46jjsg 's review for:

Katabasis by R.F. Kuang

4.0

adventurous informative mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: A mix

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Complicated

Diverse cast of characters: Yes

Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

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As an adventure, this wasn't the worst! I loved the exploration of hell- although I will say it wasn't as whimsical as Piranesi. Loved Loved Loved the magic exploration and the philosophy + paradox breakdowns. The foil characters were also great (in depth breakdown in future review?)

As a love story? ... it's there I guess! Alice & Peter are very flawed (but interesting!) humans and I can't deny their relationship is compelling... but I feel like I only felt this when the tension between them was the highest? I rolled my eyes in the beginning because it felt to much like one sided enemies to lovers, but I finally got interested in their relationship as their journey through hell progressed.... now the ending.... I think their relationship almost resolved too quickly? like yeah from Alice's pov she went through x, y, and z so her conclusion makes sense. But Peter? I just don't get it. 

Side note: the internalized misogyny was insane. satire aside, I just felt exhausted. Happy for Elspeth tho!

Romance 3/5
Adventure 4/5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Ableism, Adult/minor relationship, Animal cruelty, Animal death, Body horror, Bullying, Chronic illness, Death, Eating disorder, Emotional abuse, Gore, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Self harm, Sexism, Sexual assault, Suicidal thoughts, Torture, Toxic relationship, Violence, Blood, Grief, Suicide attempt, Murder, Gaslighting, Injury/Injury detail, Classism