‘It’s Dante’s Inferno meets The Secret History and it’s at the top of our read-next pile’ Elle'A novel to savour … I envy those who get to read it for the first time' Rebecca Ross'A witty, gory, harrowing ride' Leigh Bardugo'A formidable, timeless work, destined to be a modern classic' Olivie Blake‘A sprawling, erudite tale of magic … teeming with intelligence, ideas and humour’ Marie Claire‘Katabasis shines with devastatingly real characters and absorbing world building. Kuang’s sentences are delicious, her insights well-earned and deeply affecting’ New York Times‘The heretical glee of this novel is irrepressible’ Guardian'The unrolling of a daring concept' Daily Mail'An arresting and deeply affecting novel' SFX'A rich novel of romance, history and magic’ iPaper'An immersive, worldbuilding adventure … I devoured it' Red'Profound … Linger[s] on the mind' New Statesman'Bitingly funny dark academia' Arts Hub KATABASIS IS A RADIO 2 BOOK CLUB SUMMER SELECTION, ELLE'S BOOK OF THE MONTH, AND INCLUDED IN THE GUARDIAN'S ROUND-UP OF MOST ANTICIPATED 2025 FICTION. BABEL WAS A BRITISH BOOK OF THE YEAR, BLACKWELL’S BOOK OF THE YEAR, A WATERSTONES BOOK OF THE YEAR FINALIST AND THE DAILY MAIL BEST BOOK OF 2022
