Lose Yourself in R.F. Kuang’s Incredible Books Today
R.F. Kuang is no longer a rising star: she’s an established legend. If you’ve ever walked past one of her novels at your local bookstore and thought to yourself, “I wonder if this is as good as everyone says it is?”, we’re here to tell you: it is. Use our handy guide to determine which book you should start with to begin your R.F. Kuang journey ASAP.
Who is R.F. Kuang?
Before she was a #1 New York Times and #1 Sunday Times bestselling author, Chinese-American R.F. Kuang dabbled in fan fiction. It wasn’t until she came across the popular word-processing application, Scrivener, that she began taking her love of writing a bit more seriously. Now, 8 years later, Kuang has become a staple in bookstores and personal collections everywhere.
What Genre Are R.F. Kuang's Books?
Throughout her time as an author, Kuang has explored multiple styles and genres, often blending historical themes, Chinese folklore, and social critique with mystical settings and incredibly immersive world-building. The Poppy War and Katabasis, for instance, can be classified as fantasy, while Yellowface, set in modern day without elements of magic, is better categorized as satirical literary fiction.
When Did R.F. Kunag Write Her First Book?
Fun fact: Did you know that R.F. Kuang was only 19 years old when she wrote The Poppy War? During her gap year from Georgetown, Harper Voyager acquired the manuscript—a move that propelled her into the renowned career she has today! Not many authors can say they had a shot at success so early.
A Deep Dive into R.F. Kuang’s Books
Between historical epics that are downright impossible to put down and nail-biting, tongue-in-cheek psychological thrillers, R.F. Kuang books have something for everyone. Before you go to download her latest title on your favorite audiobook app or buy her entire catalog from your local Oakland County bookshop, make sure you know what you’re getting yourself into!
The Poppy War (#1)
No one believed a war orphan from the Rooster Province could pass the Keju, an Empire-wide test designed to find the most talented youth for the Academies—until Rin. Finally free from a life of servitude and arranged marriages, Rin has a chance at a real future. And at Sinegard, the most elite military school in Nikan, no less.
But being a dark-skinned, peasant-class girl from the South is not easy at this high-status academy—especially not with a war brewing and the Federation of Mugen biding its time to attack. Her mere existence is an easy target for rival classmates, but that won’t stop her. When Rin discovers that the gods she long thought dead are very much alive, and that she possesses a rare aptitude for the nearly lost art of shamanism, she may very well be the weapon the empire desperately needs.
Will she be able to manage the vengeful god, Phoenix, that has chosen her? Or will winning the war cost her humanity? Find out in R.F. Kuang’s first book in the series, The Poppy War.
The Dragon Republic (#2)
In The Dragon Republic, the sequel to R.F. Kuang’s first book, the battles may be over—but the war is just beginning. For the third time in its history, Nikan has fought for its survival and won. But try as she’d like to, shaman and warrior Rin cannot forget the unspeakable atrocities she committed in order to save her people.
On the run from her growing opium addiction, insurmountable guilt, and the murderous commands of her god, Phoenix, Rin knows that while she does not want to live, she cannot die until she avenges the traitorous Empress. Joining forces with the Dragon Warlord, she and her fellow Cike members must band together to carry out a violent revolution and forge a new republic. There is nothing Rin won’t sacrifice to save the country she loves—including herself.
The Burning God (#3)
After saving her nation and battling the evil Empress Su Daji, Fang Runin was betrayed and left for dead. But, despite her losses, Rin has not given up on those for whom she sacrificed so much—those from the southern provinces and Tikany, her home. As she returns to her roots, Rin is met with unexpected challenges and even more unexpected opportunities. Her new allies in the Southern Coalition leadership might be sly and trustworthy, but she knows that the real power in this battle lies with the millions of common people who dream of vengeance and view her as their path to salvation.
Backed by her Southern Army and the masses, Rin will have to use every weapon in her arsenal to defeat the colonizing Hesperians, the Dragon Republic, and all who threaten the long-lost shamanic arts. But will she be able to resist the Phoenix’s urge for her to burn the world and everything in it? See for yourself in the thrilling end to R.F. Kuang’s book trilogy in The Burning God!
Katabasis
Alice Law has sacrificed everything to become one of the brightest minds in the field of Magick: her health, her love life, her pride, and certainly her sanity. Her efforts came to fruition when she finally got a chance to work with Professor Jacob Grimes, the greatest magician in Cambridge and the world. That is, until he dies in a magical accident that she could be found at fault for.
Grimes may now be in Hell, but that’s not going to stop Alice from getting the recommendation needed to secure her future. No—she’s going in after him. Along with her rival, Peter Murdoch.
With nothing but classic tales to guide them and chalk to draw the Pentagrams needed for their spells, the two set out across Hell together to save the man they once revered. But in Katabasis, Hell is not like the storybooks say. Could it be that Alice and Peter’s past may be the key to becoming the perfect allies? Or will their history lead to their irreversible doom?
Babel
In 1828, Robin Swift, a boy orphaned by cholera in Canton, was brought to London by Professor Lovell. For years, he has trained tirelessly in Latin, Ancient Greek, and Chinese with one goal: to enroll in Oxford University’s prestigious Royal Institute of Translation, known as Babel.
Babel is more than the world’s center for translation—it also holds a unique magic of silver working, in which meaning lost in translation is manifested using enchanted silver bars. This discovery has made the British unparalleled in their quest for colonization. But for Robin, a Chinese boy raised in Britain, who realizes that serving Babel may mean betraying his motherland, he finds himself caught between the career he always dreamed of and the shadow Hermes Society, a group dedicated to stopping imperial expansion. As leadership pursues an unfair war with China over silver and opium, Robin will have to decide where his allegiances lie once and for all.
Note: Babel, with the full title of Babel or The necessity of Violence: An Arcane History of the Oxford Translators’ Revolution, is regularly considered to be one of the most fascinating, interrogative historical fiction books around. Grab a copy today at your nearest indie bookstore in Rochester and read it for yourself!
If You Like These, You’ll Love Babel:
- The Secret History by Donna Tartt
- Jonathan Strange & Mr. Norrell by Susanna Clarke
- The Priory of the Orange Tree by Samantha Shannon
Yellowface
Yellowface, R.F. Kuang’s only book written without fantasy elements, is just the chilling yet hilarious thriller you’re looking for! June Hayward and Athena Liu were meant to become massively successful rival authors. But as Athena’s popularity skyrockets and June remains a nobody, it becomes clear to her that nobody wants her stories about basic white girls, and things aren’t looking up any time soon.
Everything changes the day June witnesses Athena’s accidental death and decides to steal her just-finished masterpiece, an experimental novel about the Chinese laborers and their efforts during World War I. Who cares if she edits it and sends it to her agent as her own work? Who cares if her publisher wants her to rebrand as an ambiguously ethnic author named Juniper Song to really sell the story? If it means making it in the business, June is down.
But as new evidence threatens to bring down June’s secret, she can’t seem to get out from under Athena’s shadow. Soon, she’ll discover exactly how far she is willing to go to keep what she thinks she deserves.
Topics Covered in Yellowface:
- Cultural appropriation
- Identity and privilege
- Diversity and racism
- Social media and cancel culture
- The power of storytelling
Taipei Story
R.F. Kunag’s latest book, Taipei Story, is scheduled for an official release on September 8th, 2026. Mark your calendars for this witty and moving coming-of-age novel now!
Like so many Chinese American students before, college freshman Lily Chen is heading out to spend the summer at an intensive language program in Taipei, assuming it's finally her chance to connect with the culture she was born into, but never quite understood. But between grueling classes, an annoying roommate, a spur-of-the-moment trip to the hot springs with a guy she barely knows, and vicious rumors spread by her gossiping classmates, she can’t help feeling like a foreigner in a country that was meant to feel like home.
When the shocking news of her grandfather’s passing arrives, Lily spirals into a grief-fueled journey of self-discovery about the now-unanswerable questions of her family history. The more she struggles, the more important her search for understanding becomes.
When it comes to R.F. Kuang books, you’ll never know what to expect. Give in to the twists and turns and experience all of the emotions in her pages by grabbing one of her titles at Novel today!