Having read a few Greek mythology retellings I was really looking forward to getting to read this story centred around Assyrian mythology. I found the characters all very compelling, even those who were not main characters I still wanted to get to know; even the more unlikeable amongst them. Even those who are more unlikeable are still portrayed as incredibly human - while we mainly look at the world through Semiramis’ eyes, the almost omnipotence provided by the book being in three widely different perspectives opens the world up more than if the book had featured a single narrator, a really smart choice by the author and not one I expected. I’ll definitely be checking out Clytemnestra now that I’ve experienced the beauty of Casati’s writing and the world she paints so beautifully.

Who doesn't love a bit of female rage!

This is one of the most beautifully written and devastatingly sad books that I have read in ages.
Casati's prose are so transportive that you feel as if you are right there with the characters.

This was an exceptional book and it really opened my eyes to an ancient world that I don't much about.

Costanza Casati has turned into my new favourite auto-buy author.

I really enjoyed Casati's book Clytemnestra so thought in all likelihood I would also enjoy Babylonia. Casati brings Ancient Assyria to life in this book about a woman's rise to power. There are quite a few integral characters to follow but it makes for an interesting read. I liked the mix of characters as well. Thought it was interesting to see a slave's viewpoint as well as those in higher positions.

Thank you to NetGalley and Micheal Joseph, Penguin Random House for the advance reader copy.

I had really enjoyed the authors first book and was excited to hear about this one.

I think if you enjoy historical fiction and strong female leads then this will be a good book for you.
I enjoyed reading this story especially as I didn’t know a lot about Babylonia and also the queen she is based on.

The beginning does seem long, but you realise it’s to world build and also give general back story that feels necessary later on in the book.

Babylon is the story of Semiramis, how she exists in a world that is built for the pleasure and wants of men.

The story is really compelling and has beautifully descriptive passages and moments of pure tension.

The way Costanza Cosati describes everything is wonderful. She manages to build such a vivid image in the reader's mind, so we can see scenes in technicolour; the clothing, the almost desert landscape outside Kahli, the village, the beatings, the looks between characters. I loved how I felt like this was a setting I have never experienced in fiction; ancient Mesopotamia, but I felt all of my senses were transported there, to feel the heat, taste the food, hear the screams, smell the fire and see the intraccies of their war art, their gardens.

However what Casati does immaculately for me is use this as an immersive background to a story that is driven and captures you till the very last page.

So this is the new Ancient Greek are to hit the book world (at least for me) and Im hoping it is just the start.

To rate this book my less than 5 stars would be a crime. Costanza Casati’s writing is beautiful, and damn, what a magical and captivating storyteller she is! Love, love, love, LOVED this.

I’ll admit I did not know much about Semiramis/Shammuramat other than a few basics, so diving in to this story I really did not know what to expect or much of the context in which she existed in (again, other than the basics and things I could fill in). Casati explored and presented the world really well, she made it so easy to understand and easy to imagine while expertly and deftly keeping the nuances and the imagery of the world.

The characterisations were wonderful and I loved Semiramis and her ambition, and her desire to live on longer than she herself would live. I loved the undercurrent conversation about how legacy and myths are formed, and about memory and how easily it can be changed and manipulated.

The other characters were great too and complex, especially Onnes and Ninus. I loved how their descent into ‘madness’ was written, it felt like a natural progression of their characters (Game of Throne writers take notes, Casati could’ve written Daenerys way better than you).

Sometimes I struggle with books that go through so many time jumps and skip through so many different periods of life, yet how Casati moved this story and these characters through the passage of time was amazing. It felt so seamless, and you really could see how the characters differed and changed throughout each time period, while keeping up all the same plot threads and damn…just what an expert writer. I’m so impressed with how she did it and so blown away by this book.

i really enjoyed this book!

i didn’t know the mythology this was based on before hand, but it felt really well explained and the writing was brilliant.

i particularly loved the mc. she was so strong and brave, and willing to do whatever she needed to gain her power. she reminded me a lot of cersei lannister in the best way.

the lowest point in this book for me was the romances. i didn’t quite understand if she actually loved them or the power she got from being with them, but this may be on purpose.

i still highly recommend!

Babylonia, set in ninth century BCE Mesopotamia, weaves a captivating tale of the semi-legendary warrior queen Semiramis. Born on the fringes of the Assyrian Empire to humble beginnings, we see her rise to the heart of the capital Assur, navigating friends, enemies and her own desires.

The story contains a myriad of vivid characters, all of whom come to life and we really get in their heads. The protagonist Semiramis is a determined, strong character driven by a prophecy and a willingness for power:
“She does not pray. She looks at the sky and makes promises. She promises she will be bold and fearless. As luminous as a star and as raging as a lion.” Her story is one of wonder, by no means is she perfect, but it’s incredibly compelling. The history of the ancient Near East is dominated by kings and men, but Casati gives us a perspective of a powerful woman, one with a strong will and a voice to be heard.

As much as I liked Semiramis driving the story, I really appreciated the perspectives from the warrior Onnes and King Ninus. This allowed a more organic development of their own relationships, back stories, and the impact of Semiramis. Although the story is told by 3-4 characters, the narrative doesn’t feel overcrowded or disjointed. Among the different POVs, we also see minor characters who amplify the plot such as the household staff, council members, and other equally intriguing women. There is a good balance of revelations, intrigue and military campaigns aided by decent pacing.

Babylonia is nothing short of a page turner with its complicated love triangle and political intrigue. The prose sings, lulling the reader back to ancient times with its lush temples, art, and clothes.

Babylonia was something slightly different for me. Although I read a lot of historical fiction, I’m not often drawn to ancient history and I think this could possibly be the first novel I’ve read set at the time of the Assyrian Empire. I enjoyed Costanza Casati’s previous book, Clytemnestra, though, so I decided to give this one a try.

Babylonia is set in the 9th Century BC and tells the story of the legendary Semiramis, thought to be based on the historical Assyrian queen, Sammuramat. I had heard of Semiramis before beginning the book, but knew almost nothing about her or the legends surrounding her.

Semiramis, at least in this version of the story, is the daughter of Derceto, who kills her lover after he denies being the father of her child and then drowns herself. The orphaned Semiramis is taken in by a shepherd, Simmas, who raises her along with his own son. However, Simmas is not a loving father and treats Semiramis so badly that as she grows into a woman she begins to plan her escape from the village. She finally gets her chance to move on and start a new life when she marries Onnes, the new governor of Eber-Nari. Onnes is the illegitimate half-brother of King Ninus and through marriage to him, Semiramis becomes close to the royal household. Still not content with how far she has come, Semiramis sets her sights on the throne, but when it comes to politics she may have met her match in the King’s mother, Nisat.

Much of the focus of the novel is on the relationships between Ninus, Onnes and Semiramis and the different kinds of love and hate each one of them has for the other two. It’s a fascinating triangle to read about with the dynamics shifting and changing throughout the book and the use of multiple perspectives helps us to see that there’s more than one side to the story. These three are not the only interesting characters in the novel – I’ve already mentioned Nisat, but two others who stood out for me were Sasi, the King’s spymaster, and Ribat, a young slave who serves as Semiramis’ eyes and ears in the palace, while dreaming of becoming a scribe.

Because of my lack of knowledge of Semiramis and this period of history in general, I can’t really comment on how this novel compares to other retellings of the same legends. I suppose one of the advantages of writing about a mythical figure is that it does allow the author a lot of freedom in how they choose to approach the story. As for the Assyrian world Casati builds around Semiramis, it feels real, believable and rooted in historical research, from the descriptions of food and clothing to the accounts of battles and political intrigue. Casati writes so beautifully this novel really was a pleasure to read.

I'm not sure how I stumbled upon Costanza, but I am so glad I did. I read Clytemenestra last month and knew I needed to get my hands on this book immediately. The prose in this one was somehow even more beautiful than in Clytemenestra. It honestly blew me away how lyrical and detailed this story is. The characters are very complex and the dialogue and situations leap off the page. Costanza also really has a knack for creating fierce and powerful female characters. The story style is an intimate window into how Semiramis builds her legacy. Despite the blend of myth and ancient history, this book does not feel distant or unreal. I felt very invested and absorbed into the realm and in Semiramis's rise to power. I loved the use of vivid, lush imagery of the scenery juxtaposed against the brutality in the realm. There are moments that make your heart soar and others where you feel crushed. There's multiple perspectives which is not always my favorite in stories, but in this case they were expertly woven together. The multiple perspectives made the story feel more layered, intentional, and real. Thank you so much to Netgalley and the publisher for the opportunity to read this!! I was genuinely thrilled to get an advanced copy of this because of how much I love her writing style. I finished the book in two days. I can't wait to see what she writes next.

3,75 stars.
I think it is fit that I shall start by saying I love the overlap of myth and history (ancient history) and the stories belonging to such being retold.
I also particularly like females given voice and agency in such books.
Though, I must also admit that due to the potency of the original stories, my expectations are high, and so far my experience with these books have been a mix bag.
Babylonia draw my attention because of its concept and that Semiramis was given a strong voice.
She is indeed loud enough in Babylonia.
Unlike some readers, I found the pacing to be good from the start and across the board.
And yet, I liked the prose more in some chapters (by the way, the chapters are ideally structured - great length and progression), and less so in some others (mostly halfway till the end).

I appreciate this book, and ignore my personal tastes. The characters and the setting do not disappoint. I liked Semiramis, Ribat, Onnes and Ninus.
I am extremely eager to read other books by this author.

Babylonia brings the ancient world to life. The beautiful prose transports you into a story of love, loss, battle and triumph. I loved the flawed and complex characters, their lives were completely mesmerising to read about. The multiple viewpoints give such a depth to the narrative. It’s character driven for sure but there is also plenty of action and political intrigue to keep the pace steady. One of my favourite reads this year. Definitely a must read for fans of mythology and historical fiction. Thank you to NetGalley and the Publisher for an ARC. This is a voluntary review of my own thoughts.

'What had Ribat called a queen? A šarratu, a woman who rules in her own right. A leader. A conqueror. A ruler.'

I read and loved Clytemnestra last year - Costanza Casati has quickly become one of my favourite authors. I absolutely adored Babylonia, though Semiramis's tale was not one that I was familiar with prior to reading. Casati captured the Assyrian empire beautifully, I felt like I could picture everything perfectly. I loved how Semiramis came from nothing but rose as high as she did. She was a fighter, a woman who did everything she could to transform her life.

As well as Semiramis, I enjoyed Casati's characterisation of Sasi the spymaster, and how he became Semiramis' ally. He was a character who really stood out to me (I do love a spymaster in fiction.) I also really liked Sosanê's brief appearances, she played a nice middle to Nisat, King Ninus' mother, and Semiramis.

Onnes and Ninus were also intriguing, and so was their relationship. Casati really portrayed well the overlapping and oftentimes juxtaposing relationships between Ninus, Onnes and Semiramis - I found it such an interesting dynamic to read about!

Casati's writing is lyrical, beautiful, and addictive, and Babylonia as a book was intriguing and evocative. I thoroughly enjoyed, and couldn't put it down! One of my favourite reads of the year for sure.

Babylonia is utterly brilliant, @constanzacasati weaves a spell binding tale of rags to riches & the rise of Assyria’s only Queen, the legendary Semiramis.
The story follows her from the petty problems, poverty, and brutal life of a border village to the plotting, scheming and ruthless machinations of the Imperial Northwest Palace in the Assyrian capital & explores the damage of vicious & violent expectations of Assyrian men on those Semiramis comes to love most, & the power plays and personal vendettas that leave her unable to trust anyone.
I was utterly spellbound and totally immersed in this vibrant and lushly imagined world the glamour of the palace juxtaposing as harshly with the vicious brutality of the wars that pay for the glamour as the arid heat & Kalhu’s lush hanging gardens. The characters are vivid and complex, often as petty as they are powerful even if maintaining power is the only way they survive.
Also I wish Artemis was as big as Semiramis’ leopard & that he only bit others. Unfortunately he thinks bites are love.
If you liked Clytemnestra, get this ordered. If you love women doing what they have to & managing to outdo the men at every turn, get this pre-ordered! A massive thanks to @penguinukbooks for the approval on @netgalley.

When I said I loved Costanza's debut book Clytemnestra, believe me when I say I LOVED it, and I've been looking out for her name ever since, and so there was an audible squealing when I got sent an early digital copy of Babylonia.

I don't know much, if anything really, about Babylonia, and so I came into this book completely fresh. It wasn't a retelling for me, as I knew nothing to be retold. And I think that's maybe why I felt closer to Clytemnestra because I already knew something about it. Not to say I didn't gel with this, don't get me wrong, it's equally as fabulous, it just took me a little longer to feel comfortable in its reading.

I don't know why I keep insisting I don't like mythological retellings when that's clearly not true! I am on such a roll with reading them and they just get better and better.

There are Greek retellings here, there, and everywhere, and whilst I enjoy them, it's refreshing to see a retelling of a different part of the world. Especially a part of the world I know little about and often gets a bad press nowadays. I know there are Greek myth elements to this, but it is definitely broader than that.

There are many characters, the main ones being, obviously, Semiramis, the Governor Onnes, and King Ninus. There are too many others to get into but I loved the dynamic between these three. They work wonderfully off each other, off all three, one or the other of them, and by themselves. They were fascinating to read individually, but also as a trio. I also want to mention the slave Ribat; he is obviously a very different character to the King and Governor and whatnot, but he shone equally as bright.

I love Costanza's ability to write strong women during a time where women were there to marry, keep a house, and have babies. They didn't speak up. They didn't fight. They knew their place and they stayed there. But Semiramis (much like Clytemnestra) doesn't accept this, and that's really powerful to read.

I have absolutely no idea how to pronounce Semiramis, and so spent the majority of the book with my brain replacing it with "sbdimebge" or some other nonsense. And yet, by the end of it, I was reading her name as if it was the most natural thing.

It is incredibly detailed, so many layers, so much history of the characters, the immediate settings and wider worlds, the wars, the emotions, the weather - it is so detailed and so full on, that in less talented hands it would definitely have felt too much and too difficult to read and keep on top of. But the way Costanza writes...it is just so fluid and seamless that you just absorb all the background details which helps you concentrate on the story.

Babylonia has another beautiful eye-catching cover. I read a digital copy of this but I might just have to buy myself a physical copy just to have it shine on my shelf.

With the same as her first book, Costanza has this wonderful ability to show the brutality of everything, the wars, the murders, the abuse, but alongside the beauty of power and strength, She isn't hiding the bad things, she doesn't sugar coat things, but then that's what makes the beautiful bits even more beautiful, as you can see how difficult it has been to get there.

What I really like about her writing is it is so visual that you can - or at least I can - visualise everything in my head. I can see Semiramis walking, I can see the fire pits, the ashes burning. It plays out almost like a movie, it's so clear, and yet holds a lot of suggestions which allows the reader to make their own decisions about certain aspects.

It's a far more complicated story than I was expecting. Lots of characters, different locations, histories, love affairs, complex relationships. There is a lot in this book, a lot! You are not short changed. It often felt far longer than 400 pages, not because it was slow or or boring but the opposite. There is SO much in it that you feel it must be longer to fit it all in.

Whilst I enjoyed it all, I definitely enjoyed it more the further I got into it, with the battles and fighting and whatnot. It really sped along then.

There is a lot of fantastic stuff in this book. Costanza is a beautiful storyteller, has such a talent for picking the right words for the right situations. Nothing falls flat. Her characters are multi-layered and well written, her settings beautiful, her peril frightening. I admit that I preferred Clytemnestra, but only marginally, and i fact I can't give you a reason why, because there's nothing wrong with this one at all. It's just a gut feeing. This is still utterly fabulous and I will recommend it to everyone and Costanza has definitely cemented her place on my list of go-to readers.

But taking everything I've said into account, this is no less than a 5 star read. Phenomenal storytelling and characterisation, and I will continue to long for the next thing she writes.

I was so excited for this book after reading Casati’s first book, Clytemnestra, which became one of my favourite books and actually got me into reading historical fiction.

The writing in this book is beyond beautiful, the way Castati writes is mesmerising, it pulls you into the story and makes you feel like you are there with the characters. I almost had to highlight every page, there are so many of her quotes that I could read over and over.

I actually didn’t know who Semiramis was before reading this book, so I had no idea what to expect but I absolutely loved her. She had strength and fearlessness anyone could envy.

Every single character was portrayed beautifully. No one was a hero, no one was a villain, only human. They each had their own flaws and struggles. I did not hate a single character, they all had their reasons for their actions and no matter how extreme, I could always understand.

Although Semiramis is the main character of this book, we also get two additional POV’s. Ninus, King of Assyria and Ribat, a slave for Onnes and Semiramis. I loved Ninus’ POV, we get to watch his thoughts of Semiramis change, from hatred and jealousy to love. As the book progresses, we also watch him become colder although he never becomes cruel.

I had not expected there to be a POV of a slave, but I am glad we got to see the world through the eyes of Ribat who would hide in the shadows and dream about becoming a scribe. I also think his POV was important, slaves are usually overlooked, however here we get the chance to understand what his life was like.

After reading both of Casati’s books, I can now say she is one of my favourite authors. Her writing is beyond anything I have read before, the way she writes is poetic. Clytemnestra and Semiramis will always be on my list of favourite characters. I anticipate Casati’s next book, I cannot wait to experience her beautiful writing once again.

Thank you so much to Netgalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for this amazing ARC.

I jumped at reading this after reading other work by the author. Although different, I would say I enjoyed this equally. Character development took time and the second half of the book was much better than the first - as others have said. I very much enjoyed this, and would recommend. Just persevere a little and you will be rewarded!

Semiramis, a woman who has haunted the pages of history for thousands of years. Nobody knows if she existed or if she was created by Diodorus to explain a concept he could never quite understand.

Regardless, she has fascinated, horrified and intrigued for generations and now she gets to give voice to her own truth; all thanks to Costanza Casati.

Casati had delivered a stunning debut in Clytemnestra and now with Babylonia she has done it again.

Semiramis is brought to life. We see a girl abandoned by her mother, hated by her adopted father, abused by the villagers; a girl desperately seeking love whilst also trying to overcome her struggles.

We see her develop from a thief into the governor’s wife when she marries Onnes and we see how she develops an understanding of the cold-hearted governor in a way that no one else has.

Her life as a villager has taught her to play the game in a way that nobody else can. It makes her ruthless, thirsting for knowledge and power. At times, she comes across as cold and uncaring. Almost like her husband. But then a flash of light shines through and she becomes human again.

Her relationship with Ninus—Shamshi Adad V— goes from one of mutual loathing to a burning passion over the duration of the book. This love triangle, for that is what it is, is heightened by the fact that Onnes and Ninus were themselves close once. But as Ninus and Semiramis become closer, Onnes’ coldness turns to rage.

The Greeks loved their tragedy and here, Casati brings it in full force. Heartbreak, betrayal, rage and finally love. All of these emotions and feelings play out over the course of the story, hooking you in and keeping you glued to the page; desperate to find out what happens next.

For me, whilst Semiramis is the main character and her story is compelling, I enjoyed Ninus. He resonated. A tortured soul trying desperately to be a good man in a world where being good is looked down upon and often gets you killed.

His ending is tragic and is the one quibble I had with the story, but we can’t always get what we want.

A fantastic story by Casati and one you need to pick up when it is released on 4th July via Michael Joseph. You can buy it here: Pre-order

This was an okay read, it just wasn’t really for me. I struggled with the first half of the book. The second part was much better, I don’t know if I just got more involved in the story or appreciated the writing still better. I think the problem for me was there wasn’t a lot happening and I didn’t really gel with the characters. However if you like historical/mythological retelling you may enjoy this book. Thank you to NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC

Where do I even start – I have to warn you, I'm going to gush about how good 'Babylonia' by Constanza Casati is. It left me breathless, uncharacteristically speechless and just amazed by the sheer scope of Casati’s vision. I have highlighter over 50 passages while reading so if you haven’t pre-ordered it yet, stop reading this and do it now!

Let’s go back a bit – last year I read over 200 books and, for what it's worth, 'Clytemnestra' by Casati was unequivocally my favourite. I didn't think anything could top 'Clytemnestra', but 'Babylonia' has not only met but exceeded my expectations. It's one hundred percent my top pick of 2024. Seriously, this book is a masterpiece.

So, you’re Semiramis. Orphaned, a nobody at the fringes of an empire, your life seems destined for obscurity. You should know there's no way Semiramis is going to let that happen. She's strong, she's cunning, she's hungry for power. Watching her journey from the edge of her village and into the high halls of the emperors is the stuff of legends. What will she do for a throne that was never supposed to be hers? What will she give up in its pursuit? Trust me, you need to find out.

Casati's writing is ... I don't even have the words. If you thought 'Clytemnestra' was beautifully written, 'Babylonia' will knock you down. The prose is so precise, so meticulous, so gorgeously lyrical it’s like poetry written as prose invites you in. I found myself pausing, rereading sentences, just to walk in the beauty of her words. The way she tells a story is full of life, of love, of beauty; you’ll actually feel like you're living in the ancient Assyrian world, following Semiramis along the way.

The characters – God, the characters. They are incredibly deep, complex and real. Semiramis herself is a wonder: powerful, resourceful, and just incredibly human. Her relationships with her husband, Onnes, and Ninus the king of Assyria, are so beautiful, so powerful, so real. They are textured, flawed, and absolutely fascinating. Ribat is key to the story, demonstrating the cruel hierarchy of the time. The narrative is compelling, told mostly through the perspectives of Semiramis, Ninus, and Ribat. The multiple viewpoints lend depth to the story and make it even more engaging to read.

The novel is full of twists, schemes, and bloody clashes, feudal and epic at times. One thing I noticed about 'Babylonia' was the balance between beauty and trauma. Casati does not ignore the brutal truths of the time, but she also demonstrates the resilience, the strength and the remarkable spirit that was Semiramis. The name of semblance; the story is one of survival, empowerment, and unwavering dedication.

If you enjoy historical fiction, mythology retellings, or you just like a character-driven adventure, you are going to need this book in your life. Just like Natalie Haynes and Madeline Miller, Casati has made her mark in the genre. The skill and talent to bring ancient worlds to modern life while creating deep and relatable characters is second to none. To summarize, 'Babylonia' gets a solid 5 stars from me. This is just an exquisitely written, emotional, pleasurable book to read. And if you haven't read 'Clytemnestra,' add it to your TBR immediately. You do not want to miss out on Casati's talent.

Thank you NetGalley and Penguin Random House for the e-ARC copy. I can't wait to own a hard copy of this treasure!