13 Thought-Provoking Books like Babel To Lose Yourself In

Enjoyed Babel and unsure what to read next? R.F. Kuang’s other work is a great starting point.

The Poppy Wars is perfect for fantasy lovers. This historical fantasy draws its plot and politics from mid-20th-century China.  And an atmosphere inspired by the Song dynasty.

When Rin aced the Keju—the Empire-wide test to find the most talented youth to learn at the Academies—it was a shock to everyone. That she got into Sinegard—the most elite military school in Nikan—was even more surprising.

But surprises aren’t always good.

Because being a dark-skinned peasant girl from the south is not easy. Targeted by rival classmates, Rin discovers she possesses a lethal aptitude for the nearly-mythical art of shamanism.

Rin explores the depths of her gift with the help of a seemingly insane teacher and psychoactive substances. And Rin learns that gods long thought dead are very much alive—and that mastering control over those powers could mean more than just surviving school.

If you’re after books like Babel, Poppy Wars is a great starting point.

Yellowface is perfect if you’re after a shorter read rather than a longer fantasy series. It’s an incredible read that deals with questions of diversity, racism, and cultural appropriation. This literary fiction has been described as a satire of racial diversity in the publishing industry as well as a metafiction about social media, particularly Twitter. 

It follows Athena Liu. Athena Liu is a literary darling and June Hayward is literally nobody.

When Athena dies in a freak accident, June steals her unpublished manuscript. And she publishes it as her own under the ambiguous name Juniper Song.

But as evidence threatens June’s stolen success, she will discover exactly how far she will go to keep what she thinks she deserves.

What happens next is entirely everyone else’s fault.

The Atlas Six is perfect if you enjoyed the dark academia aspects of Babel. This fantasy weaves dark academia with magic and mystery.

The Atlas Six is about a secret society of academics known as The Alexandrian Society. 

Each decade, the world’s six most uniquely talented magicians are selected for initiation. 

 The Atlas Six follows six characters competing for entry into the society.

Dark academia fans will fall in love with this book. Set in a library, it has tons of academic references. From lectures to classes and academic theories. 

Looking for books like The Atlas Six, I have  a lots of recommendations. You can check out my article on books like The Atlas Six here.

Vita Nostra is a dark fantasy with beautiful dark academia worldbuilding. It combines suspense, enchantment and terror.

It follows Sasha Samokhina. While on holiday, she meets the mysterious Farit Kozhennikov. And she’s powerless to refuse when he directs her to perform a task with potentially scandalous consequences.

 He rewards her effort with a strange golden coin.

As the days progress, Sasha carries out other acts for which she receives more coins from Kozhennikov. As summer ends,  Kozhennikov directs her to move to a remote village and use her gold to enter the Institute of Special Technologies. 

Though she does not want to go to this unknown town or school, she also feels it’s the only place she should be. Against her mother’s wishes, Sasha leaves behind all that is familiar and begins her education.

Did you enjoy the political and historical aspects of Babel? Then I recommend She Who Became The Sun. An epic historical fantasy pitched as Mulan meets Song of Achilles

Set in a famine-stricken village in China in the year 1345.  Two children are given two fates. A boy, greatness. A girl, nothingness…

For the starving peasants of the Central Plains, greatness is something found only in stories. When the Zhu family’s eighth-born son, Zhu Chongba, is given a fate of greatness, everyone is mystified as to how it will come to pass.

The fate of nothingness received by the family’s clever and capable second daughter, on the other hand, is only as expected.

But then a bandit attack orphans the children. And Zhu Chongba dies. Desperate to escape her own fated death, the girl uses her brother’s identity to enter a monastery as a young male novice.

After her sanctuary is destroyed for supporting the rebellion against Mongol rule, Zhu uses takes the chance to claim another future altogether: her brother’s abandoned greatness.

If you’re after Sapphic historical fiction, check out my article on historical Sapphic books.

Searching for books like Babel? These Violent Delights is perfect. This Romeo and Juliet retelling is set in 1920s Shanghai.

Set in Shanghai in 1926, a blood feud between two gangs leaves the city helpless.  And in the grip of chaos.

We follow Juliette Cai, an 18 year old at the heart of all the chaos. She’s a former flapper. And she’s returned to assume her role as heir of the Scarlet Gang —a network of criminals far above the law.

This is a captivating read. If you’re after books like Babel, then you will love this book. A fast paced romance with rival gangs, beautiful worldbuilding and heart-wrenching romance.

Did you enjoy the discussions of Colonialism and racism in academia? Then I recommend Ace of Spades. This thrilling YA Mystery deals with institutionalized racism.

Ace of Spades it set at  Niveus Private Academy. Here money paves the hallways. And students are never less than perfect. 

Until now. 

An anonymous texter, Aces, is bringing two students’ dark secrets to light.

This book combines mystery, dark academia worldbuilding with incredible plot twists. The suspense leaves you at the edge of your seat. A profound look at racism in Academia.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow is perfect if you enjoyed the deep themes, friendships and academic characters in Babel. This literary fiction chronicles the friendship between two characters and videogames.

We follow two friends – Sam Masur and Sadie Green. Friends since childhood, a chance encounter on the subway causes them to reconnect. And they become partners in the world of video game design.

Tomorrow and Tomorrow and Tomorrow spans thirty years. With dual POVs it examines many themes such as the nature of identity, disability, failure, the redemptive possibilities in play, and above all, our need to connect: to be loved and to love.

Pirates, positive muslim representation, and a character over 40. Add in magical creatures and you have The Adventures of Amina Al-Sirafi.

The title character Amina al-Sirafi has led a scandalous career as one of the Indian Ocean’s most notorious pirates. She’s survived backstabbing rogues, vengeful merchant princes, several husbands, and one actual demon to retire peacefully with her family to a life of motherhood.

But then she’s tracked down by the obscenely wealthy mother of a former crewman. And she’s offered a job no bandit could refuse. Retrieve her comrade’s kidnapped daughter for a kingly sum. The chance to have one last adventure with her crew, do right by an old friend, and win a fortune that will secure her family’s future forever? It seems like such an obvious choice that it must be God’s will.

Yet the deeper Amina dives, the more it becomes alarmingly clear there’s more to this job, and the girl’s disappearance, than she was led to believe.

A Magical retelling of The Great Gatsby centred around Jordan. Full of magic, privilege and power – perfect for fans of Babel.

It follows Jordan Baker. Retold as a queer Asian Adoptee. She grows up in the most rarefied circles of 1920s American society with money and an education. But she’s treated as an exotic attraction by her peers, while the most important doors remain closed to her.

But the world is full of wonders: infernal pacts and dazzling illusions, lost ghosts and elemental mysteries. In all paper is fire, and Jordan can burn the cut paper heart out of a man. She just has to learn how.

I couldn’t pass up an opportunity to recommend Legendborn. This is ideal for fans of Babel. A dark academia fantasy with mystery and discussions of racism in academia.

We follow Bree Mathews. After the death of her mother, she wants to avoid family memories. The result? She joins a residential program for gifted high school students.

But then she witnesses a magical attack on her first night. 

 A Mage tries to wipe her memory. But he fails. And instead Bree unlocks new memories of her mother’s death.

Legendborn has a diverse cast, an amazing female lead and dark academia vibes. Similarly, the commentary on slavery and racism is excellent.

I’ve included this book because it includes great dark academia worldbuilding. It also touches on immigration politics and toxic masculinity.

We Set The Dark On Fire follows  Daniela Vargas. She lives in a dystopian world where each man is entitled to 2 wives. An intelligent Primera and a ‘mother figure’ Segunda.

Outside the wall, the people go hungry. Dani must use her wits to survive illegally in the capital.

 We set the Dark on Fire features an intriguing dystopian premise and a likeable, strong-minded main character. It also explores immigration politics, toxic masculinity and feminism.  

The themes in The Imaginary Lives of James Pōneke are very similar to Babel. It deals with Colonialism, empire and power.

All the world’s a show, especially when you’re a living exhibit.

This book follows a Māori boy exhibited in Victorian London. James Pōneke is the orphaned son of a chief, student of English and a wide-eyed survivor.

But anything can happen to a young New Zealander on the savage streets of Victorian London.

When James meets the man with laughing dark eyes and the woman who dresses as a man, he begins to discover who people really are beneath their many guises.