This is another great book from Costanza Casati! I loved Clytemnestra so I was very excited to read this. The book is gorgeously written and once again has an amazing story full of complex characters. Following the journey of Semiramis was incredible and so so powerful. Starting as an orphan and working her way up to a queen through her intelligence, strength, cunning, and charm. I loved everything about this and was so invested from the very beginning! I’m hoping to see more from Costanza soon!

Casati has done it again! Clytemnestra was one of my top reads when it came out, and Babylonia exceeded my expectations. The way she made ancient Assyria come alive was truly amazing- it motivated me to learn more about this time in history. The way she crafts her characters is truly remarkable. They will live in my head for a long time to come!

4 stars! Having no knowledge of the original tale, and with this being my first book by the author, I'm pleasantly surprised as I really enjoyed this book. I adored the epic-yet-personal scale of it, the political intrigue and betrayal and interpersonal relationships all delivered through intricate, immersive, and lush writing. It's truly a standout from 2024, and I can't wait for everyone to read this book when it's out next year!

Thank you to Net Galley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this early read! I loved Clytemnestra so it was no surprise I also really enjoyed this book by Casati. This book was extra interesting for the information and history behind the life of Semiramis and ancient Assyria.

An excellent book. A well-written mythology retelling. The story of Semiramis is filled with love, pain, and grief. I was drawn to many of the characters. The story is a whirlwind. A captivating book of political intrigue and war.

I would like to thank NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the ARC.

Thank you NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC, what an absolute treat!

I was truly delighted to receive the ARC for Babylonia because I have been waiting for its release since Casati announced her sophomore novel would be released. Clytemnestra was my favorite book of 2023 and I knew Casati would be an author I would auto-buy from there on out. And Babylonia did not disappoint! I can’t wait to have the physical book on my shelves.

The way that Casati is able to accurately describe and portray the complexities of her characters is one of the reasons I am so drawn to her writing. Not one character, main or otherwise, is left at surface level. With Semiramis, she shows the depth of attachment she can hold with the men she grows to love (not even getting into how she loves them differently and in just the way that suits them and her equally) while also still striving to overcome her “status” and become the ruler she knows she is destined to be. She isn’t ruthless at every turn just in order to get ahead. She seems torn and tortured and real and human. And the way she shows the descent into “madness” for Ninus and Onnes (and Semiramis in her own ways) is so expertly done. MANY times during this book I would let out a gasp and find my hand flying to my mouth in shock. Casati just does not miss for me in this regard!! She also brings the setting to life in beautiful ways that make it so easy to get immersed into the story.

There are some narrative choices that did leave me scratching my head and thinking of the ways I might prefer characters or plot lines differently, but in the end it didn’t take away from my overall enjoyment of this book. I honestly am leaving these pages thinking of the ways I would like to be more like Semiramis in her strength and cunning, while also being more like her in her vulnerability and adaptability.

4.25 stars for me!! This book is incredible!!

4.25. I received an ARC this book through NetGalley and wowza. The writing was almost addictive - Casati conveys emotion in such a unique way and gives the characters such strong POVs. Based on the story of ancient Queen Sammuramat, Babylonia follows Semiramis and her story + relationships + ascension to the throne. Casati satisfyingly crafts Semiramis’ complex character (+all her side characters) to the point where when the book ended, I wanted more.

A Queen's Rise: A Captivating Tale of Power and Desire
Costanza Casati's Babylonia is a thrilling historical fiction that breathes new life into the enigmatic figure of one of history's most fascinating queens. Set against the backdrop of ancient Assyria, a world of brutal power struggles and opulent excess, Casati crafts a narrative that is both historically grounded and wildly imaginative.

The novel follows Semiramis, an orphan raised on the fringes of the empire, as she navigates a treacherous path to the throne. With stunning prose and meticulous research, Casati brings to life the political intrigue, military campaigns, and personal dramas that shaped Semiramis's reign.

At the heart of the story lies a complex and compelling heroine. Semiramis is a woman of extraordinary intelligence, courage, and ambition. She is a skilled warrior, a shrewd diplomat, and a ruthless strategist. Yet, she is also capable of deep love and compassion. Casati explores the psychological toll of power, the sacrifices required to achieve greatness, and the blurred lines between love and obsession.

Babylonia is a must-read for fans of historical fiction, epic fantasy, and strong female characters. It is a rich and rewarding read that will leave you pondering the nature of power, the cost of ambition, and the enduring legacy of one of history's most enigmatic queens.

A common woman. The governor she married. The king who loved them both. Babylonia across the centuries has become the embodiment of lust, excess, and dissolute power that ruled Ancient Assyria. In this world you had to kill to be king. Or, in the case of Semiramis, an orphan raised on the outskirts of an empire: Queen.

Nothing about Semiramis's upbringing could have foretold her legacy. But when she meets a young representative of the new Assyrian king, a prophecy unfolds before her, one that puts her in the center of a brutal world and in the hearts of two men - one who happens to be king. Now a risen lady in a court of vipers, Semiramis becomes caught in the politics and viciousness of ancient Assyria. Instead of bartering with fate, Semiramis trains in war and diplomacy. And with each move, she rises in rank, embroiled in a game of power, desire, love, and betrayal, until she can ascend to the only position that will ever keep her safe.

Casati writes beautiful prose. This is a wonderfully intense ride through a time and place I know little about. Fascinating. Gripping. Beautiful. 5⭐

Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the advanced digital reader's copy (ARC) in exchange for an honest review!

In her new novel Babylonia, author Constanza Casati brings ancient Assyria to life. In the 9th century BCE this backdrop of beauty and brutality, kings will fall and a Queen will rise. Semiramis, a lowly orphan adopted by a shepherd , risks much to catch the eye of the new governor. When fate rewards her gamble the governor Onnes takes her as his bride to the capital Kalhu. There she meets his friend since boyhood, the King Ninus. Can she survive in the world of the court, so foreign to all she knows, or will her ambition be her undoing
This is a brilliant novel that brings to light a genuine historic figure, Queen Semiramis of Assyria and Babylon and tells the story of her rise to power in an age dominated by men. I found the author's depictions of life in ancient Assyria fascinating: the court officials the visual art and poetry, the palaces and temples, the feasts and lion hunts. I love to read historical fiction set in Ancient times and this book is outstanding. Thanks to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read and review this book.

This is one of the best historical novels I've read in many years. The character development is excellent - not all of the traits exposed abruptly but unfolded like peeling an onion in the action of the setting. The character development is not only deep, but placed in the context/setting with historical accuracy of the Assyrian Empire. I love the way the author used the Assyrian gods to show the progress of time (i.e. setting of the sun) throughout the text. Very rich and gripping - pace is good to envision the setting, not overly described, and moves at a pace to keep the reader engaged. Highly recommend this book for anyone that likes historical fiction (that feels like true history) and an interest in the history of the Middle East.

Costanza Casati has done it again. She has written an epic tale of power, ambition, and love in the treacherous ancient world. The story follows Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire. Her story is of an orphan turned queen. The narrative masterfully entwines myth with history, balancing intense political intrigue and intimate character moments. Every chapter builds on the stakes, drawing you deeper into the cutthroat world of the Assyrian courts.

Semiramis starts from tragic beginnings, and we can see her use intellect, courage, and unyielding determination to escape and build a different life for herself. Her relationships with the two emotionally complex men reveal her vulnerability and ambition. The romantic and political plots amplify the tension in her struggle for survival. All the other nobles watch her, and the slightest misstep could lead to her ruin. Watching Semiramis navigate this world with cunning and strength is thrilling and deeply satisfying. She went against everything expected of a woman and wanted more out of life. Having a woman who used her cleverness and courage to claim a legacy and honor that no one would give her is refreshing. She challenged what it means to control one’s destiny in a world built to suppress women. The layers of intrigue from assassinations, alliances, and betrayals are expertly written, making it impossible to put the book down. The book is a triumph in scope, emotionally resonant, and historical significance.

I received an ARC ebook for my honest review. Thank you, NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark.

Is there enough adjectives to describe my love for this book? Probably not .... but this book had me from page one all the way to the end !

Babylonia tells the story of Semiramis' rise from orphan to Queen of Assyria. Taken in by a shepherd, Semiramis grew up being beaten by her father and looked down upon by everyone in her village. When Onnes, a representative to the new Assyrian king comes to the village, she does everything in her power to make sure he takes notice of her. Onnes takes Semiramis as his wife and brings her back to the capitol where she meets Ninus, the king, and learns the ways of the court. Semiramis surrounds herself with slaves and spymasters who are impressed by her cleverness and her rise to power and who will serve her. As Semiramis continues to rise, there are those who wish to see her fall, such as Ninus' mother and his generals. This is a story full of bloody war, political intrigue, and devastating prophecies.

This was a fascinating story and one that I was not familiar with. I really loved all of the characters in this story and Casati did a great job giving them depth and allowing the reader the understand their motivations for the things that they did. The story is told from multiple perspectives over the years, so you really get to know the characters and see how they change over time. There are some brutal scenes, so you might want to skip this one if you don't like to read about violence, but the scenes make sense given the setting. My one complaint about this book is that it started out a bit slow, but once it got going it really held my interest. This will be a great one for fans of Madeline Miller or fans of retellings of legends.

I adore Costanza Casati and this was another hit for me. Her empowerment of women and the way she imbues the realities of the time with a sense of hope is masterful. I would highly recommend this book.

100% pure magic.

A woman in a time of men (although really, when hasn’t it been a time of men…) doing what she needs to, for her own survival, to become the Queen.

The writing made it very easy to visualize as I was reading and Ms Casati’s gorgeous and lyrical writing held me rapt, fully bringing me under its spell. All characters are well fleshed out and come across as utterly real, each adding their own stamp to the plot.

I’m so so glad I had the opportunity to read an early copy of this wholly engaging story. This was my first time reading the author, and I can’t wait to read more of her work!

Babylonia has a full recommendation from me.



Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the DRC

My overall rating is 3/5.

Characters 2/5
I wasn't a fan of the characters. I do appreciate her research and her character creation; however, I found none of them really relatable and while I didn't dislike them, I didn't like them either.

Worldbuilding 4/5
This book does a great job of depicting the world the characters live in. It is rich and covers the breadth of society taking the reader from a place where the characters have no power to where they rule.

Plot 3/5
It is the plot of a poor girl makes her way in the world despite obstacles.

Storytelling 4/5
The story is well told and if you like historical fiction I think you will really appreciate this book.

In 800 BCE, Assyria was known across the ancient world for its dazzling art and culture as well as its appalling brutality. Semiramis comes from one of the empire's farthest, dustiest reaches. Her future is dim, until her region is conquered by the Assyrians and a surprising opportunity flickers before her. and she is on her way to Kalhu, the empire's city. "When kings fall, queens rise" goes the Assyrian saying, and she will prove that true.

Costanza Casati creates the rich world of Kalhu, its beauty, its gleaming painted walls, its cruelty, its endless, gruesome wars. Every page dazzles and horrifies and drives the plot toward its inevitable conclusion. Casati has a gift for immersing readers in this world of gods Assur and Ishtar and their followers, lead by Semiramis and those around her.

Highly recommended for any readers of ancient history and lovers of the retelling of myths.

Many thanks to the publisher and NetGalley for a digital review copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

Costanza Casati has brought another ancient figure to life with this study of Semiramis, queen of Assyria. Based on the historical figure of Shammuramat, we follow Semiramis as she grows up orphaned but always with dreams of a better life. When Onnes, the new governor, stops by her home village of Mari, he finds himself captivated by her beauty and her determination (she frames her stepfather for a crime she committed after he beats her bloody) and marries her.

Once at court, Semiramis is looked at with wariness as the lowly foreigner she is, and king Ninus himself seems to despise her. We know there is more going on, and so does Semiramis, although she doesn't yet know everything that is going on. All three characters - Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus - are fully fleshed, broken, mistrusting everyone they cross paths with, for many wish ill for them, and they can never turn their back on even their closest ones.

Just as with Clytemnestra, this book is filled with evocative prose and beautiful turns of prose as it details both the beauty and brutality of intrigue and war in the Assyrian empire. The considerable amount of research done is well seeded through the narrative without info-dumps or clumsy exposition - I will read whatever Costanza Casati writes.

There is a lot I could say about this book, but I will begin with Casati’s undeniable talent, both for crafting an interesting and truly compelling story and also for making characters whose personalities and driving forces seem so real I could almost touch them. Semiramis was such an intriguing lead, to me, because she truly was not heartless. She was driven by ambition and lust for power, but her heart was still broken by those things.
At times at the end of this book I felt as if the plot dragged a bit, especially because with the prophecies coming to a head, we already knew where the story was going. But it is worth noting that there is not another place the story could have gone. It felt predestined to us, the reader.
This book was sad in some ways, I think. And I think it was supposed to be.