One of the best myth retellings I've read in a long time! Highly recommend.

Babylonia follows Semiramis, a woman who is born to a woman who is born as a peasant and makes her way up to becoming Queen. This book follows the question of what one will do for power without having the main character be unlikeable, a true feat. Also involves the best love triangle I can fathom in an adult novel. I was so engrossed by the characters, including side characters, and their motivations were clear without being obvious. The author's note at the end made me appreciate her choices so much, and I felt really connected to this one.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for an ARC in exchange for an honest review!

There is so much to say about this title. I wish the author's note at the end had been included at the beginning, spoilers saved for the end. It would have helped some of the story make more sense to me, but I enjoyed it all the same. Listening, due to the pronunciation of names, is the way to go. The story was slow, but every word counted. I enjoyed it very much and am glad I read it. I just wish I had gone in with more knowledge about the history, or lack thereof, of Semiramis and that particular era of history. I felt like I was in a giant game of keep-up, trying to place where and what in context of history and timelines. I am, however still thinking about it, so that's a very good thing!

While the content was pretty cool (come on, a pet leopard?)--I really struggled with this one. I will say that my mood wasn't right for this one, but I just couldn't really connect with it.

Link to the goodreads review is linked and pasted below

*Thank you NetGalley, the author and publisher for an ALC! Per usual my review and opinions are 100% my own*

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This story is so finely weaved, each character and their stories all intertwined. This is one of those books where you really wonder who someone truly is, right until the very end. I think the only exception is Semiramis, only because there are so many chapters in her POV. The intricate storytelling of an orphan girl from a nowhere village rising to power while going through so many struggles of love and loss. The impact of battle is portrayed well and the way of kings as written throughout the Babylonian / Assyrian histories feels true. Overall the story kept me intrigued even though typically books high on politics and espionage don’t really do it for me. The narrator did a good job as well, no dull monotone narration here. As I do if available to me, I did an immersive read with the hardcover and the ALC and I don’t think I would have enjoyed it nearly as much any other way.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. I initially got an audio copy through NetGalley. However, since I only listen during my commute, it was taking me a long time to get through this book. Wanting to spend more time consuming this story, I decided to purchase the kindle copy. I loved this story of Sermiramus, a strong female who rose to power in ancient times when women existed only as pleasure to men and for household duties. Even more, I love that this is ancient lore, and this woman may have existed in real time. This was my first book written by the author and I will look for more of her books in the future.

This historical fiction book follows the life and legend of Semiramis, a woman of no significant background who rises in the ranks when she stumbles across a general and brother to the Assyrian king who falls in love with her. Through their marriage she rises as a notable woman in the kingdom, always aware of her enemies, and always planning her next move to keep her place in the kingdom or rise to the top, but never fall back down.

Her confidence and strategy don’t cause her to lack love nor empathy. Semiramis is a natural born leader, showing her ability to navigate between betrayal, family, and power dynamics. Her strength and beauty draw many to her while pushing others away, making her path to safety even more treacherous.

The author’s note at the end details how Casati brought this myth to life, full of vibrant characters and suspenseful interactions. The plot was so developed in each part that Semiramis’ evolution is clear and feels inevitable. The changes in her life, though literally predicted, remain uncertain in how they’ll occur or what obstacles will lie in her path. The adventure is simultaneously daunting and entertaining at every turn.

The audiobook is phenomenal and the story is encapsulating. This is one that will stick with me all year, sure to be a top read of 2025!

The narrator is wonderful in this audiobook, but this is definitely one of those audiobooks that works better with "subtitles." I found it much more enyoyable to have the e-book to refer to while listening. This would be a perfect read with audio narration.

I listened to the audio book version of this book, and The narrator did an excellent job bringing life to the book. I fell in love with this book. The way it was written was inspiring. The author has an amazing ability of story telling that kept me enthrall all the way through to the last page. The story was a historical fictional tale of Seramis, a commoner who rose through power to the top with some high costs. The way the characters and story was written made the reading a very vivid experience. I would definitely recommend this book to others.

Thank you Net Galley, RB Media, and Costanza Casati

The sudio is how to consume this book... I will die on this hill... something about the production just delivers and makes me feel like I'm being told and pulled into the story at the same time

WOW WOW WOW!!! I was so nervous and hesitant about this one living up to Clytemnestra and, unbelievably, this one actually far surpassed it! An incredible masterpiece of narrative, I was transported into this entrancing, luscious world! The magnetic, emotional depth that the characters and relationships have! The fascinating, tension-fueled political intrigue! This story is truly a feat of epic proportions and this author is cementing herself as an absolutely magical storyteller alongside authors like Jennifer Saint and Madeline Miller. I can't tell you how excited I am to have such a stunning first edition of this one. As soon as I finished it, I knew I was going to have to re-read and annotate it again in the future. I'll probably buy a paperback edition when it releases so I can write in it without messing up my beautiful one. It'll be one of the very few books I own multiple copies of. FINALLY, a story like this centered around a new and fresh place, peoples, and time-period! (Instead of the same Greek stories/characters that have been done, redone, and overdone by now in recent years' publishing trends.) This story has something for everyone and I will definitely be telling anyone and everyone to read it! This has been the most captivating historical/mythology that I think I've ever read and I will be thinking about it for a long time to come. I really hope it gets the hype it deserves. It would also make a fantastic book club pick and would lend itself well to discussions. The audio was done so well! Perfect tone/voice for the story and characters.

Babylonia is a fascinating mythology retelling set in 9th century Assyria, focusing on the Assyrian empire’s only female ruler, Semiramis. From her humble beginnings as a common girl adopted by a shepherd after her mother’s death, Semiramis’s journey is full of challenges—battles, politics, and the raw power of the Assyrian empire.

What I loved most is how strong and determined Semiramis is. She’s proof that you shouldn’t send a man to do a woman’s job! Her character shines as she navigates a male dominated world with ambition and resilience. The way the book weaves history and myth is impressive, though it might get confusing if you’re not familiar with mythology.

If you’re into ancient history and love stories about powerful women carving out their own legacy, this one’s for you. It’s captivating, intense, and a true deep dive into the world of Assyria.


Thank you NetGalley for the arc❤️

Babylonia is a unique and engaging work of historical fiction. It is a glad change from the typical historical fiction (World War II comes to mind) but also has a different tone than other mythological retellings. Semiramis is someone I had never heard of, and never given a thought to. I had no idea there were any female rules back in the BCs, and that was really my loss. The fictionalized journey of this character really opened my mind to researching who she really was, and that is a great testament to a book such as this. i enjoyed the book and loved the characters.

This was a slow start for me, but it got more interesting later on with all the political intrigue.
Maybe the way I struggle to get into it blurred my judgment thus the 3⭐ rating

The authors writing style and story telling is beautiful. The narration was great. It was a little slow for my taste but I can recognize the talent that went into this one.

Thank you so much for this ALC opportunity

This was a great historical fiction even if a bit long and slow-pacing to my taste. I prefer reading myth-based stories in an audiobook format, and it was a good choice with this book as well. Ayesha Antoine's narration was superb.

I will read anything Costanza Casati writes. Her writing and storytelling is captivating, powerful, and intense. She highlights these powerful badass women in mythology and gives them the justice they deserve. I loved the political games and betrayal in this story and the way that everything played out. Costanza really gave emotional depth to each and every character so you felt each emotion in each stage of this story. You saw each of them evolve and say the dynamics between characters change based on scenarios (not spoiling!!) haha. I cannot wait for her next masterpiece!! please keep delivering on these amazing women!!

I did not like this one. I was really confused and by chapter 20 I still had no idea what the plot was.

After reading and enjoying Clytemnestra I knew I needed to read this one. If you enjoyed Circe, the Song of Achilles, and Clytemnestra then you will absolutely enjoy this novel.
This was better than Clytemnestra and followed Semiramis and her path from ruin to “riches.”

I thoroughly enjoyed it and Costanza Casati is an automatic buy / read from here on out.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publishers for this ARC in exchange for my honest review.

Babylonia

A historical fiction about what may have occurred in Babylon? Say less.

Told in multiple POVs which keep you coming back for more, this story has so many layers to it. Layers woven with madness, violence, betrayal, lust, scheming. There is so much going on, it keeps you guessing of what came next.

While I enjoyed the narrator, I do wish it had been a full cast. I think that could have helped me buy into the characters more.

Incredibly interesting and well written. Casati weaves a beautiful story based on the myth of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire, and the famous love triangle that made her queen. Characters were all well developed and she provides a lush landscape for them.

Ayesha Antoine has a voice like velvet and made this an absolute joy to listen to.