Dark Academia

The bestselling author wraps up her dark-academia fantasy trilogy with “Dead Beat,” and reflects on New Haven, her theory of magic, and what she’s working on next.

Listening to R.F. Kuang for the first time? Coming back for a refresher? Here’s what you need to know before hitting play.

Full of murderous plots and mysteries of the occult, all set in the embrace of ivy-covered walls and labyrinthine libraries, the hallmarks of dark academia books can't be beat if you love a bewitching listen.