Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence by R.F. Kuang is a bestselling dark academia fantasy novel set in an alternate 1830s Oxford. The story follows Robin Swift, a young translator brought from Canton to train at the prestigious Royal Institute of Translation—known as “Babel.” As he learns languages and magic through silver-working, he becomes caught between loyalty to the institution that raised him and the violent empire it supports.
This book blends history, linguistics, magic, colonialism, and revolution. It is atmospheric, richly written, and emotionally powerful—perfect for fans of dark academia, historical fantasy, and critically acclaimed BookTok favorites.