I read Clytemnestra last year by Costanza Casati, and I thought there was no way she could top that book - boy, was I wrong! Where do I even start talking about Babylonia? The writing is beautiful and lyrical. The characters are so complex, strong, and real. The story is unbelievable.

Can you imagine being an orphan and rising to such fame? Semiramis was this person. No matter how hard life was, or how much it tried to keep her down, she rose time and time again. When she meets Onnes, her life changes forever. The Greeks called her Semiramis, but her Assyrian name is Sammuramat. She lived in 9th century BC. History doesn't speak of her, but myths of her have been passed down through generations so that they haven't forgotten her.

Casati's research goes beyond belief. She dug deep when she wrote Clytemnestra, and I think her research went even deeper with Babylonia. There is so much you can learn from reading one of her books. Beware, though, you could go down a rabbit hole. I have to say of the close to 175 books I read this year, thus book has to go down as the best one! I can't recommend it enough. If you somehow missed Clytemnestra, last year, you need to get both books and read them!

Tentative Publication Date:
January 14, 2025

Thanks to Netgalley, Sourcebooks Landmark, and Casati for the E-ARC. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

😊 Happy Reading 😊

#Netgalley #sourcebookslandmark #costanzacasati #Babylonia #arc

Read if you: think you would have loved Game of Thrones without the dragons (or, alternatively, wished for another season of HBO's Rome), rooted for Miranda Priestly in The Devil Wears Prada, or ever dreamed of having a big cat as a pet.

A common woman. The governor she married. The king who loved them both. This is a fictional exploration of the life, loves, and rise to power of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire. Beginning her life as a commoner and the adopted daughter of an abusive shepherd, Semiramis dreams of escaping a life that offers her no agency. When a new governor becomes interested in her, she is swept into a royal world filled with ambition, politics, intrigue, and war.

This book beautifully reflects on the nature of love, the morality of seeking power, and the limitations imposed by our past. It quickly draws you into the world of Assyria and doesn't let you go long after you finish the last page. While historical retellings are not my usual genre, I truly enjoyed this one. I felt that the last quarter of the book was somewhat rushed, particularly the conclusion of Ribat's character arc, and it could have benefitted from a bit more development.

Rating: 3.5

Thank you to Sourcebooks Landmark for providing me with an advanced e-copy!

Starting with the cover—it’s not my favorite, but I can appreciate that it stands out in a market saturated with similar designs. It might not grab attention immediately, but it does reflect the unique tone of the story.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction, this book has a lot to offer. The world-building is strong, immersing readers in the time period with vivid details and an authentic sense of place. However, the pacing could use some improvement. The story dragged at certain points, which made it difficult to stay fully engaged, and the ending felt rushed, which seems to be a recurring trend in my recent reads.

One of the most disappointing aspects was the FMC’s journey to the Crown. Rather than earning or fighting for it, she essentially has it handed to her. This made the resolution feel less satisfying and undermined the tension and stakes built earlier in the story.

Overall, Babylonia has some compelling elements, particularly its historical setting and world-building, but its pacing and character arcs left me wanting more. If you enjoy historical fiction and are okay with a slower, less dynamic plot, it’s worth a read, but it didn’t completely deliver for me.

Thank you NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for giving me early access to this book! All opinions are my own.

Babylonia is such a moving and riveting historical read. I was a bit worried when I started reading it, because the names and locations were complicated, but the author quickly switches to easier names to make the reading easier. In a nutshell, if you’ve ever wanted to experience the song, “I Will Survive” in a historical setting this is the book to read! 4⭐️

DNF at 33%

This novel constructs the beguiling character of Semiramis, who is a compelling mix of resilience, brilliance, and relatability. The backdrop of Assyrian culture adds a layer of intriguing worldbuilding, both vivid and authentic.

Unfortunately, the pacing doesn’t always keep up and it is hard to stay engaged. For readers who appreciate richly detailed historical fiction, the ending might justify the slower moments—but I find it challenging to stick with the story until it. 4 stars for the beautiful writing, and a promise to return to this again.

The world building of this novel was incredible. Reading it felt like I was in ancient Assyria. And since I could hardly put it down, I almost felt like Semiramis was someone I knew in real life. Casati takes us into the hearts and minds of the characters and we feel their grief, their fear, their love. The only reason for the 4 stars instead of 5 was that it read a bit like YA when it was very much not a YA novel. The sentence structure for many of the sentences was incredibly simplistic. It felt like it needed a much tighter edit.

“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.”

Costanza Casati tells the legend of Semiramis in sparse, beautiful prose that made me feel like I was reading a classic. The pace is slow, but it’s absolutely worth it—this is a book to savor.

I had never heard of Semiramis, but after only a few chapters I was curious enough to look her up. She is both a mythical figure and a real historical figure, and Casati blends aspects of both myth and record in her retelling. Although this story has no shortage of drama—there’s a love triangle, secrets, spying, war, and tons of murder—the writing itself is calm and quiet, and the characters are strikingly sincere. King Ninus should not be likable—he is objectively an absolute creep—and yet, he was my favorite character.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, for the opportunity to read Babylonia in exchange for an honest review!

I found this a difficult read. The subject matter did not hold my attention and some her description of the violence was too graphic for me. I've never read a book of this era so unsure what to expect but although i finished the book it really came close to being just set aside.

Thank you to Netgalley and publisher for allowing me to advance read.

I am a sucker for anything mythological and a good map. This book involved both and did not disappoint. I love a strong and capable female main character with a gripping story. I enjoyed the different take on a story I already knew a little about.

Fans of historical fiction this is a great read.

Costanza Casati’s Babylonia is a sweeping tale of ambition, love, and survival set in the brutal and opulent world of ancient Assyria. Through the rise of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire, the novel brilliantly intertwines myth and history, offering a vivid portrait of a woman who defies the odds to claim power in a treacherous court.

The novel’s greatest strength lies in its rich character development and intricate plot. Semiramis is a fascinating protagonist—resilient, strategic, and deeply human. Her relationships, particularly with her husband and the king, add complexity and emotional depth to the narrative. The detailed depiction of ancient Assyrian culture further immerses readers in this intoxicating world.

However, the pacing of the story holds it back. At times, the narrative drags, and a more concise approach could have delivered the same emotional impact while maintaining momentum. While these slower moments may test readers’ patience, the payoff is ultimately worth it for fans of immersive historical fiction.

Babylonia is a compelling journey into the ancient world, perfect for readers who enjoy strong female protagonists, rich historical settings, and tales of resilience and ambition.

Babylonia by Costanza Casati is a another brilliant mythology reimagining. The story centers on Semiramis rise to power as the Assyrian empires only female ruler. As someone who read and LOVED Clytemnestra, I was very excited for Babylonia and it does not disappoint. Once again the author manages to completely immerse you into a time long past, while also introducing the reader to strong and complex characters.

Semiramis, once an orphan, quickly turns into the generals wife, then the Queen of Assyria through strength and cunning. Casati manages to write another strong female character in a very real way, highlighting both moments of grief and triumph. Other notable characters are her husband Onnes and King Ninus, who's love triangle adds a layer of complexity to the story. I personally really liked Onnes's character and reading about his history, and the many internal conflicts his character faces.

The novel is told through multiple viewpoints which lend depth and made me more engaged in the story. The novel also has elements of love, loss and betrayal which is something I always enjoy reading in these retellings. Giving this book 4.5 stars I highly recommend it for anyone who's a fan of historical fiction or mythology.

This was a highly anticipated book for me, given how I quickly fell in love with Casati's debut, Clytemnestra, but I had to let this sit with me for a while before I could really put my thoughts down.

At first, I was disappointed in this book because I erroneously thought it was going to be more closely aligned with how Casati wrote her first book and focus mainly on the titular forgotten queen, and for a while this bothered me and affected how I received the book. However, once I finished and let the story sit with me, my initial feelings were wrong.

Casati tells this story through a number of years, from a couple of different perspectives. Take it from me, it wont make complete sense as to WHY she tells the story this way until the end, and honestly, I wish the author's note, or at least some of it, was in the beginning of the book. I think that would have helped center my mind after feeling like the book was pushed forward as reviving this ancient queen. It is, but it isn't. The time, place, and people of this book are not as well known as even parts of Clytemnestra's story were, and I think some context would do the story good.

Its about survival and its about love. Its about doing what it takes to survive and to improve your station. Its about loyalty. The ancient Epic of Gilgamesh is woven throughout this story and its extremely important, to the point where I wish I knew more about this epic in order to better understand the tangled web that Casati weaves.

Because of the complexity of the story I will say that it took a while for it to gain strength and speed for me. But there comes a moment when Casati hits her rhythm and when the three characters truly begin to intertwine, that is when it begins to hum. The early parts are slower, but they truly are necessary to set up for all that comes later.

Casati really is masterful in her writing and that is, once again, a strength. I've never been so invested in a love triangle to the point where I wanted everyone to somehow win.

i thought long and hard abt how to rate this. this was my first thought and then i thought it was harsh so i sat on it for almost a day and made the same decision.

this is an arc so no spoilers but i couldn’t stand any of the main characters. i think this book tried to hit you with the reverse of the lessons that were actually there which i struggled with. it felt immensely circular. i was engaged but not much else. i kept waiting for it to level up and it simply… didn’t.

i’m sure other will and have liked it. but it certainly wasn’t for me.

I love Costanza Casati's writing. She really brings you into the ancient world and makes you walk in their shoes. Feel their feelings. You can tell she put her heart into the research and it really shows in the details. This story is about one woman's rise to power. From being a commoner to Queen of the World the journey is not one for the faint of heart.

I knocked a star because I started to lose track of the characters they started to blend together for me and I didn't know who was who at some points. I also understand that it may be a "me problem" but it did take me out of the story.

I look forward to more from Casati. She has a gift of bringing women who are notorious into the spotlight and showing us their "villain origin story".

A dark take on the rulers of an ancient empire. Follow along as the FMC fights to remain relevant and gain power in a kingdom that prizes strength and brutality. A mix of historical fiction, romance, drama, and warfare make up this tale that at times feels part fantasy.

Babylonia tells the story of Semiramis, an orphaned nobody turned Governor's wife turned Queen of all Ancient Assyria. This novel introduced me to Semiramis, a key figure in ancient history with whom I had been previously unfamiliar, but whose name is scattered through the pages of antiquity from the works of Plutarch and Herodotus to Dante to Voltaire to William Shakespeare and beyond. Constanza Casati tells the story of this powerful woman who does what she must to protect herself and her heart, eventually finding herself in the one position from which her power is incontrovertible: Queen.

Her story is told with respect and honor, and she is portrayed in a relatively neutral way, neither demonizing her as later Catholic ministers did, nor glorifying her in the manner of the 1st century BC Greek historian Diodorus. I enjoyed reading about her journey and the unlikely love she finds first in Onnes and then the deeper connection she finds with the king, Ninus.

Altogether an interesting and engaging read about a fascinating woman in history,

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for this eARC!

eARC Review: Babylonia by Costanza Casati 🐆

I love me a good female rage story, but this hit the ultimate spot for me because it was a quietly seething kind of rage that I just wish more and more authors used. ❤️

I loved Casati’s research in Assyria and how she used the Epic of Gilgamesh and the Whore of Babylon as inspiration for this novel. It really helps set the tone and I once again wish the Author’s Note was put in the front of the book instead of the back. 📖

The story follows a fictional reimagining of Semiramis, the great and only queen of Assyria who rose from nothing into absolute power. I really enjoyed her character as she goes from a rather hated and abused woman in her village to wife of a governor then queen. At times I did find her reactions to situations a bit odd, but maybe it was me being a bit behind in seeing her adapting to her new life. 👑

Onnes and Ninus were interesting male MCs. I liked that Casati provided their POVs, but I do wish we had a deeper look into Onnes’ mind since he felt like an enigma even to himself. But I do really like that Casati presented these two as successors to Gilgamesh and Enkidu. ❤️

But really though, Casati has become a favorite of mine in the sphere of historical fiction because of her research and writing style. I cannot wait to see who her next project will be about and what period of history it’ll be. 📜

HUGE thank you goes out Sourcebooks Landmark for opening the NetGalley eARC to the first 100 requesters. I had a wonderful time with this world and characters. And a thank you goes out to Casati for breathing life into this formidable woman. 👸🏻

Publication date: January 14

Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️

I received this book for free from the publisher, but my review is my own opinion of this book.

With the technicalities out of the way, wow I Loved this book! I really enjoyed the complex female and male characters.
Cortana Casati did a beautiful job of weaving history and fiction around Semiramis’ story. Casati really breathed life into this long past civilization. The story was compelling and very human. Even though the description of the book leads you to the generics of how Semiramis’ story end it was such a treat to read how it all played out.

I felt enthralled with Semiramis as a character and felt like I couldn’t put the book down. If you enjoy historical fiction around dynamic and complex female protagonist then this book is for you.

In particular this introduction to the authors work wants me to read more of her books! Highly Highly recommend! Thank you NetGalley and the publisher for the opportunity to enjoy this fantastic novel!

I have such mixed feelings about this book. It really was well-written and appeared well-researched, though I can't vouch for historical accuracy knowing nothing about Assyrian history. I did wish there was a bit more color about Assyrian cultural traditions and customs; it mostly felt like a retelling of Gilgamesh combined with historical precedent, war games and much quoting of Gilgamesh herein, but could have been set anywhere in ancient Eurasia.

I am, however, a major Game of Thrones fan, and this is my main gripe with this story. It was so derivative of GoT. I first noticed the similarities with Sasi, the eunuch Spymaster, whose physical description even was identical to Varys, and once I saw that comparison I couldn't unsee it and kept seeing others. The queen mother who was exactly like Cersei, the good king gone mad who was exactly like Daenerys, the small council meeting to plot war games, the bloodthirsty battles. I did like how it brought the harsh brutality of history to life and the post-traumatic stress that people must have suffered then.

However, I absolutely LOVED the love story in this. First we have commoner Semiramis, whose father beats her and she has no future other than getting married off to another villager. But she has other plans. She seduces the visiting governor or perhaps the other way around, and Onnes takes her back to the palace to marry her.

Back at the palace, it soon becomes obvious that there is a tangled web of romantic intrigue that others use to their own ends. This is finally an actually proper love triangle where they are all in love with each other, not just two men fighting over the FMC. The only kind of love triangle I actually like. I loved how queerness was handled in this; it showed how sexuality was not shunned in the ancient world but marriages were a business proposition to cement alliances and breed heirs. Ninus, the king, who is seen as weak for his good heart, is pansexual (squee for good pan rep) and is in love with his half-brother, Onnes, who can never love him back in the way he longs for, because Onnes suffers from PTSD and can't love anyone.

He thinks he loves Semiramis, but he is only attracted to her because he thinks she is like him in that regard. However, she soon captures the attention of the king as well and things quickly become complicated between the three.

I loved all three of these characters and did enjoy seeing Semiramis's ruthless rise to the throne - and she has a pet leopard!

Thank you to Netgalley and the publisher for the advance review copy. I am leaving this review voluntarily.

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.