Katabasis (Deluxe Limited Edition): A Novel Hardcover – August 26, 2025

I really enjoyed this book. This is a beautiful edition, and the story itself was well written and interesting. If you are curious about the idea of an afterlife or hell, then I do recommend this book as the story wastes no time in giving you exactly what you are looking for. Just remember it isn't an action or an epic. It is a well contained story with references to philosophy, interesting takes on paradoxes, and call backs to books like Dante's Inferno.

RF Kuang has such a unique mind. The Poppy War series, Babel and Yellowface are all starkly different and yet I enjoyed the journey of each so much. I was really excited to check out her new one. Doubtful you need a synopsis after all the hype on this one, but in a sentence... two magical academics journey into the 8 levels of hell in pursuit of their mentor.It is both a story and educational. I liked that balance but imagine some fantasy / dark academia fans will be as challenged by this one as Babel. If you liked philosophy classes, you will enjoy the dives into many different theories of the afterlife. I liked the banter between Alice and Peter, but there's a lot of the book where they are not together, that was harder for me. The character that was focused on, avoiding spoilers here, just wasn't my favorite POV. I still really enjoyed the journey and hope Kuang keeps giving us challenging reads.

This edition of Katabasis is beautiful! The sprayed edges are so detailed with mute colors (because story takes place in hell). There are also details on the top and bottom edges as well. The cover is beautiful and there’s a huge detailed golden picture of katabasis on the front hardcover (I attached pictures). Anything written by R F Kuang is an automatic buy for me. She writes well written books, such as Babel, which I greatly enjoyed. I know I’ll enjoy this book too because I love dark academia. Can’t wait until I start reading this!

The way the book unabashedly confronts the academia system is really well done. I’ve gotta say though that I found it hard to stay invested in the story. It didn’t feel like much was happening and honestly I was hoping for more exploration of the various levels of the Underworld. Overall, it’s a good story but not my favorite. I just felt like something was missing to truly enjoy the story. I don't know.

Not only is it gorgeous, but I loved the story. Preferred it to Babel.

4.5 ⭐️ Loved it!"Being an idiot!” All four Shades shuddered; a quivering mass of jelly. “Oh, the horror! Oh, to not be clever!” And one of them wailed, “What if you never learn to read!""Loss of identity was a terrifying prospect"R.F. Kuang, KatabasisI love a book that has themes or information I can chew on even after I put the book down. It is definitely character driven, not plot. Heavily inspired by Dante's Inferno.Love the art and sprayed edges! 😍

The five star rating is for the condition and design of the book. I have not started it yet. I will try to remember to update my review when I do. The book itself is beautiful I really love the design.

Interesting book, a quest. 2 Magicians traveling to Hell and back (?!) with the intention of saving a soul. Will they make it? What will it cost?