Babylonia by Costanza CasatiMy rating: 4.25 of 5 stars
This book takes place in the ancient world of Assyria and nearby (Mesopotamia) from 823 to 813 BCE. It begins with the orphan Semiramis who lives in a village, beaten by her adopted father, yet yearning to know everything. She was a unique child, especially for being a girl. The boys did not like how she was faster than them when climbing the cliffs or running. Now she is told she must marry. Instead, Semiramis changes her destiny by going with the new governor back to the city capital as his wife.
This ancient world comes to life in this historical fiction book. There is such empowerment in this book, from the strength of this orphan, of this woman, doing what other say only men could do. Learning how to defeat her fear, how to treat others that would otherwise be ignored, she taught many.
As with historical fiction, the author’s note is always something I look for and here it included an ancient Babylonian calendar. She did thorough research and for what is known that happened that long ago is accurate in the book.
This term fantasy has been applied to this book, but I find that incorrect. This is historical, maybe mythological, a retelling of what was found in an ancient scroll. The people back then believed in many gods, they interpreted the world differently than we do now. But there was no magic, no one had special powers, people were just people with different ways of living.
Book rating: 4.25 stars
Thanks to the Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy prior to publication.
However, I read 80% of the book via audio from my local library.
This ancient world comes to life in this historical fiction book. There is such empowerment in this book, from the strength of this orphan, of this woman, doing what other say only men could do. Learning how to defeat her fear, how to treat others that would otherwise be ignored, she taught many.
As with historical fiction, the author’s note is always something I look for and here it included an ancient Babylonian calendar. She did thorough research and for what is known that happened that long ago is accurate in the book.
This term fantasy has been applied to this book, but I find that incorrect. This is historical, maybe mythological, a retelling of what was found in an ancient scroll. The people back then believed in many gods, they interpreted the world differently than we do now. But there was no magic, no one had special powers, people were just people with different ways of living.
Book rating: 4.25 stars
Thanks to the Sourcebooks Landmark and NetGalley for allowing me to read an advance copy prior to publication.
However, I read 80% of the book via audio from my local library.
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