Book Review: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

Just finished this bad boy (mostly out of pressure, cause I have to return the book to the library by tomorrow lol, otherwise it would've dragged out even more) 

Rating: 3.75 / 5⭐ 

Spoiler-Free Thoughts

Katabasis has an unbelievably interesting concept and some genuinely strong writing, but for me, it didn’t fully live up to its potential.

The premise alone pulled me in immediately: a descent into Hell framed through academia, and magic? Sign me the fuck up. The exploration of Hell itself, especially the paradoxes woven throughout, was easily the strongest part of the book and what kept me reading. Those sections felt unsettling and genuinely thought-provoking.

Where it struggled for me was pacing and character connection. I had a hard time sympathising with the main character, Alice, and reading a story when you don’t really care about the protagonist can be rough. I did appreciate how accurately manipulation and complicated power and gender dynamics were portrayed, though; those moments felt very real and uncomfortable in a way that worked.

The pacing dragged, particularly around the late midpoint, and while the structure of Hell was fascinating, not every section held my interest equally. The ending was solid and satisfying enough, but it didn’t deliver any huge revelations that stuck with me long-term.

Overall, I enjoyed the book, but I couldn’t shake the feeling that the story didn’t fully live up to the brilliance of its concept... a bit of wasted potential, plot-wise. Definitely not my favorite R.F. Kuang book:(

***

Spoilers Ahead 

Favorite characters:

Elspeth was definitely a favorite - complex, determined, and deeply compelling. She had such resolve and presence that grounded the story whenever she appeared.

Peter was a complicated one. Bless this ray of sunshine, but he was a bit of an ass at times - like communicate, boi! His character development was strong, though, and I found myself caring about him far more than expected.

Gradus was incredibly intriguing and consistently pulled me in.

And of course… the cat. Archimedes, I'm your number one fan.

Favorite moments/scenes:

1. The student centre / Desire Court was deeply uncomfortable - big oof/yikes energy.
2. Peter’s death genuinely shocked me; I couldn’t believe it when it happened.
3. Magnolia Krike walking into the Lethe with her child to join Nick was haunting but strangely tender... a moment that really drove home the idea that there was still humanity left in them, and that sometimes it all comes back to love.
4. The cat scene/trap with Alice going full berserk mode was wild.
5. Elspeth offering the Dialithea to Alice felt huge, both emotionally and symbolically.
6. And Grimes soul in exchange for Peter's… HELL YEAH

Favorite quotes:

“…or perhaps they couldn’t, but none of it mattered because the future still lay before them, delightfully open. They could fill it in with whatever they wished.”

“He was a book with no ending and all she wanted to do with the rest of her life was to trace her finger down every page.”

“There was no answer, only wondrous and inexplicable grace, and the only thing to do in return was simply to live.”

Those lines and moments like them are what ultimately pushed my rating up. They reminded me why I stayed with the book even when I felt frustrated.

Overall, Katabasis was a mostly enjoyable read with flashes of brilliance, but it left me wishing it had gone just a little further, a little deeper, and a little sharper.

Find me on Goodreads and StoryGraph <3

Thanks for hanging out :)