The story follows Robin Swift, a Chinese orphan taken to study at Babel, Oxford's prestigious translation institute, where students learn to manipulate reality through silver-working. As Robin excels, he discovers the darker side of Babel's work, which is deeply entwined with British colonialism, prompting him to question his loyalty and consider resistance.

A dark, lushly gothic fantasy about a maiden who must unleash the monster within to save her kingdom, but the monster in her head isn't the only threat lurking.