Even if dark academia is not your thing
Published in · 6 min read · Jan 30, 2023
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Babel is not my kind of book; I knew this going into it. I had already read R.F. Kuang's The Poppy War a couple of months ago, a fantasy novel rife with complicated politics, elaborate battle strategies, and multitudes of death. Despite the masterful writing, it was not for me, and I didn't pursue the rest of the trilogy.
I knew that the historical fantasy Babel by the same author would have similarly dark themes, but it was an instant New York Times bestseller, and BookTok practically mandated that I read it. And who am I to argue with the mighty community that is BookTok?
And I was right; it was not my kind of book. But I gave it five stars; I'd give it ten stars if I could. It's only January, but I suspect it may be the best book I read this year, and I understand why no one can stop babbling about Babel because now I can't either.
It's the kind of book that stays with you for a long time after you turn the last page, and although it's definitely not a "feel good" kind of book, it is too thought-provoking and brilliant to pass on.
