Minnie's Fiction Addiction

👀 First impressions:
Katabasis is R. F. Kuang’s foray into dark academia fantasy, and it is both literal and metaphorical. The novel follows two doctoral candidates who descend into Hell itself to rescue their recently deceased advisor, Professor Jacob Grimes, a man whose power over their futures lingers even after death. Drawing on classical katabasis myths such as Dante and Orpheus, Kuang reshapes the familiar journey into an academic satire that exposes the darker sides of university life. From the very start, the premise promises wit, erudition, and a sharp critique of academia wrapped in a fantastical descent.

I’ve already read and reviewed Kuang’s Yellowface on my blog (you can find that review here), so I was curious to see how her sharp, satirical edge would translate into a more mythological and fantastical setting. Where Yellowface dissected the publishing industry with biting precision, Katabasis turns its gaze on academia, and the results are equally scathing, if a little more surreal.

✅ What I Liked:
What struck me most was the sheer inventiveness of the concept. The transformation of academia into an actual underworld is not only clever but painfully accurate, and Kuang balances the fantastical journey with biting truths about academic precarity and toxic mentorship. The prose is sharp and layered with allusions, from Greek myth to philosophical puzzles, creating a reading experience that rewards those who love books brimming with literary references. The satire cuts deep, and Kuang never shies away from making the world of higher education feel as absurd and punishing as Hell itself.

❎ What I didn’t Like:
At times, however, the novel’s density becomes its own obstacle. Long passages of intellectual sparring and philosophical debate slow the pace, and some readers may find themselves working harder than expected to stay immersed in the story. The characters are not always easy to connect with emotionally, particularly Alice, whose role leans heavily into reason rather than empathy, making her intriguing but not always relatable. There are also moments when the imagery or characterisation edges toward excess, with some figures in the underworld so exaggerated that they risk pulling the reader out of the narrative.

📚 Why You Should Read This Book:
If you love dark academia, myth retellings, or fiction that critiques systems of power with intelligence and style, Katabasis is an essential read. It rewards readers who enjoy intellectual fiction and who are willing to wrestle with big ideas while being entertained by the satire. This is not a book that simply tells a story, it provokes, challenges, and leaves you thinking long after the final page.

💭 Final Thoughts:
Katabasis is R. F. Kuang at her most ambitious, weaving together myth, philosophy, and social critique into a work that is as dazzling as it is demanding. It may frustrate at times with its density, but the rewards are worth it. This is a novel that redefines what dark academia can be: not just moody libraries and candlelit debates, but a full-scale journey through the underworld of academia itself.

🛍️ Where to buy
To buy your own copy click HERE

Final Rating ★★★★ – When academia becomes Hell, Kuang proves the only way out is through.