"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"

I had to admit that my knowledge on Mesopotamian legends and myth is very limited but when I saw the book up on NetGalley I simply couldn't resist its pull. This is my first book by the author Costanza Casati and I am in awe of her ability to transport us to the ancient times with her writing. It was really hard to put down the book especially the first 3/4th was very bingeable , the legend of an ambitious women's power crawl to the high heavens in an extremely male dominated world. Semiramis the no body and the Semisramis the queen will stay with you for a while after you finish!

There is also a deep exploration of grief, the unbidden quest to find immortality and the parallels between the people with power and the one's that are next to invisible in the same world is drawn so well by the author. You could tell there was immense research that went behind this book to bring a myth on a prominent historical figure to life, I really appreciated how the author threw a realistic light on a Woman who was mostly called power hungry & lustful just because she had big ambitions by most of the historical records. It was almost a 5 star but I was little frustrated with certain parts especially the love triangle, romantic aspects as if I needed more explanations for them but overall I definitely enjoyed this read

Babylonia by Costanza Casati, publishing on January 14th, 2025, reimagines the life of Semiramis, a queen whose legacy history has largely neglected and forgotten. Set in the ninth-century B.C. Assyrian Empire, the story follows an orphan raised by a shepherd, bearing the weight of a powerful prophecy. Entwined with the lives of two influential men—Ninus and Onnes—Semiramis navigates a world where power, envy, revenge, war, and sacrifice speak louder than words. In this brutal empire, where cruelty and survival go hand in hand, can the bearer of prophecy endure?

Richly poetic and reminiscent of the Epic of Gilgamesh, Babylonia captivates with its elegant prose. The author masterfully portrays characters so layered and human that even the most jaded among them are hard to hate. Assyria’s infamous cruelty is reflected vividly, making this tale of ambition, betrayal, and sacrifice both haunting and unforgettable. Semiramis longed for power, but were her choices driven by desire—or necessity? History offers only fragments, leaving us to wonder.

Semiramis deserves a place among powerful queens like Hatshepsut, Cleopatra, and Kaikeyi. This beautifully crafted novel reclaims her story, breathing life into a legacy that should never be forgotten. I thoroughly enjoyed this richly imagined tale of a queen who ruled ancient Mesopotamia.

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark Sourcebooks for the digital copy of this book.

Rating: 3.5 stars.

This book was obviously incredibly well-researched and brings to life a part of history I knew little about previously. Semiramis' character has a story and a journey that is incredible and compelling, and was well-plotted throughout. Though honestly most of the time I found the three male main characters to be more emotionally compelling than Semiramis herself. I was surprised by both that and how closely tied the book felt to The Epic of Gilgamesh (which luckily I was pretty familiar with, but I'm not sure how readers who were not would fare). I do think that strong tie and the abundance of male perspectives kind of overwhelmed Semiramis' character. She kind of felt like a side character in the men's story at times, which, while I enjoyed the male perspectives, was somewhat disappointing in a book meant to be about her.

Overall, I loved the plot and learned a lot, but found the writing style hard to connect with at times.

Thanks to Sourcebooks and NetGalley for the preview. All opinions are my own.

Clytemnestra was one of my favorite books of 2023, and Babylonia is an entirely worthy successor. I wasn’t familiar with the story of Semiramis prior to reading this, but once again, I’m in awe of Casati’s ability to make me so incredibly invested in a character.

This is a slower-paced character study that really picks up in the second half. The main focus of the story is Semiramis, but we also have POVs from a loyal slave (Ribat), her husband (Onnes), and the king (Ninus) that loves both her and her husband. The way they circle each other is intoxicating, and it has all the drama and pathos of a Greek tragedy. None of the characters are exactly easy to love, but they absolutely gripped me by my throat and did not let go.

Casati also doesn’t shy away from the brutality and harshness of the Assyrian empire. Battles are bloody, those in power are ruthless, and violence is celebrated. But all of this is wrapped in such beautifully rendered prose. It’s somehow both sparse and lyrical, and it fits the story absolutely.

I was simply entranced by Semiramis and her story. I highly highly recommend this (and Clytemnestra if you haven’t already read it).

Living in the wake of war between two brothers, Semirami, a Greek girl growing up in Assyria, wants to escape her village and move to a place of opportunity. Orphaned as a baby, she was adopted by a cruel father and loathes the idea of being married off for his gain. Semirami is strategic, ambitious, driven, and ruthless in getting what she wants.

A new king has just slaughtered his brother to take the throne. Ninus has avenged his father but now must grapple with the responsibilities that come with being king of one of the most powerful empires in the world.

Their fates are entangled in a way that will shift the world as they know it.

For any ancient history enthusiasts, you will love Babylonia! A mesmerizing story that includes elements of the politics, relationships, and otherworldly aspects of Mesopotamian and Assyrian life. It shows the complex nature of love and the many forms it can take, while also showing the consequences it can have. The author does an incredible job of blending the beauty of the world with the horrors that are a part of it and portraying an enthralling tale you become immediately immersed in. Semrami's rise to power is exciting, enthralling, and impossible to put down.

“How thin the wall between different lives is, she thinks, full of cracks one might peep into. But how does one move from one side of the wall to the other? It must be done carefully, like water flowing, wetting the bricks but leaving no trace after it dries.”

“Can we grasp the instant when our fate turns? Or can we understand it only later, once the moment grows into a memory?”

👍 The cover art, gorgeous.
The rich details, splendid.
The Game of Thrones court intrigue, wonderful.
I loved the authors note at the end. The research was extensive and translated well into this story.

Costanza Casati has such a way with words. This one is so different from her last back, but so empowering and I learned so much! No surprise at all that it was a BOTM pick again. She knows how to put emotions onto the page

I think it may be possible that Babylonia might be my favorite book of the year, and it’s only the 7th of January. 🫣

This book had me hooked from the beginning, and I couldn’t stop thinking about it.

Babylonia tells the story of Semiramis, the first and only woman to ever have ruled the Assyrian Empire, and how she rose to power from her humble beginnings as an orphan.

Told through multiple POVs, this story has it ALL - romance, betrayal, war, suffering, and yet somehow still so much hope.

Despite all the characters being so flawed, you can’t help but root for them, and grieve with them.

This book deserves all the stars, a must read of 2025 for sure.

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

BABYLONIA is an incredible read. Filled with meticulous research, incredibly written prose, and complex, dynamic characters, this story is one that is compelling and hard to put down once you start it.

The story follows Semiramis, the only recorded female ruler of Assyria. This novel is one that is inherently character driven, following Semiramis and alternating between other characters as she navigates her way through the Assyrian political world. It shows the best and worst of human nature through this lens, making the reader contemplate the ideas of legacy, its role in shaping and honing immortality, loyalty, ambition, and power.

And, Semiramis as a character is interesting and compelling. Fighting to make it out of her simple life, a life she has never wanted, she is one that goes against society to achieve what she wants. And she does so in her own way, playing the game of politics until is she a master herself. Such a strong female character is one of the things I like most about the novel. She makes her opportunities. She does not wait and hope they appear.

And the story and prose is gorgeous, if not a bit slow at the beginning. It does take a few chapters to get into. The story itself is gruesome a bit and devastating in its depictions (be careful if war and gore aren’t your thing), but it is told in such a beautiful way that it’s the writing itself creates the atmosphere that needs to accompany this book.

Overall, this story is one that encapsulates what it means to be human in a world that might be stacked against you from the start and is one that makes you think. You should read this if you like beautifully written, political, feminist novels.

I really enjoyed this book- Casati has done it again. I loved the feminist focus in an ancient culture I’ve seen few novels about. Recommend to all thanks!!

Babylonia tells the story of Semiramis, the only recorded female ruler of Assyria. I found myself back in the ancient Mesopotamia unit from middle school social studies — which I loved!

An epic tale filled with intricate character dynamics, Babylonia is an exploration of grief, power, and immortality. I loved the parallels between the characters’ journeys. While Semiramis may have stolen the spotlight for me, the other characters each undergo significant transformations as well.

I especially loved Casati’s alluring prose. Much of the story pulls from both mythical and historical sources, but it’s clear that Casati has crafted a unique and imaginative story that will dazzle readers.

Read this if you want a beautifully written, immersive story with an epic scope!

Costanza Casati’s Babylonia is a masterful blend of historical depth and narrative beauty. The writing style is utterly captivating, weaving vivid descriptions with a lyrical cadence that draws the reader into the ancient world. Semiramis, as the main character, is a revelation—complex, fierce, and deeply human. Her journey is as enthralling as it is inspiring, and she remains a compelling anchor throughout the story.

What truly sets this book apart is Casati’s meticulous research. The historical authenticity shines through in every page, yet it never feels like a dry recounting of facts. Instead, she breathes life into the historical gaps, skillfully filling them with a plot that feels both believable and utterly engaging. This balance of authenticity and creative storytelling is a rare talent and one that makes Babylonia an unforgettable read.

If you’re drawn to stories of powerful women, rich historical settings, and masterful prose, Babylonia is not to be missed.

“Immortality doesn’t mean living forever. It means surviving even after your heart stops beating and your body is burned. It means living in myth, in stories.”

I'll admit, I know almost nothing of this era in history, but this book made me want to know more. It really is a story of a woman's rise from nothing to the most powerful position of the most powerful empire of its time.

Love, heartbreak, spies, political intrigue, the POVs from slave to king, the harshness of the world, and finding small peace where and when you can.

I was immediately sucked in from the first page and never wanted to come up for air. This book really was just wonderful.

"Humans have only a single lifetime. How can they truly understand love? Those who believe they can are even more lost than the rest."

I LOVED this book. I ordered the physical copy when I was halfway through it because I MUST have it on my shelf. You should as well! I already have Clytemnestra on my shelf but have not read it yet. I will be getting to that one soon.

Semiramis - Born with No Name.

Common.

A fighter.

A traitor.

Queen.

I love that we get a glimpse of Assyrian history and myth from Casati. Casati expands on what I loved in Clytemnestra with this book. You get to really see the motivations that drive Semiramis, as questionable as her decisions are. It is written well and with enough quotes and references from the Epic of Gilgamesh that you don’t need to be an expert on it (but I recommend that you read it in full!!). The prose flows nicely. I enjoyed how Casati depicts power and power struggles through each character that we spend time with in this book. My only complaint is that the latter half of the book moves fairly quickly, and I would have liked to spend more time on the aftermath. That said, it’s definitely worth the read.

I received an ARC through NetGalley from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.

How far would you go to change your fate? Babylon is the story of a woman who refuses to be defined by the labels society has placed upon her, who ascends to the Assyrian throne to rule in her own right. At turns empowering and emotional, Babylon is a beautiful story of myth, history, and ultimately, humanity. I found myself in tears, enraged, and on the edge of my seat throughout the pages I couldn't stop turning.

Loved every minute of it

CONTENT & TRIGGER WARNINGS: Domestic abuse, sexual assault, suicide, graphic depictions of war, graphic violence

Babylonia by Costanza Casati will join the ranks of my favorite books. I still think about Clytemnestra months after finishing it and I know Babylonia will be no different. If you enjoy Madeline Miller's style of writing, I think you will like Casati's. The book is poetic and reflective. It doesn't shy away or sugar coat any of the violence of Assyria

Babylonia took a couple of chapter's to get into, but once you're in...you're locked in. Semiramis is the anti-hero of the book. Deeply flawed, but understandable. She came from nothing and will do anything to keep herself from returning to it. Onnes is a TRUE morally ambiguous character. Ninus wants to be loved. All of them are flawed and make poor decisions, but don't we all? The relationships between the three of them were broken, jagged, and understanding. I wish we would have gotten more insight into Ninus' and Onnes' relationship without Semiramis.

This book was full of action, political intrigue, and fascinating (always evolving) relationships between the main three and a handful of secondary characters. I couldn't get enough of this book--I mean clearly I binged it in two days--I thought Castanza Casati would be a favorite after reading her debut but Babylonia has solidifeid it.

I can't wait to read whatever else she has in store for us.

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. But as she meets Onnes and arrives in her kingdom, then story really gets move. The POV were so well done - it really show the moves and manipulations that happen in court and how easily Semiramis is playing their games.

The battles, abuse, and deaths at times were brutal. But the story was compelling, it was hard to put the book down after the first part. About love, betrayal, the rise to power and what it means to hold on to it. Beautifully written and compelling story. 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.

If you liked Clytemnestra, pick this one up. It's really just everything. So good! I love the mythology and history connections that Casati makes.

Having read and increasingly enjoyed Clytemnestra by this author, I knew this would be no different because it addressed a wonderful Assyrian story which I had not yet had the opportunity to learn about. The story follows Semiramis, a young woman, who is saved from her family, and by chance ends up in the palace married to the best friend of the King. The writing is so beautiful and transporting, and the characters, though millennia old, are relatable in many ways. It made me want to travel back in time in some ways. If you enjoy well written and well researched historical fiction, please do yourself a favor and snap this up!

This ebook was provided by NetGalley and the publisher in exchange for an honest review.