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!

Babylonia offers an intriguing glimpse into the life of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire, but I found the execution of this promising premise to be a mixed bag. The mythological and historical aspects have great potential, yet the writing often fell flat for me. While it sets out to be an epic tale, I found the story tiring at times and struggled to connect with the characters.

The beginning was slow, and although it picked up with some engaging political intrigue later on, I couldn’t help but wish for more exploration of Semiramis's reign as queen. We only get a handful of chapters focusing on her time in power, which was disappointing given the richness of her character and the era. I felt there was a wealth of material to delve into, particularly her strategies and challenges as a female ruler in a male-dominated society.

Additionally, some plot points and dialogue felt too reminiscent of Game of Thrones, which took away from the uniqueness of the narrative. Sasi, the spymaster, drew strong parallels to Varys, while Nisat echoed Cersei, making it hard to shake off the feeling of déjà vu.

What I did enjoy was the complex relationship between Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus. This dynamic was captivating, but again, I found myself wanting more depth, particularly with Onnes. He was a mysterious figure, and a deeper exploration of his character would have added layers to the story.

Costanza Casati clearly has a talent for weaving myth and history, as evidenced by her bestselling Clytemnestra, but I felt that Babylonia could have benefited from a stronger focus on character development and a more nuanced narrative. Overall, it’s an interesting read, especially for those intrigued by ancient history, but it left me wanting more engagement and less familiarity.

Thank you NetGalley and RBmedia | Sourcebooks Landmark for this ARC Copy!

Yet another beautifully told mythology by Costanza Casati. This just salifies that she will forever be an auto buy author for me. This story follows Semiramis in the Assyrian empire, which is not a mythology that I was familiar with at all so can not say how accurate it was according to history, but I can say that it was a really good time, even when it wasn't. The love story was beautiful, but it was never at the sacrifice of our character and that is one thing that I love about Costanza's books.

I received an arc of this book in exchange for an honest review

I love a retelling from an ancient civilizations so I knew going in that I would be a fan of this. I did not even know there was a woman ruler for the assyrian empire so to see her get her own book was great! I felt the pacing was a tad slow and that it could have been shortened a bit but overall I had a fun time!

I did not think that Costanza Casati was going to be able to top Clytemnestra and this book proved me wrong! The way she's able to seamlessly intertwine mythology rooted in people and a world that's comfortable to reader of any background is incredible. After this book she's become an auto-purchase author for me!

Thank you to Netgalley and the Publishing Company for this Advanced Readers copy of Babylonia by Costanza Casati!

Wow! A worthy successor to Song of Achilles Gladiator or Game of Thrones! This novel is thoroughly researched, with characters and a taboo love triangle you will never forget. One of my favorite books published so far this year.

Overall, I enjoyed this book, but it took a while to kick off. Nearly the first 1/3 of the book was slow with a lot of world-building telling instead of showing. I did need the background on Semiramis, but I know from Casati's previous novel, Clytemnestra, that it can be done more gracefully. However, I recognize that I went into Clytemnestra with much more background on her story and the backdrop, whereas I knew very little about the Assyrian Empire going into this book.

Once the story picked up, it became much more compelling for me. I was engaged with the rest of the story and sped through it. I absolutely needed to know what happened to Semiramis to go from her early life to become the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire.

There was a lot of violence in this book - graphic, brutal violence. If that's something you avoid, you should tread lightly here. However, the prose was lyrical and beautiful, and I loved how the themes around rising above, loyalty, betrayal, and the power of love wove through the story.

A huge thank you to the author and the publisher for providing an e-ARC via Netgalley. This does not affect my opinion regarding the book.

This book was so good and me reading late into the night, even though your girl needs her sleep desperately!

Babylonia is the story of Semiramis, the Assyrian empire's only female ruler, as she climbs her way from orphan to Queen with ruthless cunning.

Be warned, this book is full of triggering content, and every character is an absolute toxic mess who does the most abhorrent shit, yet you can’t help but feel for every single one of them, as they are all really just victims of this brutal time in history.

Semiramis is a strong, resourceful, clever, morally grey female MC that was a breath of fresh air after reading so many books with cookie cutter, cliché, female leads.

The underlying narrative of what it meant to be a woman at this time in history was on point and, at the same time, a little unsettling to realize how much it still resonates in 2025.

I already love a multi POV book, but I really appreciated the artistry of how Costanza used it to pull this story together more so than any other book that I’ve read.

When it came to the close of this book, I both loved and wanted more at the ending. It came together so well, with such poetic justice, but I think I was so invested in the story that I wanted it to continue past it's end point.

@costanzacasati is now an auto buy author for me and I need to immediately go to the bookstore when my kiddo wakes up so I can buy Clytemnestra!

Epic thanks to @bookmarked for sending me an advance copy of this amazing book!

"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."

Casati nailed it again! I love how she brings these strong women from history to life and makes them feel so real. The way she humanizes them is always so well done. That said, I do wish this book had focused more on Semiramis as a ruler instead of her relationships with the two men. That part of her story was interesting, but I feel like her time as empress would’ve been even more exciting to dive into. I also would have loved to see her as more of a villainess - we don't know much about her actually as a person so while it is nice to imagine that she didn't want the power that was thrust upon her, I would have loved to have seen her grasp that power and run with it.

It’s a little slow paced but beautifully written. I’m not familiar the historical context or the protagonist but this retelling is written in a way that was easy to follow. A lot of characters are flawed and not made to be likable but you get to understand their motivations and actions. Overall, I enjoyed it.

Thank you for the eARC!

sad to say this one was not as gripping as Clytenmestra. I was bored half the time, and didn't really care for the story line :(

Babylonia by Constanza Casati is a wonderfully crafted work that seamlessly blends historical and mythological narratives with the author’s vision of the protagonists and their personal struggles. It intricately explores the complexities of human relationships, power dynamics, and the impact of powerful individuals' decisions on the fate of many.

I am impressed by the author’s research, which allows her to paint such vivid pictures of the Assyrian Empire in the 9th century BC, while also delving into the inner lives of her characters. This creates a beautiful tension between the personal and the universal.
Thank you to the author, publisher and NetGalley for the copy of the book.

In Babylonia, Costanza Casati, the bestselling author of Clytemnestra, returns with another dazzling exploration of ancient history. This time, she breathes life into the enigmatic figure of Semiramis—the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire. Seamlessly blending historical record and myth, Casati’s novel chronicles Semiramis’s rise from obscurity to legendary status in a world that was never meant to yield power to a woman.

Semiramis begins her journey as an orphan raised on the fringes of the empire, a far cry from the splendor of Assyrian royalty. Yet through sheer ambition, intelligence, and willpower, she claims the throne in a male-dominated world. While history offers little about her life, myth portrays Semiramis as a brilliant warrior and visionary ruler, and Casati brilliantly uses this duality to craft a richly imagined story of power, resilience, and ambition.

One of the novel’s greatest strengths is its world-building. Casati’s attention to detail vividly brings the Assyrian Empire to life—the heat, grandeur, and danger of ancient Babylonia leap from the page. The political intrigue is as intense as the battles, and every decision Semiramis makes feels weighted with the full consequence of empire-building.

Semiramis herself is an unforgettable protagonist. Casati portrays her as a complex, determined woman who refuses to be underestimated. Her journey is both inspiring and poignant, filled with hard-won victories and heartbreaking sacrifices.

Babylonia will appeal to fans of historical fiction who enjoy tales of powerful women and stories set in ancient worlds. Costanza Casati proves once again that she is a master at reimagining the lives of legendary figures, giving Semiramis the voice and legacy she deserves. This is a gripping, beautifully written tale that will linger with readers long after the final page.

You’ve likely heard of Babylon or Assyria. But have you ever heard of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Neo-Assyrian Empire who conquered much of the Middle East? In this novel, Costanza Cosati takes the little we know of Semiramis, mostly derived from Diodorus Siculus’s work, and weaves a tale from her origins as a humble village orphan to near-divine status.

This is a historical retelling done right– these half-mythologized beings are real and terribly flawed. Much of the story focuses on the relationships between Semiramis, her husband Onnis, and the king Ninnus. All are broken in different ways, and their interactions are at turns touching and heartrending. It's a slow story despite several battle scenes, but I thought it flowed well. I also found the portrayal of PTSD in the ancient world thoughtfully done. If it's marketed as fantasy, it's only because it tells the story of semi-mythologized figures. There's next to none of the supernatural other than some prophecy.

Some reviewers say the book is a bit of a rip off of A Game of Thrones because there’s a eunuch spymaster and a plotting dowager queen but that’s quite unfair– those are tropes that existed long before GRRM, and there’s a firm historical basis for eunuchs in important Assyrian government positions. I think Casati does something genuinely interesting with the dowager queen too, though it’s so brief it might be considered an aside.

My only complaint is about the title itself, which confused me. I am not well informed about the history of the region and had to do some research to orient myself. I really struggled here to keep the city of Babylon (briefly sort of an antagonist here) separate from Babylonia, the general region that includes Babylon. Assyria is to the north. Assyria eventually encompassed Babylonia during the Neo-Assyrian Empire, but the majority of the books takes place in Kalhu (now called Nimrud)-- not Babylon. Maybe the book should have just been called Semiramis?

I love all of this author’s retellings. So rich in detail and the perfect amount of added dramatization. Can’t wait for the next one!

An easy 4 stars to Babylonia by Costanza Casati!

Casati has a truly beautiful writing style that brought ancient history to life. I had never heard of the legendary Semiramis, but her story captivated me from almost the beginning. She was bold, brave, and passionate. Her desire to rise above her humble beginnings had to be admired, and, in spite of her flaws, I was truly rooting for her to overcome pretty much every circumstance that came against her. All the other characters were also well-written and, usually, incredibly messy. So much drama and scandal! As an introverted girlie who does not enjoy conflict, I can’t imagine that I would’ve thrived quite like Semiramis did.

I must again return to Casati’s writing style. Words truly cannot explain just how much I loved it! There were moments I felt like I was right there watching Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus navigate their trials and tribulations. She brought Ancient Mesopotamia to life in a way I haven’t experienced before, and I will most definitely be going back to read Clytemnestra by her.

The only reason this doesn't get 5 stars is because sometimes I got a little bit too frustrated with the characters, and I don't see myself ever wanting to reread this one. Not because it was bad (I hope that's obvious from my raving about the beautiful writing and intriguing characters), but because it just felt a little too long at some points.

All in all, if you are at all interested in mythology, ancient civilizations, or strong women who will do anything to gain what they want…pick this one up!

Thank you so very much to NetGalley, SOURCEBOOKS, and Costanza Casati for the free arc in exchange for my honest review.

I enjoyed this book, but at times had a hard time following what was happening. The characters were vibrant and very well written, and the way mythology was woven into the story really enhanced the story. The romance was wonderfully messy and just what I hope for when reading a fictionalized story about ancient cultures/mythos/rulers.

This historical/mythical retelling is about Semiramis, thought to be the only ancient queen of Assyria. It is an intriguing story of ancient history and is well told and brought to life by the author. It is a story of extreme violence but also obsessive love and the way the violence infects that love. I am thrilled that these ancient women are having their stories told and I will continue to read them. I received a digital copy of this book from the publisher via NetGalley.

3.5 stars

Great storyline - the loss of oneself bc of love and the lack of. So much betrayal, love triangle, loss, BUT the half brother inc*st was a bit too much for me.

Thank you Netgalley