Katabasis

I was so disappointed in this book.  I loved Kuang’s previous Babel, with its rich world building and prose.  I was expecting more of the same here.  Instead, the prose felt bloated, the world building tedious, and the plot buried under the main character’s constant brooding and dwelling on her fears and self-doubt.  The only parts of the book I enjoyed were the revelation of Alice’s part in the demise of their advisor and the exposition of her rival Peter’s background.  Katabasis is ancient Greek for a hero’s journey to the underworld.  With a title like that, I thought I would be enthralled.  Instead, I wanted to get out of the book as much as Alice and Peter wanted to get out of Hell.  This book was nominated for a 2025 Nebula and several smaller awards.  

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