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THE INSTANT SUNDAY TIMES TOP 10 BESTSELLER

A CAPTIVATING TALE THAT CHARTS THE CONTROVERSIAL LIFE AND RISE TO POWER OF SEMIRAMIS, THE ONLY FEMALE RULER OF THE ASSYRIAN EMPIRE

‘Costanza Casati has taken the fragments of stories about this extraordinary woman and recreated her world with a vivid panache’ THE TIMES

‘A stirring, addictive and intoxicating tale. . . Casati’s Babylonia has cemented her as one of the most skilled and exciting writers of historical fiction’ BEA FITZGERALD, author of GIRL, GODDESS, QUEEN

‘An astounding achievement, one of the most vivid, powerful works of historical fiction I have ever read. . . I was utterly swept up in the world of this novel’ ELODIE HARPER, author of THE WOLF DEN

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There are whispers of her fame, in the land long since turned to dust. The Queen who rose from nothing – and changed everything . . .

Ancient Assyria, 9th century BC.

An orphan is raised on the outskirts of a brutal empire. Heir to a tragic prophecy, Semiramis dreams of wielding power and escaping her destiny.

Far away, a reluctant prince walks the corridors of his gilded palace in a city built by the gods. Ninus would rather spend his days in books and poetry than conquering the world of men. But when he meets Onnes, a broken, beautiful warrior, something awakens in them both. And as they grow into young men, their friendship deepens into something fiercer still.

That is until Semiramis arrives.

A savage love soon erupts between them all, even as a dark threat to the kingdom mounts. And before long, all three will be forced to learn the lesson of the gods – in Babylonia, you must bend the world to your will.

What doesn’t bend, you break.

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READERS ARE LOVING BABYLONIA

‘I freaking loved this book. It was such a good page-turner and I wish I could give it a million stars because that is what the book deserves without a doubt’ ***** Reader Review

‘So immersive!’ ***** Reader Review

‘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’ ***** Reader Review

‘I think this is one of the greatest pieces of mythical fiction I have ever read’ ***** Reader Review

‘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’ ***** Reader Review

PRAISE FOR CLYTEMNESTRA

‘Vivid with fury, passion and strength, this is a fabulous myth retelling’ JENNIFER SAINT

‘A blaze of a novel, fiery and furious – and alight with murderous revenge’ DAILY MAIL

‘A powerhouse of a novel. Clytemnestra’s rage, heartbreak and determination radiate off the page’ ELODIE HARPER

‘A thrilling tale of power and prophecies, and the fierce Queen who fought back at those who wronged her’ COSMOPOLITAN

Instant Sunday Times bestseller, July 2024

Publisher Review

Babylonia is an astounding achievement, one of the most vivid, powerful works of historical fiction I have ever read. Semiramis herself is an extraordinary creation – a woman whose rise makes for a thrilling, epic journey, while she also remains deeply human. I was utterly swept up in the world of this novel, in the passions and power struggles of its fascinating protagonists, all of whom completely captured my heart * Elodie Harper, author of The Wolf Den * A stirring, addictive and intoxicating tale with a deft weaving of myth and history. Emotionally rich and lyrically genius, Casati’s Babylonia has cemented her as one of the most skilled and exciting writers of historical fiction, bringing an incomparable vibrance to the genre * Bea Fitzgerald, author of Girl, Goddess, Queen * There is an entrancing quality to Costanza Casati’s writing that transports us to other worlds and past times, then holds us there – willingly enmeshed in story – until the final page is turned. Reading Babylonia is like reading an enchantment on the page, in which the unfathomable heroines of legend and history become living people, who suffer, bleed, dare, and love; and carve out their space in our hearts, and in our shared humanity * Annie Garthwaite, author of Cecily * To read Babylonia is to witness something special. Incredibly richly drawn, sensuous in its imagery of clay pressed images and shadow, it’s superbly done. Semiramis herself is a brilliant character – one you will care for very much — Conn Iggulden