This book has a fascinating premise, an interesting world framing the story, a promising plot and characters full of potential. It's entertaining and enjoyable, every chapter did make me want to read the next. If you are looking for a story that has a bit of a Survivor/Hunger Games vibe (the actual games, not the whole trilogy) with Greek mythology thrown into the mix, this is definitely for you. Oh and "The Rest of the Laurels"? The album she released alongside this novella, where each song is about each chapter? Gorgeous, go stream it. One thing that in my opinion doesn't help this book though is the length. As I started reading the pacing of the story was good, the first few chapters have a lot of world building but that is to be expected. When i reached the end, though, I thought this book needed a few more chapters and a few chapters needed to be longer. The final part of the book feels rushed compared to the first two thirds. It's the reason why I gave the character 3 stars, actually. Since the book is written in the first pov, we see Asha's thoughts and follow her inner journey, while the other characters are a bit of a mystery. As I was reading, I thought it was building up to something for all the characters: the conclusion of Asha's journey and the puzzle pieces of who the other characters are finally making sense once we had the bigger picture. While I understand the pace of a story will inevitably pick up towards the end, making the final leg of Katathon more rushed compared to the rest traps Janani in a corner and doesn't give her enough space for the characterization. Asha's (both inner and outer) journey conclusion is good in my opinion, but not earned enough. And I feel like towards the end I understand the other characters only slightly more. Asha might be the protagonist, but the other characters drive the plot as well. Not having enough space to expand on them and what motivates them makes it so that their actions, their choices and the final events of Katathon don't have as big of an impact as they could have had. I was happy how the book ended from a narrative and plot perspective, but I was left with this feeling that there was still something missing. I don't want this review to make it sound like I think this is a bad book, because I think it's good. I enjoyed my reading experience and I would even read it again. I just think a story with such a strong premise didn't reach it's maximum potential. Still, it is a solid debut in the literary world and if Janani chooses to continue writing fiction, I look foward to read whatever she comes up with next and see how she develops.