If you love complicated female characters, complicated male friendship/relationship dynamics, 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.

‘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 Connstanza 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.”’

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.

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!

As a huge fan of Clytemnestra, I was so excited to find out that Costanza Casati was writing another book! This one is set further east and back in time, to the Assyrian empire. I didn't know much about that time, so I was really excited to dive in. I was not disappointed! So well written, Casati really brings the time and the characters to life. Semiramis was an orphan, raised in a small village, but through luck and her own internal strength and fortitude, she rises, eventually becoming the empire's first female ruler. This is not a story about her as queen, but how she got to those lofty heights. There were so many moments where Semiramis felt real: when she gets to the capital, her struggle to find allies, pursuing her loves,loss, love, joy, political manoeuvring. A truly stunning narrative. I am enjoying reading retellings of other ancient places, not just Greece so this was a real treat. Massive thanks to Rih at Penguin for sending me a copy to review!