Thank you NetGalley and HarpersCollins Canada for sending this book for review consideration. All opinions are my own.

The hammer shatters glass but forges steel. - Assyrian proverb

This novel was so juicy and captivating! Despite initially not knowing much about ancient Mesopotamia (823 BC Assyria, to be specific), the writing captured and illuminated the world so vividly that I almost feel as if I lived there.

Also, clearly 2025 is my year of feminism because I just keep getting BAMF FMC in every book, and this is no exception! Though life keeps dealing her hard blows and many twists of fate, Semiramis keep her head up, takes no prisoners (which I may or may not mean literally, but shh spoilers), and holds tight to the reins of her own life.

At no point could I predict what was going to happen next so I just had to grip tight on the edge of my seat and hold on for the ride. Trope highlights include: “who did this to you,” LGBTQ rep, and court politics. All in all, this is a chefs kiss of a historical fiction. Now I just need to get my hands on Clytemnestra, finally!

Historical fiction is one of my favourite genres, and I especially love when I find a book that brings to life a period of history I knew very little about. And that’s exactly what Costanza Casati does in Babylonia. The story hooked me from the start - you know you’re enjoying a book when every time you put it down you want to pick it back up again.

The book follows Semiramis as she rises from an abused orphan to the top of Assyrian society. I found Semiramis to be a very compelling character. She is fierce, fearless, and ambitious but also compassionate. As a reader I found myself cheering for her victories and mourning her losses along side her. The alternating perspectives also provide a lot of insight into the other characters, who impressed me with their depth and the intricate dynamics between them.

This is a story about power, love, madness, grief and it is done so so well.

I enjoyed Casati’s Clytemnestra, and it is clear Casati has a skill for writing strong, imperfect women from history and myth.

Casati does not shy away from the brutality of the Assyrian Empire, including the violence and trauma inflicted on and by the main characters – Semiramis, Onnes, and Ninus.

While primarily told from the perspective of Semiramis, a common woman and thief who rises to the position of Queen, Casati also weaves in the perspectives of royals and slaves, shedding light on the complex web of relationships that holds together and breaks apart empires.

The writing thoroughly captured me, and I appreciate Casati's balance between historical detail, character emotion, and good narrative pacing.

4.5 stars.

I look forward to Casati’s future work.

Thank you, NetGalley and HarperCollins Canada, for the ARC.

this is an amazing book about being fearless and remaining true to yourself.

Fell in love with this book from the start could not put it down.

Oh my. What a wonderful, beautiful, tragic story!

Costanza Casati may just be my new favourite historical fiction author. Babylonia was a wonderful journey through ancient Assyrian history and culture. As a biblical scholar, I thoroughly enjoyed the foray into ancient history as it shed light onto biblical-era culture, way of life, and religion. For those who are not biblical scholars, do not fear; Babylonia has nothing to do with Israel or the Bible. Instead, it is an exploration of the brutally violent Assyrian culture.

Casati asks the question: What would life have been like for both the average and royal Assyrian person who is steeped in a culture that venerates violence?

The story tells the rise of ‎Shammuramat, the powerful Assyrian queen, from a rural and common orphan girl known as Semiramis. Without spoiling, I'll simply say that it contained sufficient intrigue, betrayal, and personal ambition to captivate me. Told primarily through the perspective of Semiramis, we also glimpse the brutality of what life was like as a woman within the Assyrian empire. Casati's writing style is gripping and beautiful while not losing the audience to too many details regarding the historical context. She brings Semiramis and Assyria vividly to life.

That said, the book is for adult audiences. It is deals with mature subject matter regarding war violence and PTSD related to war violence. There is a hint of incest, mildly graphic sexual behaviours, and prevalent drug use. I highly recommend Babylonia to all readers interested in ancient history, particularly the little-told role of women in ancient history. I am also looking forward to getting my hands on Casati's Clytemnestra.

Thank you to Netgalley for the opportunity to read and review this ARC!

What a stunning and gorgeous read, wow. The writing in this was so incredibly evocative, and the background was clearly very well researched. I love how all of the characters are deeply flawed - and the world itself is incredibly beautiful - it makes for a poignant reading experience with lots of moral conflict. I feel like I learned a lot AND thought about the world a lot, all while falling in love with the characters!