Our talk with Nicholas Keating Casbarro discussing his breakout novel Vitalerium.

Nearly six centuries have passed since humanity discovered vitalerium, which ushered in a golden age of space exploration and colonization. Planet Deorum’s society is centered around this illustrious, gravity-bending blue crystal. The year is 2701.

Following a near-fatal disaster, roughneck freelancer Roman Matthews becomes unwittingly trapped at the center of a harrowing conspiracy. Hunted by Deorum’s government, the Coalition for Prosperity, Roman must use his deadly skillset to survive against all odds.

Roman and his band of unlikely allies will discover that the Coalition’s indiscretions threaten the delicate balance of advanced civilization. As a sect of the Coalition prepares to implement its Machiavellian vision of utopia, the proverbial pendulum begins to swing toward chaos

Vitalerium World:
Website: https://vitaleriumseries.com/
Nick’s Patreon: https://www.patreon.com/InsideVitalerium
YT: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCkGe5mgjNnAl2VJ3E5TBmAg
Insta: https://www.instagram.com/vitaleriumseries
Twitter: https://x.com/vitalerium
Tiktok: https://www.tiktok.com/@vitaleriumseries

-Publicist - Eve Bailey / Flo Agency: https://flo.agency/
-Cosplayer 1 Shanice Foster: Luxsteez Cosplay - https://www.instagram.com/luxsteezcosplay/
-Cosplayer 2 Matthew Harden: MH Cosplay Design - https://www.instagram.com/mhcosplaydesign/
-Comic Illustrator - Francisco A. Hnilo: https://www.behance.net/fahilustracion
-Comic Colorist - Chandran Ponnusamy: https://www.facebook.com/ponnusamychandran & https://www.deviantart.com/ponnusamychandran/gallery
-Graphic Designer - Ahmed Geatar: https://www.behance.net/ahmedgad

ABOUT THE SIDE QUEST BOOK CLUB PODCAST
Reading is the ultimate side quest.

Side Quest is a casual book club podcast full of literary adventures. Join Slava and Jonathan as they discuss the books they are reading, life, history, belief systems, and much more. Explore world-building, characters, and story development—and share some laughs along the way.

New episodes drop every TUES.

LISTEN TO THE AUDIO VERSION
This is a video version of our audio podcast. Want to listen on the go?
Find *Side Quest Book Club* on your favorite podcast app.

🎧 **Subscribe on Any Platform https://linktr.ee/asidequest

JOIN THE GUILD
🌐 Official Website / Quest Log:
https://www.thesidequestpodcast.com/

💬 Follow Our Adventures on Social Media:
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/thesidequestpodcast
TikTok: https://tiktok.com/@sidequestpodcast

CREDITS
Hosts: Slava and Jonathan
Podcast Hosting & Distribution by Transistor.fm https://transistor.fm/how-to-start-a-podcast/?via=slava
Intro/Outro Music: HoliznaCC0v
Editing by: CharacterNorth6081
- Reddit - https://www.reddit.com/u/CharacterNorth6081/s/k3mFE9aGqh
- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/parasss.__

The quest: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. The result: We went ot hell and back! Dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with our full-spoiler book club breakdown! Jess and Abby join the guys to continue their descent into hell to find out what Alice and Peter are up to.

Katabsis plot: Two rival PhD students descend into a hellish university campus to retrieve their abusive advisor’s soul—facing academic trials, betrayal, and dark revelations. Is this dark academia masterpiece a 7/10 triumph or a pacing misfire? We debate character arcs, logic paradoxes, and that wild revenge twist.

Timestamps:
(00:00) Introduction to the Book and Author
(02:47) Diverse Opinions on the Book
(05:43) Character Analysis and Development
(08:57) Themes of Academia and Relationships
(11:50) Romantic Elements and Their Reception
(14:46) Exploring the Ending and Character Dynamics
(17:47) Cultural References and Symbolism
(31:08) Character Analysis: Understanding Peter's Role
(34:32) Favorite Moments and Character Dynamics
(39:10) Exploring Themes of Revenge and Transformation
(43:39) Comparative Analysis: Dante's Inferno vs. Modern Hell
(48:06) Cultural References and Mythological Connections
(57:52) Exploring Recurring Dreams and Nightmares
(01:03:20) Literary Discussions: R.F. Kuang's Works
(01:08:22) Book Recommendations and Personal Favorites
(01:15:27) Thematic Elements in Fiction: Weird Girl Fiction

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
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⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our TikTok Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Music by HoliznaCC0v

The quest: Katabasis by R.F. Kuang. The result: We went ot hell and back! Dive into Katabasis by R.F. Kuang with our full-spoiler book club breakdown! Two rival PhD students descend into a hellish university campus to retrieve their abusive advisor’s soul—facing academic trials, betrayal, and dark revelations. Is this dark academia masterpiece a 7/10 triumph or a pacing misfire? We debate character arcs, logic paradoxes, and that wild revenge twist.

Timestamps:
00:00 – Epic Plot Summary (Full Spoilers!)
01:31 – R.F. Kuang Bio & Awards
06:04 – Descent Begins: Chapters 1-6
31:41 – Chapters 7-11: Desire, Trauma & Lethe River
44:55 – Chapters 12-18: Greed, Wrath & Betrayal
58:05 – Chapters 20-35: Peter’s Sacrifice, City of Dis & Final Showdown

Discover Side Quest: https://linktr.ee/asidequest
Powered by Transistor
Our IG Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Leave us a comment & connect with us on Instagram

⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠Our TikTok Channel⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠ | Music by HoliznaCC0v