In 1828, orphaned Robin Swift is brought from Canton to London by the enigmatic Professor Lovell to train in languages and prepare for Oxford’s Royal Institute of Translation—Babel. At Babel, translation isn’t just about words; it’s about magic, and its power fuels Britain’s empire.
As a Chinese boy raised in Britain, Robin begins to see the darker side of Babel’s magic—its role in colonization and oppression. Torn between loyalty to the institution and his heritage, Robin finds himself drawn to the Hermes Society, a secret group fighting against imperial expansion.
When Britain wages war on China over silver and opium, Robin faces an impossible choice: remain loyal to Babel or join the rebellion.
Can revolution be sparked from within, or will it require destruction?
