1828. Robin Swift, who experiences a cholera outbreak in the Chinese Canton as an orphan boy, is brought to London by the mysterious Professor Lovell. There, he spends years learning Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese to prepare for the day he will be admitted to the Royal Institute of Translation at the University of Oxford—also known as Babel.

Oxford is the center of all knowledge and progress in the world. For Robin, it is a dream come true to study in a place that embodies the full power of the British Empire. At Babel, not only is translation taught, but also magic. The art of Silverworking—the ability to manifest lost meaning in translation using enchanted silver bars—has granted the British unparalleled influence. Thanks to this special magic, the Empire has colonized large parts of the world.

For Robin, Oxford is a utopia dedicated to the pursuit of knowledge. However, knowledge obeys power, and as a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin realizes that serving Babel means betraying his homeland. Throughout his studies, Robin finds himself caught between Babel and the shadowy Hermes League, an organization that seeks to halt imperial expansion. When Britain waged an unjust war with China over silver and opium, Robin must choose a side...

But can a student stand against an empire? The spectacular novel by award-winning author Rebecca F. Kuang explores the magic of language, the violence of colonialism, and the sacrifices of resistance.