IN this stunning mythological retelling that borrows heavily from the Gilgamesh myth, Casati explores what it takes for a woman to rise from obscurity to influence in a male-dominated world of ancient empires and ruthless ambition. I was transported to ancient Mesopotamia, set against the backdrop of the mighty Assyrian Empire in the 9th century BC.

I wasn't sure if I would like this book as much as I loved CLYTEMNESTRA, but this ended up being a close second! How the author was able to weave such an intricate tale of ambition, survival, and the inevitable concept that power and corruption go hand-in-hand was dazzling. The settings were lush and realistic, and the journey of Semiramis, a woman who defies the odds to rise from humble beginnings in a small village to the pinnacle of power within the Assyrian court, was both endearing and compelling.

A truly remarkable read of yet another strong female. I can't wait to see what this author comes up with next.

3.5 stars, rounded up for NetGalley

My Quick Takes:
- 3.5/5 stars
- Language 🤐 strong
- Spice ❤️‍🔥 a few quick non explicit open door
- Content 🤔 killing, death, extramarital affairs, same sex attraction/relationships

I went into this pretty blind, but thought it was a mythological retelling (turns out it is) but then thought it was just straight up historical fiction, which made me not enjoy it as much at that point. Turns out it IS a mythological retelling, thankful for the authors note at the end to cite all her sources because it totally had me reframe the book narrative.

Now that we’ve established it IS a mythological retelling, let’s dive in.

At first I thought the female rage appropriation for the ancient Middle East was too much, but knowing now that it’s based on mythology and the sole historical female ruler of the Assyrian empire, I understand the need for that character arc. Additionally, the narrative follows the myth that the queen came from humble origins etc. this was a harder arc for me to follow. I just couldn’t find it plausible that this low born girl would face off against the king’s mother in the early days of her time in the palace.

Are these spoilers? Feel like they are but I’m airing my grievances here.

As an art historian I LOVED the time period and all the references to the code of Hammurabi. Toward the end I was questioning what even was the point of the storyline but it got there, basically the authors note made it for me. Some of the language pulled me out of the time period, but the writing throughout was enjoyable.

If you like the ancient Middle East or the epic of Gilgamesh give this one a try.

So good but a bit too long - felt like it dragged in some parts. Love Semiramis & her leopard & her messy little love triangle. She is the definition of “fake it till you make it” - she’s strong, cunning, so brave, beyond ambitious, and despite a few of her actions, fiercely loyal. I enjoyed learning about ancient Assyria and the authors note with more background was great, too.

I wasn't entirely sure why the book is titled Babylonia, though- Babylon is rarely even mentioned until 90 percent through - but the author's note about the 'whore of Babylon' helped.

Thank you to NetGalley for the ARC!

Costanz Casati gives us the biographical novel of Semiramis, the only queen of Babylon. Semiramis is picked up from a peasant village by a general of the king of Assyria who marries her; she takes up with the king of Assyria and on his death becomes regnant queen. Historical character about which not a lot is known. Great intriguing story.

I was really excited for this book, but unfortunately it wasn’t my favorite. This story had great world building and was well written. I liked the strong female characters…I just couldn’t get into the love triangle. I think this is a case that not every book is for every person!

Thank you to NetGalley for providing me an ARC of this book for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Really finding myself wondering if I read the same book as all these gushing reviews. First, for a book that purported to be about the rise of a powerful queen, I found it irritating that so much of the book was written from Ninus and other men's perspectives instead of that of Semiramis. It did not seem as though she was the focus of this book as much as advertised, which left me quite annoyed.

In addition to that, I am not really down with all the reviews romanticizing the "throuple" because one, there. is. no. throuple. It is a toxic love triangle at best, and the amount pages filled by the three characters' wishy-washy back and forth feelings about the other two was not for me. Two, it's freaking incest between the two guys? How people can see this trio as anything but icky and toxic is just beyond me and I hated reading about them.

Lastly, the comparisons between the story and Gilgamesh felt rather forced. I wish other Assyrian/Babylonian myths were mentioned to give a fuller picture of the characters who were educated on the classic poems/songs, but it seems like that was the only one discussed in detail.

I did love the beginning of the book before Semiramis made it to the palace. Her cunning and power shone most clearly in those beginning chapters. I also liked Ribat's character arc and appreciated having his perspective of events included.

Overall though, this one was just not for me. I think I will still read Clytemnestra by this author because I liked her writing style, just not the way this novel's content was depicted.

thanks to netgalley for providing me an e-arc of this book!

as a big enjoyer of all kinds of mythology retellings, i was especially excited about this one because i've never read anything about Semiramis or Babylon generally. this was a really fun character-based book. Ninus and Onnes were unexpected standouts for me, and their tangled up relationship with Semiramis was messy and incredibly intriguing.

A beautifully crafted, thrilling story about a woman's rise to power in a cruel, unforgiving world. Once you start reading, you won't be able to stop until you reach the book's final page.

In this brilliant new historical fiction novel from Costanza Casati, she brings Semiramis, the only woman to rule the Assyrian Empire, to life as she follows her rise from obscurity to power as a governor’s wife and, eventually, an empress. The novel follows Semiramis, with occasional shifts to Onnes and King Ninus’s perspectives, as she learns to negotiate Assyrian imperial politics at court where her power and obscurity make her a threat to other women at court, especially since she has cleverly figured out court politics. With a lot of political intrigue and drama throughout the novel, readers will love the complex ancient court culture that Casati has brought to life in this absolute masterpiece. Engrossing and immersive, this novel is impossible to put down because Semiramis is a complicated protagonist and readers have a limited idea of what she and others are plotting as the novel progresses, creating a great sense of tension and intensity that readers will love. The historical detective work that Casati has done to build Semiramis’s story is really well done and interweaves with the fictional elements incredibly well, and fans of complex female protagonists and Casati’s first book will love this incredible new release.

*Babylonia* by Costanza Casati is an absolute masterpiece, and I’m still thinking about it days after finishing it. From the very first page, I was drawn into a world that felt both dreamlike and painfully real, a place where the past and present seem to intertwine in the most hauntingly beautiful way. Casati’s prose is exquisite, almost poetic, and every sentence feels like it has been carefully sculpted to convey deep emotions and truths.

The characters in this novel are some of the most complex and compelling I’ve ever encountered. Each one is so richly developed, with layers that reveal themselves slowly as the story unfolds. I felt as though I could almost step into their shoes, understanding their inner turmoil, their hopes, their fears, and the way their pasts shaped who they were in the present. There’s a rawness to their emotions that makes them feel incredibly real, yet there’s also a depth to their stories that invites reflection long after the book is closed.

What struck me the most about *Babylonia* is Casati’s ability to marry profound emotional depth with such breathtakingly beautiful language. Her prose isn’t just storytelling; it’s an art form. The words flow with such rhythm and grace, almost like poetry, which made reading this novel feel like a deeply intimate experience. Each page seemed to pull me further into the world she created, making it impossible to put the book down.

This novel isn’t just a story; it’s a journey through the complexities of the human soul, a meditation on how the past shapes us, and how we try to reconcile it with who we are becoming. It’s one of those books that stays with you, making you reflect on your own life and the people in it long after you’ve finished reading.

I can’t recommend *Babylonia* enough. It’s a beautifully crafted novel that offers so much more than just a great story—it’s an experience, one that I’ll carry with me for a long time.

Costanza Casati's "Babylonia" is a mesmerizing journey into the heart of ancient Assyria, brought to life through the lens of Semiramis, a figure shrouded in myth and history.

The novel masterfully intertwines historical detail with lyrical storytelling, charting Semiramis’s rise from an orphaned girl on the outskirts of the empire to the only female ruler of Assyria. Casati’s plot is rich with political intrigue, betrayal, and ambition, creating a narrative that is as gripping as it is thought-provoking. The pacing allows readers to fully immerse themselves in the world of ancient Mesopotamia, with its vivid landscapes and complex societal dynamics.

The characterization of Semiramis is the novel’s crowning achievement. Casati breathes life into this legendary figure, portraying her as a multifaceted protagonist who is both ruthless and deeply human. Semiramis’s intelligence, resilience, and strategic brilliance are juxtaposed with moments of vulnerability, making her a compelling and relatable character. The supporting cast, from allies to adversaries, is equally well-drawn, adding depth and nuance to the story. Each character plays a pivotal role in shaping Semiramis’s journey, enhancing the emotional and narrative stakes.

"Babylonia' is a triumph of historical fiction, blending myth and history to create a tale that is both captivating and inspiring. Casati’s evocative prose and meticulous research transport readers to a world of power struggles and personal triumphs, making the novel a thoroughly enjoyable read for fans of historical retellings and strong, complex heroines.

Really interesting historical fiction about Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire. Focuses on her early life and the tragic love triangle that allowed her to rise from her place as a commoner and ascend the throne. It was a little slow to start, but ultimately compelling as I had never even heard of her.

Thanks to NetGalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I thought this was very good and I will have to add this to the shop shelves. Thank you for the chance for us to review.

Semiramis is an orphan whose mother drowned herself. She was found bu the side of the river and brought to a small village. There she has a tough childhood until she is a teenager and gets a chance of changing her life and following a prophecy about her rise. She finds herself in the Assyrian court and there she finds that is she wants power, she must take it.

I really like the author's writing style - she is able to recreate the atmosphere of the places and culture of the people she is writing about. I felt myself really immersed in the story. And I really like how she takes a female character that is seen as a villain and, not only humanizes her, but makes her completely sympathetic and makes the reader root for her. I adored Semiramis. Yes, she is ambitious and she puts her safety above all else. But it's completely understandable. She feels so real and human. It's really fascinating seeing her rise and her decisions throughout the book. I really liked Ribat as well; I was rooting a lot for him and I loved the author's note that explain her decision to give him chapters as the point of view. The interactions between Ribat and Semiramis were really interesting. Ninnus and Onnes were also compelling characters even if I felt they weren't really developed, especially the latter - when their mental state begins to deteriorate it's more told than shown.

The story in itself is pretty interesting and I liked how the author combined historical facts with the myth and with her own interpretations.

Thank you Netgalley, author, and publisher for the ARC.

Wonderful story about love, loyalty, and betrayal. I love the strong female roles intertwined with tokens of history that might not be familiar.

Babylonia. Where to begin. (TLDR: I loved it, go read it)
I really took my time with this one, so don't be fooled by the one-month difference between starting and finishing. Babylonia emerses you into a culture and a world you probably know very little about, unless you're a historian or an archaeologist or something. This is a peek into a civilization that existed for thousands of years BC, with this story taking place in the 800s BC.
Semiramis has gone down in history as a legend or a myth, and as her story progresses in Babylonia you can see why- abandoned and orphaned as an infant, barely escaping her remote village with her life, and eventually seizing control over her own destiny and rising to power in the Assyrian empire, loved and hated in equal measure. She is a complex character with strengths and faults; like all of us, she was not designed to be liked, but simply to be. This is not a Disney movie-do not expect a perfect princess in Semiramis.
And in that vein, let me say it again- this story takes place in a very different time. Life was brutal in Assyria- the elements, disease and injury, war and violence galore- this book is not for the faint of heart.
All that said, I savored this book. The time period and culture was thoughtfully researched, the characters well constructed and developed. Just as in Constanza's debut, Clytemnestra, I loved Semiramis- not because she was a perfect, moral, honorable person 100% of the time, but because she was gritty and ambitious and real.
Keeping in mind to review content warnings, I absolutely recommend this book and audiobook (shoutout Ayesha Antoine, who did amazing work here!) to historical feminist fiction readers. Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark and Recorded Books for the ALC and ARC of Babylonia, which is available now.

Being such a fan of Costanza Casati’s debut, Clytemnestra, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on her second novel. I almost didn’t care what it was about, but when I saw Babylonia’s description and the line, “When kings fall, queens rise”, I was sold. And I’m happy to report, it did not disappoint.

Babylonia is a retelling of Semiramis, the legendary Queen of Assyria, and her rise to power. It’s full of rich historical detail, power struggles, court intrigue, violent conflicts, love, and betrayal. Semiramis is a fierce and nuanced protagonist, but the other characters are also well-developed and compelling. The writing style is immersive and powerful, and there is a ton of historical detail to get lost in, which you may or may not prefer, but I enjoyed.

If you loved Clytemnestra, I think you will love Babylonia, too. I would also recommend it to lovers of mythological fiction and fans of authors like Madeline Miller or Natalie Haynes. But even if you’ve never read a retelling, Babylonia would be an excellent place to start!

*Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for providing an eARC in exchange for an honest review!*

This was fascinating and really enjoyable.

As someone who sang the praises of her first book, Clytemnestra, coming into this one, I was incredibly excited. And it didn't disappoint at all.

The only slight negative is that the beginning was a little slow and I struggled to hold interest but I knew that the set up would end up paying off, and boy, did it.

I really enjoyed that, unlike Clytemnesta, we got POVs from so many people which really showed us a variety of personalities and levels throughout the story. My goodness it was sad to watch Onnes's downfall but to watch it from like multiple people's perspectives was great. Same with watching the rise of Semiramis from her horrible, small...village? beginnings to being queen. It was also one of those stories where you're very plainly told how it would end (she would end up being queen), but the train wreck of the story led to being unable to look away.

Wonderful. Absolutely wonderful. 4.5, rounding up to 5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for a chance to read and review.

Seriously one of the best greek mythology retellings out there. Costanza Casati is a force to be reckoned with, and her books will ALWAYS be welcome in our library. Loved especially by fans of Circe, The Song of Achilles. Another home-run for Casati.

I just love learning new mythology stories and the story of Babylonia was entirely new to me. I knew nothing of this myth going in so I was excited to read Casati's spin on it. I think Casati is a great story teller, keeping me interested in the story and intrigued to learn more on my own after. I enjoyed this novel and look forward to Casati's next!

Thank you Sourcebooks and Netgalley for the eArc!