily towards the former.

All-in-all, I liked the story of the two grad students traveling to hell. As a former grad student myself, a lot of the hard-hitting topics resonated with me in a way that I didn't know I could appreciate so greatly. An enjoyable, thought-provoking read.

Final review - 4.5 stars

I am incredibly honored to have received an ARC of this book. Thank you to Harper Collins (specifically Danielle Bartlett), NetGalley, and R. F. Kuang for the early release edition.

"Alice Law, you naughty girl. You're trying to go to Hell."

PHEW! What a wild ride. I absolutely loved Yellowface and the plot of Katabasis really intrigued me. R.F. Kuang builds a mesmerizing hell and her mind amazes me. The world building in this novel was insane. Alice and Peter are so complex and I just wanted more and more of them.

I took my time with this book because I wanted to make sure I inhaled every single detail and every single word. It was so worth it!

I read somewhere online that R.F. Kuang wrote this book to ensure those who are not familiar with the source material are able to read along and understand (again, idk if that's true) but I can say I did not feel dumb reading this even when I didn't have a point of reference.

This was fun! I cannot wait to add this to my collection.

This has been my favorite RF Kuang book that she’s written. The depth and the world building was phenomenal! Although I have yet to personally read all of the books that this one gives a little homage to, I’m now determined to knock them out before a re read with audio on release date. The characters and their dynamics with one another really pulled you in. And that’s what mattered was their connection and the connections that we form in life. We all see ourselves in a certain light and have everything planned out for our careers and climbing the ladder to be the best, but some of us still don’t feel fulfilled and the connections we make along the way is what life is really about.

Huge thanks to HarperCollins and Voyager imprint for the early copy!

Easily one of my top reads of 2025. Coming off reading Dante’s Inferno and The Epic of Gilgamesh, this book landed with even more emotional weight. This book captures something so raw about the human condition : the fear of death even when it’s right in front of us, the aching tug between wanting to disappear and needing to leave some kind of mark behind. We compulsively edge toward darkness, while also reaching for light.

It made me think of how often we take existence for granted until we’re staring into the void and wondering how close we’ve gotten to answering its call. There’s this deep undercurrent of grief, self-worth, and what it means to be seen in the vast indifference of the universe.

Also, the relationship between Alice and Peter was so well-written. Their dynamic felt rooted in the realistic confines of academic rivalry, bitter, tense, intellectual, layered with that slow-burning need to be understood (and still one-up the other). It never veered into cliché; it felt real, flawed, and believable in that way academia tends to breed both admiration and antagonism.

Overall, Katabasis hit me with the same existential weight as Gilgamesh’s grief and Dante’s descent but in a distinctly modern, personal, and inward way. It’s a book about death, yes, but also about the brutal work of living. And I absolutely loved it.