Book Review: Babylonia by Costanza Casati

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Pub Date Jan 14 2025 bySOURCEBOOKS Landmark

When NetGalley added, “Babylonia” by Costanza Casati and I read the description, I was completely elated and was thrilled to be accepted a review copy. I knew when I first discovered this story, it would be special. Casati did not disappoint.

Semiramis was orphaned as a baby and grew up in Mari, a village located in Eber-Nari. Her upbringing was wrought with abuse by her adopted- father who shepherd of the village-and the boys of the town. She longed to escape the cruelty of life she was given. When she is at a marriageable age, she has a chance of escape when Onnes- the new governor- of Eber-Nari arrives to her village. Onnes notices something in Semiramis that has captivated him and he wants her to become his wife. He takes her to the capital of the Assyrian empire-Kalhu-and she soon discovers her life in the capitol will not be as easy to say the least.

Semiramis’s ascent to a throne was extraordinary told and when she becomes entangled in a love triangle of two powerful men-her husband and the King-and experiences war, politics and betrayal, she must fight for very survival.

Casati leads the reader through the tragic events unfolding and to the rise of power Assyria’s one and only female ruler. The blend of mythology and the ancient world of Assyria empire and the interactions with other kingdoms including the Babylonians is stunningly and beautifully told. The reader is transported to time and place and your senses are heightened by the sights and sounds of the characters daily lives, past experiences and the wars they wage on each other. You feel the character’s depth in their journey of life, love and conflicts with each other.

My only problem with the story is that I didn’t want it to end. I wanted to read about Semiramis’s time as ruler. I rated this this story five stars.

I highly recommend the reader to read the author’s notes at the end. I will most assuredly be adding a physical copy to my book stacks.

My thanks to the publishers for an ARC through NetGalley for an honest review.

Stephanie

4 thoughts on “Book Review: Babylonia by Costanza Casati”

    • Hey, Beth! The war scenes are pretty graphic and what the Assyrians do to their prisoners. But it doesn’t go on and on. The abuse of Semiramis childhood doesn’t go into too much detail or showing. I should have added trigger warnings to this review. I have trouble handling certain abuses as well but I think the author handles it okay; I’ve come across way worse in other stories. They are brief enough that a reader can easily skip through.
      Semiramis’s husbands treated her well considering the culture. I was surprised by that actually.

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