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Katabasis

R.F. Kuang

Start date: November 1, 2025

Finish date: November 30, 2025

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Sep 19, 2025 Elizabeth rated it liked it

Shelves: read2025

This was the most advertised & highest anticipated read of 2025 for most readers.

What did I really liked? Elspeth, 1000%. There is more I promise but she was astronomically more interesting than our MC's. I could read of Elspeth's adventures all day. She is immensely powerful with a stunning personality to match. Alice was infuriating to deal with. I felt like much of Peter's early criticism of her is quite accurate. Now she does develop very slowly yet has much more work ahead of her as a human This was the most advertised & highest anticipated read of 2025 for most readers.

What did I really liked? Elspeth, 1000%. There is more I promise but she was astronomically more interesting than our MC's. I could read of Elspeth's adventures all day. She is immensely powerful with a stunning personality to match. Alice was infuriating to deal with. I felt like much of Peter's early criticism of her is quite accurate. Now she does develop very slowly yet has much more work ahead of her as a human. It wasn't her stubbornness or her unquenched thirst for discovery. Those aspects I actually enjoyed. She idolizes men, Grimes in particular here who doesn't deserve it in the slightest. Also a distaste for her own gender. A particular scene puts a big emphasis on this. I don't quite understand the purpose besides for the reader. Alice she doesn't utilize the information in a way to come more of age.

This was a breath of fresh air in terms of a retelling or re-imagining of Dante's Inferno. The drawings comparisons were lovely. I did enjoy the prose itself although snail like pacing is attached. The magic system isn't out of this world amazing but it's fine. The inclusivity of multiple religions/mythologies pertaining to all things Underworld was done beautifully. 60% in I was fully invested. Then I hit a wall. I could not come back from it. No, it wasn't the disrespectful part towards Hedge-witches.

Katabasis struggles with two issues in particular. One being, false advertising. Do not let the tags fool you this is Young Adult. It tries to tackle adult discussions and arguments. As well as more x-rated topics. In the end, it all is trying far to hard and becomes very apparent. It is what it is. The second aspect, info dumping. If I wanted to read Foucault or Nietzsche, I would go do so. It becomes rather disruptive to the actual story unfolding. Keep me entertained and engaged if you are going to throw postmodernist analytical theories at me. The flashbacks also have this effect. They will be trying to get around the terrain and the next paragraph we are discussing a memory debating sex with trains.

From what I have read, this is the least favorite of many devoted Kuang fans. Unfortunately now I sit here, staring at my shelf. A copy of Babel sitting there and wonder if it's even worth the time. ...more

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