KATABASIS – Book Review
Thank you to Harper Voyager for sending me a copy of Katabasis in exchange for an honest review.
Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
Alice Law has given up everything – her health, her pride, even her sanity – for a place in the world of Magick. But when her brilliant mentor, Professor Grimes, dies in a magical accident that may be her fault, Alice follows him into Hell itself to secure the recommendation her future depends on. The only problem? Her rival, Peter Murdoch, has the same plan, and neither of them intends to lose. Armed with chalk, grim determination, and their academic baggage, Alice and Peter must journey through a Hell far stranger than legend. Their uneasy alliance may be the key to survival, or their ultimate downfall.
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Katabasis dives deep into the academic side of dark academia. A lot of readers even put together a “required reading” curriculum, including classics like Dante’s Inferno and Virgil’s Aeneid. While these works certainly add layers to the narrative, preparatory homework isn’t necessary to enjoy Katabasis. With sharp wit, existential questions and the analysis of the infinite choices that shape our lives, R.F. Kuang blends intellectual depth with truly high stakes.
This novel is both a love letter to academia and an examination of the dangers that academic stress and pressure can have on mental health. Fantastical elements often take a backseat in favor of introspective character development and commentary on what it’s like to be a woman in academia.
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A Flawed Protagonist
Like many of Kuang’s protagonists, Alice isn’t the most lovable character. She is, however, easy to empathize with, even if you don’t agree with all of her decisions. Alice is arrogant, anti-feminist and nearly Machiavellian in the strength of her beliefs. She needs the journey through literal Hell to grow and figure out the reasons behind her life choices. Katabasis is a book that’s about the journey, not the destination.
Don’t let the people telling you that you need to do homework first keep you from reading Katabasis. It’s a layered, detailed read perfect for anyone looking for true dark academia with messy and flawed characters.
Katabasis is out now and available from your local independent bookstore or Bookshop.org.
TW: ableism, animal death, blood, body horror, bullying, child death, chronic illness, confinement, death, eating disorders, emotional abuse, fire/fire injury, gaslighting, gore, grief, injury/injury detail, mental illness, misogyny, murder, panic attacks/disorders, self-harm, sexism, sexual assault and harassent, suicide/suicidal thoughts, torture, toxic relationship, violence, vomit
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