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withlivjones 's review for:
Katabasis
by R.F. Kuang
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Another incredible book from R.F. Kuang. I love how much thought she puts into every element of her stories. Her version of Hell is meticulously researched and draws inspiration from multiple world mythologies while still being original. The world felt like a more grown up version of Alice in Wonderland or The Phantom Tollbooth. Alice and Peter are both great characters and I loved following Alice’s arc as the protagonist, as well as the rivals-to-something-else relationship between them both. Kuang does a great job of balancing the story with the flashbacks to Cambridge and the more sinister side of academia. I did feel the pace slowing down a bit around the 70-80% mark, but the conclusion was very satisfying, and potentially the only time I’ve ever finished an R.F. Kuang book feeling something other than heartbreak and despair. I want to go back and reread this book right away.
Graphic: Animal death, Death, Emotional abuse, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Sexual assault, Blood, Murder