Casati does it again. Her prose is stunning, and her characters are all so compelling. Semiramis’s journey—from a mistreated orphan to a powerful figure—is gripping and tragic. The multiple POVs worked well for this book though my only complaint is that the story dragged at parts.

If you’re a fan of historical fiction with depth and grit, this is a must-read.

Thank you, NetGalley, for the ARC!

It takes approximately one conversation with me to find out that the best author I read this year was Costanza Casati. It should come as no surprise that I felt I needed to get my hands on Babylonia ASAP, so I decided to make a NetGalley account solely to request it. I’m so happy to report that this book had me hooked from start to finish.

Semiramis is, without question, the crown jewel of this book. She’s an incredible protagonist—strong, cunning, and fiercely determined to carve out a place for herself in a world stacked against her. Every decision she makes, every challenge she faces, pulls you deeper into her story. Like Clytemnestra, Semiramis is the kind of character who sticks with you long after the final page.

The second factor of this book that had me hooked is the relationships. What started out as such a compelling relationship between Semiramis and Onnes grew into an even more enthralling trio when Ninus was introduced. The dynamic between the three of them is electric– their tangled web of love, ambition, and loyalty absolutely mesmerising. Every interaction is loaded with tension and emotion, and you never quite know what’s coming next.

Casati’s ability to bring ancient history to life is unparalleled. Not only does she take familiar myths and give them fresh, vivid energy, full of passion and humanity, she gives a spellbinding voice to women who have always been silenced by the men around them.
If you loved Clytemnestra, you’re going to adore Babylonia. And if you haven’t read either yet, what are you waiting for?

I went into Babylonia by Costanza Casati with high expectations after loving Clytemnestra, and I wasn’t disappointed! Casati’s talent for weaving emotional depth into her retellings shines once again. Babylonia is an excellent addition to the retelling genre, with richly drawn characters whose faults make them feel so real.

The story does take a while to pick up momentum—the first half leans heavily on politicking with minimal action, which made it a slower read for me. It took a few sessions to get through that part, but once things got moving, I couldn’t put it down. The second half flew by, and I devoured it in just one sitting!

As someone who loves both non-fiction history books and retellings, this felt like a perfect marriage of the two. While the retelling genre has been saturated with Greek mythology lately, Babylonia feels like a breath of fresh air. For me, it’s the retelling to end all retellings!

A very interesting and engaging book, I loved the main character instantly and was very involved and emotional about their story.

Netgalley Arc -- thank you!

Wow. This book. Oh my god.

First of all, the prose is just absolutely beautiful. I am not someone who highlights passages all that often--I will sometimes go entire books without annotating at all--but here I swear I was saving a quote at least once a chapter. The writing is just so incredibly beautiful. Every single time I thought I'd found the best quote of the book, I'd turn a page and be slammed with the next most powerful, beautifully written thing I'd ever read.

The book is definitely more character focused, and that can sometimes be a hit or a miss, but here it is a definite hit. Every single character in this book is so complex, flawed, and interesting. Each and every one of them even minor characters felt so multifaceted and well...real. It's so easy to get invested in all of them. One thing I really enjoyed is that there really aren't any heroes or villains in this book. Sure, Semiramis is our protagonist and we're rooting for her, but all the characters are so morally complex it's difficult to definitively say who's actually "right" or "wrong." The relationships between the characters were, like the characters themselves, so complex and interesting. I just loved everything about it.

I *loved* how the book handled war and trauma. It was artfully written and you can see all these changes in the characters both small and very obvious as their experiences change them.

Overall, it was just incredible. Definitely one of my favorite reads of 2024. This book is BEAUTIFUL.

Costanza Casati has done it again. Babylonia grabbed me and drug me into the story. This author has a way of taking old myths you thought you knew and putting a great spin on them as well as giving the characters life.

Constanza Casati explores ambition and the sacrifices it often requires in her sophomore novel Babylonia. This is a character driven story that follows the life of semi mythical Assyrian queen Semiramis. Of humble origins, Semiramis is the ultimately survivor at one point openly stating that she sees power as a kind of safety and proves willing to do just about anything to get it.

While I was fascinated by Casati’s depictions of Assyrian life, I often found the pace of the book to be fairly slow. Despite this being a character driven story, I’m not sure that I ever fully found myself understanding Semiramis and found the other 3 POVs much less interesting than hers. I would have preferred to see Casati’s musings on power and the role of women in patriarchal societies mixed with more of the political intrigue that Semiramis must have surely experienced.

I think Babylonia will appeal to fans of historical fiction especially those interested in less well known historical figures.

"I am not made for death, and death is not made for me."

What. A. Ride.

This was so well done--I loved it. The world building is definitely immense, and the detail that goes into describing everything is incredible--arguably, to a fault. If you're a fan of Madeline Miller or Sarah A Parker's When the Moon Hatched, this will definitely be right up your alley!

All of our characters are well developed, and they're all incredibly flawed. That's putting it mildly. You almost don't want to root for anyone given how grey literally everyone is, but yet you want to see them all win at the same time. The court politics are on par with A Song of Ice and Fire, and everyone must play the game to the best of their ability, within the confines of their role.

A story about a powerless woman who wanted more for herself, and learned to fight for herself to get what she wanted. Semiramis is a character for anyone who has ever felt rage at their powerlessness and wanted to make a change. She wants power, yes, but she also has heart and won't step on those seen as below her to get it.

The multiple POVs make this even more interesting--as I said, no one dimensional characters here--and really shows the complexity of characters. No one is ever truly 100% a hero or a villain. Everyone has a complicated past, a reason for their choices, a reason for who they are. It plays out in the relationship dynamics on top of everyone playing the game. I LOVED the characters and the way they were written.

The only reason this wasn't a 5 star read for me was the length--I do think some of the descriptions could have been pared down to keep the story moving. It felt like it dragged in some places, and that the extensive descriptions--while beautiful and really painted a picture--took away from the plot itself.

Thank you, #NetGalley, #CostanzaCasati, #SourcebooksLandmark, for the ARC in exchange for my honest review.

“𝘈𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘯’𝘴 𝘥𝘦𝘴𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘪𝘦𝘴 𝘢𝘳𝘦 𝘥𝘰𝘰𝘮𝘦𝘥 𝘵𝘰 𝘣𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘴𝘢𝘮𝘦, 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘣â𝘳û 𝘩𝘢𝘥 𝘵𝘰𝘭𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳. 𝘕𝘰, 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘵𝘩𝘪𝘯𝘬𝘴. 𝘛𝘩𝘦𝘺 𝘢𝘳𝘦𝘯’𝘵. 𝘓𝘦𝘵 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘨𝘰𝘥𝘴 𝘭𝘦𝘢𝘳𝘯 𝘵𝘩𝘢𝘵.”

Costanza Casati loves an under appreciated ancient female ruler, and I love her for that.

In her first novel, Clytemnestra, she shone light on the life of the woman mostly known for being Agamemnon’s wife. In Babylonia, Casati brings us Semiramis, the only queen to rule the Assyrian empire in her own right. As always, she does so with lyrical prose, gorgeously lush imagery, and tragically complicated but unflinchingly human relationships.

Babylonia is an ambitious, multiple POV novel which begins in 823 BC and centers on Semiramis’ rise to power and the people who either get her there, or get in her way.

Semiramis is characterized by her unflinching desire for more. She wants more power, more opportunity, more time before she dies and enters the land of the dust, more out of life. This hunger drives everything she does.

The real magic of this novel is in the relationships between Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus which are so messy and tragic it’s like Romeo and Juliet meets The Real Housewives. I really enjoyed watching these relationships unfold against the backdrop of Semiramis coming into her power.

Themes: self determination, choice, power, what it means to know someone and whether that is the same as loving them.

Favorite characters: Sasi, Ribat, Semiramis

Other elements I loved:
- There are a few chapters from the perspective of Ribat, an enslaved man, that captured the stratification of Assyrian society with such a unique voice.
- I loved how illogical Semiramis could be at times, sometimes avoiding death at all costs, and other times throwing herself headlong into battle.
- The battle scenes were incredibly written. They brought the characters’ personalities into sharp focus and were some of my favorite scenes.
- The leopard 😳

Thank you to @costanzacasati, @bookmarked, and @netgalley for the chance to review this eARC!

another great installment from costanza casati! I absolutely devoured clytemnestra so was really looking forward to this one and it didn't disappoint! from the world building to the characters themselves, I loved it. there wasn't one morally good character and each one had their own flaws.

a couple of things that I think took away from the story a little bit was some of the pacing, I felt a little lost at times when things were taking place. I also thought there were a little too many point of views.

overall, I really enjoyed it!

Oh. Oh my. I just finished this book this evening and feel like I need to process everything that happened and the way Casati ripped my heart in two with the tale of Semiramis.

Truly, this was one of the best historical fiction books I’ve ever read. It was incredibly immersive and well-researched to the point it felt like I was reading someone’s first-hand accounts of life in the Neo-Assyrian Empire. The descriptions of locations and foods and art were detailed and the way she brought to life the people who history has preserved as mostly myth at this point was brilliant. It was a large cast of characters but Casati made it easy to follow (even as the story spanned decades) and she humanized their struggles and successes to the point of them being made real in the imagination. If you’re a fan of character-driven stories, this one is for you!

If you’d like to read more than the booksummary prior to starting your read, be sure to check out Semirami’s Wikipedia page though I do advise against it. Going in blind to this one allowed me to share her fears, triumphs, failures, joys and heartbreak as the story built and made a woman long-dead feel like an old friend.

Highly recommend this read and thank you to Casati, her team and NetGalley for allowing me to read early.

This book was magical. Casati created a detailed and exciting world based on a beautiful and mysterious time in world history. The female main character is amazing; she is unique, strong, wicked smart, and ambitious. She presents a side of femininity that often gets demeaned and shamed in modern society, but instead is praised and honored in this story. It also has a genuine love triangle which is very rare, and portrayed this love in the complex and diverse ways it deserves. Casati's description of grief and the fear of death was also fantastic and beautiful and she perfectly described all the different ways people process grief and loss.

Overall, I really loved this story and the world that Casati built.

An orphan, female and poor, rises to the highest power in Mesopotamia. Costanza Casati weaves a fabulous tale based on ancient rulers.

This month, I challenged myself to step out of my usual romance and fantasy comfort zone with my “Expanding & Exploring” reading goal. While this book does have elements of romance, it’s so much more—and I loved every terrible, maddening, heartbreaking word of it.

This was my first time reading anything by this author, and let me just say: she is truly impressive. I even took the time to read her author’s note at the end, and the depth of her historical research deserves all the respect. My history-loving AuDHD brain was fully immersed from start to finish—not once was I pulled out of the story.

The author masterfully weaves together a cast of rich, deeply human characters, exploring how their choices ripple across their lives and the lives of many others. The result is a story that feels like a brutally vibrant bas-relief, full of texture, depth, and emotion. And here’s the kicker: this is essentially a love triangle story, and I hate love triangles. I hate them! Yet, somehow, I adored this one so much that I gave it five stars—not grudgingly, but with my whole heart.

The central character, Semiramis, starts life at a disadvantage, underestimated at every turn. She’s magnificently flawed and has to fight tooth and nail for everything she has—and fight she does. I believe she genuinely loved both Onnes and Ninus, and the complexity of those relationships was beautifully handled.

Growing up, I was fascinated by the old Elizabeth Taylor movie Cleopatra, and this book evoked a similar sense of intrigue and grandeur, albeit in a different way. The court politics are killer—sometimes literally—and her relationship with her mother-in-law is painfully relatable.

I wish I could say more, but I fear I’d veer into spoiler territory. Suffice it to say, I wholeheartedly recommend this book. It’s a masterpiece of storytelling that will break your heart and leave you in awe.

Genre: Historical Fiction
Relationship(s): M/F
Romance: Slow Burn 🔥
POV: Multiple, third person
Platform: Digital, ARC NetGalley
Length: 379 pages
Rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Spice: .5🌶️
Darkness: 🖤🖤🖤🖤🖤
Series/Standalone: Yes
Cliffhanger: No
Themes/Tropes: Ancient History, War, Slavery. PTSD, Mental Health, Unrequited Love, Love Triangle
Check Triggers⚠️: Yes

I loved this novel. This was my first read from this author, and I had to admit I was not familiar with the story of Semiramis. I had heard of the author's other novel, but I hadn't read it yet. Going in blind on this story, I had to say I enjoyed it. I enjoyed the depth of Semiramis and how she grew from a shy and timid girl to a ruler as in tandem with her legendary story. I also really liked the prose on this book. It was very beautiful and almost enchanting, yet not pretentious like other novels. I had no problem getting into this book. I think fans of strong women, mythological retellings, and female rulers will like this novel!

Clytemnestra was a masterpiece. I felt like I walked in her skin when I read that book. Now, I'm Semiramis. I climbed the hills with her, stood against useless men, and used my brain like her. I moved from west end of my country to the southeast of it with Casati's work. I was reminded how I was surrounded by strong women who wouldn't take shit from anyone.

"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." You are actually dead when the last person speaks your name forgets you. No one knew who Semiramis was, her existence was not celebrated, until she became the myth and mystery. This day, she is still remembered for becoming the queen that she was.

I liked the fact that Costanza Casati also chooses women who were branded and not considered the "flag bearer" of a perfect women. Both Clytemnestra and Semiramis were called names and people said they were not worthy women because they killed their husbands in some shape or form. But what they don't get was that women do what they did because there were no options left, not because they were evil creatures.

4.75/5⭐ This is my first Constanza Casati book and it certainly won't be my last. Her story writing and attention to detail is up there with that of Madeline Miller. As someone who was not familiar with the story of Semiramis prior to this, this was incredibly informative as it was captivating - even as a historical fiction.

My only critique is that that it took a bit of time to jump into the story. While I know that there is world building needed to set up the story, I will admit that it took me a little while to fully get invested into the story. BUT once I hit a certain mark in the book, I could not put it down!

Thank you to NetGalley, Sourcebooks Landmark and Constanza Casati for the opportunity to read this eARC for an honest review. Opinions expressed in this review are solely my own.

This book is epic! Wow—just wow. I hadn’t read the author’s previous work, but after hearing the buzz, I’m now eager to go back and read Clytemnestra. This novel tells the captivating story of how Semiramis, born an orphan, rose to become a queen. Simply amazing.

With its blend of spies, scribes, war, love, and betrayal, this book truly has it all. Be sure to read the author’s afterword—the level of research that went into this story is astounding. I felt completely transported.

Thank you to NetGalley for providing an early copy!

This is an absolute gem! This book takes you on a whirlwind journey through history, myth, and the rich tapestry of ancient Babylon. The way Casati blends fact and fiction is so seamless - it's like you're living in the ancient world, learning about the city's rise and fall through the eyes of its characters. The storytelling is immersive, the plot is unpredictable, and I couldn't put it down. If you love complex characters, historical depth, and a touch of magic, this one's a must read.

Historical Fiction done right.

This story is immaculate. The writing is flawless as the story is woven through Semiramis' life and rise to Queen during Mesopotamian times. The research and time this must have taken to make this story is just amazing. Not enough props go to authors who meticulously research and plan ancient people and empires so that they can create stories that make them come alive in the present day. Just outstanding.

The characters in this story pack a punch. I mean, every character is deep and complex, none more so than Semiramis and her relationships with Onnes and Ninus. All three are deeply flawed beings who struggle to find truth, love and happiness. It's not something that comes easy as they navigate their complex relationship. This adds so much to how Semiramis develops and works her way to power.

The political intrigue in this book is also front and center. Leaders have to make tough decisions, which in ancient times meant war and death. The book doesn't shy away from these certainties during that time and instead makes the political game front and center as Semiramis cultivates and cements her power as queen. In a time when men ruled over all, Semiramis let nothing stop her.

This book is so well written. If you are a lover of historical fiction, this is literally one you cannot miss.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for the eARC.