In this reading vlog, I’m taking you along while I read an early copy (ARC) of Katabasis by R.F. Kuang ahead of its release (August 29th). I share my non-spoiler thoughts as I go—what the vibe feels like, how the story is landing for me, and the kind of reader I think will have the best time with it. If you like your books with darker, academia-leaning intensity and you want to know whether this one is worth putting on your release-day list, this is very much that video. I also take time to talk through content warnings in a way that’s actually useful if you’re trying to decide whether to pick it up. This isn’t a spoiler-y breakdown; it’s more of a “here’s what you should know going in” check-in, because I know how important it is to feel prepared before you commit to a book like this. And if you want to keep the conversation going after you watch, I point you toward my book clubs and the places you can follow my reading life (and all my bookish journaling chaos) across platforms.