Katabasis by R.F. Kuang
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

I loved this novel. I honestly didn't know if I would, it being yet another stroll through hell in a graveyard of novels and poetry performing the same task, but Kuang pulled off a real miracle. Or even a paradox.

Here's the nitty: dark academia may as well be true accuracy in actual academia. Or rather, the upper echelons of academics. And better than that, magic is what English Majors do. :)

How can I not love this? It's not even being creative with your words, it's about the full edifice of ideas, structure, and performance. About meaning. And the whole damn novel is a self-aware and fully-baked allusion. That also happens to be a great story with unlikable characters who ultimately grown and change through their trip through hell.

Delicious. And, I need to say it, FUNNY as all hell. It almost has that pitch perfect tone of Devil Wears Prada as a revenge, nay, SPITE story. And what better reason for such a huge spite story than broken promises in academic honors? Delicious.



Personal note:
If anyone reading my reviews is be interested in reading my SF (Very hard SF, mind you), I'm open to requests.

Just direct message me in goodreads or email me on my site. I'd love to get some eyes on my novels.

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