Thirteen of the best dark academia titles

At B&N Reads Kat Sarfas tagged thirteen top "moody, atmospheric novels [that] transport you to the hallowed halls of higher education and the cut-throat competition, shadowy secret societies, and forbidden romance within." One title on the list:

Babel: Or the Necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators' Revolution by R. F. Kuang

A dark academia standalone that dives into the power of language and the evils of imperialism, student revolutions and a history of violence, Babel swirls with magic, lore, and Kuang’s signature attention to detail. It’s smart, witty and terrifying; the type of book you can’t stop reading and can’t stop recommending!

Read about another entry on the list.

Babel is among Phoebe Wagner's five top SFF books about radical community.

--Marshal Zeringue