Thank you to the author and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of Babylonia.

The writing style in this book really stands out and is so poetic, which does take a little bit of getting used to as it can bit a little bit overpowering and difficult to get through at times but is definitely worth it in the end

The depiction and the exploration of power within Babylonia was excellent I loved seeing the way that power developed throughout the book, some in expected ways, but also in more unexpected ways as well.

If you read this, make sure to check out the author’s note as well as it provides a much deeper understanding and is definitely worth looking at.

Overall I enjoyed this but didn’t love it as much as other similar titles.

My first 5 star read or the year!

Babylonia brings to life the incredible story of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian empire. The novel beautifully blends romance, tragedy, and palace intrigue, immersing readers in the emotional and political complexities of her reign. the world building was exceptional with well-researched and vivid descriptions of Assyrian culture. The central love triangle was written with depth, and the novel raises thought-provoking questions about violence, survival, and legacy. While the story could have benefitted from more focus on Semiramis’s later reign, the historical facts, myths, and the author’s own creative interpretations blended seamlessly, making for an immersive read. A truly powerful and engaging novel that brings an often-overlooked corner of history to life.

Seemingly well-researched and poetically, evocatively written, but somehow I didn't feel anything while reading. Probably a me problem, though, so don't let it put you off. Semiramis definitely reads a bit like a Mary Sue, though — very little happens in this book that doesn't revolve around her in some way, or how obsessed other characters are with her. Also applied a very 21st-century-flavored morality to characters who lived around 2800 years ago.

Will appeal to lovers of the ever-expanding subgenre of Greek myth retellings.

Babylonia, by Costanza Casati, is an inspiring excursion into Assyrian ancient history, a glimpse into the saga of Semiramis, fabled queen who rose from humble beginnings. Abandoned as a child and sold into slavery from a rough-looking village, Semiramis takes a hard route in life but dreams of higher things. This changes when Onnes, her governor husband, marries her off and attracts the notice of King Ninus, initiating an entwining of love that reshapes their world.

Casati does an excellent job painting the ancient world, conveying the filth and grandeur of Assyrian life. The politics of the court and political backstabbing are hectic, and the characters realistic and complicated. But the pace of the book can be quite unequal at points, with portions of it drawn out. But if you enjoy tales of strong women and historical politics, then Babylonia is worth reading.

4 ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Thank you so much to Penguin Randomhouse and NetGalley for an e-arc of this book.

This was so refreshing, a totally new subject for me and one that hasn’t been done over and over again.

I loved the writing and the characterisation. I think the way the complex relationships were portrayed was engaging and actually interesting, rather than the same old, same old.

I know almost nothing of this era in history, but this book made me want to know more. It really is a story of a woman's rise from nothing to the most powerful position of the most powerful empire of its time. This felt like an accurate depiction of the effects of war on a person and the ruthlessness of that time, with descriptions that allowed for me to be transported into the story. Although I did not feel extremely connected to the characters, I was enraptured by the dynamics of Semiramis and the other main characters.

I loved that the book was set in ancient Assyria: it's a setting I've never seen explored in historical fiction and I loved how Casati made it come to life. The whole novel felt luxurious, sensual and

Semiramis was a compelling character, driven by a need to escape her obscure upbringing. She achieved her aims easily, ignoring the constraints of her male dominated society. At times this was immensely satisfying to read, especially as Sermiramis was such as compelling and likeable character. At other times, I found myself wondering why the other women in the setting hadn't done this already, since the rules that Semiramis broke did not seem like they were being enforced. With that said, I did enjoy the inclusion of other female characters with agency. Although Semiramis's closest relationships were with men (probably influenced by what survives in the historical record), the female characters were allowed to be flawed, whether as uneasy allies or formidable adversaries.

Thank you to NetGalley and Penguin for the ARC.

I adored this book. The writing is beautiful and the author does a great job of showing her story and rise to power through all of the struggles. I really enjoyed all the different perspectives. The second half was definitely better once the story properly gets going.

Babylonia is set in the Assyrian empire in the 800s BC, and I really liked reading about a completely different historical period and its culture – always up for that kind of novel! But after a while, the cardboard cutout nature of the characters started to grate on me and I found the second half kinda boring. I just didn't buy a lot of the characters and their relationships with each other. A shame :(

As I immersed myself in Semiramis, I found myself captivated by the raw energy and ambition of Seiramis. Costanza Casati’s latest novel takes us on a gripping journey through an ancient world filled with intrigue, strength, and the relentless pursuit of power.

From the very first page, I was drawn into Semiramis's life, an orphaned girl living on the fringes of an empire, longing for a destiny that seems just out of reach. Her determination to rise from obscurity to greatness is palpable, and I couldn’t help but root for her as she navigates the treacherous landscape of ambition. Casati masterfully portrays Semiramis’s evolution from a mere village girl to a formidable force who commands armies and rules kingdoms.

The writing is vivid and immersive, painting a rich tapestry of the ancient world. I could almost feel the dust of her village beneath my feet and the weight of the throne on her shoulders. Each character is well-drawn, adding layers of complexity to Semiramis's journey. The themes of sacrifice and the cost of power resonate deeply, forcing me to reflect on what I would be willing to give up for my own dreams.

As Semiramis charts her path, the stakes grow ever higher, and I found myself on the edge of my seat, wondering how far she would go to claim her throne. The twists and turns of her story kept me engaged, and the moments of fierce determination were truly inspiring.

Costanza Casati has created a powerful narrative that is as much about the struggle for identity as it is about the quest for power. Semiramis is a tale of resilience, ambition, and the fierce spirit of a warrior queen who refuses to be forgotten. I came away from this book feeling both exhilarated and contemplative, eager to see how Semiramis's story would unfold.

If you enjoy historical fiction that features strong, complex women and vibrant storytelling, then Semiramis is a must-read. It’s a dazzling portrayal of a woman who fights against the odds to carve her name into history, and I couldn’t have loved it more.

Semiramis is an orphan who is little better than a slave to her adopted father. She dreams of being able to leave her village and, one day, fate conspires to give her the opportunity. Newly married to the half-brother of the King, she travels to Khaldu, the great city of Assyria, and works to improve her status. By stealth, valour and love she becomes Queen but Semiramis is destined for more.
This is a great piece of historical fiction. Using the great Epic of Gilgamesh to link the narrative, Casati has taken a number of myths and woven the story of a woman ahead of her time. It's a really accessible read yet also quite learned as well.

If Costanza Casati made a stake in the historical fiction sphere with her first novel Clytemnestra, her second book Babylonia absolutely solidifies those foundations. Slick, sumptuous, and brimming with intricate character detailing, Casati proves that she isn’t tied to writing in one historical period. Though less compelling — to me personally — than Clytemnestra, I thought Babylonia to be a confident and complex sophomore story.

A fascinating and entertaining reamiging of the mythical queen Semiramide and the world of Babylonia.
Well plotted and compelling, I liked the storytelling and the characters.
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

Babylonia is the epic retelling of Semiramis and how she became the female ruler of a male-dominated empire. We follow Semiramis throughout her life as she navigates violence, abuse and politics in order to create a better life for herself. There are lots of morally grey characters in this story but Casati does an excellent job of immersing you in their world and creating empathy for even the more questionable situations. It took me a little while to get into this book but once I was I found myself eagerly reading on to unravel the story of Semiramis and those around her.
I really enjoyed the writing style of this book and having loved Casati's previous book Clytemnestra I cant wait to read whatever she publishes next.

Casati has created a singular feminist in Semiramis, whose humble beginnings as a low born orphan lead her to the highest role in the Assyrian empire.

Intrigue, struggle and the brutality of war leap from the page. A tale that will stay long with the reader after finishing.

Thank you to Net Galley and the publishers for sending me a copy in exchange for a review.

This was absolutely mesmerising. I love historical fiction and this was a part of history (and geography) that I knew nothing about but was utterly blown away by the plot, writing, and characterisation.

This is now an automatic buy author and I look forward to her future works.

I loved it so much that I ended up buying the physical, print version of the book. It was an excellent read and I love that it is a different kind of retelling beyond the Greek myths

Thank you to NetGalley and to the publisher Penguin/Michael Joseph for the digital ARC, it has not affected my honest review.

TW: death, physical abuse, implied sexual violence, war, injury, suicide, PTSD, violence, slavery

“Babylonia” is a stunning retelling of the life of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire in the 9th century. Born in the dust and abandoned immediately by her mother’s suicide, Semiramis is never expected to amount to anything. Raised at the edges of the empire in Eber-Nari, she is told of a prophecy that she will ascend to become Queen and wield incredible power but only in the midst of great tragedy. At the same time, Ninus becomes king after a civil war with his brother, even though it’s the last thing he wants. He would prefer to stay with his books, far from the palace and politics of the court, than become the kind of conqueror his father was. His only relief is Onnes, a friend since childhood who has little to say and an unbearable amount of demons at his heels, and the love the two of them share for each other could lead to their destruction. However, after Onnes is sent to become governor over the lands at the edges of the Empire, he meets Semiramis, a woman who challenges and understands him in a way no one ever has. Upon his return to the capital Kalhu, Onnes and Semiramis marry despite Ninus' vicious disapproval. Soon enough this becomes a love that tangles all three of them, making it even more impossible for them to tell who is enemy and who is a friend. As the world around them goes to war, and the bonds holding Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus together start to falter and strain under the weight of their actions, she cannot forget the prophecy that will predict her great rise into legend.

I was delighted to get to read this book because I was an enormous fan of Costanza Casati’s previous work, the retelling of the Greek mythology figure Clytemnestra. With this book, I knew nothing about Semiramis but I was instantly drawn into the world of Ancient Mesopotamia within a few pages. The writing is beautifully stark and harsh, leading from her beginnings in an abusive adopted family to her marriage to the traumatised and enigmatic Onnes and their equally complicated relationship with the King, the brilliant but war-wary Ninus. Everyone in this book is so complex, with their traumas, beliefs and loves making everything all the more difficult. One of the highlights of this book for me is the perspective of Ribat, a slave taken into the household of Semiramis who becomes her confidante because he truly sees everything and this isn’t a view that history delivers very often. Throughout the whole book, Semiramis never forgets where she came from and that defines almost every decision she makes, even if they break her heart and ruin her life. I adored the entanglement of Onnes and Ninus, at some points they genuinely felt like two halves of a whole for most of the book and the way that Semiramis equally completes and compliments them. This book is a tragedy, depicting war and the impact on a person’s mental health, but it’s also about the incredible life of the only female leader of Assyria and the ways she ensures she’s remembered by history.

This book had me hooked from the start! I loved the authors writing style and it had me gripped. Immediately had to pre-order a physical copy. I think I have a new favourite author.

Immersive and epic, Semiramis's story kept me gripped from beginning to end.

Babylonia follows Semiramis as she escapes her small town and abusive family, then learns to navigate court politics, war and matters of the heart. It is filled with vivid descriptions and intricate details which bring Assyria to life, and a complex cast of morally-grey characters balancing expectation with desire in a world where one wrong move could be their last.