What if translation was magic—and language could start a revolution?
In 1828, Robin Swift is brought from Canton to Oxford’s Royal Institute of Translation—Babel—where silver-working turns words into power. But as Robin masters languages, he realizes that knowledge comes at a brutal cost: Babel feeds the British Empire’s domination. When loyalty and justice collide, how far will Robin go to dismantle the system that gave him everything?
Why you’ll love it: Dense, dazzling, and devastating, Babel is a masterpiece of dark academia with teeth—a critique of empire wrapped in a spellbinding fantasy.
📖 Condition: Trade paperback in excellent condition. Clean pages, tight spine, slight shelf wear—ready for your annotated obsession.
If you adored: The Secret History (Donna Tartt), Ninth House (Leigh Bardugo), or anything with morally gray academics—this one belongs on your syllabus.
Perfect for: Fans of dark academia, linguistic magic, and books that demand your brain and break your heart.
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