bookaroundandfindout 's review for:

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

5.0

adventurous challenging dark emotional funny informative mysterious reflective tense 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

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This is probably the most unhinged yet oddly relatable book I’ve read in a long time. For context, two PhD students go to Hell TJ get their advisor so they can have a future career. What starts out as a simple mission slowly unravels as we come to understand that these two characters are way more than meets the eye and they both think the worst of themselves and the best of each other. There’s a lot of weird growth in this book, lots of humor, and just UNHINGED satire to a point where I’m sitting here wondering WTF did I just read? But did I tear through the book? Yes I did. I think this is a great book if you have a type A personality, ever went to grad school or school in general and love exploring the themes of hell and the what if it brings when you wonder about the unknown. I really loved it and can’t wait to re-read it.