I was blown away the exquisite writing style of this author. Babylonia is my first experience with this author and it did not disappoint. The author immediately pulls you in to the story and keeps you engaged. While the characters were not as well developed as this marvelous story, it has left enough of an impression that I will be going back and reading her first book Clytemnestra.

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

In her second novel, Babylonia, Constanza Casati has solidified her reputation as a leading voice in the genre of historical fiction. Following the success of Clytemnestra, Casati immerses readers in the world of ancient Assyria, bringing the story of Semiramis—a fearless and unconventional queen—vividly to life. The novel’s strength lies not only in its rich historical setting but also in its deeply complex characters. The evolving dynamics between Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus make for a powerful, emotional narrative. Casati’s beautiful prose and intricate character development captivate from start to finish, offering both beauty and trauma in a sweeping tale of love, power, and betrayal. The inclusion of diverse perspectives, such as that of a slave, further enriches the story. This compelling novel earns a solid 5-star rating for its ability to make readers feel and think deeply about the characters’ journeys.

A big thank you to NetGalley and SOURCEBOOKS Landmark for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

This book is a tapestry woven together with beautifully flawed characters, a fierce heroine, politics, conflict, love, and war in ancient Assyria.
Semiramis, the woman that you are!

If you have read her debut Clytemnestra, you will also enjoy Babylonia. If you have not read Clytemnestra, run to your nearest bookseller or library.

Costanza Casati is a truly gifted storyteller and I can always lose myself to her stories. To become completely drawn in and part of her world as a reader is a gift.

As long as she writes stories, I will read them.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for allowing me to read Babylonia by Costanza Casati!
Publication date: January 14, 2025

I have always been fond of historical retellings, which drew me in when I requested this arc.

Babylonia is my first Costanza Casati novel, and boy, have I become her fan!

From the first page, I was transported to a different time (823 BC) and place, entirely captivated by the story. Because it was so engaging, I finished this four-hundred-page book in two days.
Costanza Casati's skill in bringing the ancient world to life is truly remarkable. The world-building, the characters, and their complexities revealed layer by layer, the details that brought the ancient world to life, and the gruesome war details she used to depict the ruthlessness of the Assyrian empire-everything was stellar. Each detail was beautifully written, taking me on a whirlwind journey as a reader.

The story is about Sammuramat, the only Assyrian (modern-day Syria) woman who succeeded in being a force to be reckoned with in the chapters of history. As per historical sources, she ruled for five years after her husband, Shamshi-Abad V (grandson of one of the greatest rulers of Assyria, Ashurnasirpal), died before her son came of age. Plundering and conquering left Assyria financially and politically weak, and it was up to Sammurmat to restore stability.

Although history doesn’t say much about her, it was after her death myth made sure that her name reverberates through generations. The Greek Historian Herodotus wrote about her in the fifth century BC, using the Greek form of her name, Semiramis. However, the primary source of her mythical life came from Diodorus Siculus (90-30 BC). In his work of Bibliotheca Historica, he offers great detail about the warrior queen who rose from humble beginnings and ruled one of the biggest empires in the world.

Babylonia speaks of our three primary characters, Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus. Their relationship with each other, their personalities, ambitions, the wars they fought outside, and the wars they fought within themselves. Costanza beautifully carves out their lives, and what I loved even more is that all these battles and wars left each one of them with trauma that crippled them and our author doesn’t shy away from talking about it.. while kings are being worshipped, their internal struggles are putting their mind through turmoil unbeknownst to their subjects who revere them anyway.. Their internal fight with their conscience, duty, and ambition was written with poignancy. It felt that I was there as a spectator to it all. The author's portrayal of the emotional toll of war, the internal struggles of the characters, and their enduring trauma is both powerful and moving.

This book left me in awe. I experienced a myriad of emotions while reading about Semiramis's incredible life. Her grit, valor, influence, and ability to fight destiny, naysayers, and enemies and emerge victorious, albeit paying a hefty price along the way, left me mesmerized and emotional. The characters' resilience in the face of adversity is truly inspiring.

I cannot recommend this book enough because of its rich historical context, compelling characters, and emotional journey. It's a must-read for anyone interested in historical fiction.
5.5 stars

Yes, I did give it an additional 0.5 stars.

Thank Net Galley for this incredible opportunity to read such a magnificent book. Thank you, Costanza Casati and Source Book Landmark, for giving me this opportunity.

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

Babylonia by Costanza Casati is a third person multi-POV historical retelling of the life of Assyrian queen Sammuramat (referred to in the book by her Greek name, Semiramis) and her two husbands, Ones and Ninus. Semiramis has been raised by a step-father who has no real affection for her after her mother drowned. When she convinces Onnes, a powerful man in the Assyrian court, that her father has harmed her, she kick-starts her future to rise from poverty to the throne.

Costanza Casati recognizes the brutality often displayed by the Assyrian Empire but leaves most of it to the reader’s imagination. There are depictions of child murder and whippings but a lot of stuff (such as people being flayed alive and assault) happen off page. I was fine with that as I wasn't expecting something more grimdark when I picked this up, but if a reader is aware of the violent acts often committed when the Assyrian Empire was conquering other people, they might have different expectations for how much gore is shown and how in-depth it goes.

This has a slower pace and we spend a lot of time in the characters’ heads with subtle political movements keeping the story propelling forward. There's big secrets that have to be kept (such as Ninus and Onnes being half-brothers) and nobody is totally willing to give up power. Nisat, Ninus’ mother, is sort of playing chess with everyone else to keep her own position. I would have loved a POV chapter from her because I find dowager queens to be some of the most fascinating characters in political historicals and fantasies. They've seen a lot, they've done a lot, they're willing to play the long game to get what they want, and when you finally learn what they've been doing, there's an entire web they've designed that touches everything. Nisat definitely feels like she could have a network going to assist her and her son whenever necessary.

My favorite POV was Ribat’s, a slave who is working for Semiramis. Through Ribat, we see a lot of what goes on behind the golden veneer of the political world and how their wheeling and dealing can have negative consequences for the common folk. Ribat is very much attracted to Semiramis and would do anything for her, including keeping her secrets, and even sort of gets his wish when Semiramis gives him attention. Their story is not one of romance or of a lost love, but rather one of two people who aren't from the upper echelons of society finding something in each other.

Content warning for allusions of sexual assault, child abuse, and gore and depictions of child murder

I would recommend this to fans of political historicals and readers looking for a retelling of the Assyrian Empire

If you liked Circe, you will LOVE Babylonia. And if you have any remote interest in Greek mythology, then this is the book for you.

I only have a middle-school knowledge of Greek mythology and yet I was able to follow the story easily. It revolves primarily around Semiramis, who grows up used and abused by her father. When her would-be husband, Onnes, rescues her, she grows into her own skin and shows her cunning and clever self. It is a wonder that so long ago, a woman could've risen so far after beginning so low.

We are also blessed with other POVs, giving us a full spectrum of Semiramis' life.

I honestly believe that despite this being a historical fiction, I gained a much greater understanding of Greek mythology.

All women's destinies are doomed to be the same, the bârû has told her.

No, she thinks. They aren't. Let the gods learn that.”

Through the choking dust and timeworn pages of history walks a monumental woman, her steps proudly echoing across the sun-cracked earth, glittering palaces and temples, and luscious gardens over which she ruled: the Assyrian queen Semiramis. In her novel Babylonia, Costanza Casati infuses life into Semiramis’s mythical tale, weaving together legend and fact into a glorious tapestry of love, loss, and the heights to which men and women rise…and fall.

Set in the 9th century BC, Semiramis’s story takes place during a tumultuous time in Assyrian history, during the reign of Shamshi-Adad V (also known as Ninus, that being the king's personal name). The king seeks to exert control over rebel areas, including the village of Mari in the Eber-Nari province, in the aftermath of a devastating civil war.

Orphaned as a young girl, Semiramis grows up in Mari in the care of a shepherd. Our cunning and ambitious heroine seeks to escape her village and seizes the opportunity when she meets Onnes, Eber-Nari’s governor. Intrigued by Semiramis, Onnes marries her, and they leave for the Assyrian capital of Kalhu. It’s there where Semiramis begins her ascent to power.

Little does Semiramis know that the halls of Kalhu’s palaces pulse with intrigue and political ploys. Several factions vie for power at court, including the king’s mother, his general, and his spymaster. And yet, Semiramis refuses to remain idle and upends traditional women’s roles as a submissive wife and procreator. Instead, she serves on Ninus’s council to advise him and helps with planning military campaigns to further Assyria’s domains.

Tensions arise, however, among the king’s court, and between Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus. A love triangle envelops the three protagonists, and Semiramis doesn’t realize the bond between the two men transcends her understanding. It’s a complex and complicated web, one that brings both halcyonic joy and unspeakable sorrow.

Through it all, Semiramis evolves into a diplomat, a warrior, a queen, one whose influence and legend will resonate throughout history.

Casati's breathtaking second novel plunges readers into ancient history in all its glory, beauty, and violence. Through meticulous research of sources and artwork, she crafts a vibrant and authentic world. Readers stride past the towering lamassu guarding Kalhu’s gates into the city, revel in the beauty of terraced gardens, inhale the dust of marching armies, and hear the whisperings of political intrigue throughout palace halls. To be honest, it feels like a window to the ancient past, one about which we can only dream.

Semiramis is portrayed as a complex, layered, and flawed protagonist. Though abused by her adopted father, the young woman refuses to be a victim. Instead, Semiramis unapologetically seizes opportunities to better herself and advance her position, first when she marries Onnes, and then, after the death of her second husband, Ninus himself. Her bravery, ferocity, intelligence - and occasionally her ruthlessness and cunning - reverberate throughout the land as Semiramis joins military campaigns, plots the downfalls of her enemies, and, ultimately, ascends the Assyrian throne to rule on behalf of her son.

And yet, Casati also paints the Assyrian queen with a softer brush. Semiramis remains approachable to her servants, treating them with politeness and even kindness. She tries to protect women and children when she can at the risk to her own life. Semiramis even befriends a foreign hostage. This multifaceted presentation creates for readers a mosaic of a character.

I particularly enjoyed Casati's exploration of Semiramis's grappling with the emotional and psychological impacts of war and her actions in them. Babylonia offers a deeply nuanced interpretation of both the trauma endured but also the bonds forged in such horrific environments and adversity as a result of battle.

On the whole, Babylonia strikes a perfect chord of known fact and cultivated legend, narrative description and immersive dialogue, and intriguing characters and riveting plot.

I'm grateful for the author and publisher for an eARC copy via NetGalley!

Clytemnestra was a 5-star read for me last year so I was so excited to read this author’s next book, Babylonia.

Babylonia ultimately got a ⭐️ 3.5/5 rounded down rating from me. The author did some incredible research into Mesopotamian/Assyrian history and her writing is beautiful. I felt transported back in time and could see these characters right in front of me. But the story fell a bit flat for me and I just didn’t connect well with any of the characters.

Thank you to NetGalley and Sourcebooks for the ARC!

This book was really interesting as someone who doesn't know much about the Assyrian myths and royalty. However, unlike her previous work, this book felt extremely slow with the same dialogue and actions happening over and over again. I found myself skipping pages just to see if the plot advanced.

This is one of THE BEST literary threesomes I've ever read!
This was a captivating retelling that has top tier world-building and character development. The book takes us on a journey through a time of political intrigue, cultural richness, and personal conflict. The author has clearly done her research, and it brings the world to life in a way that feels so immersive and authentic.

This book was incredible. It is a slower read so I do not think you'll blast through this, but wow this book is worth savoring. The characters are deliciously complex and no one is "good" or "bad." Semiramis is such a beautiful example of a humanized character and I found myself loving her and all of her flaws and struggles. The relationships were so interesting and I honestly appreciated how we saw pieces and parts of the relationships and the author gave enough details for the reader to fill in the rest. I am not sure that I "liked" any of the characters, but that actually made this book all the more enjoyable. This is based in history and is a beautiful way to expand the story of Semiramis and the empire of Assyria. If you love historical stories and complex characters, you will not be disappointed. This is one of my 5 star books for the last year and I will absolutely be reading more by the author.

Thank you NetGalley, Costanza Casati, and the publisher for this beautiful ARC.

Historical Fiction • Mythology
Pub Date • 14 January 2025

Thank you so much to @sourcebooks for the free finished copy.

☪︎ ִ ࣪𖤐 𐦍 ☾𖤓⛧ 𝑻𝒉𝒆 𝑴𝒆𝒔𝒐𝒑𝒐𝒕𝒂𝒎𝒊𝒂𝒏 𝒗𝒆𝒓𝒔𝒊𝒐𝒏 𝒐𝒇 𝑮𝒂𝒎𝒆 𝒐𝒇 𝑻𝒉𝒓𝒐𝒏𝒆𝒔.ִ ☪︎ ִ ࣪◞ ꙳ ๋࣭ 𖤓 `

❥ This is untold tale of the rise of the only female ruler of Assyria: the woman, the myth, the legend.
❥ No dragons. But there are lions, a leopard, bloody battles for territory, court politics, ruthless rulers.
❥ Historical fiction, packed with legend and lore, and a bit of the old gods.

Semiramis. She is a force. She is a no one, a peasant, but she’ll claw her way to the top, through grit, determination and sheer strength of will. She’s ambitious, power hungry and ruthless, but also somehow compassionate. She’s striking and she will leave her legacy.

The writing pulls you in, emotionally wrecking because of the brutality of the world. Ruthless and grim, the toll of war on a people, physically but more so emotionally. Watch as everyone slowly succumbs to madness and grief, lost to all they have endured. The unspeakable things they have done in the name of duty.

Semiramis is the standout, although we do see some shifting POVs from her slave Ribat and her two love interests. Despite the injustice of being born a woman, she will ride to battle, and she will make an indelible mark on history. Cool to see how this might have played out!

❝ 𝙰𝚗𝚍 𝚠𝚑𝚊𝚝 𝚔𝚒𝚗𝚍 𝚘𝚏 𝚠𝚘𝚖𝚊𝚗 𝚍𝚘 𝚢𝚘𝚞 𝚝𝚑𝚒𝚗𝚔 𝙸 𝚊𝚖? ❞
❝ 𝙾𝚗𝚎 𝚠𝚑𝚘 𝚍𝚘𝚎𝚜𝚗’𝚝 𝚠𝚊𝚒𝚝 𝚏𝚘𝚛 𝚐𝚘𝚍𝚜 𝚝𝚘 𝚏𝚞𝚕𝚏𝚒𝚕𝚕 𝚑𝚎𝚛 𝚠𝚒𝚜𝚑𝚎𝚜.❞

LONG LIVE THE QUEEN 👑

TW: War, Murder, Death, Gore, Sexual Assault, Torture…

Casati is a brilliantly beautiful writer. Babylonia is a retelling of the story of Semiramis, the female ruler of the Assyrian Empire in the 800s BC. She does an exceptional job of immersing you in a time and place. The brutality of those times and the mindset of the people is fully explored, making this such a complex and engrossing read, I couldn't put it down. Her character development is so nuanced, no character is purely good or evil and even the minor ones motives and personalities are examined. So many layers to all the characters. Loved this one from start to finish. Meticulously researched.

"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