Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC!

The politics and intrigue of this book are 10/10. And I appreciate a retelling/historical with a less common aspect of history as the focus.

Still hate love triangles though so that knocks a star for me.

I liked that this book was in a little covered area of historical fiction. The writing itself was okay. I got more into the story as it went along but I did put it down several times. The second half was better to me. I do hate a love triangle and this one was especially icky so that may have influenced my view of the book. I don't know that there would be a large audience for this kind of historical fiction. If it develops some word of mouth demand, it may do well with the mythical retelling readers.

If you love complicated female / male characters with complicated friendship dynamics you will love this ! Also , if you’re just a huge history lover this is perfect!

It’s the perfect mix of GOT and ancient history !
I read a lot of fantasy but this was a good in between because it focuses on just the main characters , and is VERY POLITICAL! and that’s something that I folk discovered now that I love ! I loved being nervous at every council meeting , or when our main FMC Semiramis didn’t know what her next step was herself !
Every word , paragraph, and conversation is so fundamental in this story , and in the end everything comes together so beautifully!

I found myself lost in glory , power , HISTORY! , and madness ! I found myself imagining I was there myself ! This was such a beautiful retelling that was so powerful and captivating!

Thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for this ARC of Costanza Casati's 'Babylonia.'

'Babylonia' is not the type of book I typically read but the description was intriguing and I'm glad I requested and was approved.

I guess you could call this the ultimate rags-to-riches tale - an orphaned commoner of somewhat mysterious but tragic origin and despised by her adoptive father finds herself elevated to the highest echelons of the Assyrian world in a dizzying turn of events that was prophesied.

From there Semiramis goes on to learn the ins and outs of palace intrigue and becomes - at the same time - one of the three points of a convoluted love triangle with her husband Omnes and the king Ninus who's also the unrequited adorer of her husband but who falls for her. She's also the target of the malevolent Queen mother and head of the armies while making an uneasy pact with the eunuch chief spymaster. She becomes skilled in matters of the court, diplomacy, intrigue, and war and becomes a legendary historical figure (if that's not a contradiction). Did the prophesy make this happen or did she - through sheer power of will - make the prophesy come true? I'm inclined to go with the latter.

All based on historical sources, myths, and the scenes depicted in the bas-reliefs the violently cruel Assyrians left behind this sounds like an ancient world episode of 'Dynasty' or some other potboiler soap opera but it's written with such skill and seriousness it becomes an engrossing history lesson. I kept checking some of the characters and situations on Google as I was reading and it very closely follows the known or presumed history quite closely while encompassing the mythological aspect quite believably.

It's a while since I read a novel where all of the characters are so well fleshed out and complex - all believable too. Love, hate, passion, depression, PTSD. fear - all very well written and believable.

Congratulations to Costanza Casati for this achievement - now I have to go away and buy 'Clytemnestra'!

4.5 ⭐️
I’m going to be honest, this is not a book I would typically go for, but I got the gorgeous edition from my Page & Wick subscription, so I gave it a try. I was pleasantly surprised with how this hooked me from the beginning and was such an interesting read!
The lesson- sometimes it’s okay to switch things up and go outside of your usual genres of choice. A good story is a good story, in my opinion.
I will be reading more from this author in the future!

I loved the way Casati completely immersed the reader into the story with Clytemnestra. I got moments of that in her newest book, but something just felt off. Possibly the pacing? It felt a little erratic at times. I also missed having a character to root for. I didn’t love the drugs, the fighting, the love triangle…maybe this story just wasn’t to my taste. I liked the premise of a neglected child coming of age into a powerful Queen, but I also didn’t feel a connection with Semiramis as a character. Even though this was a bit of a miss for me personally, I would still recommend it to the right reader. Gorgeous cover! Thank you for the advance copy!

Where do I even start with Babylonia? Costanza Casati has totally outdone herself with this one! I mean, if you loved Clytemnestra (which, duh, who didn’t?), you are gonna die over this intoxicating tale of Semiramis, the fierce female ruler of the Assyrian Empire! 👑✨

From the get-go, we meet Semiramis as an orphan, just a nobody on the fringes of power. But honey, she’s not about to let that define her! 💪🔥 Watching her rise from the shadows to claim her throne is, like, pure magic. Seriously, it’s epic! The story is rich with myth and history, and Casati weaves it all together beautifully. I was highlighting so many passages—like, more than 50! If you haven’t read it yet, you need to stop what you're doing and fix that ASAP! 📚💖

Casati’s writing is just chef’s kiss! Her prose is so lyrical and vibrant; it feels like stepping right into ancient Assyria! The characters are so complex and real. Their relationships are intense and ever-changing, making you root for them, cry for them, and sometimes scream at them! 😱💔

And let’s talk about the balance of beauty and brutality. The author doesn’t shy away from the harsh realities of the time, but she also captures the strength and resilience of Semiramis in such a poignant way. I was on the edge of my seat with every twist and turn—this book is a total rollercoaster ride! 🎢

If you’re into historical fiction or mythology retellings, Babylonia is a must-read! It’s a solid five stars from me! 🌟💫

Thank you, NetGalley for the ARC in exchange for my honest opinion! 🥰📖✨

Costanza Casati could write, well, anything, and I'd read it. She's earned it, at this point.

Babylonia is beautifully written with complex, fleshed-out characters, and Semiramis is an incredible character to have as the lead. She's unapologetic about her goals and what she wants, and I mean, she has a pet leopard, what more do you need?

The story was expertly woven, with political drama and scheming, but I'd say this book was more character-driven than anything. Every character had their share of flaws and despite being based on history (mythology, somewhat), I often felt on the edge of my seat and as though I didn't know where the book was going to take me.

I'm not even sure what else to say about this, except as soon as I finished, I was pretty much ready to read it again. And also Semiramis is my ride or die.

Thank you to the publisher, Sourcebooks Landmark, and to NetGalley for the ARC.

I am just speechless with this book. I don’t really know where to begin-truthfully, I am writing this review immediately upon finishing and I suspect that I will have more thoughts to add later.

When I saw this arc was available and noticed this was the author of Clytemnestra, which I have *not* read but have heard of, I was intrigued. Not to mention, stories based on history or myths such as this have always been something I’ve enjoyed. My problem with these types of stories usually, though, is they just aren’t written well enough. I don’t like modern-day language for tales like this. I don’t want to read an Odyssey-esque book that is written with 2024 language.

But this story was beautiful. The writing was amazing, really very reminiscent of a tale like the Odyssey in which everything could be analyzed. Every sentence was so well thought-out, so intelligently written and so artfully painted with words. The characters were all so complex and realistic with not everything being all sunshine and rainbows. I don’t love the main character, but I respect her; I want to be her. On the other hand, I want to be nothing like her. This book just so clearly showed how nothing is black and white, and everything in life is complex.

This book is a classic too new to be considered a classic yet, but well deserving of it. I wish I could read it all over again-but now I may move on to Clytemnestra to fill the void.

Edit: I'm changing my rating to 5 stars. It's now several hours after finishing this novel and the story is, in the best way possible, haunting me. I feel like re-reading it again tonight to see what I missed on my first reading. A modern-day masterpiece!

Original Post: WOW! What a book! This story had me feeling all the emotions- I was hooked, in love, uncomfortable, and wanting to go to war for all the characters!

I don't remember much about this period of history from school lessons but the name Semiramis stuck out when I saw the book description. A novel about the only female ruler of Assyria- yes please!

This story focuses on the social and political climbing of Semiramis from an orphan living in a village to queen of the empire. There are multiple POVs in this novel including our strong female heroine (or anti-heroine depending on how you look at it), her two great loves, and a loyal slave who is willing to do anything for his master.

Casati writes this story in such a powerful, almost rage-driven way, that it's hard to put the book down. The prose, storyline, voices... absolutely amazing!

I personally felt drawn to Ninus and his open, sometimes emotional, manner of ruling. While there may have been some fictional liberties taken by the author, I feel like she did justice to his character. He was a sharp contrast to our other characters and personalities, and complimented the strong, intelligent, and caring Semiramis. Onnes's POV added a darker tone to the mix and that's all I'll say! You must read this book to get the full sense of how our 3 male characters interact and elevate our female lead.

If you're a fan of ancient historical fiction or myth retellings, I highly recommend this novel!

In Babylonia, Costanza Casati takes readers on a mesmerizing journey through the brutal and opulent world of Ancient Assyria, centered around the enigmatic figure of Semiramis. Once merely an orphan on the fringes of an empire, Semiramis’ life takes an astounding turn when she encounters a young representative of the new Assyrian king, setting off a series of events that will lead her to become the most powerful woman in history.

Casati masterfully blends myth with meticulous historical detail, crafting a narrative that is both thrilling and enlightening. As Semiramis navigates the treacherous waters of court politics and the whims of two men who hold her fate in their hands, her transformation from commoner to queen is nothing short of riveting. The intricate dance of war, diplomacy, and desire unfolds in a lush tapestry, drawing readers into a world where every decision can spell triumph or doom.

With a fierce and relatable protagonist, Babylonia isn't just a tale of power but also one of resilience and determination. Casati’s lyrical writing and rich character development allow Semiramis’ voice to resonate long after the last page is turned. A must-read for fans of historical fiction, this novel will leave you entranced and eager to learn more about the remarkable legacy of the Assyrian Empire.

This book is a re-imagining of the life of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire. She grew up an orphan and eventually came to power over this large empire; her character was that of a driven woman, who knew what she had to do to better herself and ultimately rise to power. I enjoyed the journey of Semiramis, especially reading what she would do to get to power - it made her rather human. The writing in this book was just superb; not only did I feel like I was presently in Ancient Assyria, but the writing evoked all different types of feelings which made the secondary characters feel real with their multitudes of complexities. I also enjoyed how the author changed viewpoints throughout the story, adding in Ribat and Ninus, which gave the story a lot more depth.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC in exchange for an honest review.

I have to admit that Babylonia by Costanza Casati was easily my most anticipated read for 2024 and when the United States release date was pushed to 2025, I thought the anticipation would kill me. Sometimes, anticipation can kill a book because there is always the fear it won't live up to the greatness that is building in your mind and if we are being truly honest Semiramis had some big shoes to fill after Clytemnestra.

I should have known that Costanza Casati would again leaving me mesmerized by another dynamic story. Her writing style has you craving every word, Every word has meaning and reads like poetry that grips your soul and her ability to bring a character alive is astounding.

Based on Semiramis and the ancient Epic of Gilgamesh - Babylonia is a story of love, lust, revenge, strength, death, grief, longing, determination and power.. The characters are complicated and the story is filled with striking parallels.

There are times that love can be portrayed as a big weakness and one of my favorite quotes is "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."

Huge thanks to Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for the privilege of reading an advanced copy of Babylonia in exchange for my honest review.

Babylonia is set in ancient Assyria with its brutal, warlike society. The heroine, Semiramis, is orphaned when her mother commits suicide. In the village of Mari in western Assyria, she’s adopted by the chief shepherd. He is brutal and sadistic, frequently beating her. Rather than bring about her submission, she becomes self-righteous and angry and when given the chance to escape with Onnes, a soldier, to Kalhu, the capital city, she does so. There he marries her and introduces her to his brother and, friend, and perhaps lover, the king, Ninus.

The book revolves around the relationship between the three, an amazing love triangle. All three are complex, at least in part broken, the men (especially Onnes) possibly suffering from PTSD. From being jealous of Semiramis, Ninus moves to falling in love with her, complicating his relationship with Onnes, with Ninus’s own mother, Nisat, and other members of the court. Semiramis, a village girl, must make her way through court intrigues and politics, but her native intelligence helps her out-maneuver more-experienced courtiers as she attempts to a prophecy a diviner spoke to her in her childhood. Eventually she becomes the only female queen of Assyria.

The book is quite bloody, especially when Onnes, Ninus, and Semiramis go to Bactria to conquer the city of Balkh, but Casati doesn’t glorify the bloodshed, merely recognizes it as a fact of society at the time.

This book is a MASTERPIECE. I have no words. I will happily read Costanza Casati’s grocery lists if I ever get the chance. She is amazing!! This book will be living rent free in my head for a long time.

the true meaning of a love triangle FR. i love the way this book addresses queerness in the way that it is historically accurate. i also Love powerful women. i also love big cats. Casati you have gained a forever reader.

This is a great book! I am a huge fan of Circe, but have been let down by the writing style on several other Greco-Roman reimagining style stories. This one is different. The style and story are both incredible and I enjoyed it so much. The characters were vivid and it was fascinating to learn about these two empires.

Babylonia is complex, filled with intricate relationships and political intrigue that rival the intensity of other beloved high-fantasy novels. Casati’s characters are so captivating—each character is deeply flawed, multifaceted, and their interactions constantly evolve in unexpected ways.

The brutal realities of war and the emotional toll it takes on these characters are compelling, while Constanza's writing brings ancient Assyria to life with rich detail and poetic prose. This gripping narrative, full of twists and poignant moments, made it impossible to put down.

Babylonia is a masterpiece that cements Casati’s place as a leading voice in mythology retellings.

If you are someone who enjoys Natalie Haynes, I encourage you to try this!

Babylonia is a mythical retelling of Queen Semiramis from ancient Mesopotamia. The story starts in the village of Mari, located in the essentially located Assyrian province of Eber-Nari. Semiramis grew up as an orphan, taken in by the village’s chief shepherd, and raised beaten and belittled under the village patriarchy. As she comes of age, in the midst of political unrest, Eber-Nari receives a new governor Onnes, sent by Assyria’s new king. Onnes is drawn to her and they are married before he takes her away to Kalhu, Assyria’s capital.

I was really excited for Babylonia after loving author Costanza Casati’s debut novel Clytemnestra. And it really was a stunning sophomore book full of complexity and prose magic, I loved following Semiramis as she evolved from orphaned commoner to general’s wife and beyond. The heart of the story revolves around the complex relationships between Semiramis, Onnes and King Ninus. I loved following the shifting power dynamics between the three and the interchangeable roles of love and hate. Casati crafts three dimensional characters full of individual flaws and trauma surrounded by the ruthless power plays of the palace and brutality of the battleground.

I thought this book was stunning and would definitely recommend it to readers who enjoy mythological fiction, a good historical immersion or badass female empowerment. A massive thank you to Netgalley and Sourcebooks for this wonderful arc.

Really good prose and research from the author. I loved learning more about Babylonia and that time period. The characters could have been a little more fleshed out but otherwise they were good. The story felt a little long overall.