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Babylonia
Win a free print copy of this book!
18 days and 12:21:18
10 copies available
U.S. only
From the author of the bestselling Clytemnestra comes another intoxicating excursion into ancient history, as Casati reimagines the rise to power of the Assyrian empire's only female ruler, Semiramis.
When kings fall, queens rise.
Nothing about Semiramis's upbringing could have foretold her legacy or the power she would come to wield. A female ruler, once an orphan raised on the outskirts of an empire - certainly no one in Ancient Assyria would bend to her command willingly. Semiramis was a woman who knew if she wanted power, she would have to claim it.
There are whispers of her fame in Mesopotamian myth- Semiramis was a queen, an ambitious warrior, a commander whose reputation reaches the majestic proportions of Alexander the Great. Historical record, on the other hand, falls eerily quiet.
In her second novel, Costanza Casati brilliantly weaves myth and ancient history together to give Semiramis a voice, charting her captivating ascent to a throne no one promised her. The world Casati expertly builds is rich with dazzling detail and will transport her readers to the heat of the Assyrian Empire and a world long gone.
When kings fall, queens rise.
Nothing about Semiramis's upbringing could have foretold her legacy or the power she would come to wield. A female ruler, once an orphan raised on the outskirts of an empire - certainly no one in Ancient Assyria would bend to her command willingly. Semiramis was a woman who knew if she wanted power, she would have to claim it.
There are whispers of her fame in Mesopotamian myth- Semiramis was a queen, an ambitious warrior, a commander whose reputation reaches the majestic proportions of Alexander the Great. Historical record, on the other hand, falls eerily quiet.
In her second novel, Costanza Casati brilliantly weaves myth and ancient history together to give Semiramis a voice, charting her captivating ascent to a throne no one promised her. The world Casati expertly builds is rich with dazzling detail and will transport her readers to the heat of the Assyrian Empire and a world long gone.
400 pages, Hardcover
First published June 13, 2024
About the author
Costanza Casati
4 books1,066 followersCostanza Casati was born in Texas in 1995 and grew up in a village in Northern Italy, where she studied Ancient Greek, and Ancient Greek literature, under one of the country’s most rigorous academic programmes. She is a graduate of the prestigious Warwick Writing MA in the UK, and worked as a screenwriter and journalist. Clytemnestra is her debut novel. It has sold into 18 territories worldwide, is a Times bestseller, an Indie Next Pick, and was shortlisted for the HWA Debut Crown Award.
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December 8, 2023A NEW COSTANZA CASATI BOOK?? YES BABY LETS GOOO!!!
May 28, 2024
My most anticipated book of 2024
14.05 update: OMG OMG ARC approved!!!
27.05.24 FULL REVIEW:
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!
14.05 update: OMG OMG ARC approved!!!
27.05.24 FULL REVIEW:
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!
May 10, 2024
When discussing first class authors of this genre; (Madeline Miller, Natalie Haynes…) there’s a writer who deserves to be up there and her name is Constanza Casati.
In a time where Greek retellings have become a dominant genre it would appear difficult for newer authors to bring something fresh to this crowded market. However, with her debut novel - Clytemnestra - Constanza Casati proved there were indeed many more stories to tell and voices to be heard, with her second novel though she has not only gifted readers another beautiful story she has affirmed her position as a frontrunner and standout writer of the genre.
I really enjoyed reading Clytemnestra last year so Babylonia was definitely a book I was excited to read and boy did it deliver! Unlike its predecessor, I went into this book rather ignorant about its characters so I loved delving into a world and time I knew little about. Casati has clearly meticulously researched the history of the Assyrian Empire and she brings it to life in such a vivid and rich way that I felt as though I was walking the streets and palaces alongside her characters.
I cannot express enough how much Casati’s writing style sings to me. Her turn of phrase, her rich language, her perfect pacing and the emotional depths she reaches all blend seamlessly together to create an authentic story. Her words read like honey.
‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘩����𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴.’
As with Clytemnestra, Casati gifts us with another incredible lead female character - this time warrior Queen Semiramis. Her journey lies at the heart of this story as we watch her transcend from orphaned commoner, to general’s wife to Queen. Semiramis was certainly a woman ahead of her time; she is fearless, she is upfront, she fights to get her voice heard and she doesn’t accept her predetermined place in society. Semiramis isn’t a leader who sits on a throne giving orders, she’s a ruler who leads from the front and I loved her for it.
What really elevated this story was the relationship between Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus. All 3 are brilliant, all 3 are broken and all 3 feel things so deeply you question whether any of them will ever truly find happiness. There are no one dimensional characters here, she cracks open the complexities of Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus never shying away from their individual flaws and painful truths. No one is a hero, no one is a villain the beauty lies in the light and shade of each character.
I was so sure that I could predict the direction of the story but Casati cleverly weaves the intricacies of their evolving relationship so beautifully that my feelings for these complex characters kept evolving too. Casati’s choice to tell this story from multiple perspectives only served to enhance the connection I felt to each one. The inclusion of Ribat, a slave, also added another layer to the story and offered some perspective on the barbaric hierarchy of the time.
There is beauty and there is trauma in this book, I was devastated, enthralled, repulsed, inspired and uplifted. Casati’s words just make me FEEL and that is the true magic of her writing.
This is an easy 5 stars for me, and I hope this book receives the recognition it deserves. It really is a sublime read.
*Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I cannot wait to own this book in print!
In a time where Greek retellings have become a dominant genre it would appear difficult for newer authors to bring something fresh to this crowded market. However, with her debut novel - Clytemnestra - Constanza Casati proved there were indeed many more stories to tell and voices to be heard, with her second novel though she has not only gifted readers another beautiful story she has affirmed her position as a frontrunner and standout writer of the genre.
I really enjoyed reading Clytemnestra last year so Babylonia was definitely a book I was excited to read and boy did it deliver! Unlike its predecessor, I went into this book rather ignorant about its characters so I loved delving into a world and time I knew little about. Casati has clearly meticulously researched the history of the Assyrian Empire and she brings it to life in such a vivid and rich way that I felt as though I was walking the streets and palaces alongside her characters.
I cannot express enough how much Casati’s writing style sings to me. Her turn of phrase, her rich language, her perfect pacing and the emotional depths she reaches all blend seamlessly together to create an authentic story. Her words read like honey.
‘𝘌𝘷𝘦𝘳 𝘴𝘪𝘯𝘤𝘦 𝘴𝘩𝘦 𝘬𝘪𝘴𝘴𝘦𝘥 𝘩𝘪𝘮, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘢𝘴 𝘪𝘧 𝘵𝘩𝘦 𝘧𝘰𝘳𝘮 𝘰𝘧 𝘩����𝘳 𝘰𝘸𝘯 𝘮𝘪𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘢𝘴 𝘤𝘩𝘢𝘯𝘨𝘦𝘥, 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘯𝘰𝘸, 𝘭𝘪𝘬𝘦 𝘢 𝘱𝘪𝘦𝘤𝘦 𝘰𝘧 𝘤𝘭𝘢𝘺 𝘶𝘯𝘥𝘦𝘳 𝘢 𝘴𝘵𝘺𝘭𝘶𝘴, 𝘪𝘵 𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘩𝘢𝘱𝘦𝘥 𝘸𝘪𝘵𝘩 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘰𝘳𝘥𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘴𝘦𝘤𝘳𝘦𝘵𝘴, 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘱𝘳𝘰𝘮𝘪𝘴𝘦𝘴. 𝘚𝘩𝘦 𝘤𝘢𝘯𝘯𝘰𝘵 𝘵𝘦𝘭𝘭 𝘸𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘦 𝘩𝘪𝘴 𝘸𝘳𝘪𝘵𝘪𝘯𝘨 𝘦𝘯𝘥𝘴 𝘢𝘯𝘥 𝘩𝘦𝘳𝘴 𝘣𝘦𝘨𝘪𝘯𝘴.’
As with Clytemnestra, Casati gifts us with another incredible lead female character - this time warrior Queen Semiramis. Her journey lies at the heart of this story as we watch her transcend from orphaned commoner, to general’s wife to Queen. Semiramis was certainly a woman ahead of her time; she is fearless, she is upfront, she fights to get her voice heard and she doesn’t accept her predetermined place in society. Semiramis isn’t a leader who sits on a throne giving orders, she’s a ruler who leads from the front and I loved her for it.
What really elevated this story was the relationship between Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus. All 3 are brilliant, all 3 are broken and all 3 feel things so deeply you question whether any of them will ever truly find happiness. There are no one dimensional characters here, she cracks open the complexities of Semiramis, Onnes and Ninus never shying away from their individual flaws and painful truths. No one is a hero, no one is a villain the beauty lies in the light and shade of each character.
I was so sure that I could predict the direction of the story but Casati cleverly weaves the intricacies of their evolving relationship so beautifully that my feelings for these complex characters kept evolving too. Casati’s choice to tell this story from multiple perspectives only served to enhance the connection I felt to each one. The inclusion of Ribat, a slave, also added another layer to the story and offered some perspective on the barbaric hierarchy of the time.
There is beauty and there is trauma in this book, I was devastated, enthralled, repulsed, inspired and uplifted. Casati’s words just make me FEEL and that is the true magic of her writing.
This is an easy 5 stars for me, and I hope this book receives the recognition it deserves. It really is a sublime read.
*Thank you NetGalley for the arc. I cannot wait to own this book in print!
July 3, 2024
I have finally come back nearly a month later to scream about this book. If you love complicated female characters, complicated male friendship dynamics, and political storylines similar to Game of Thrones and Ancient Civilisations/Mythology this book is for you!
I never considered myself a character-focused reader or a reader who enjoys political storylines but Miss Casati had me eating my hat. I loved being nervous every time there was a council meeting or any time Semiramis didn't honestly literally everything. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book and despite this book being nearly 500 pages - you don't feel it. Every word, every paragraph, every page is intentional and time flies by as you get lost in this gory, powerful, and intense world of Assyria.
The characters in this story are so dynamic, tortured, and complicated. Not one interaction in this book is without intention, emotion, or poignancy. The power dynamics shift and change on a six pence and when you think you have figured these characters out Casati will through you a massive curveball that has you questioning the last 100 pages you have read. I could not put this book down. I was enveloped in it and had book blues after finishing it.
---
I mean... I need a minute to collect my thoughts!
RTC
I never considered myself a character-focused reader or a reader who enjoys political storylines but Miss Casati had me eating my hat. I loved being nervous every time there was a council meeting or any time Semiramis didn't honestly literally everything. I was on the edge of my seat for this entire book and despite this book being nearly 500 pages - you don't feel it. Every word, every paragraph, every page is intentional and time flies by as you get lost in this gory, powerful, and intense world of Assyria.
The characters in this story are so dynamic, tortured, and complicated. Not one interaction in this book is without intention, emotion, or poignancy. The power dynamics shift and change on a six pence and when you think you have figured these characters out Casati will through you a massive curveball that has you questioning the last 100 pages you have read. I could not put this book down. I was enveloped in it and had book blues after finishing it.
---
I mean... I need a minute to collect my thoughts!
RTC
May 2, 2024
A retelling of the story of Queen Semiramis from the Ancient Mesopotamian times. This book does a truly wonderful job telling us Semiramis' story. Of her love, loss, humble beginnings, and her eventual queendom.
Like with Clytemnestra, Costanza does a terrific job of staying true to the original myths and legends. While also giving the characters a new depth and life that the originals usually miss.
"As long as I breath, I will sob for him"
Beautifully written and a joy to read. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this arc. I am sure this book will be considered one of the best releases of 2024.
Like with Clytemnestra, Costanza does a terrific job of staying true to the original myths and legends. While also giving the characters a new depth and life that the originals usually miss.
"As long as I breath, I will sob for him"
Beautifully written and a joy to read. Thank you so much for the opportunity to read and review this arc. I am sure this book will be considered one of the best releases of 2024.
June 2, 2024
Thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph for the advanced copy of this title in return for an honest review.
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.
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.
June 5, 2024
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.
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.
Want to read
July 11, 2024A new Costanza Casati book?? About another misunderstood bad-ass mythical queen?? For me?? You shouldn't have!!
July 2, 2024
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.
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.
July 9, 2024
Epic.
It's kind of the only word to describe it.
Just read the book, divas.
It's kind of the only word to describe it.
Just read the book, divas.
June 18, 2024
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.
June 29, 2024
I absolutely loved this. This is completely immersive and balances the perfect amount mystical otherness, while keeping the story grounded and characters relatable (albeit deeply, deeply flawed). The prose is beautiful and I can see why so many people consider Casati to be the successor of Renault and Miller. The complicated relationships are where this book really shines though - Casati took risks and they paid off.
The story focuses on Semiramis, her ambition, and the love triangle between her, Ninus, and Onnes. All three of them are complex, flawed, three-dimensional characters that you can't help but root for and that's what makes the story so compelling. The book focuses on love and desire but it is a tragedy, not a romance. And most importantly: the book includes my favourite brand of queer characters (codependent and a little fucked up).
Costanza Casati has once again taken a woman in myth who has been historically demonised and has given her a voice. I really liked Casati's Clytemnestra, but I found this novel to be much tighter in execution. Highly, highly recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC! Easy 5 stars.
The story focuses on Semiramis, her ambition, and the love triangle between her, Ninus, and Onnes. All three of them are complex, flawed, three-dimensional characters that you can't help but root for and that's what makes the story so compelling. The book focuses on love and desire but it is a tragedy, not a romance. And most importantly: the book includes my favourite brand of queer characters (codependent and a little fucked up).
Costanza Casati has once again taken a woman in myth who has been historically demonised and has given her a voice. I really liked Casati's Clytemnestra, but I found this novel to be much tighter in execution. Highly, highly recommend this one.
Thank you NetGalley and Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House for the ARC! Easy 5 stars.
July 4, 2024
Let me process...
June 6, 2024
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 Samiramis 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, the 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!
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, the 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!
Want to read
June 14, 2024A little confused as to why this book is called 'Babylonia' when the kingdom of Babylonia took over Assyria a couple hundred years after the setting of this book. The Assyrian kingdom is where the main character lives in. Shouldn't the book be named 'Assyria'?
Was this because she believed the title 'Babylonia' would be more poppy?
This incongruency with history kind of drives me away from reading this, as I am worried about what other choices she made for the sake of flashiness, as I follow the author on instagram, I liked Clytemnestra, but all she's done has post pretty, flashy western art depicting the Assyrian empire, but hasn't posted any Assyrian art itself. Doesn't bode well.
I'm hesitant, guys. I'm hesitant.
Was this because she believed the title 'Babylonia' would be more poppy?
This incongruency with history kind of drives me away from reading this, as I am worried about what other choices she made for the sake of flashiness, as I follow the author on instagram, I liked Clytemnestra, but all she's done has post pretty, flashy western art depicting the Assyrian empire, but hasn't posted any Assyrian art itself. Doesn't bode well.
I'm hesitant, guys. I'm hesitant.
July 4, 2024
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.
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House | Michael Joseph for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
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.
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House | Michael Joseph for this e-arc in exchange for an honest review.
July 12, 2024
„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.”
I can’t explain it enough how good this book is. The amount of research that has been put into writing this story is incredible. It’s also beautiful written in a way that made me feel like I was there in a beautiful palace or a battlefield in ancient Assyria. And if that’s not convincing enough, it’s simply an incredible story about an amazingly resilient woman who came from nothing to become the only female ruler of that time.
I can’t explain it enough how good this book is. The amount of research that has been put into writing this story is incredible. It’s also beautiful written in a way that made me feel like I was there in a beautiful palace or a battlefield in ancient Assyria. And if that’s not convincing enough, it’s simply an incredible story about an amazingly resilient woman who came from nothing to become the only female ruler of that time.
July 10, 2024
4.5/5
July 2, 2024
first of all thank you to netgalley for this arc
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!
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!
June 18, 2024
3.5 Stars
This review is based on an ARC gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Penguin Random House and the author for my proof copy.
"Remember that glory and danger often taste the same. All they leave behind is bitterness.
What I Loved:
- ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA! I love Greek mythology, don't get me wrong, but wow it is refreshing to read something different. If you have any biblical knowledge or background, you're going to recognize a lot of the places and people groups mentioned throughout. I honestly would've loved even more cultural context, but you do get a lot as it stands. The setting of this story really stood out for me and played a huge factor in the enjoyment of it.
- Characters: There were some really strong characters in this book. While they aren't particularly likable, yes that includes Semiramis for me, I found they have all made a lasting impression. Their development throughout the story was gripping and I enjoyed each POV chapter as it came. Onnes in particular was an outstanding character, whose emotions and feelings were very complex and it intrigued me to see how they developed as the story went on.
- Costanza Casati is a great writer, I really liked the idea behind Babylonia and the elements she added to the story. Her writing is pleasant to read and I felt the book as a whole works well.
Some icks:
- Predictable and Slow Paced: The book felt overly long and drawn out with a very slow pace. Since you go into the story pretty much knowing how things are going to play out, I expected the journey there to hold exciting twists and developments, but found it all to be very straightforward. This contributed significantly to my rating as there were multiple times I just got the feeling of wanting to be done, even though I was mostly enjoying the story.
- Ninus' Character: I feel like Costanza did Ninus dirty in this book, haha. He starts off as such a layered character with complicated emotions and then within the last third of the book any and all development to his character seemed to be abruptly abandoned in order to progress Semiramis' plot line. I feel like I had so much left to work out with Ninus.
- Semiramis' Character/Message: I struggled with Semiramis because it felt like the reader was meant to root for her and be impressed/empowered/proud of how far she comes in the story, but I found her to be selfish, narcissistic, and manipulative from the start, traits which belong to many leaders, however we don't praise them for it. I'm not a fan of the "support women's rights, support women's wrongs" message. I wish it would've been more obvious and clear that Semiramis is not the poster child for queendom and her journey shouldn't necessarily be considered admirable.
This review is based on an ARC gifted to me by the publisher in exchange for an honest review. Thank you to Penguin Random House and the author for my proof copy.
"Remember that glory and danger often taste the same. All they leave behind is bitterness.
What I Loved:
- ANCIENT MESOPOTAMIA! I love Greek mythology, don't get me wrong, but wow it is refreshing to read something different. If you have any biblical knowledge or background, you're going to recognize a lot of the places and people groups mentioned throughout. I honestly would've loved even more cultural context, but you do get a lot as it stands. The setting of this story really stood out for me and played a huge factor in the enjoyment of it.
- Characters: There were some really strong characters in this book. While they aren't particularly likable, yes that includes Semiramis for me, I found they have all made a lasting impression. Their development throughout the story was gripping and I enjoyed each POV chapter as it came. Onnes in particular was an outstanding character, whose emotions and feelings were very complex and it intrigued me to see how they developed as the story went on.
- Costanza Casati is a great writer, I really liked the idea behind Babylonia and the elements she added to the story. Her writing is pleasant to read and I felt the book as a whole works well.
Some icks:
- Predictable and Slow Paced: The book felt overly long and drawn out with a very slow pace. Since you go into the story pretty much knowing how things are going to play out, I expected the journey there to hold exciting twists and developments, but found it all to be very straightforward. This contributed significantly to my rating as there were multiple times I just got the feeling of wanting to be done, even though I was mostly enjoying the story.
- Ninus' Character: I feel like Costanza did Ninus dirty in this book, haha. He starts off as such a layered character with complicated emotions and then within the last third of the book any and all development to his character seemed to be abruptly abandoned in order to progress Semiramis' plot line. I feel like I had so much left to work out with Ninus.
- Semiramis' Character/Message: I struggled with Semiramis because it felt like the reader was meant to root for her and be impressed/empowered/proud of how far she comes in the story, but I found her to be selfish, narcissistic, and manipulative from the start, traits which belong to many leaders, however we don't praise them for it. I'm not a fan of the "support women's rights, support women's wrongs" message. I wish it would've been more obvious and clear that Semiramis is not the poster child for queendom and her journey shouldn't necessarily be considered admirable.
July 4, 2024
“Babylonia" by Costanza Casati is an incredible book that once again showcases the author's talent for bringing the past to life with vivid detail and captivating storytelling. Following her success with "Clytemnestra," Casati dives into the theme of female strength in a male-dominated world, giving us a compelling portrait of Semiramis, the only female ruler of the Assyrian Empire.
Semiramis emerges as a complex and determined figure, rising from humble beginnings as an orphan to assert herself in a society that wouldn't readily accept a woman in power. Her journey is a gripping tale of ambition, courage, and determination, blending myth and history in a way that keeps you hooked.
Casati's writing is impeccable, painting such vivid pictures of ancient Assyria with its dry landscapes, grand cities, and intricate court politics. Each page transports you to a world long gone, crafted with historical accuracy that makes the reading experience truly immersive.
"Babylonia" isn't just about a queen; it's a powerful exploration of female empowerment and the struggle for recognition in a patriarchal world. Semiramis, like Casati's previous protagonist Clytemnestra, is a strong and misunderstood woman who challenges norms and forges her own path against all odds.
It is also to mention the importance attributed to themes such as love, friendship, loyalty and betrayal; to avoid suffering while reading this book is NOT an option.
In conclusion, "Babylonia" is a captivating and well-crafted novel that will appeal to anyone interested in ancient history and stories of resilient women. Costanza Casati has once again proven herself as a masterful storyteller, weaving together myth and history to give voice to forgotten female figures in a way that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.
Semiramis emerges as a complex and determined figure, rising from humble beginnings as an orphan to assert herself in a society that wouldn't readily accept a woman in power. Her journey is a gripping tale of ambition, courage, and determination, blending myth and history in a way that keeps you hooked.
Casati's writing is impeccable, painting such vivid pictures of ancient Assyria with its dry landscapes, grand cities, and intricate court politics. Each page transports you to a world long gone, crafted with historical accuracy that makes the reading experience truly immersive.
"Babylonia" isn't just about a queen; it's a powerful exploration of female empowerment and the struggle for recognition in a patriarchal world. Semiramis, like Casati's previous protagonist Clytemnestra, is a strong and misunderstood woman who challenges norms and forges her own path against all odds.
It is also to mention the importance attributed to themes such as love, friendship, loyalty and betrayal; to avoid suffering while reading this book is NOT an option.
In conclusion, "Babylonia" is a captivating and well-crafted novel that will appeal to anyone interested in ancient history and stories of resilient women. Costanza Casati has once again proven herself as a masterful storyteller, weaving together myth and history to give voice to forgotten female figures in a way that's both entertaining and thought-provoking.
July 7, 2024
Read this in two sittings, and couldn’t stop thinking about it between (or since!)
Having adored Casati’s Clytemnestra, I had high expectations for this second book. They were exceeded.
We get to learn about the ancient world of Assyria alongside our main character, and shown more of their history, culture and beliefs. The interweaving of The Epic of Gilgamesh throughout has been enough of a prompt for me to finally get myself a copy to read, rather than ‘just’ knowing it through spoken word retelling (though everything about that is right for true way to hear mythos!)
Babylonia is stunning, the weaving of different point of views to bring together the whole and the deep, intertwined relationships and bleeding together of love and hurt reminds me of some of my favourite mythology authors. The research that is evident throughout, presented as rich world building so expertly paced that all of a sudden as I was reading I felt like I’d been brought from barren, dusty outskirts into a vibrant, colourful and *alive* ancient Mesopotamia.
If you loved Madeline Millers’ Song of Achilles, or any of the fantastic works by Natalie Haynes, and want more of the refreshing trend of reclaiming and reframing of women in mythology. RUN DON’T WALK to get this book.
Having adored Casati’s Clytemnestra, I had high expectations for this second book. They were exceeded.
We get to learn about the ancient world of Assyria alongside our main character, and shown more of their history, culture and beliefs. The interweaving of The Epic of Gilgamesh throughout has been enough of a prompt for me to finally get myself a copy to read, rather than ‘just’ knowing it through spoken word retelling (though everything about that is right for true way to hear mythos!)
Babylonia is stunning, the weaving of different point of views to bring together the whole and the deep, intertwined relationships and bleeding together of love and hurt reminds me of some of my favourite mythology authors. The research that is evident throughout, presented as rich world building so expertly paced that all of a sudden as I was reading I felt like I’d been brought from barren, dusty outskirts into a vibrant, colourful and *alive* ancient Mesopotamia.
If you loved Madeline Millers’ Song of Achilles, or any of the fantastic works by Natalie Haynes, and want more of the refreshing trend of reclaiming and reframing of women in mythology. RUN DON’T WALK to get this book.
July 6, 2024
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.
July 1, 2024
Semiramis. The only female ruler of the once great Assyrian empire, a name where someone may stumble upon it inscribed on the gate of Babylon, and look further afield to Mesopotamia, to Persia, even to the Arabian Peninsula. This name spread far and wide, and dear reader, that is because many grew to know and respect such a name, and such power…
Nothing about her upbringing could ever have prepared Semiramis for the legacy nor the strength she would come to wield in the future, a female ruler, once orphaned and raised on the desolate outskirts of an empire, for certainly no soul in Ancient Assyria would bend to her command willingly. But they will.
After dealing with people who use her, abuse her, and think nothing of it, Semiramis sees her chance for an escape to a new life, and a new empire, but it will not be easy for she must use her mind and body to manipulate those who can make such life choices happen with the click of a finger align with her belief that she is destined to be more than a miserable shade in this life. Or the next.
However, as Semiramis starts to see the consequences of her actions, she finds herself embroiled in a love triangle between two men who hold her fate in their bloody hands, and should she misinterpret her intuition, not only will her fate unravel, everything she comes to know will burn all around her leaving nothing but ash and blackened bone. She must tread carefully.
Yet Semiramis isn’t the only one suffering from an unknown future as those who grow closer to her, also realise just how fickle and fragile the fates themselves can be, and when faced with the choice of love or power, how balanced can the two be when surely not both can survive the cutthroat world that surrounds them?
Powerful, brutal, sensual, and brimming with flowing prose, Babylonia gives a voice to a legend worthy of being heard.
Nothing about her upbringing could ever have prepared Semiramis for the legacy nor the strength she would come to wield in the future, a female ruler, once orphaned and raised on the desolate outskirts of an empire, for certainly no soul in Ancient Assyria would bend to her command willingly. But they will.
After dealing with people who use her, abuse her, and think nothing of it, Semiramis sees her chance for an escape to a new life, and a new empire, but it will not be easy for she must use her mind and body to manipulate those who can make such life choices happen with the click of a finger align with her belief that she is destined to be more than a miserable shade in this life. Or the next.
However, as Semiramis starts to see the consequences of her actions, she finds herself embroiled in a love triangle between two men who hold her fate in their bloody hands, and should she misinterpret her intuition, not only will her fate unravel, everything she comes to know will burn all around her leaving nothing but ash and blackened bone. She must tread carefully.
Yet Semiramis isn’t the only one suffering from an unknown future as those who grow closer to her, also realise just how fickle and fragile the fates themselves can be, and when faced with the choice of love or power, how balanced can the two be when surely not both can survive the cutthroat world that surrounds them?
Powerful, brutal, sensual, and brimming with flowing prose, Babylonia gives a voice to a legend worthy of being heard.
June 28, 2024
‘What had Ribat called a queen? A šarratu, a woman who rules in her own right. A leader. A conqueror. A Ruler.’
Last year Constanza Casati’s debut ‘Clytemnestra’ absolutely blew me away; and now, somehow, ‘Babylonia’ has managed to surpass my sky high expectations and left me utterly speechless. Although she’s only written two books Constanza Casati is now undeniably one of my favourite, must read, authors and, despite some very steep competition, ‘Babylonia’ is within my top reads of 2024 so far. Needless to say if you’re remotely curious about this book I advice you pick up a copy of it as soon as possible.
One thing that constantly struck me whilst reading ‘Babylonia’ was how beautifully it was written. From her debut I was well aware of how wonderfully compelling a story by the author could be and I remember finding her writing delightful to indulge in. Even so I was surprised by just how often I found myself longing to share a quote with the world, staring at a line, marvelling at its power and re-reading a certain segment because how exquisitely it was crafted left it impossible not to go back and revel within it again. The temptation to share a combination of incoherent gushing and mesmerising quotes, rather than a standard review for this book was surprisingly strong.
Another element of the author’s novels that I can’t help but love is her characters. They’re so deliciously complex, layered and compelling. Not everyone is going to be a pleasant person to discover yet you’ll inevitably find yourself desperate to discover more about them regardless. Everybody has such wonderfully crafted backstories, histories and connections. The unusual bond between Semiramis, Ninus and Onnes was superbly shaped. And there honestly wasn’t a single individual that I didn’t long to spend time learning about.
The narrative is split mainly into three perspectives, each of which was a wonder to lose myself within. Naturally much of the story is seen through Semiramis’s eyes and I utterly adored seeing exactly where she came from and where her journey ultimately led. For someone with a thirst for power and desperation to be remembered I found her depths surprisingly refreshing. Ninus, King Of Assyria, is another viewpoint that you get to explore, offering a rather different ruler than you’d expect from such a brutal, bloody world. And Ribat, a slave, is the third perspective, one that you can’t help but feel for. On occasion you get a small segment from someone else and although rare each of these was memorable.
The world was wonderfully crafted and detailed, bringing its setting vividly to life. And the plot was filled with memorable moments, twists and turns. The type of scheming involved within this novel, along with its brutal clashes, gave it the glorious feel of a fantasy offering on occasion, even though it’s more historically rooted (Gods are mentioned but not seen). The overall style was reminiscent of the Greek retellings that I adore so I’d definitely recommend it to fans of those too.
Needless to say I wholeheartedly recommend ‘Babylonia’ and can see it leaving many readers star struck. From its very first page it reels readers in, leaving them entranced enough that it’s impossible to look away. If this book doesn’t find itself within many ‘books of the year’ lists I’ll be surprised. Whatever the author writes next I’ll certainly be reading it.
‘”We have grown up longing to rule the world,” he says, “and now we are turning it to dust.”’
Last year Constanza Casati’s debut ‘Clytemnestra’ absolutely blew me away; and now, somehow, ‘Babylonia’ has managed to surpass my sky high expectations and left me utterly speechless. Although she’s only written two books Constanza Casati is now undeniably one of my favourite, must read, authors and, despite some very steep competition, ‘Babylonia’ is within my top reads of 2024 so far. Needless to say if you’re remotely curious about this book I advice you pick up a copy of it as soon as possible.
One thing that constantly struck me whilst reading ‘Babylonia’ was how beautifully it was written. From her debut I was well aware of how wonderfully compelling a story by the author could be and I remember finding her writing delightful to indulge in. Even so I was surprised by just how often I found myself longing to share a quote with the world, staring at a line, marvelling at its power and re-reading a certain segment because how exquisitely it was crafted left it impossible not to go back and revel within it again. The temptation to share a combination of incoherent gushing and mesmerising quotes, rather than a standard review for this book was surprisingly strong.
Another element of the author’s novels that I can’t help but love is her characters. They’re so deliciously complex, layered and compelling. Not everyone is going to be a pleasant person to discover yet you’ll inevitably find yourself desperate to discover more about them regardless. Everybody has such wonderfully crafted backstories, histories and connections. The unusual bond between Semiramis, Ninus and Onnes was superbly shaped. And there honestly wasn’t a single individual that I didn’t long to spend time learning about.
The narrative is split mainly into three perspectives, each of which was a wonder to lose myself within. Naturally much of the story is seen through Semiramis’s eyes and I utterly adored seeing exactly where she came from and where her journey ultimately led. For someone with a thirst for power and desperation to be remembered I found her depths surprisingly refreshing. Ninus, King Of Assyria, is another viewpoint that you get to explore, offering a rather different ruler than you’d expect from such a brutal, bloody world. And Ribat, a slave, is the third perspective, one that you can’t help but feel for. On occasion you get a small segment from someone else and although rare each of these was memorable.
The world was wonderfully crafted and detailed, bringing its setting vividly to life. And the plot was filled with memorable moments, twists and turns. The type of scheming involved within this novel, along with its brutal clashes, gave it the glorious feel of a fantasy offering on occasion, even though it’s more historically rooted (Gods are mentioned but not seen). The overall style was reminiscent of the Greek retellings that I adore so I’d definitely recommend it to fans of those too.
Needless to say I wholeheartedly recommend ‘Babylonia’ and can see it leaving many readers star struck. From its very first page it reels readers in, leaving them entranced enough that it’s impossible to look away. If this book doesn’t find itself within many ‘books of the year’ lists I’ll be surprised. Whatever the author writes next I’ll certainly be reading it.
‘”We have grown up longing to rule the world,” he says, “and now we are turning it to dust.”’
June 1, 2024
5 ✯
“Her glowing future unfolds, but she never forgets her past. It is written on her skin, and to cut it away would mean losing a part of herself. A part that, no matter how much she denies it, will always be there.”
♡
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.
“Her glowing future unfolds, but she never forgets her past. It is written on her skin, and to cut it away would mean losing a part of herself. A part that, no matter how much she denies it, will always be there.”
♡
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.
July 11, 2024
Babylonia follows a young woman called Semiramis, charting her captivating ascent to a throne no one promised her.
It felt like a bit of a slow start for me. I found it harder to get into until Semiramis and Onnes reached the capital, but once they did... wow!
Political scheming to rival Game of Thrones and a love triangle turned on its head, Babylonia is truly a sweeping story that paints such a vivid picture of Mesopotamian life. A superb retelling of a period of history I'm not overly familiar with, but am so glad this was my introduction. It was refreshing to read an ancient history retelling that wasn't Greek.
The characters were fascinating- even at their worst you still understood where they were coming from.
I am very excited to see what Casati writes next!
🐆 "Humans have only a single lifetime. How can they truly understand love? Those who believe they can are even more lost than the rest." 🐆
It felt like a bit of a slow start for me. I found it harder to get into until Semiramis and Onnes reached the capital, but once they did... wow!
Political scheming to rival Game of Thrones and a love triangle turned on its head, Babylonia is truly a sweeping story that paints such a vivid picture of Mesopotamian life. A superb retelling of a period of history I'm not overly familiar with, but am so glad this was my introduction. It was refreshing to read an ancient history retelling that wasn't Greek.
The characters were fascinating- even at their worst you still understood where they were coming from.
I am very excited to see what Casati writes next!
🐆 "Humans have only a single lifetime. How can they truly understand love? Those who believe they can are even more lost than the rest." 🐆
Read
May 16, 2024*Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an advance reader copy of this novel in exchange for an honest review*.
Babylonia is the second novel by Constanza Casati. This book follows Semiramis who dreams of power whilst living a life of toil. She is strong as well as quick. Semiramis will have to rise from nothing to become exactly who she should be.
For me this wasn’t a new favourite novel. I really wanted to love it and in general I do like retellings and historical stories of women claiming their power. The narrative was just very boring to me and I struggled to stay interested in reading it. It was okay and I would recommend this but it just wasn’t great for me.
Babylonia is the second novel by Constanza Casati. This book follows Semiramis who dreams of power whilst living a life of toil. She is strong as well as quick. Semiramis will have to rise from nothing to become exactly who she should be.
For me this wasn’t a new favourite novel. I really wanted to love it and in general I do like retellings and historical stories of women claiming their power. The narrative was just very boring to me and I struggled to stay interested in reading it. It was okay and I would recommend this but it just wasn’t great for me.
July 10, 2024
Kingdoms, empires, war, love (messed up ones), power, centred around a strong female lead. I felt emotionally removed from the characters because they felt cruel and unreasonable and so tortured that I couldn’t understand their motivations. But Casati did a great job creating the scene for the Assyrian empire at that time, and the reading experience was very immersive as a result. I still prefer Clytemnestra because the story and characters were more straight forward, compared to this one where there were a lot of characters and a lot of motivations and power dynamics and things happening all at once. Still a worthy read if you’re into Greek myths! (Although this isn’t Greek)
July 5, 2024
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.
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.
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