R.F. Kuang
R.F. Kuang (Rebecca F. Kuang) was born on May 29th, 1996 and is currently 29 years old. R.F. Kuang was born in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China.
R.F. Kuang is known for writing in the Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Literary Fiction genres.
R.F. Kuang has written 5 standalone novels, starting with The Nine Curves River in 2020. The most recently released novel was Katabasis, which was released in 2025. There is an upcoming standalone novel entitled Taipei Story which is being released on September 8th, 2026.
R.F. Kuang has also written The Poppy War series which has 3 books including The Poppy War and The Dragon Republic.
R.F. Kuang: Awards & Accolades
R.F. Kuang won the Hugo Award, Astounding Award for Best New Writer, in 2020. R.F. Kuang was also nominated for the Hugo Award, Astounding Award for Best New Writer, in 2019.
Kuang's books have also won multiple awards, Babel, or The Necessity of Violence won the Alex Awards, Best Book, in 2023 as well as the British Book Awards - Fiction Book of the Year in 2023. Yellowface won the Goodreads Awards, Best Fiction, in 2023 as well as the Libby Book Awards - Best Book Club Pick in 2024, British Book Awards - Fiction Book of the Year in 2024.
The following novels by R.F. Kuang were also nominated for these awards:
- The Poppy War: Goodreads Awards, Best Fantasy (2018). Goodreads Awards, Best Debut Author (2018). World Fantasy Award, Novel (2019). British Fantasy Award, Best Newcomer (the Sydney J. Bounds Award) (2019). RUSA Awards, Fantasy Award (2019).
- The Dragon Republic: Goodreads Awards, Best Fantasy (2019).
- The Burning God: Goodreads Awards, Best Fantasy (2020).
- Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: Waterstones, Book of the Year (2022). Goodreads Awards, Best Fantasy (2022). World Fantasy Award, Novel (2023). RUSA Awards, Fantasy Award (2023).
- The Way Spring Arrives and Other Stories of Chinese Science Fiction and Fantasy: Locus Award, Best Anthology (2023).
- Yellowface: Waterstones, Book of the Year (2023). Barnes & Noble Awards, Book of the Year (2023). Alex Awards, Best Book (2024). British Book Awards, Book of the Year (2024). TikTok Book Awards, Book of the Year (International) (2024).
- The Best American Science Fiction and Fantasy 2023: World Fantasy Award, Anthology (2024).
- Katabasis: Barnes & Noble Awards, Book of the Year (2025). Goodreads Awards, Best Fantasy (2025). Waterstones, Book of the Year (2025). Libby Book Awards, Best Audiobook (2026). British Book Awards, Science Fiction and Fantasy Book of the Year (2026).
R.F. Kuang: Lists & Other Mentions
- Katabasis was a BBC Radio 2 Book Club August 2025 Pick.
- Yellowface was the Reese's Book Club July '23 Pick and The Audacious Book Club June 2023 Pick.
- Katabasis has made several lists including:
- USA Today: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2025.
- New York Times: #1 Fiction Best Seller in 2025.
- New York Times: 100 Notable Books of 2025 Selection in 2025.
- Book Riot: Best Books of 2025 Selection in 2025.
- Amazon US: Editors' Best Books of 2025 Selection in 2025.
- Libro.fm: Top 10 Audiobooks of 2025 Selection in 2025.
- Babel, or The Necessity of Violence was a Time Magazine: 100 Must-Read Books Selection in 2022.
- Yellowface was a Time Magazine: 100 Must-Read Books Selection in 2023.
- The Poppy War was a Paste Magazine: The 40 Best Novels of the 2010s Selection in 2020 and an Audible: The Top 100 Book Series of All Time Selection in 2024.
The Poppy War Series was listed on Audible's The Top 100 Book Series of All Time list in 2024.
Related Authors
Fans of R.F. Kuang also enjoy these authors:
- Alix E. Harrow, author of: The Ten Thousand Doors of January.
- Marlon James, author of the Dark Star Series.
- Anne Hillerman, author of the Leaphorn & Chee Series.
- Susanna Clarke, author of: Piranesi.
- Anne Rice, author of The Vampire Chronicles Series.
- Patrick Ness, author of: A Monster Calls.
- Emilia Hart, author of: Weyward.
- Michael Chabon, author of: The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier & Clay.
- Nghi Vo, author of The Singing Hills Cycle Series.
- Shelley Parker-Chan, author of The Radiant Emperor Series.
R.F. Kuang: F.A.Q
When was R.F. Kuang Born? How old is R.F. Kuang?
R.F. Kuang was born on May 29th, 1996. R.F. Kuang is currently 29 years old.
Where was R.F. Kuang Born?
R.F. Kuang was born in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China and is Chinese.
What awards has R.F. Kuang won?
R.F. Kuang has won the following awards: Astounding Award for Best New Writer at the Hugo Award (2020).
What book awards has R.F. Kuang won?
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence: Alex Awards Best Book (2023), British Book Awards Fiction Book of the Year (2023).
Yellowface: Goodreads Awards Best Fiction (2023), Libby Book Awards Best Book Club Pick (2024), British Book Awards Fiction Book of the Year (2024).
What was the first book R.F. Kuang wrote?
The first book written by R.F. Kuang was The Poppy War, published in 2018.
What was the most recent book R.F. Kuang wrote?
Her most recently released work was Making Space on November 3rd, 2025.
What is the most popular book by R.F. Kuang?
Based on the number of readers on Book Notification, the most popular R.F. Kuang book is
Babel, or The Necessity of Violence. Here are her most popular books:
- Babel, or The Necessity of Violence (7.55)
- The Poppy War (8.02)
- Yellowface (6.96)
- The Dragon Republic (8.22)
- The Burning God (8.41)
What genres does R.F. Kuang Write?
R.F. Kuang primarily writes in the Fantasy, Historical Fiction, and Literary Fiction genres. Her work includes sub-genres such as Dark Fantasy, Satirical and Humorous Fiction, and Historical Fantasy.
Are there upcoming new books by R.F. Kuang?
R.F. Kuang has a new book coming out on September 8th, 2026 called
Taipei Story.
Click and we will keep you updated on this via e-mail, and about any new books R.F. Kuang announces in the future.
How many books has R.F. Kuang written?
R.F. Kuang has written 10 books excluding contributions to anthologies. 3 books in The Poppy War Series, 1 Short Story/Novella, 5 Standalone Novels, 1 book in The Time Traveler's Passport Series.