Babel is a beast of a book, but it has a lot to say and it says it well. Kuang creates a complex magic system with strong ties to the history of our own world. Stunning doorstopper.

Dark academia is one of those genres that feels like it's only for a certain group of ppl. But this book is just so much different from the rest. This book is long and starts off a bit slow but it grabbed me quick. I loved the world building and just loved seeing a different side to dark academia. Seriously one of my favorite reads

I think the beginning was very dry and didn’t give us much to latch on to, but by the time we made it to Oxford, I didn’t want to let these characters go. I think the great brilliance of this book is in how the characters’ identities intersect and where they do not. Lettie (a brilliant catalyst for so much of the more subversive and poignant attacks on white “allies”) is a white woman of privilege and fundamentally refuses to grasp the layers of prejudice that she and society as a whole has against her three friends of color. And even Robin is frequently confronted by the privilege of his proximity to whiteness. AND STILL he is seen as a savage, a barbarian, lazy, less-than.

My only real gripes were with the times where the plot seemed to stall - the beginning (pre-Oxford) and the ship back from Canton. But overall, the build up to Robin’s breaking point and the cataclysmic end of the story was brilliantly done.

I also love that we’re kind of sort of set up for a potential sequel…

This book was not at all what I expected. Kuang's writing style is not my favorite- I find it dry. The magic system in this book, while interesting, felt underdeveloped. I felt disconnected from the characters. I wanted to know how Robin actually felt about things. He seemed so distant, as if he was just there and things were happening at him. Even though this book was long, I felt like there was so much left untouched for the sake of plot.
I understand why this book is so popular, but it just didn't hit for me.

With a touch of magic, prestige and academia, Babel explores the dark and insidious nature of Western institutions of power – particularly when it comes to colonisation. It’s a book describing the mounting anger and rage over the inequalities that minorities can experience. Intelligent, expertly written and filled with social injustice, Babel will shake you to your very core as you reach the very last page. I know I definitely had a reading slump afterwards!

Full review in the link below

HUGE sucker for anything relating to dark academia! And this was very much up my alley, and add the UK into the mix SOLD. Very beautifully writing as well with a fun element of magic

The ending was so devastating (spoilers after this) because the last thing Robin thinks of before he sacrifices himself is his mother, which when we start the book he was laying next to her dead body. I weeped.

I wish I had had this book as a teenager. This did more to make me understand imperialism than any history book. I think this should be required reading for high school students but be forewarned, you will all likely cry.

five stars, immediate five stars. I loved the story this one had to tell and I will definitely be picking up more by this author. This is such a great read.

An alternate history in which language truly is magic in the form of silver bars with match-pair words. These have the power to keep the lights on, run carriages more efficiently, and keep structures intact amongst other things.
Despite dense paragraphs that often read like a textbook when talking about language, I was so fully immersed in this story.
I was also so immensely invested in the internal struggle of the main character Robin. He is struggling with this supposedly utopian life, which when he starts to examine closely he notices all of the cracks that lay beneath.

I really enjoyed the Poppy War trilogy and so was super excited to get a chance to read this book. It does not shy away from tough subjects and I found myself enthralled in this new world of Oxford and the Babblers. The way magic and silver and words/translations were used to create wonders was fascinating and I really liked learning about origins of words. It was not a light read most definitely but still good and I will admit I got teary eyed at the end with that final choice of Robin. All the characters were interesting and I kept rooting for that quartet as they had tough choices to make to make the world a better place, even if they had to drag it kicking and screaming.

A really good book and I will definitely read other books that R.F. Kuang writes!

Hot damn, this was a great book. Everyone should read it. I don’t know what else to say. It’s so many intricate things, and yet it’s also a pretty straightforward story. It certainly doesn’t pull any punches. The characters are well-crafted, the pacing is perfect...just great.

Took me longer to read than most fiction, but it’s because the language and the writing is so good that you can’t help but savor it as you read.

And if you like learning languages, you are going to be absolutely thrilled by this book.

Read it. Lisez-le.

This book. Lemme tell you. This book is a masterpiece. It’s sweeping and gorgeous and ambitious. It is dark, intellectual, and mysterious. I saw someone else state that it’s a history lesson and a therapy lesson in one book, and I think that’s the perfect way to describe it.

I’m still super mixed in how I feel about this one. On one hand, I can acknowledge it’s a literary masterpiece in how it was written and comprised. Using etymology as a baseline for everything & the intricate Magic systems complexity + the level of research Kuang needed JUST for that hurts my head thinking about it. It’s a big-brain book for sure.

The themes of colonialism and problems therein were done so well imo. As a reader, I was deeply unsettled about the institution of Babel and what they were doing to Victorie, Robin, and Ramy and students like them. Each of the characters was developed well, even if I found Robin himself a little boring and too passive for my tastes as a main character.

All that said, I don’t know that I “enjoyed” this as much as other books. It was so dense to read all the way through and at times read like a thesis or nonfictional text over the history of language and Babel during this time period and less like a fictional story. It felt like research or work to read it at times, and since I didn’t LOVE Robin as our main character, sometimes I got bored or irritated with him.

Other notes: I didn't LOVE how it ended, though I did LOVE how the author wasn't scared to make some choices.... vague to prevent spoilers haha!

Entertainment wise: 3 ⭐️
But, bc of the brilliance of the story as a whole and all the impressive things it accomplishes: 5 ⭐️

So I guess I’ll settle my official rating as 4 ⭐️

I'm a fan of Rebecca Kuang's other work, so I was excited to start this standalone. Dark Academia is a subgenre I've gravitated towards more and more in recent years, so this one looked to be right up my alley. Unfortunately, it didn't work for me. I tried starting this twice and did not make it very far. The world-building was interesting, but that seemed to be the main focus before the cast became interesting. I DNF'd it twice so I'm moving on. Giving it 3 stars because nothing is inherently wrong with the book, it's just not my taste at the moment. Your results may vary.

Truly one of the best books I've read. This story was so full and captivating and heartbreaking. I loved following the MC and his journey through Oxford. I really grew to love Robin. While this story obviously has fantastical elements, it is also obviously rooted in a lot of factual history re: colonialism and racism. After this, I will read everything RF Kuang writes.

I was so bored. I was expecting thiuis to be more excitment and fantasy but i got was a college lecture painted in a boring book.

Babel, the eagerly awaited continuation of The Poppy War trilogy by R. F. Kuang, surpasses all expectations and solidifies the author's place as a masterful storyteller in the fantasy genre. This book takes readers on an unforgettable journey filled with heart-wrenching emotions, intricate world-building, and compelling character development.

Kuang's writing style is nothing short of captivating, seamlessly weaving a complex narrative that keeps readers riveted from the very first page. The world of Nikan is vividly brought to life, with its rich history, diverse cultures, and a deeply immersive magic system. Each scene is painted with such intricate detail that it feels like being transported directly into the heart of the story.

One of the most outstanding aspects of Babel is its characters. The depth and complexity of the protagonists and antagonists are beyond commendable. Kuang masterfully explores the complexities of human nature, delving into their struggles, motivations, and inner conflicts. The protagonist, Rin, continues to evolve in unexpected ways, making her a truly multidimensional and relatable character.

The emotional journey in Babel is simply awe-inspiring. Kuang doesn't shy away from tackling heavy themes, exploring the consequences of war, power, and sacrifice. The raw and intense emotions conveyed throughout the story are sure to resonate with readers, leaving them deeply moved by the characters' experiences.

The plot of Babel is meticulously crafted, maintaining a perfect balance of action, intrigue, and political maneuvering. The pacing is well-balanced, seamlessly transitioning between moments of heart-stopping tension and quieter introspective moments. Each chapter holds surprises that will leave readers on the edge of their seats, eagerly awaiting the next twist in the tale.

In Babel, Kuang doesn't shy away from challenging her readers with moral complexities and thought-provoking dilemmas. This elevates the novel beyond a typical fantasy adventure and turns it into a profound exploration of human nature and society.

Ultimately, Babel is an epic masterpiece that will leave a lasting impression on readers. R. F. Kuang's exceptional storytelling, vivid world-building, and deeply emotional exploration of characters make this book an absolute must-read for fantasy enthusiasts. It's a journey that will stay with you long after the final page, and I can't wait to see where the series goes next.

3ish stars.

An impressive and thought-provoking lecture framed, unnecessarily, as fiction (let alone fantasy fiction), with characters who only serve as sounding boards for the author’s research. Good, but not entirely enjoyable.

This book is a fantastic progression of RF Kuang's writing. This book felt a lot more personal than their prior series, and felt very relatable even though it was more of a historic setting to a lot of contemporary themes. Reading this book the week that the Queen of England died was an interesting mental discord in my brain and added a strange edge to reading this book. Overall, so glad to see a younger writer improving and bringing very different and new types of writing out in their next books.

R. F. Kuang is my all time favorite author, I will read and buy whatever she puts out into this world and this book might be one of the best she has written yet. The world building is the best I have ever read. The character development is also the best I have ever read. She takes these huge hard topics and writes it so easily and it inspires me and also makes me feel sick to the stomach. I am blown away buy this book and I honestly think everyone should read it.