Ok, I didn't realize this was just a sample and was devastated when it just stopped. But I'm 100% on the hook! Love the narrator(s), love the story so far, will DEFINITELY be reading this.

The narrators of this book fit the aesthetic well and I'm glad it is dual narrated. I love that the book just jumped right in to the action and am excited to see where it goes.

Although I think Netgalley needs to make it more clear that this is just a sample of the book, i am grateful to have got a teaser of the book.

Even though this is just a sample, I'm verye excited for to read the full book. This is going to be so good.

The part included in the sample is good so far. The narration team is nice. It's hard to tell if it is going to be good or not with as little as we have so far. The first chapter definitely piques interest. The content and topic have great potential. I can't wait to get more into the book. (I did increase the playback speed to 2x).

Really enjoyed the sampler of this audiobook. Will definitely be recommending for customers and posting in our favorites on Libro.

This was a great snippet of Katabasis and what's to come. Alice Law must travel to hell to save her Cambridge department chair. I look forward to reading the complete book or hearing the full audio. This immediate drew me in. Thank you Netgalley for the sample of Katabasis.

The sample I received is so far very intriguing. The world building is sensational with the fantasy and literary references scattered throughout. I love the historic AU Cambridge and how fantasy is woven into the story. I cannot wait to find out how the story unfolds and ends! I'm very invested and excited to get to the end.

The narrator does a fantastic job so far. I love her voice and it's very soothing and appropriately emotional but mostly has a very neutral and stoic voice which works well for Alice as a dedicated academic. The secondary narrator provides a good signal to the different narrative device which also works to place us in and out of the main narration.

So far, with the sample provided, both the writing of the story and the narrators are making me enjoy the story and want to know what happens next.

R.F. Kuang is such a talented writer, and it's amazing how she can write across so many different genres with such skill. While I haven't read "The Poppy War" trilogy yet, I absolutely devoured "Yellowface" and was thrilled to see her exploring dark academia. This ALC preview was really excellent and gave me a great sense of what's to come. Kuang brings her signature sharp writing to the dark academia setting, creating something that feels both true to the genre and distinctly her own. Her ability to adapt her voice while maintaining that depth she's known for is impressive.

The audiobook production is top-notch, and Morag Sims and Will Watt are both incredibly talented narrators who bring real depth to their performances. Based on what I've heard so far, I think they'll really be able to encapsulate the relationship between Peter and Alice in the full-length version of the audiobook (of which I have read the eARC). Their work elevates an already compelling story and makes me even more eager for the complete release.

What strikes me most is Kuang's versatility. Moving from epic fantasy to satirical contemporary fiction to dark academia isn't easy, but she makes it look effortless. This preview has me genuinely excited to dive into the complete audiobook. If you're a fan of dark academia or have enjoyed Kuang's previous work, "Katabasis" should definitely be on your list. I can't wait to see the full story unfold.

my favorite book of kuang’s to date!! the fabulous narration brought these two pretentious academics to life in the best possible way and their journey to hell (while simultaneously falling in love) was honestly so entertaining and while i was worried it would read like a textbook- as i’ve heard from other reviews- it was SO easy to follow the rules of the underworld and i enjoyed these characters so much!!

Completely did not realize this was just a sample. Loved the narrators though, they did a great job, and this book is already super intriguing!

I am so sad, i didn't realize this was just a sample but it makes me excited to get the audiobook when it comes out! I cannot wait for this story

Having read the ARC for this book previously and loving it - I jumped at the chance for the audiobook. This was just a sample but what I listened to makes me want the entire audiobook when it comes out. The two narrators have done a great job in pulling me back into the book. Although I'm disappointed this was only a sample, I'm excited for the finished product.

I didn't realize that this was just going to be a sample but I'm looking forward to hearing the whole audiobook when it is available. The narrators did a fantastic job!

Looking forward to being able to read or listen to the whole thing! This excerpt was enough to make me want to keep reading.

Three stars because I did not realize this was just an excerpt. I've read further into the e-arc than the audio clip goes, but the narrator's voice is nice.

Shame on me I guess for missing this was an excerpt. I’m interested in this book but not fully sold on just this excerpt. I have some questions about the logical leaps being made by our protagonist and whether I buy them as reasonable, but can’t really speak to it till I finish I guess??

Did not realize that this was only a sample of the book before requesting. I enjoy the narrators and the premise. I I very much enjoyed RF Kuang's other novels, Babel is one of my favorite books, but they can be very dense. The audiobook might be a good option for those who have trouble reading the layers upon layers of her writing!

This was only a sample of the forthcoming audiobook, but even a snippet revealed a complex but understandable world with equally complex but understandable characters

Although I was absolutely gutted to find out that this was just the first chapter sample of the book, it was because I was so enthralled by the story and narration. There is something so much more immersive when you hear the narrators with their accents and the synchronized reading. RF Kuang has weaved in the supernatural with the natural so completely that it left me wondering whether or not metaphysics is something we can play with.

I really liked this audio sample. The narrators really bring the characters to life and it only made me more excited for the entire book.