Katabasis (2025 novel by R.F. Kuang, English) Add a review

Katabasis is a 2025 fantasy novel by American writer R. F. Kuang. It was released on August 26, 2025. The novel follows two magicians, doctoral candidates, who must venture into hell to save their thesis advisor in order to receive letters of recommendation.

Before the book was released, the screen rights options for the novel were sold to Amazon MGM Studios for development as a television series with Angela Kang set as writer and showrunner. Kang will also executive produce along with Kuang, Mandy Safavi, Ben Smith, and Jeffrey Weiner, with Adam Docksey acting as co-executive producer. Katabasis received mixed reviews, with some critics describing it as overlong and meandering.