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Babylonia
Win a free print copy of this book!
16 days and 12:29:13
15 copies available
U.S. only
There are whispers of her fame, in the land long since turned to dust. The Queen who rose from nothing – and changed everything . . .
Ancient Assyria, 9th century BC.
An orphan is raised on the outskirts of a brutal empire. Heir to a tragic prophecy, Semiramis dreams of wielding power and escaping her destiny.
Far away, a reluctant prince walks the corridors of his gilded palace in a city built by the gods. Ninus would rather spend his days in books and poetry than conquering the world of men. But when he meets Onnes, a broken, beautiful warrior, something awakens in them both. And as they grow into young men, their friendship deepens into something fiercer still.
That is until Semiramis arrives.
A savage love soon erupts between them all, even as a dark threat to the kingdom mounts. And before long, all three will be forced to learn the lesson of the gods - in Babylonia, you must bend the world to your will.
What doesn't bend, you break.
Ancient Assyria, 9th century BC.
An orphan is raised on the outskirts of a brutal empire. Heir to a tragic prophecy, Semiramis dreams of wielding power and escaping her destiny.
Far away, a reluctant prince walks the corridors of his gilded palace in a city built by the gods. Ninus would rather spend his days in books and poetry than conquering the world of men. But when he meets Onnes, a broken, beautiful warrior, something awakens in them both. And as they grow into young men, their friendship deepens into something fiercer still.
That is until Semiramis arrives.
A savage love soon erupts between them all, even as a dark threat to the kingdom mounts. And before long, all three will be forced to learn the lesson of the gods - in Babylonia, you must bend the world to your will.
What doesn't bend, you break.
448 pages, Kindle Edition
First published June 13, 2024
1858 people are currently reading
70528 people want to read
About the author
Costanza Casati
5 books2,361 followersCostanza Casati was born in Texas and grew up in a village in Northern Italy, where she studied Ancient Greek, and Ancient Greek literature, under one of the country’s most rigorous academic programmes. She is a graduate of the Warwick Writing MA in the UK, and has worked as a screenwriter and journalist. Her debut novel, Clytemnestra, has sold into more than 20 territories worldwide, was the winner of the Glass Bell Award, an Indie Next Pick and a nominee for Best Fantasy in the Goodreads Choice Awards. Babylonia, her second novel, was an instant Sunday Times bestseller and the winner of the Wilbur Smith Adventure Prize.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 2,559 reviews
January 20, 2025
4.15!
"Madness breeds Madness."
I literally have no idea how to feel about this. It was a really enjoyable book but I think I'm gonna settle with this rating for a while because I actually enjoyed this book and the unpredictable nature of this book because like you would read the scene look at your screen and be like ??? but then it would start to make sense and you would actually start seeing it through. The main conflicting part of the book was the writing style...like I actually don't know if I liked it or not but it sure as hell made this book interesting and enjoyable. It read like a coming of age story and I love those so I really enjoyed this and I think it was done very well.
"Immortality doesn't mean living for ever. It means surviving even after your heart stops beating and your body is burned. It means living in myth, in stories."
The characters were very well written and when I read mythologies I expect characters to be like this so I was prepared for it in advance and it helped. The book itself though was so interesting!! like I loved the concept and how everything was executed. Honestly, it that kind of a book where you dont know if you love it or hate it until you sleep on it for a bit.
I think that to take one's darkness inside yourself can be dangerous. If you have to suffer, at least let it be because of your own shadows."
The characters while interesting were so frustrating. Our main character Semiramis absolutely ate. Like she knew what she wanted to be and she became that person like she was so clever and cunning and the way she thought and crafted her plans and was always ahead was so good like honestly it was so mind-blowing at times and like when you read the final chapters and look back at her characters decisions throughout the book everything hits so much better. Ninus and Onnes Ahahahaha these two were the messiest characters in this book like I would love them for a minute and hate them the other like honestly I had no idea what to make for them but I just know that they would've worked best as a throuple!! Onnes was such a complex character with his dark past and self sabotaging guilt , he was doomed from the start and Ninus manipulated from the start, his life was literally a lie so they both were broken and it worked perfectly for Semiramis lmaoo
"Power is a game that is played in palaces in only," she said "Do not fear Spymaster, I know how to play too."
The romance was the messiest, toxicest shit that I have ever read like what the fuck was that I dont even think I can talk about it because I think it would be spoilery but I shipped her with whoever she ended up with whenever she was with the person like Casati just made it work somehow??? It was amazing and concerning at the same time...also the whole relationship and marriage for power thing in here disgusts me so bad at time like wdym Ninus's mother married her son after her husband died?? ewwwww. Thank god this was not the case for the main love interest. Say what you want the romance was quite literally a tragedy in the making because of how it was everyone was just so twisted and broken and messed up. I dont think anything would've worked maybe one of them under bettcer circumstances or all of them together lol
The ending though was perfect like I really, really, liked the ending of this book and it made the whole experience worth it!!
Overall, I do think that this book isn't for everyone but I would definitely recommend it!
___
I am in the mood for something like this and I have a feeling that I will love this because it feels so intricate and detailed AHHH I'm so hyped up and excited to start it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for giving me an E-Arc*
"Madness breeds Madness."
I literally have no idea how to feel about this. It was a really enjoyable book but I think I'm gonna settle with this rating for a while because I actually enjoyed this book and the unpredictable nature of this book because like you would read the scene look at your screen and be like ??? but then it would start to make sense and you would actually start seeing it through. The main conflicting part of the book was the writing style...like I actually don't know if I liked it or not but it sure as hell made this book interesting and enjoyable. It read like a coming of age story and I love those so I really enjoyed this and I think it was done very well.
"Immortality doesn't mean living for ever. It means surviving even after your heart stops beating and your body is burned. It means living in myth, in stories."
The characters were very well written and when I read mythologies I expect characters to be like this so I was prepared for it in advance and it helped. The book itself though was so interesting!! like I loved the concept and how everything was executed. Honestly, it that kind of a book where you dont know if you love it or hate it until you sleep on it for a bit.
I think that to take one's darkness inside yourself can be dangerous. If you have to suffer, at least let it be because of your own shadows."
The characters while interesting were so frustrating. Our main character Semiramis absolutely ate. Like she knew what she wanted to be and she became that person like she was so clever and cunning and the way she thought and crafted her plans and was always ahead was so good like honestly it was so mind-blowing at times and like when you read the final chapters and look back at her characters decisions throughout the book everything hits so much better. Ninus and Onnes Ahahahaha these two were the messiest characters in this book like I would love them for a minute and hate them the other like honestly I had no idea what to make for them but I just know that they would've worked best as a throuple!! Onnes was such a complex character with his dark past and self sabotaging guilt , he was doomed from the start and Ninus manipulated from the start, his life was literally a lie so they both were broken and it worked perfectly for Semiramis lmaoo
"Power is a game that is played in palaces in only," she said "Do not fear Spymaster, I know how to play too."
The romance was the messiest, toxicest shit that I have ever read like what the fuck was that I dont even think I can talk about it because I think it would be spoilery but I shipped her with whoever she ended up with whenever she was with the person like Casati just made it work somehow??? It was amazing and concerning at the same time...also the whole relationship and marriage for power thing in here disgusts me so bad at time like wdym Ninus's mother married her son after her husband died?? ewwwww. Thank god this was not the case for the main love interest. Say what you want the romance was quite literally a tragedy in the making because of how it was everyone was just so twisted and broken and messed up. I dont think anything would've worked maybe one of them under bettcer circumstances or all of them together lol
The ending though was perfect like I really, really, liked the ending of this book and it made the whole experience worth it!!
Overall, I do think that this book isn't for everyone but I would definitely recommend it!
___
I am in the mood for something like this and I have a feeling that I will love this because it feels so intricate and detailed AHHH I'm so hyped up and excited to start it!
*Thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for giving me an E-Arc*
March 22, 2025
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❤️
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❤️
Want to read
March 23, 2025A NEW COSTANZA CASATI BOOK?? YES BABY LETS GOOO!!!
May 28, 2024
My most anticipated book of 2024
14.05 update: OMG OMG ARC approved!!!
27.05.24 FULL REVIEW:
Where do I even start – I have to warn you, I'm going to gush about how good 'Babylonia' by Constanza Casati is. It left me breathless, uncharacteristically speechless and just amazed by the sheer scope of Casati’s vision. I have highlighter over 50 passages while reading so if you haven’t pre-ordered it yet, stop reading this and do it now!
Let’s go back a bit – last year I read over 200 books and, for what it's worth, 'Clytemnestra' by Casati was unequivocally my favourite. I didn't think anything could top 'Clytemnestra', but 'Babylonia' has not only met but exceeded my expectations. It's one hundred percent my top pick of 2024. Seriously, this book is a masterpiece.
So, you’re Semiramis. Orphaned, a nobody at the fringes of an empire, your life seems destined for obscurity. You should know there's no way Semiramis is going to let that happen. She's strong, she's cunning, she's hungry for power. Watching her journey from the edge of her village and into the high halls of the emperors is the stuff of legends. What will she do for a throne that was never supposed to be hers? What will she give up in its pursuit? Trust me, you need to find out.
Casati's writing is ... I don't even have the words. If you thought 'Clytemnestra' was beautifully written, 'Babylonia' will knock you down. The prose is so precise, so meticulous, so gorgeously lyrical it’s like poetry written as prose invites you in. I found myself pausing, rereading sentences, just to walk in the beauty of her words. The way she tells a story is full of life, of love, of beauty; you’ll actually feel like you're living in the ancient Assyrian world, following Semiramis along the way.
The characters – God, the characters. They are incredibly deep, complex and real. Semiramis herself is a wonder: powerful, resourceful, and just incredibly human. Her relationships with her husband, Onnes, and Ninus the king of Assyria, are so beautiful, so powerful, so real. They are textured, flawed, and absolutely fascinating. Ribat is key to the story, demonstrating the cruel hierarchy of the time. The narrative is compelling, told mostly through the perspectives of Semiramis, Ninus, and Ribat. The multiple viewpoints lend depth to the story and make it even more engaging to read.
The novel is full of twists, schemes, and bloody clashes, feudal and epic at times. One thing I noticed about 'Babylonia' was the balance between beauty and trauma. Casati does not ignore the brutal truths of the time, but she also demonstrates the resilience, the strength and the remarkable spirit that was Semiramis. The name of semblance; the story is one of survival, empowerment, and unwavering dedication.
If you enjoy historical fiction, mythology retellings, or you just like a character-driven adventure, you are going to need this book in your life. Just like Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, Casati has made her mark in the genre. The skill and talent to bring ancient worlds to modern life while creating deep and relatable characters is second to none. To summarize, 'Babylonia' gets a solid 5 stars from me. This is just an exquisitely written, emotional, pleasurable book to read. And if you haven't read 'Clytemnestra,' add it to your TBR immediately. You do not want to miss out on Casati's talent.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the e-ARC copy. I can't wait to own a hard copy of this treasure!
14.05 update: OMG OMG ARC approved!!!
27.05.24 FULL REVIEW:
Where do I even start – I have to warn you, I'm going to gush about how good 'Babylonia' by Constanza Casati is. It left me breathless, uncharacteristically speechless and just amazed by the sheer scope of Casati’s vision. I have highlighter over 50 passages while reading so if you haven’t pre-ordered it yet, stop reading this and do it now!
Let’s go back a bit – last year I read over 200 books and, for what it's worth, 'Clytemnestra' by Casati was unequivocally my favourite. I didn't think anything could top 'Clytemnestra', but 'Babylonia' has not only met but exceeded my expectations. It's one hundred percent my top pick of 2024. Seriously, this book is a masterpiece.
So, you’re Semiramis. Orphaned, a nobody at the fringes of an empire, your life seems destined for obscurity. You should know there's no way Semiramis is going to let that happen. She's strong, she's cunning, she's hungry for power. Watching her journey from the edge of her village and into the high halls of the emperors is the stuff of legends. What will she do for a throne that was never supposed to be hers? What will she give up in its pursuit? Trust me, you need to find out.
Casati's writing is ... I don't even have the words. If you thought 'Clytemnestra' was beautifully written, 'Babylonia' will knock you down. The prose is so precise, so meticulous, so gorgeously lyrical it’s like poetry written as prose invites you in. I found myself pausing, rereading sentences, just to walk in the beauty of her words. The way she tells a story is full of life, of love, of beauty; you’ll actually feel like you're living in the ancient Assyrian world, following Semiramis along the way.
The characters – God, the characters. They are incredibly deep, complex and real. Semiramis herself is a wonder: powerful, resourceful, and just incredibly human. Her relationships with her husband, Onnes, and Ninus the king of Assyria, are so beautiful, so powerful, so real. They are textured, flawed, and absolutely fascinating. Ribat is key to the story, demonstrating the cruel hierarchy of the time. The narrative is compelling, told mostly through the perspectives of Semiramis, Ninus, and Ribat. The multiple viewpoints lend depth to the story and make it even more engaging to read.
The novel is full of twists, schemes, and bloody clashes, feudal and epic at times. One thing I noticed about 'Babylonia' was the balance between beauty and trauma. Casati does not ignore the brutal truths of the time, but she also demonstrates the resilience, the strength and the remarkable spirit that was Semiramis. The name of semblance; the story is one of survival, empowerment, and unwavering dedication.
If you enjoy historical fiction, mythology retellings, or you just like a character-driven adventure, you are going to need this book in your life. Just like Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, Casati has made her mark in the genre. The skill and talent to bring ancient worlds to modern life while creating deep and relatable characters is second to none. To summarize, 'Babylonia' gets a solid 5 stars from me. This is just an exquisitely written, emotional, pleasurable book to read. And if you haven't read 'Clytemnestra,' add it to your TBR immediately. You do not want to miss out on Casati's talent.
Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the e-ARC copy. I can't wait to own a hard copy of this treasure!
July 15, 2024
"Immortality doesn't mean living for ever. It means surviving even after your heart stops beating and your body is burned. It means living in myth, in stories."
As soon as I saw that Babylonia would be a retelling of queen Semiramis from Mesopotamian legend and myth, I knew I had to read it. And now after having devoured this beautiful story I can say that it went beyond what I imagined and outweighed my every expectation. Costanza Casati more than delivered with this incredible, and then some!
The story starts in the village of Mari, located in Eber-Nari, a western province of the Assyrian empire. Semiramis, orphaned when she was just a baby and taken in by the chief shepherd of the village. As she grows up, she is often beaten, belittled and bullied by her father and the village boys who taunt her mercilessly for how she was abandoned by her mother who commited suiced. Now that she's of age to get married she knows that if she does gets married to one of the villagers she'll remain a nobody with no safety and no power over her life. This all changes when the new governor of Eber-Nari arrives in the village, send by the new king of Assyria. Onnes, the new governer, is drawn to Semiramis and the two get married before he takes her away from Mari to Kalhu, the capital of the Assyrian empire. But living in the royal palaces is no easy feat, there are always secrets and rumours swirling around and Semiramis is going to have to plot and scheme to keep ahold of the power she so carefully constructed for herself, and to ascend to even more.
The heart of this story was the relationship between Seminaris, her husband Onnes and the king Ninus. These three characters on their own were very complex, vibrant and undeniably broken, yet they were very different from one another. Their relationships with each other was also fascinating to read about, always changeable and developing in different ways. From hate to love to aloof and detached to needing each other whether it was Semiranis with Onnes or Semiramis with Ninus or Ninus and Onnes. Complicated doesn't even begin to cover them as characters. The secondary characters were just as intriguing to me. The king's mother, Nisat, for example was a fantastic and intricate character. There also was Ribat, who has been born as a slave but was always dreaming of becoming a scribe. He was one of my favorites for sure.
Babylonia is the author's second book but the first one of hers that I've read. I didn't have to chance to read her debut novel Clytemnestra yet but you can bet I want to read it as soon as possible. Constanza Casati's writing was just stunning, even bewitching. It really took me away to Ancient Assyria with her vivid descriptions and lyrical prose. It was actual perfection in my mind and I couldn't get enough of reading. It truly was hard to put the book down at times. It has a very serious chance to become my favorite book by the end of the year. I just know this already.
Aside from political intrigue the story was also very brutal and bloody at times. The author definitely didn't shy away from the violence of living in the Assyrian empire and going to war. There were battles that made me really nervous because I was worried for many of the characters participating in said battles, which included Seminaris herself like the clever badass that she was, even though she hated herself later on for things she had to do during wartimes. We very much see characters dealing with PTSD in different kinda ways, even though in ancient historical times this was not named as such. There were many emotional moments where I had to blink away tears, which doesn't happen to me all that often when I'm reading.
What else can I say than I freaking loved this book. It was such a good page-turner and I wish I could give it a million stars because that is what the book and Seminaris deserve without a doubt. Babylonia wasn't your run-of-the-mill mythology retelling, it had so much more going for it than that. The setting of the ancient Near East, the characters that contained multitudes, the beautiful writing, everything was just perfectly crafted for a wonderful and poignant read. Costanza Casati is the new fresh voice of mythology retellings!
As soon as I saw that Babylonia would be a retelling of queen Semiramis from Mesopotamian legend and myth, I knew I had to read it. And now after having devoured this beautiful story I can say that it went beyond what I imagined and outweighed my every expectation. Costanza Casati more than delivered with this incredible, and then some!
The story starts in the village of Mari, located in Eber-Nari, a western province of the Assyrian empire. Semiramis, orphaned when she was just a baby and taken in by the chief shepherd of the village. As she grows up, she is often beaten, belittled and bullied by her father and the village boys who taunt her mercilessly for how she was abandoned by her mother who commited suiced. Now that she's of age to get married she knows that if she does gets married to one of the villagers she'll remain a nobody with no safety and no power over her life. This all changes when the new governor of Eber-Nari arrives in the village, send by the new king of Assyria. Onnes, the new governer, is drawn to Semiramis and the two get married before he takes her away from Mari to Kalhu, the capital of the Assyrian empire. But living in the royal palaces is no easy feat, there are always secrets and rumours swirling around and Semiramis is going to have to plot and scheme to keep ahold of the power she so carefully constructed for herself, and to ascend to even more.
The heart of this story was the relationship between Seminaris, her husband Onnes and the king Ninus. These three characters on their own were very complex, vibrant and undeniably broken, yet they were very different from one another. Their relationships with each other was also fascinating to read about, always changeable and developing in different ways. From hate to love to aloof and detached to needing each other whether it was Semiranis with Onnes or Semiramis with Ninus or Ninus and Onnes. Complicated doesn't even begin to cover them as characters. The secondary characters were just as intriguing to me. The king's mother, Nisat, for example was a fantastic and intricate character. There also was Ribat, who has been born as a slave but was always dreaming of becoming a scribe. He was one of my favorites for sure.
Babylonia is the author's second book but the first one of hers that I've read. I didn't have to chance to read her debut novel Clytemnestra yet but you can bet I want to read it as soon as possible. Constanza Casati's writing was just stunning, even bewitching. It really took me away to Ancient Assyria with her vivid descriptions and lyrical prose. It was actual perfection in my mind and I couldn't get enough of reading. It truly was hard to put the book down at times. It has a very serious chance to become my favorite book by the end of the year. I just know this already.
Aside from political intrigue the story was also very brutal and bloody at times. The author definitely didn't shy away from the violence of living in the Assyrian empire and going to war. There were battles that made me really nervous because I was worried for many of the characters participating in said battles, which included Seminaris herself like the clever badass that she was, even though she hated herself later on for things she had to do during wartimes. We very much see characters dealing with PTSD in different kinda ways, even though in ancient historical times this was not named as such. There were many emotional moments where I had to blink away tears, which doesn't happen to me all that often when I'm reading.
What else can I say than I freaking loved this book. It was such a good page-turner and I wish I could give it a million stars because that is what the book and Seminaris deserve without a doubt. Babylonia wasn't your run-of-the-mill mythology retelling, it had so much more going for it than that. The setting of the ancient Near East, the characters that contained multitudes, the beautiful writing, everything was just perfectly crafted for a wonderful and poignant read. Costanza Casati is the new fresh voice of mythology retellings!
January 10, 2025
This is one of THE BEST literary threesomes I've ever read!
This was a captivating retelling that has top tier world-building and character development. The book takes us on a journey through a time of political intrigue, cultural richness, and personal conflict. The author has clearly done her research, and it brings the world to life in a way that feels so immersive and authentic.
"She knows that they will meet again in the house of dust: The common woman who became queen, The governor she married, And the king who loved them both."
This was a captivating retelling that has top tier world-building and character development. The book takes us on a journey through a time of political intrigue, cultural richness, and personal conflict. The author has clearly done her research, and it brings the world to life in a way that feels so immersive and authentic.
"She knows that they will meet again in the house of dust: The common woman who became queen, The governor she married, And the king who loved them both."
January 13, 2025
This is a beautifully written story of Semiramis, a motherless child who becomes Queen of the Assyrian Empire.
Semiramis becomes an orphan, when her mother takes her own life. She is adopted by a shepherd, Simmas, but is mistreated. Eventually Semiramis grows into a young woman and decides to leave the village, before she is forced into marriage.
Semiramis mets Onnes and finds a way for a better life. Onnes is the illegitimate half brother of King Ninus .She quickly marries Onnes. Semiramis convinces Onnes to train her as a warrior. This is unheard of, but she must fight for what she wants.
The writing of this book was breathtaking, with vivid descriptions of time and place.
I was transported to another world.
The characters were well developed. I loved Semiramis love hate relationships with Onnes and King Ninus. There was love, loyalty and betrayal.
This book was intriguly woven with facts and myths.
It is a captivating read you won’t be able to put down,
Don’t miss it.
Semiramis becomes an orphan, when her mother takes her own life. She is adopted by a shepherd, Simmas, but is mistreated. Eventually Semiramis grows into a young woman and decides to leave the village, before she is forced into marriage.
Semiramis mets Onnes and finds a way for a better life. Onnes is the illegitimate half brother of King Ninus .She quickly marries Onnes. Semiramis convinces Onnes to train her as a warrior. This is unheard of, but she must fight for what she wants.
The writing of this book was breathtaking, with vivid descriptions of time and place.
I was transported to another world.
The characters were well developed. I loved Semiramis love hate relationships with Onnes and King Ninus. There was love, loyalty and betrayal.
This book was intriguly woven with facts and myths.
It is a captivating read you won’t be able to put down,
Don’t miss it.
May 10, 2024
When discussing first class authors of this genre; (Madeline Miller, Natalie Haynes…) there’s a writer who deserves to be up there and her name is Constanza Casati.
In a time where Greek retellings have become a dominant genre it would appear difficult for newer authors to bring something fresh to this crowded market. However, with her debut novel - Clytemnestra - Constanza Casati proved there were indeed many more stories to tell and voices to be heard, with her second novel though she has not only gifted readers another beautiful story she has affirmed her position as a frontrunner and standout writer of the genre.
I really enjoyed reading Clytemnestra last year so Babylonia was definitely a book I was excited to read and boy did it deliver! Unlike its predecessor, I went into this book rather ignorant about its characters so I loved delving into a world and time I knew little about. Casati has clearly meticulously researched the history of the Assyrian Empire and she brings it to life in such a vivid and rich way that I felt as though I was walking the streets and palaces alongside her characters.
I cannot express enough how much Casati’s writing style sings to me. Her turn of phrase, her rich language, her perfect pacing and the emotional depths she reaches all blend seamlessly together to create an authentic story. Her words read like honey.
‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴.’
As with Clytemnestra, Casati gifts us with another incredible lead female character - this time warrior Queen Semiramis. Her journey lies at the heart of this story as we watch her transcend from orphaned commoner, to general’s wife to Queen. Semiramis was certainly a woman ahead of her time; she is fearless, she is upfront, she fights to get her voice heard and she doesn’t accept her predetermined place in society. Semiramis isn’t a leader who sits on a throne giving orders, she’s a ruler who leads from the front and I loved her for it.
What really elevated this story was the relationship between Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus. All 3 are brilliant, all 3 are broken and all 3 feel things so deeply you question whether any of them will ever truly find happiness. There are no one dimensional characters here, she cracks open the complexities of Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus never shying away from their individual flaws and painful truths. No one is a hero, no one is a villain the beauty lies in the light and shade of each character.
I was so sure that I could predict the direction of the story but Casati cleverly weaves the intricacies of their evolving relationship so beautifully that my feelings for these complex characters kept evolving too. Casati’s choice to tell this story from multiple perspectives only served to enhance the connection I felt to each one. The inclusion of Ribat, a slave, also added another layer to the story and offered some perspective on the barbaric hierarchy of the time.
There is beauty and there is trauma in this book, I was devastated, enthralled, repulsed, inspired and uplifted. Casati’s words just make me FEEL and that is the true magic of her writing.
This is an easy 5 stars for me, and I hope this book receives the recognition it deserves. It really is a sublime read.
*Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I cannot wait to own this book in print!
In a time where Greek retellings have become a dominant genre it would appear difficult for newer authors to bring something fresh to this crowded market. However, with her debut novel - Clytemnestra - Constanza Casati proved there were indeed many more stories to tell and voices to be heard, with her second novel though she has not only gifted readers another beautiful story she has affirmed her position as a frontrunner and standout writer of the genre.
I really enjoyed reading Clytemnestra last year so Babylonia was definitely a book I was excited to read and boy did it deliver! Unlike its predecessor, I went into this book rather ignorant about its characters so I loved delving into a world and time I knew little about. Casati has clearly meticulously researched the history of the Assyrian Empire and she brings it to life in such a vivid and rich way that I felt as though I was walking the streets and palaces alongside her characters.
I cannot express enough how much Casati’s writing style sings to me. Her turn of phrase, her rich language, her perfect pacing and the emotional depths she reaches all blend seamlessly together to create an authentic story. Her words read like honey.
‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘩𝘦𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴.’
As with Clytemnestra, Casati gifts us with another incredible lead female character - this time warrior Queen Semiramis. Her journey lies at the heart of this story as we watch her transcend from orphaned commoner, to general’s wife to Queen. Semiramis was certainly a woman ahead of her time; she is fearless, she is upfront, she fights to get her voice heard and she doesn’t accept her predetermined place in society. Semiramis isn’t a leader who sits on a throne giving orders, she’s a ruler who leads from the front and I loved her for it.
What really elevated this story was the relationship between Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus. All 3 are brilliant, all 3 are broken and all 3 feel things so deeply you question whether any of them will ever truly find happiness. There are no one dimensional characters here, she cracks open the complexities of Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus never shying away from their individual flaws and painful truths. No one is a hero, no one is a villain the beauty lies in the light and shade of each character.
I was so sure that I could predict the direction of the story but Casati cleverly weaves the intricacies of their evolving relationship so beautifully that my feelings for these complex characters kept evolving too. Casati’s choice to tell this story from multiple perspectives only served to enhance the connection I felt to each one. The inclusion of Ribat, a slave, also added another layer to the story and offered some perspective on the barbaric hierarchy of the time.
There is beauty and there is trauma in this book, I was devastated, enthralled, repulsed, inspired and uplifted. Casati’s words just make me FEEL and that is the true magic of her writing.
This is an easy 5 stars for me, and I hope this book receives the recognition it deserves. It really is a sublime read.
*Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I cannot wait to own this book in print!
February 1, 2025
First 5 star of 2025!!! HUGE thanks to NetGalley and RBMedia for the ALC!
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
"Lonely souls rarely find each other, but when they do, they aren’t meant to part."
I wasn't too inclined towards reading Costanza Casati's debut novel, Clytemnestra because:
A. I'm SICK of Greek mythology
B. Celebrated authors like Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint were misses for me
However, ancient Mesopotamia immediately caught my attention. Fun fact about me: I'm a huge ancient history nerd and I think ancient Mesopotamia is criminally underrated. Oh, this was brilliant. Babylonia is an exquisitely crafted historical epic that reimagines the life of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire. I'd never heard of Semiramis before reading this so the story felt like a breath of fresh air.
I always appreciate it when extensive research is put into writing historical fiction and the way Casati breathes life into Assyria is nothing short of incredible. This is one of the most immersive settings I've ever had the joy of experiencing. It's made even better by the impeccable prose. Casati's prose is knife-sharp and resplendent. Although there are no supernatural elements, fantasy readers will love this because of the political intrigue (that's done better than most fantasy novels, imo) and a compelling cast of morally gray characters. The narrator, Ayesha Antoine, did a fabulous job at bringing the characters to life!
I loved reading about Semiramis' rise to power. If you love ambitious female MCs, this one's for you. Ambition, wanting more than what's given, and what power means to those who don't have it and the lengths they go to obtain it are the major themes of the book. There's not a single dull moment in this book. The messy relationships between the characters were the highlight of the book for me. Don't go into it expecting a romance, though. The relationship between Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus is definitely not healthy and ends in tragedy.
The author's note was quite enlightening. I loved her decision to include a slave's perspective into the story. It added depth and authenticity to it. Casati also blends into the narrative the epics and poetry of Assyria and draws parallels to the Epic of Gilgamesh. With kings and queens, slaves and spymasters, priests and soldiers, Casati has painted a vivid picture of ancient Mesopotamia that I'll never forget.
🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟/5
"Lonely souls rarely find each other, but when they do, they aren’t meant to part."
I wasn't too inclined towards reading Costanza Casati's debut novel, Clytemnestra because:
A. I'm SICK of Greek mythology
B. Celebrated authors like Madeline Miller and Jennifer Saint were misses for me
However, ancient Mesopotamia immediately caught my attention. Fun fact about me: I'm a huge ancient history nerd and I think ancient Mesopotamia is criminally underrated. Oh, this was brilliant. Babylonia is an exquisitely crafted historical epic that reimagines the life of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire. I'd never heard of Semiramis before reading this so the story felt like a breath of fresh air.
I always appreciate it when extensive research is put into writing historical fiction and the way Casati breathes life into Assyria is nothing short of incredible. This is one of the most immersive settings I've ever had the joy of experiencing. It's made even better by the impeccable prose. Casati's prose is knife-sharp and resplendent. Although there are no supernatural elements, fantasy readers will love this because of the political intrigue (that's done better than most fantasy novels, imo) and a compelling cast of morally gray characters. The narrator, Ayesha Antoine, did a fabulous job at bringing the characters to life!
I loved reading about Semiramis' rise to power. If you love ambitious female MCs, this one's for you. Ambition, wanting more than what's given, and what power means to those who don't have it and the lengths they go to obtain it are the major themes of the book. There's not a single dull moment in this book. The messy relationships between the characters were the highlight of the book for me. Don't go into it expecting a romance, though. The relationship between Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus is definitely not healthy and ends in tragedy.
The author's note was quite enlightening. I loved her decision to include a slave's perspective into the story. It added depth and authenticity to it. Casati also blends into the narrative the epics and poetry of Assyria and draws parallels to the Epic of Gilgamesh. With kings and queens, slaves and spymasters, priests and soldiers, Casati has painted a vivid picture of ancient Mesopotamia that I'll never forget.
Read
December 30, 2024Why I Love It
By Eve Leupold
My favorite historical fiction tends to involve stories from ancient times. It’s fascinating to read about eras so different from my own they might as well be fantastical. Babylonia takes place in Ancient Assyria, but it rivals the lushness and drama of any fantasy novel in this extraordinary retelling of the true story of Queen Semiramis, the first and only female ruler of Assyria.
In this imagined retelling, Semiramis is born out of wedlock and abandoned on the banks of a river when her mother takes her own life. After a childhood plagued by loneliness and abuse, Semiramis grows into a young woman as defiant as she is cunning, with plans to escape her village before her adoptive father finds a suitor to take her hand in marriage. But when a new governor arrives to rule over the war-torn region, Semiramis discovers a better way to change her circumstances. She marries the governor and accompanies him to the heart of the empire, where she will live in splendor alongside her husband and the king.
There are so many things to love about this story. The plot is exquisitely crafted, the writing is vivid, and the characters are both fallible and dimensional, with complicated dynamics and intriguing backstories. This book is steeped in a fascinating history, yet it is also a timeless account of a woman hellbent on determining her own fate in a cruel and ruthless world. For anyone hoping to get lost in a story this January, look no further.
By Eve Leupold
My favorite historical fiction tends to involve stories from ancient times. It’s fascinating to read about eras so different from my own they might as well be fantastical. Babylonia takes place in Ancient Assyria, but it rivals the lushness and drama of any fantasy novel in this extraordinary retelling of the true story of Queen Semiramis, the first and only female ruler of Assyria.
In this imagined retelling, Semiramis is born out of wedlock and abandoned on the banks of a river when her mother takes her own life. After a childhood plagued by loneliness and abuse, Semiramis grows into a young woman as defiant as she is cunning, with plans to escape her village before her adoptive father finds a suitor to take her hand in marriage. But when a new governor arrives to rule over the war-torn region, Semiramis discovers a better way to change her circumstances. She marries the governor and accompanies him to the heart of the empire, where she will live in splendor alongside her husband and the king.
There are so many things to love about this story. The plot is exquisitely crafted, the writing is vivid, and the characters are both fallible and dimensional, with complicated dynamics and intriguing backstories. This book is steeped in a fascinating history, yet it is also a timeless account of a woman hellbent on determining her own fate in a cruel and ruthless world. For anyone hoping to get lost in a story this January, look no further.
August 27, 2024
"another intoxicating excursion into ancient history" > Well, this certainly is prophetic, or at least a fair warning. I really wanted a drink or several while reading the book.
"Casati reimagines the rise to power of the Assyrian empire's only female ruler, Semiramis." > Well, Ms. Casati certainly does that. I was really looking forward to the book, as Semiramis is certainly a figure who certainly deserves more spotlight, especially when that spotlight focuses on her positive characteristics, instead of the rather unsubstantiated lecherous aspect popular since before Dante.
Unfortunately, this is not such a book.
The author seems to have an uncanny fetish for subverting the "show, don't tell" trope, much to the detriment of the story. This, coupled with the fact that we get mainly the highlights of Diodorus Siculus' record of the ancient queen, does the story no favors. Even so, if the book was a straight-up mythological retelling, it might get a pass - but it desperately wants to be a historical retelling of Semiramis' story.
And unfortunately, it falls woefully short of that goal.
The characters are one-dimensional archetypes at best, there is precious little sense of distances, geography, or time - in fairness, there are timeskips and distance mentions, but it does not really mesh together well enough. It feels as if at least the Old Babylonian Empire of Hammurabi's age and the millenium-later reigning Neo-Assyrian Empire were somehow conflated into an almost continuous whole.
Assyrians apparently hunted lions in the arena next to their capital, and were shooting daggers (!) at them. Maybe an editorial check would have been great, seems like an autocorrect glitch.
Also, I found it hilarious that in one paragraph, the son of the highest-ranking general was talking about the enemies being 400.000 strong - and a paragraph later, asking for 50 soldiers. Sure, he later clarifies that he needs specialist climbers, but still.
For future reference, if a militaristic, conquering nation's top generals cannot figure out that the failure of repeated frontal assaults indicates they should maybe try something else, that does not make the protagonist pointing this out smart, it just makes the generals look dumb and incompetent.
The gradual rise to power is very, very light on details - a couple of scenes where Semiramis converses with the eunuch spymaster (who makes GoT Season 8 Varys look competent and sane), and then she miraculously has loyal (?) soldiers ready to follow her commands. Based on the text, I'd have guessed that the omniscient, omnipotent spymaster had their loyalty, not the queen, but hey, what do I know.
The constant opium usage might be a nod to the otherwise interesting concept mentioned in the afterword about the nationwide PTSD resulting from the trademark Assyrian brutality, but the way it's written is somewhat jarring.
The forced parallels with the Gilgamesh epic are just that - forced. Unless of course it is a kind of "Ishtar was the right choice" kind of situation, with Semiramis as Ishtar (especially considering the in-story parallels between them). But, well, the way the story is written, this Semiramis is unfortunately more like "the house that falls down, the shoe that pinches the foot of the wearer, the ill-made wall that buckles when time has gone by, the leaky water skin soaking the water skin carrier.", to quote the classics.
The suggestion that Assyrian deportations were done because they wanted to relocate people to parts of the empire where their skills were needed more, is frankly irritating. After all, Nergal forbid that a conquering nation uproots and forcibly relocates masses of people to lessen the possibility of rebellions.
"Ninus steers his horses to the left, to avoid a woman dragging her children to safety, and crashes against a building. The chariot shatters" > Very competent chariot driving on part of a warrior-king. Also, kudos for the brilliant idea of storming narrow city streets with chariots.
‘I am going home,’ Taria says. ‘A chariot is waiting for me by the gate.’ > Ancient Assyrian limousine service. Sure, a very valuable royal hostage/possible bargaining chip is sent on a long journey without appropriate retinue. Suuuure.
And, well, if you are using ancient titles for certain positions, and quoting Hammurabi's law (152.3, if memory serves, roughly correct for murderous wives), you might as well sneak in awīlum as a term somewhere.
"Casati reimagines the rise to power of the Assyrian empire's only female ruler, Semiramis." > Well, Ms. Casati certainly does that. I was really looking forward to the book, as Semiramis is certainly a figure who certainly deserves more spotlight, especially when that spotlight focuses on her positive characteristics, instead of the rather unsubstantiated lecherous aspect popular since before Dante.
Unfortunately, this is not such a book.
The author seems to have an uncanny fetish for subverting the "show, don't tell" trope, much to the detriment of the story. This, coupled with the fact that we get mainly the highlights of Diodorus Siculus' record of the ancient queen, does the story no favors. Even so, if the book was a straight-up mythological retelling, it might get a pass - but it desperately wants to be a historical retelling of Semiramis' story.
And unfortunately, it falls woefully short of that goal.
The characters are one-dimensional archetypes at best, there is precious little sense of distances, geography, or time - in fairness, there are timeskips and distance mentions, but it does not really mesh together well enough. It feels as if at least the Old Babylonian Empire of Hammurabi's age and the millenium-later reigning Neo-Assyrian Empire were somehow conflated into an almost continuous whole.
Assyrians apparently hunted lions in the arena next to their capital, and were shooting daggers (!) at them. Maybe an editorial check would have been great, seems like an autocorrect glitch.
Also, I found it hilarious that in one paragraph, the son of the highest-ranking general was talking about the enemies being 400.000 strong - and a paragraph later, asking for 50 soldiers. Sure, he later clarifies that he needs specialist climbers, but still.
For future reference, if a militaristic, conquering nation's top generals cannot figure out that the failure of repeated frontal assaults indicates they should maybe try something else, that does not make the protagonist pointing this out smart, it just makes the generals look dumb and incompetent.
The gradual rise to power is very, very light on details - a couple of scenes where Semiramis converses with the eunuch spymaster (who makes GoT Season 8 Varys look competent and sane), and then she miraculously has loyal (?) soldiers ready to follow her commands. Based on the text, I'd have guessed that the omniscient, omnipotent spymaster had their loyalty, not the queen, but hey, what do I know.
The constant opium usage might be a nod to the otherwise interesting concept mentioned in the afterword about the nationwide PTSD resulting from the trademark Assyrian brutality, but the way it's written is somewhat jarring.
The forced parallels with the Gilgamesh epic are just that - forced. Unless of course it is a kind of "Ishtar was the right choice" kind of situation, with Semiramis as Ishtar (especially considering the in-story parallels between them). But, well, the way the story is written, this Semiramis is unfortunately more like "the house that falls down, the shoe that pinches the foot of the wearer, the ill-made wall that buckles when time has gone by, the leaky water skin soaking the water skin carrier.", to quote the classics.
The suggestion that Assyrian deportations were done because they wanted to relocate people to parts of the empire where their skills were needed more, is frankly irritating. After all, Nergal forbid that a conquering nation uproots and forcibly relocates masses of people to lessen the possibility of rebellions.
"Ninus steers his horses to the left, to avoid a woman dragging her children to safety, and crashes against a building. The chariot shatters" > Very competent chariot driving on part of a warrior-king. Also, kudos for the brilliant idea of storming narrow city streets with chariots.
‘I am going home,’ Taria says. ‘A chariot is waiting for me by the gate.’ > Ancient Assyrian limousine service. Sure, a very valuable royal hostage/possible bargaining chip is sent on a long journey without appropriate retinue. Suuuure.
And, well, if you are using ancient titles for certain positions, and quoting Hammurabi's law (152.3, if memory serves, roughly correct for murderous wives), you might as well sneak in awīlum as a term somewhere.
May 17, 2025
“it was the ancient times ha ha” - me, trying to ease my panic while watching these idiot half-brothers kiss on the mouth
December 16, 2024
THIS, THIS, THIS!
This is the book I've been craving!
A book about the rise of the only recorded female ruler in the Assyrian empire, Semiramis, written by the author of Clytemnestra? I was so in.
I'm a fan of mythology retellings, and I don't know if this actually qualifies as a mythology because Semiramis was an actual person in history. But while it was meticulously researched and its characters come from historic records, it feels less like historical fiction and more like a legend, a myth, an epic.
Semiramis is a wonderfully complex character. She is not a straightforward protagonist by any means; she is power-hungry, uses other people, and will do anything to get what she wants. But she also loves as fiercely as she fights, and is driven to power by specter of the powerlessness she felt as a young girl in an abusive home.
The writing is incredibly descriptive, giving the reader beautiful scenery and evocative images of the opulent palaces of the Assyrian capital -- and also, extremely graphic depictions of violence. The Assyrians were barbaric: engaged in constant wars, impaling their enemies on stakes, beheading them, and flaying them alive. Instead of shying away from this aspect of their society, Costanza Casati describes the gore in graphic detail -- but rather than letting the violence be gratuitous, she uses it to explore the trauma and grief that must have pervaded such a brutal society.
4.75 stars, maybe a full 5 🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC to read and review.
This is the book I've been craving!
A book about the rise of the only recorded female ruler in the Assyrian empire, Semiramis, written by the author of Clytemnestra? I was so in.
I'm a fan of mythology retellings, and I don't know if this actually qualifies as a mythology because Semiramis was an actual person in history. But while it was meticulously researched and its characters come from historic records, it feels less like historical fiction and more like a legend, a myth, an epic.
Semiramis is a wonderfully complex character. She is not a straightforward protagonist by any means; she is power-hungry, uses other people, and will do anything to get what she wants. But she also loves as fiercely as she fights, and is driven to power by specter of the powerlessness she felt as a young girl in an abusive home.
The writing is incredibly descriptive, giving the reader beautiful scenery and evocative images of the opulent palaces of the Assyrian capital -- and also, extremely graphic depictions of violence. The Assyrians were barbaric: engaged in constant wars, impaling their enemies on stakes, beheading them, and flaying them alive. Instead of shying away from this aspect of their society, Costanza Casati describes the gore in graphic detail -- but rather than letting the violence be gratuitous, she uses it to explore the trauma and grief that must have pervaded such a brutal society.
4.75 stars, maybe a full 5 🌟
Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC to read and review.
October 23, 2025
With beautiful writing and lyrical prose, Babylonia depicts the rise of a woman named Semiramis from the life of a commoner, to the wife of a Governor and eventually to the Queen of the Assyrian Empire. Babylonia is a poignant and captivating novel: meticulous research brings to life the rich history and culture of Assyria, as well as deftly-crafted characters whose despair and triumphs are exquisitely presented.
It is difficult to not emphasize with the main characters-Semiramis, her husband Onnes and Ninus, the King of Assyria-as they struggle with their yearning, their personal pain and the trappings of the roles they play. The use of multiple perspectives provides a deeper understanding of each character, their desires, ambitions and flaws.
Even secondary characters such as: the Spymaster Sasi, Ninus’ mother-the Queen Nisat-and Ribat, a slave in Onnes’ household are engaging, complex and enhance the story. The inclusion of history, mythology and poetry are also a seamless addition to an already well-written novel.
The damage caused by excessive violence and the grisly nature of conquest are not portrayed lightly or glorified. The class dynamics and the precarious existence of those viewed as lesser-slaves and women-are also presented, as secrets serve as currency and a single misstep can easily bring about ruination.
Babylonia is already my favorite book this year and I’m very grateful to have been able read it.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
It is difficult to not emphasize with the main characters-Semiramis, her husband Onnes and Ninus, the King of Assyria-as they struggle with their yearning, their personal pain and the trappings of the roles they play. The use of multiple perspectives provides a deeper understanding of each character, their desires, ambitions and flaws.
Even secondary characters such as: the Spymaster Sasi, Ninus’ mother-the Queen Nisat-and Ribat, a slave in Onnes’ household are engaging, complex and enhance the story. The inclusion of history, mythology and poetry are also a seamless addition to an already well-written novel.
The damage caused by excessive violence and the grisly nature of conquest are not portrayed lightly or glorified. The class dynamics and the precarious existence of those viewed as lesser-slaves and women-are also presented, as secrets serve as currency and a single misstep can easily bring about ruination.
Babylonia is already my favorite book this year and I’m very grateful to have been able read it.
Thank you to SOURCEBOOKS Landmark and NetGalley for access to this ebook in exchange for an honest review.
July 14, 2024
Clytemnestra was one of the best books I read in 2023, so my heart is utterly broken that I didn’t love this.
Whilst it was an epic mythological tale, I found it a little tiring and didn’t find myself all that drawn to the story or characters.
I enjoyed it well enough but it mostly left me feeling a little deflated and disappointed after my love for Clytemnestra.
Whilst it was an epic mythological tale, I found it a little tiring and didn’t find myself all that drawn to the story or characters.
I enjoyed it well enough but it mostly left me feeling a little deflated and disappointed after my love for Clytemnestra.
January 10, 2025
2.75 ⭐️ for such a rich time period and story the writing really fell flat. felt like every other page had those pithy ending sentences and it got old: “His lips parted as if he would speak, but then his face was distant again. Ninus would have given the world to be able to tear it open and look inside.” Then sword 🗡️ emoji. You get the idea.
January 14, 2025
Mythological threesome!
Constanza Casati should be getting as much acclaim as Miller.
Semiramis is a nobody orphan at the fringes of an empire who is determined to rise from her place, taking her from her village to the high halls of the emperors.
Semiramis is powerful, resourceful, and ambitious whilst also still caring and compassionate to the people around her.
Her relationships with her husband, Onnes, and Ninus the king of Assyria, are
”Immortality doesn't mean living for ever. It means surviving even after your heart stops beating and your body is burned. It means living in myth, in stories.”
This jumps in time, perspectives, and locations which gives you a full picture and offers a more satisfying ending. It wrapped up so perfectly with a narrative device I adore, but won’t spoil.
This had bromance, a relationship borne devoid of passion to one that becomes dependant and respectful.
Sadly, this was not as good as Clytemnestra, but take this with a pinch of salt - I am sucker for Greek mythology.
Semiramis’s gradual rise to power is not fully expanded on so it seems sudden when she is this misfit bride to suddenly having all this respect and power.
I also didn’t feel as attached to her as I did the character of Clytemnestra.
Audibook Arc gifted by RBMedia.
Bookstagram
Constanza Casati should be getting as much acclaim as Miller.
Semiramis is a nobody orphan at the fringes of an empire who is determined to rise from her place, taking her from her village to the high halls of the emperors.
Semiramis is powerful, resourceful, and ambitious whilst also still caring and compassionate to the people around her.
Her relationships with her husband, Onnes, and Ninus the king of Assyria, are
”Immortality doesn't mean living for ever. It means surviving even after your heart stops beating and your body is burned. It means living in myth, in stories.”
This jumps in time, perspectives, and locations which gives you a full picture and offers a more satisfying ending. It wrapped up so perfectly with a narrative device I adore, but won’t spoil.
This had bromance, a relationship borne devoid of passion to one that becomes dependant and respectful.
Sadly, this was not as good as Clytemnestra, but take this with a pinch of salt - I am sucker for Greek mythology.
Semiramis’s gradual rise to power is not fully expanded on so it seems sudden when she is this misfit bride to suddenly having all this respect and power.
I also didn’t feel as attached to her as I did the character of Clytemnestra.
Audibook Arc gifted by RBMedia.
Bookstagram
January 23, 2025
Do not fall in love. A woman is a pitfall, a hole, a ditch, a woman is a sharp iron dagger that slashes a man’s throat.
In the ninth century BC, one woman ruled an empire stretching from the Mediterranean coast in Syria to present-day western Iran. Her name was Sammuramat, meaning ‘high heaven’. The Greeks called her Semiramis and this is her story beautifully written by Costanza Casati with inspiration from Epic of Gilgamesh.
I liked to mention a part of the author's note regarding her main character from a historical point of view:Semiramis as a lustful, sinful figure prevailed for centuries in the literary tradition, from Petrarch and Boccaccio to Rossini and Voltaire. In his Inferno, Dante puts Semiramis in the Circle of Lust, next to Helen, Dido and Cleopatra.
Semiramis, a common girl or daughter of a river goddess (based on where you will look), is the story of a girl who built everything from nothing for herself and took the costs...
If you don’t run fast enough, the past will come and grab you. But now she has left too many behind, and they all reach out to her with desperate hands.
Poor men, not everyone can endure their choices as easily as Semiramis!
‘Regret is etched onto my skin. It flows in my blood with my anger and my weakness.’
I appreciate the writing style, and the character development was great. However, discussing the story too much would spoil it because it beautifully and slowly reveals itself in a very steep and interesting way, making it captivating.
The poets say that men are made for glory, but gods want glory for themselves. So, to make men vulnerable, they gave them the gift of love.
*****
What is love? Now, years later, he understands.
Love is the willingness to lose oneself, to enter a dark room without knowing what dangers lie inside, to be held by someone even if she could slit your throat.
Many thanks to RBmedia and NetGalley for ARC. I have given my honest review.
In the ninth century BC, one woman ruled an empire stretching from the Mediterranean coast in Syria to present-day western Iran. Her name was Sammuramat, meaning ‘high heaven’. The Greeks called her Semiramis and this is her story beautifully written by Costanza Casati with inspiration from Epic of Gilgamesh.
I liked to mention a part of the author's note regarding her main character from a historical point of view:Semiramis as a lustful, sinful figure prevailed for centuries in the literary tradition, from Petrarch and Boccaccio to Rossini and Voltaire. In his Inferno, Dante puts Semiramis in the Circle of Lust, next to Helen, Dido and Cleopatra.
Semiramis, a common girl or daughter of a river goddess (based on where you will look), is the story of a girl who built everything from nothing for herself and took the costs...
If you don’t run fast enough, the past will come and grab you. But now she has left too many behind, and they all reach out to her with desperate hands.
Poor men, not everyone can endure their choices as easily as Semiramis!
‘Regret is etched onto my skin. It flows in my blood with my anger and my weakness.’
I appreciate the writing style, and the character development was great. However, discussing the story too much would spoil it because it beautifully and slowly reveals itself in a very steep and interesting way, making it captivating.
The poets say that men are made for glory, but gods want glory for themselves. So, to make men vulnerable, they gave them the gift of love.
*****
What is love? Now, years later, he understands.
Love is the willingness to lose oneself, to enter a dark room without knowing what dangers lie inside, to be held by someone even if she could slit your throat.
Many thanks to RBmedia and NetGalley for ARC. I have given my honest review.
January 17, 2025
"Remember glory and danger often taste the same. All they leave behind is bitterness."
This one starts with a slow burn as you learn who Semiramis is, where she starts, and how learns some of her first rules in life. I knew noting of this story so this was nice, for me, to slowly intro the world, the people, and the ideas. But as she meets Onnes and arrives in her kingdom, the story really gets move. The different perspectives and points of view were so well done - it really showed the moves and manipulations that happen in court and how easily Semiramis was at playing their games.
The battles, abuse, and deaths at times were brutal. The time in the war was particularly hard to read, as was their trauma when they got home. But the story was compelling, it was hard to put the book down after the first part. The themes of love, betrayal, the rise to power and what it means to hold on to it were compelling and thought provoking. It was really beautifully written, parts felt lyrical and lovely. I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
This one starts with a slow burn as you learn who Semiramis is, where she starts, and how learns some of her first rules in life. I knew noting of this story so this was nice, for me, to slowly intro the world, the people, and the ideas. But as she meets Onnes and arrives in her kingdom, the story really gets move. The different perspectives and points of view were so well done - it really showed the moves and manipulations that happen in court and how easily Semiramis was at playing their games.
The battles, abuse, and deaths at times were brutal. The time in the war was particularly hard to read, as was their trauma when they got home. But the story was compelling, it was hard to put the book down after the first part. The themes of love, betrayal, the rise to power and what it means to hold on to it were compelling and thought provoking. It was really beautifully written, parts felt lyrical and lovely. I loved it!
A huge thank you to the author and publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.
November 23, 2025
Did I finish this book or did this book finish me?
Two weeks after I finished reading, I cannot stop thinking about this book. If there was ever a book tailored to every hyper-specific thing I love in stories, it would be Babylonia. From heart-wrenching romantic entanglements, visceral battle scenes, and quiet yet simmering feminine rage, every scene had me gasping, crying, screaming, and anxiously turning the pages. Even now, words fail to capture just how much I love this book with every fiber of my being.
Casati excels in subtlety. From the prologue and very first chapter, her strategic inclusion of small details (cultural, visual, sensual) made the world feel effortlessly immersive without becoming infodump-y or flowery; I often found myself voluntarily rereading sentences just so I could savor and admire her descriptions. Casati emulates the straightforward narrative style of epic poetry, yet she masterfully avoids falling into the “telling” trap by layering every scene with character interiority and emotional stakes. Every sentence is intentional and meticulously crafted in a way that is simply beautiful. In a market stuffed with purple prose and a tendency to tell over show, Casati’s simple yet evocative prose is incredibly refreshing.
Despite the epic political scope of the plot, Babylonia is an impressively character-driven and intimate portrait of Semiramis and her rise to power as the only female ruler in neo-Assyrian history. Casati perfectly balances the interiority of Semiramis’ unrelenting quest for recognition and power with intricate external subplots of courtly intrigue, complex webs of loyalty and romance, and inter-kingdom warfare. Although most of the plot is told through Semiramis’ perspective (as it should be!), I particularly loved the inclusion of Ninus and Ribat’s POVs. Not only did the additional POVs deepen the worldbuilding, they also contextualized just how hard it was, on a purely political level, for low-born people to rise to power, much less women. I will admit that Semiramis’ political adeptness could, at times, read a bit unrealistic, but for a book that fictionalizes, mythologizes, and reconstructs a life that we know very little about, I didn’t mind it too much.
On that note, where Babylonia truly shines is with its cast of fascinatingly complex and nuanced characters. The cast of characters listed in the beginning of the book may seem daunting at first, but I struggle to think of a single character that was unnecessary, even the ones I spent the entire novel despising. Sure, there were characters I loved to hate (ahem, Nisat and Marduk) and slippery ones I didn’t trust but secretly rooted for (Sasi), but all of them had clearly explained motives that never felt archetypical or assigned to a good-bad/moral-immoral binary. Of all the side characters, I’m particularly fond of Ribat—his quiet perseverance and emotional intelligence spoke volumes in a genre dominated by swaggering, sword-wielding, hypermasculine men. His story arc was tragically poignant, and Casati’s decision to end the novel with his POV was heartbreakingly beautiful and profound.
Side characters aside, the book’s tragic main character threesome (?) lives in my head rent free because I still think about Ninus, Onnes, and Semiramis on a daily basis. Ninus won me over from his very first chapter (I’m an absolute sucker for the secret softy scholar-king trope), Semiramis perfectly articulated my quiet yet simmering feminine rage at institutional gender oppression, and enigmatic Onnes had me simultaneously rooting for him and wanting to shake him by the shoulders to jolt him out of his emotional constipation. The sole critique I have of this book is that I did not get nearly enough of Onnes’ interiority. Adding more of Onnes’ POV, even in a limited manner, would have added yet another dimension to a book that already does a fantastic job of investigating the emotional toll of court politics and rule.
I absolutely loved that Casati did not shy away from the reciprocal nature of their love triangle—while not polyamorous, seeing a love triangle in which each character genuinely loves the other two was such a refreshing challenge to modern-day Western heteronormative monogamy. Just like her prose, Casati layers every intimate moment with such a deep emotional undercurrent that the sheer tension is more romantic than any physical intimacy. Read on for spoilers about the three dynamics: The mythological parallels between Ninus/Onnes/Semiramis and Gilgamesh/Enkidu/Ishtar only elevated the emotional devastation, making their romance(s) beautiful, tragic, and poignant all at once. Babylonia single-handedly redeemed the love triangle trope for me—I genuinely could not pick a single relationship to root for because all three characters deserved happiness no matter their partner, and I struggle to think of another book that made me sob as hysterically as I did when only one of them was rewarded with happiness (? even that’s debatable lol) at the end. Massive spoiler:
Brimming with truly fascinating characters, heart-wrenching romance(s), and an intriguing plot that refuses to let you rest until the apotheosis, Babylonia is intoxicating in the best way possible. It’s a five star read on emotional resonance and impact alone, but add on masterful storytelling and writing craft, and you have a contender for one of my favorite books ever. Epic, intimate, and everything in-between, Babylonia stirred my very soul and left me a devastated mess at the end. A breathtaking, beautiful, and truly masterful work of epic historical fiction.
5/5 stars
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Special shoutout to my friend and co-worker who read, cried, and squealed over this book with me and made the reading experience all the better <3
Two weeks after I finished reading, I cannot stop thinking about this book. If there was ever a book tailored to every hyper-specific thing I love in stories, it would be Babylonia. From heart-wrenching romantic entanglements, visceral battle scenes, and quiet yet simmering feminine rage, every scene had me gasping, crying, screaming, and anxiously turning the pages. Even now, words fail to capture just how much I love this book with every fiber of my being.
Casati excels in subtlety. From the prologue and very first chapter, her strategic inclusion of small details (cultural, visual, sensual) made the world feel effortlessly immersive without becoming infodump-y or flowery; I often found myself voluntarily rereading sentences just so I could savor and admire her descriptions. Casati emulates the straightforward narrative style of epic poetry, yet she masterfully avoids falling into the “telling” trap by layering every scene with character interiority and emotional stakes. Every sentence is intentional and meticulously crafted in a way that is simply beautiful. In a market stuffed with purple prose and a tendency to tell over show, Casati’s simple yet evocative prose is incredibly refreshing.
Despite the epic political scope of the plot, Babylonia is an impressively character-driven and intimate portrait of Semiramis and her rise to power as the only female ruler in neo-Assyrian history. Casati perfectly balances the interiority of Semiramis’ unrelenting quest for recognition and power with intricate external subplots of courtly intrigue, complex webs of loyalty and romance, and inter-kingdom warfare. Although most of the plot is told through Semiramis’ perspective (as it should be!), I particularly loved the inclusion of Ninus and Ribat’s POVs. Not only did the additional POVs deepen the worldbuilding, they also contextualized just how hard it was, on a purely political level, for low-born people to rise to power, much less women. I will admit that Semiramis’ political adeptness could, at times, read a bit unrealistic, but for a book that fictionalizes, mythologizes, and reconstructs a life that we know very little about, I didn’t mind it too much.
On that note, where Babylonia truly shines is with its cast of fascinatingly complex and nuanced characters. The cast of characters listed in the beginning of the book may seem daunting at first, but I struggle to think of a single character that was unnecessary, even the ones I spent the entire novel despising. Sure, there were characters I loved to hate (ahem, Nisat and Marduk) and slippery ones I didn’t trust but secretly rooted for (Sasi), but all of them had clearly explained motives that never felt archetypical or assigned to a good-bad/moral-immoral binary. Of all the side characters, I’m particularly fond of Ribat—his quiet perseverance and emotional intelligence spoke volumes in a genre dominated by swaggering, sword-wielding, hypermasculine men. His story arc was tragically poignant, and Casati’s decision to end the novel with his POV was heartbreakingly beautiful and profound.
Side characters aside, the book’s tragic main character threesome (?) lives in my head rent free because I still think about Ninus, Onnes, and Semiramis on a daily basis. Ninus won me over from his very first chapter (I’m an absolute sucker for the secret softy scholar-king trope), Semiramis perfectly articulated my quiet yet simmering feminine rage at institutional gender oppression, and enigmatic Onnes had me simultaneously rooting for him and wanting to shake him by the shoulders to jolt him out of his emotional constipation. The sole critique I have of this book is that I did not get nearly enough of Onnes’ interiority. Adding more of Onnes’ POV, even in a limited manner, would have added yet another dimension to a book that already does a fantastic job of investigating the emotional toll of court politics and rule.
I absolutely loved that Casati did not shy away from the reciprocal nature of their love triangle—while not polyamorous, seeing a love triangle in which each character genuinely loves the other two was such a refreshing challenge to modern-day Western heteronormative monogamy. Just like her prose, Casati layers every intimate moment with such a deep emotional undercurrent that the sheer tension is more romantic than any physical intimacy. Read on for spoilers about the three dynamics: The mythological parallels between Ninus/Onnes/Semiramis and Gilgamesh/Enkidu/Ishtar only elevated the emotional devastation, making their romance(s) beautiful, tragic, and poignant all at once. Babylonia single-handedly redeemed the love triangle trope for me—I genuinely could not pick a single relationship to root for because all three characters deserved happiness no matter their partner, and I struggle to think of another book that made me sob as hysterically as I did when only one of them was rewarded with happiness (? even that’s debatable lol) at the end. Massive spoiler:
Brimming with truly fascinating characters, heart-wrenching romance(s), and an intriguing plot that refuses to let you rest until the apotheosis, Babylonia is intoxicating in the best way possible. It’s a five star read on emotional resonance and impact alone, but add on masterful storytelling and writing craft, and you have a contender for one of my favorite books ever. Epic, intimate, and everything in-between, Babylonia stirred my very soul and left me a devastated mess at the end. A breathtaking, beautiful, and truly masterful work of epic historical fiction.
5/5 stars
Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for the e-ARC! All thoughts and opinions are my own.
Special shoutout to my friend and co-worker who read, cried, and squealed over this book with me and made the reading experience all the better <3
February 2, 2025
firstly, thank you to the publisher for an arc and an alc!
costanza casati has firmly cemented herself as a reliably unique reteller of mythological/historical women. i enjoyed babylonia just as much as her debut clytemnestra. she takes women that had such a small role and expands their identity in a complex and crucial way. i will eagerly continue to follow any upcoming projects!
the narrator for the audio did a fantastic job.
not to mention, my page & wick edition (that i received last year😅) is absolutely stunning.
costanza casati has firmly cemented herself as a reliably unique reteller of mythological/historical women. i enjoyed babylonia just as much as her debut clytemnestra. she takes women that had such a small role and expands their identity in a complex and crucial way. i will eagerly continue to follow any upcoming projects!
the narrator for the audio did a fantastic job.
not to mention, my page & wick edition (that i received last year😅) is absolutely stunning.
July 3, 2024
I have finally come back nearly a month later to scream about this book. If you love complicated female characters, complicated male friendship dynamics, and political storylines similar to Game of Thrones and Ancient Civilisations/Mythology this book is for you!
I never considered myself a character-focused reader or a reader who enjoys political storylines but Miss Casati had me eating my hat. I loved being nervous every time there was a council meeting or any time Semiramis didn't honestly literally everything. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book and despite this book being nearly 500 pages - you don't feel it. Every word, every paragraph, every page is intentional and time flies by as you get lost in this gory, powerful, and intense world of Assyria.
The characters in this story are so dynamic, tortured, and complicated. Not one interaction in this book is without intention, emotion, or poignancy. The power dynamics shift and change on a six pence and when you think you have figured these characters out Casati will through you a massive curveball that has you questioning the last 100 pages you have read. I could not put this book down. I was enveloped in it and had book blues after finishing it.
---
I mean... I need a minute to collect my thoughts!
RTC
I never considered myself a character-focused reader or a reader who enjoys political storylines but Miss Casati had me eating my hat. I loved being nervous every time there was a council meeting or any time Semiramis didn't honestly literally everything. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book and despite this book being nearly 500 pages - you don't feel it. Every word, every paragraph, every page is intentional and time flies by as you get lost in this gory, powerful, and intense world of Assyria.
The characters in this story are so dynamic, tortured, and complicated. Not one interaction in this book is without intention, emotion, or poignancy. The power dynamics shift and change on a six pence and when you think you have figured these characters out Casati will through you a massive curveball that has you questioning the last 100 pages you have read. I could not put this book down. I was enveloped in it and had book blues after finishing it.
---
I mean... I need a minute to collect my thoughts!
RTC
January 16, 2025
There is nothing fundamentally wrong with the book, it just didn't speak to me for some reason. It is the rags to riches story of a wise and kind (mostly) woman who uses her beauty and brains to rise from orphan to queen. My favorite part was that she had a pet leopard! I actually preferred the parts about the slave who became a scribe more than anything else. This has lots of great reviews, so I'm definitely alone here, but this felt more like a slog to get through rather than a great retelling.
Thank you to NetGalley, Costanza Casati, and Recorded Books for my copy of this audiobook.
Thank you to NetGalley, Costanza Casati, and Recorded Books for my copy of this audiobook.
August 10, 2024
I think this is one of the greatest pieces of mythical fiction I have ever read 🐆
Castati your words are bejewelled with gold. What a pleasure it has been to hold Babylonia in my hands and dip into the ancient Eastern world of Assyria. Once a great Mesopotamian kingdom and feudal empire, this is the unfolding story of its only female ruler Semiramis. Beautifully mapped out, with details pouring like Manuka honey throughout. Constanza really excavates a woman’s story from the bones of time. A retelling rooted in fascinating Middle Eastern history. Brutal, bloody and teeming with life.
Babylonia is based on the Assyrian Queen Sammuramat, who was and is among the most powerful and influential women of the ancient Near East. In her own right she ruled an empire “ stretching from the Mediterranean coast in Syria to present day western Iran.” She had a lot to say and executed her reign rather effectively 👸🏽
Semiramis’ seismic power as a woman is contagious and I feel like she has really left her mark on me as a reader. To come from nothing but a societal scrap heap where her future is to be a wife and chattel, yet to somehow succeed in walking the floors of a gilded palace, is an extraordinary story and feat. Behind every woman is her own secret power. Semiramis is my idol for sure ✨
#costanzacasati #babylonia #babylonianmythology #mythology #womensmythology #mythicalfiction #womenrulers #womenshistory #history #historicalfiction
Castati your words are bejewelled with gold. What a pleasure it has been to hold Babylonia in my hands and dip into the ancient Eastern world of Assyria. Once a great Mesopotamian kingdom and feudal empire, this is the unfolding story of its only female ruler Semiramis. Beautifully mapped out, with details pouring like Manuka honey throughout. Constanza really excavates a woman’s story from the bones of time. A retelling rooted in fascinating Middle Eastern history. Brutal, bloody and teeming with life.
Babylonia is based on the Assyrian Queen Sammuramat, who was and is among the most powerful and influential women of the ancient Near East. In her own right she ruled an empire “ stretching from the Mediterranean coast in Syria to present day western Iran.” She had a lot to say and executed her reign rather effectively 👸🏽
Semiramis’ seismic power as a woman is contagious and I feel like she has really left her mark on me as a reader. To come from nothing but a societal scrap heap where her future is to be a wife and chattel, yet to somehow succeed in walking the floors of a gilded palace, is an extraordinary story and feat. Behind every woman is her own secret power. Semiramis is my idol for sure ✨
#costanzacasati #babylonia #babylonianmythology #mythology #womensmythology #mythicalfiction #womenrulers #womenshistory #history #historicalfiction
September 13, 2024
Well, first I’d like to thank @netgalley for the ARC on this- after being blown away by Casati’s voice in Clytemnestra- I was pumped about her latest and greatest in the mythology realm.
It’s safe to say, Casati’s voice is pretty special in this space. Within a few sentences, I’m easily transported.
She’s able to weave drama so that I’m flipping the pages faster than I expected.
That being said… I did struggle with the love triangle. And usually, I don’t mind them! I couldn’t get over the ‘ick’ factor of it. I know things were “historically researched and inspired”, so it’s a retelling that educated us a bit, but it maybe not the exact version I wanted for escapism.
Putting that aspect aside, I love a rags-to- riches set up. And I’ll never exhaust of a strong AF FMC. And as long as Casati keeps writing them, I’ll read them.
It was just hard to fully enjoy the FMC’s power climb because of the romance. 🫣
3ish?/5 ⭐️
It’s safe to say, Casati’s voice is pretty special in this space. Within a few sentences, I’m easily transported.
She’s able to weave drama so that I’m flipping the pages faster than I expected.
That being said… I did struggle with the love triangle. And usually, I don’t mind them! I couldn’t get over the ‘ick’ factor of it. I know things were “historically researched and inspired”, so it’s a retelling that educated us a bit, but it maybe not the exact version I wanted for escapism.
Putting that aspect aside, I love a rags-to- riches set up. And I’ll never exhaust of a strong AF FMC. And as long as Casati keeps writing them, I’ll read them.
It was just hard to fully enjoy the FMC’s power climb because of the romance. 🫣
3ish?/5 ⭐️
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
February 2, 2025
Сама собі дивуюсь, але якби в цій книзі були якісь хоча б сцени 18+, в ній було би трохи більше сенсу
August 8, 2025
I was excited to pick this up at first because The Assyrian is one of my guilty pleasure reads and it’s not a time period that’s often written about. Unfortunately that also meant that Babylonia was weak sauce from the start in comparison. The Assyrian isn’t “great” literature or anything, but you can really see that world in your mind. This was like the CW version of it (if that TV network still exists haha).
Casati is a decent writer on a technical level, but this is just… empty? It wants to be profound, but none of the characters feel real and like a lot of historical fiction writers who either lack the research background or the strength of imagination, you can’t see the ancient world they’re writing about. It’s like everyone is acting in front of a green screen. That, and the absolute inability to conceive of moral and societal ideas that are different from our own.
This entire book is basically people walking from one palace to the other, having a vague conversation that ends with Semiramis saying, “I’m not like other girls, I’m a badass”, and then you get weirdly PG13 scenes when things are supposed to get steamy. Not that we need graphic sex scenes in everything, but this particular fade to black technique gave YA and I found it hilarious.
I also had issues with the protagonist and the main one was this: I don’t like that some female writers seem to be afraid to have their strong female characters go through real growth on their way to badassery - it’s something I noticed in books like Joan as well for example. Semiramis first enters the story as an orphaned 14-year-old illiterate village dweller who manages to seduce a royal official and ends up in a palace in the Assyrian capital. She has no issues adjusting at all and is immediately a badass at palace politics, reading (I mean have you ever seen cuneiform?), fighting, and girlbossing. How? Why? A person like that would’ve had absolutely no idea about any of this to begin with. Would she really be any less of a girlboss if she actually had to learn how to be one? In books like this one or Joan, the women aren’t allowed to have real weaknesses and flaws and are just inherently superior to everyone, which I find to be the most boring option and shows a real lack of imagination and ability to see people’s complexity. It also lessens the achievements of the real Shammuramat or Jean d’Arc or whoever they’re writing about, because I’m pretty sure these women didn’t get where they were by simply having been born more awesome than everyone.
Also, let me get a mini rant in about the title. It should be called Assyria - has nothing to do with Babylon, in fact. Casati thought the association with it would be more glam, I guess, and also because nowadays people know Babylon from the bible or whatever but very few would know what to do with the Neo-Assyrian empire. Leave it to me to get annoyed at things like this, lol.
I’m honestly trying to think of even one recent female centric historical/ mythological retelling that I’ve liked, even though on paper these novels should be made for me. The aim is a good one, the potential is there for all the stories, but this subgenre just seems to attract a somewhat unimaginative type of author, which is kinda disappointing.
Casati is a decent writer on a technical level, but this is just… empty? It wants to be profound, but none of the characters feel real and like a lot of historical fiction writers who either lack the research background or the strength of imagination, you can’t see the ancient world they’re writing about. It’s like everyone is acting in front of a green screen. That, and the absolute inability to conceive of moral and societal ideas that are different from our own.
This entire book is basically people walking from one palace to the other, having a vague conversation that ends with Semiramis saying, “I’m not like other girls, I’m a badass”, and then you get weirdly PG13 scenes when things are supposed to get steamy. Not that we need graphic sex scenes in everything, but this particular fade to black technique gave YA and I found it hilarious.
I also had issues with the protagonist and the main one was this: I don’t like that some female writers seem to be afraid to have their strong female characters go through real growth on their way to badassery - it’s something I noticed in books like Joan as well for example. Semiramis first enters the story as an orphaned 14-year-old illiterate village dweller who manages to seduce a royal official and ends up in a palace in the Assyrian capital. She has no issues adjusting at all and is immediately a badass at palace politics, reading (I mean have you ever seen cuneiform?), fighting, and girlbossing. How? Why? A person like that would’ve had absolutely no idea about any of this to begin with. Would she really be any less of a girlboss if she actually had to learn how to be one? In books like this one or Joan, the women aren’t allowed to have real weaknesses and flaws and are just inherently superior to everyone, which I find to be the most boring option and shows a real lack of imagination and ability to see people’s complexity. It also lessens the achievements of the real Shammuramat or Jean d’Arc or whoever they’re writing about, because I’m pretty sure these women didn’t get where they were by simply having been born more awesome than everyone.
Also, let me get a mini rant in about the title. It should be called Assyria - has nothing to do with Babylon, in fact. Casati thought the association with it would be more glam, I guess, and also because nowadays people know Babylon from the bible or whatever but very few would know what to do with the Neo-Assyrian empire. Leave it to me to get annoyed at things like this, lol.
I’m honestly trying to think of even one recent female centric historical/ mythological retelling that I’ve liked, even though on paper these novels should be made for me. The aim is a good one, the potential is there for all the stories, but this subgenre just seems to attract a somewhat unimaginative type of author, which is kinda disappointing.
February 2, 2025
Side note: by the time I was done with this, I'd reached 104% on the audio. LOL
Narrated by Ayesha Antoine
Presented by RB Media
An excellent historical fiction that I really enjoyed, though it felt a little too long by the end of it.
Babylonia tells the story of Semiramis, a nobody who rises to become the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire.
Knowing that's how it'll end does not make this story any less enjoyable. I really enjoyed her ruthlessness, and how she was so determined to just live.
The story gives us multiple viewpoints, so we get a well-rounded story that takes into account the thoughts and opinions of those close to Semiramis and allows a glimpse into the motivations of several. I appreciated having more insider knowledge of these other characters.
The story gets brutal at times, but I liked that about it. It added a realness that this story truly benefited from.
I do think the romance side of things worked against it - I loved Semiramis climbing the ranks for power, so as soon as questions of love were raised it started to soften and I wasn't wholly convinced. At the same time, the romance was never drawing the focus away from the progression of the story, so I appreciated that.
The narrator's performance was excellent - I was entranced by her voice and its strength suited this story so much. It was easy enough to differentiate characters, even without huge variations in pitch. A brilliant job and I'd happily listen to this narrator again.
Towards the end, it did feel like it was starting to drag - like the rest of the story had been so spread out that there was more but it had to be squashed in at the end because time had run out. It felt like a cramped ending that perhaps needed more time, or just less time spent elsewhere to balance it.
Still, I was entertained throughout and would happily recommend this to fans of historical fiction.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
Narrated by Ayesha Antoine
Presented by RB Media
An excellent historical fiction that I really enjoyed, though it felt a little too long by the end of it.
Babylonia tells the story of Semiramis, a nobody who rises to become the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire.
Knowing that's how it'll end does not make this story any less enjoyable. I really enjoyed her ruthlessness, and how she was so determined to just live.
The story gives us multiple viewpoints, so we get a well-rounded story that takes into account the thoughts and opinions of those close to Semiramis and allows a glimpse into the motivations of several. I appreciated having more insider knowledge of these other characters.
The story gets brutal at times, but I liked that about it. It added a realness that this story truly benefited from.
I do think the romance side of things worked against it - I loved Semiramis climbing the ranks for power, so as soon as questions of love were raised it started to soften and I wasn't wholly convinced. At the same time, the romance was never drawing the focus away from the progression of the story, so I appreciated that.
The narrator's performance was excellent - I was entranced by her voice and its strength suited this story so much. It was easy enough to differentiate characters, even without huge variations in pitch. A brilliant job and I'd happily listen to this narrator again.
Towards the end, it did feel like it was starting to drag - like the rest of the story had been so spread out that there was more but it had to be squashed in at the end because time had run out. It felt like a cramped ending that perhaps needed more time, or just less time spent elsewhere to balance it.
Still, I was entertained throughout and would happily recommend this to fans of historical fiction.
With thanks to NetGalley for an audio ARC
January 24, 2025
This book takes place in the ancient world of Assyria and nearby (Mesopotamia) from 823 to 813 BCE. It begins with the orphan Semiramis who lives in a village, beaten by her adopted father, yet yearning to know everything. She was a unique child, especially for being a girl. The boys did not like how she was faster than them when climbing the cliffs or running. Now she is told she must marry. Instead, Semiramis changes her destiny by going with the new governor back to the city capital as his wife.
This ancient world comes to life in this historical fiction book. There is such empowerment in this book, from the strength of this orphan, of this woman, doing what other say only men could do. Learning how to defeat her fear, how to treat others that would otherwise be ignored, she taught many.
As with historical fiction, the author’s note is always something I look for and here it included an ancient Babylonian calendar. She did thorough research and for what is known that happened that long ago is accurate in the book.
This term fantasy has been applied to this book, but I find that incorrect. This is historical, maybe mythological, a retelling of what was found in an ancient scroll. The people back then believed in many gods, they interpreted the world differently than we do now. But there was no magic, no one had special powers, people were just people with different ways of living.
Book rating: 4.25 stars
Thanks to the Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy prior to publication.
However, I read 80% of the book via audio from my local library.
P.S. Now I want to read The Epic of Gilgamesh.
This ancient world comes to life in this historical fiction book. There is such empowerment in this book, from the strength of this orphan, of this woman, doing what other say only men could do. Learning how to defeat her fear, how to treat others that would otherwise be ignored, she taught many.
As with historical fiction, the author’s note is always something I look for and here it included an ancient Babylonian calendar. She did thorough research and for what is known that happened that long ago is accurate in the book.
This term fantasy has been applied to this book, but I find that incorrect. This is historical, maybe mythological, a retelling of what was found in an ancient scroll. The people back then believed in many gods, they interpreted the world differently than we do now. But there was no magic, no one had special powers, people were just people with different ways of living.
Book rating: 4.25 stars
Thanks to the Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy prior to publication.
However, I read 80% of the book via audio from my local library.
P.S. Now I want to read The Epic of Gilgamesh.
March 26, 2025
3.5 ⭐️ am in a bit of a slump really. nothing i’ve been reading has managed to fully convince me, and it’s the same case for babylonia. while i love constanza casati’s writing style (clytemnestra was a solid 5 stars for me), i wasn’t invested in the lives of these characters as much.
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