Babel (Hardcover)

In an alternate 19th-century England, Robin Swift, a young boy from Canton, is rescued from a cholera outbreak by Professor Richard Lovell, who brings him to London to study at the Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel. At Babel, Robin and his fellow students—Ramy, Victoire, and Letty—hone their skills in "silver-working," a magical art that harnesses the power of translation to fuel the British Empire's dominance. As they delve deeper into their studies, the group becomes increasingly aware of the moral complexities surrounding their work and the empire's exploitation of colonized nations.

The narrative intensifies as Robin uncovers a clandestine organization, the Hermes Society, led by his half-brother Griffin, which seeks to dismantle Babel and challenge imperialism. Torn between his loyalty to his friends and the allure of rebellion, Robin's journey is fraught with tension, betrayal, and the looming question of whether violence is a necessary means of resistance. The story unfolds in a dark, suspenseful atmosphere, exploring themes of identity, power, and the cost of revolution.