First published 2024
Semiramis grows up an orphan on the margins of the empire, her humble origins revealing nothing of the legacy she will forge. When she encounters a young emissary of the new Assyrian king, a prophecy begins to unfold, placing her at the center of a brutal world and in the hearts of two men. Caught between the ancient politics and cruelty of Assyria, Semiramis trains in warfare and diplomacy. With each step, she climbs the ranks, entangled in games of power and desire, love and betrayal. Her ultimate goal becomes the one position that will guarantee her safety. Costanza Casati weaves together myth and ancient history in her second novel, giving Semiramis, the sole female ruler of the Assyrian Empire, her own voice to tell the captivating story of her rise to a throne no one promised her.
Genres: drama, historical-fiction, historical-romance, biographical-fiction, epic-fantasy
Vibes: ambitious, dark, epic, politically-intricate, romantic
Tropes: love-triangle, prophecy-fulfilled, rags-to-riches, rise-to-power
Setting: Assyrian Empire, Assyria
Period: Ancient History
496 pages · Paperback · Sourcebooks Landmark
Content warnings: violence, war