R.F. Kuang is the award-winning author behind the internationally acclaimed Poppy War trilogy and the #1 New York Times bestseller Babel. Born in Guangzhou, China and raised in the United States, Kuang blends her multicultural heritage and academic background into evocative, genre-defying fiction. A graduate of Georgetown University’s International History program, she continued her studies at the University of Cambridge and Oxford University, specializing in Chinese history, diaspora, and language. Kuang’s works are celebrated for their intricate world-building, sharp critiques of colonialism, and profoundly human characters. Her novels have received widespread recognition, including the Astounding Award for Best New Writer and nominations for the Nebula, Locus, and World Fantasy Awards. In addition to her fiction, Kuang is an incisive essayist and translator. Her writing resonates with readers worldwide for its intellectual depth, emotional power, and unflinching exploration of history’s dark corners. R.F. Kuang continues to push the boundaries of speculative fiction, establishing herself as one of the most exciting literary voices of her generation.