The Ultimate Costanza Casati Reading Path
Costanza Casati has quickly risen to prominence as one of the most compelling voices in modern mythological and historical fiction. Because her major novels are standalone historical retellings set in different periods and cultures, there is no single "correct" sequence you must follow to understand the plot. However, to truly appreciate her evolution as a writer, her thematic focus on reclaiming the voices of historically maligned women, and her rich world-building, there is a highly recommended path for readers.
The ideal starting point is her breakthrough traditional debut, Clytemnestra (2023). This novel presents a masterclass in mythological retelling, grounding the legendary Greek queen in a vivid, historically realistic depiction of ancient Greece. Starting with this book allows you to experience the exact formula that won her the Goldsboro Books Glass Bell Award and captivated readers globally. After finishing Clytemnestra, you should dive straight into Babylonia (2024). It serves as a spiritual sibling to her debut, transporting readers to the ancient Near East and offering a similarly rich, feminist reimagining of Queen Semiramis. Finally, for readers who want to see the origins of her sharp societal critiques, her self-published debut, The President Show (2021), offers a fast-paced dystopian satire that shows a different side of her writing before she found her signature historical voice.
Costanza Casati Books in Publication Order
If you prefer to read an author's bibliography in the order they were released, Casati's list is short but impactful. Reading in publication order highlights her shift from contemporary dystopian themes to rich, research-heavy ancient historical narratives:
- The President Show (2021) – A self-published dystopian thriller exploring reality television and state control.
- Clytemnestra (2023) – Her major-publisher debut, focusing on the Spartan princess and queen of Mycenae.
- Babylonia (2024) – A historical epic centering on Semiramis, the legendary Queen of the Assyrian Empire.
- Mythmaker (Expected April 2027) – The first installment of an upcoming dark academia fantasy duology set in Renaissance Italy.
Standalones vs. Series: What Lies Ahead
To date, all of Casati's published novels are standalones. You do not need to worry about cliffhangers, multi-book arcs, or reading order anxiety when reading her current catalog. Each book is a self-contained narrative with a definitive beginning and ending.
However, this is set to change with her upcoming project. Casati has signed a major deal for a fantasy duology starting with Mythmaker, scheduled for release in April 2027, with its sequel slated for 2028. This marks her first foray into serialized fiction and her transition from historical retellings to dark academia fantasy.
Decoding the Historical Epics
Clytemnestra (2023): Reclaiming the Spartan Queen
In classical literature, Clytemnestra is rarely portrayed with sympathy. In Homer's Odyssey and Aeschylus's tragedy Agamemnon, she is the deceitful wife who murders her husband upon his return from the Trojan War. Casati’s novel completely reframes this narrative, tracing Clytemnestra's journey from a fierce young Spartan princess to a grieving mother and, ultimately, a ruler seeking justice in a brutal, patriarchal society.
Casati draws heavily on her formal education in classical Greek literature to depict a realistic Bronze Age Greece. Unlike many retellings that lean into high fantasy, Casati’s world is gritty, tangible, and grounded in historical detail. She highlights the unique status of Spartan women, who were trained in combat, educated, and allowed to own property, contrasting it sharply with the oppressive, war-hungry culture of Mycenae. For readers of Madeline Miller’s Circe or Jennifer Saint's Ariadne, this is an essential read.
Babylonia (2024): The Rise of Semiramis
Following the massive success of her debut, Casati shifted her focus from ancient Greece to the ancient Near East during the 9th century BC. Babylonia centers on the legendary figure of Semiramis. The novel begins in the harsh Syrian desert, where Semiramis is raised as a low-born orphan. Through sheer intelligence, ambition, and martial skill, she rises through the ranks to become the Queen of Assyria, navigating a lethal court filled with conspirators, priests, and soldiers.
Babylonia is a sweeping adventure epic that earned Casati the 2025 Wilbur Smith Adventure Writing Prize and became a Sunday Times bestseller. The book explores themes of prophecy, power, and the high price of survival in an empire built on conquest. While it is entirely separate from Clytemnestra in terms of characters and setting, it shares the same fierce feminist energy and detailed historical world-building.
The Self-Published Dystopian Start: The President Show (2021)
Before achieving traditional publishing success, Casati wrote and self-published The President Show. Set in a near-future totalitarian state known as the "Great States," the novel tells the story of nineteen-year-old Iris. Iris is forced into a government-run reality TV show called The President, where she is trained to be a "Lover"—an entertainer for the powerful male politicians who run the country. The book is a sharp, gritty satire of modern media, reality television, and the exploitation of women. It is a stark departure from the mythological and historical settings of her later books, but it serves as an intriguing look at Casati’s early writing style and her constant focus on female agency under oppressive systems.
Looking Ahead: The Mythmaker Duology (2027–2028)
In April 2027, Casati will launch her next literary venture, Mythmaker. The story takes place in a reimagined 15th-century Florence and follows Beatrice Donati, a young woman who possesses the magical ability to bring books to life. Following a family tragedy, she is sent to the secretive Neoplatonic Academy, a legendary institution that harbors dark secrets. There, she must navigate her dangerous abilities while avoiding a tyrannical zealot determined to destroy all magic in the city. The sequel is scheduled for 2028. This upcoming series is highly anticipated by fans of historical fantasy and dark academia.
What to Know Before You Start
To get the most out of Costanza Casati's bibliography, keep these key points in mind:
- A Focus on Agency: Casati does not write passive protagonists. Whether it is Clytemnestra, Semiramis, or Iris, her characters are active agents who fight against their circumstances, making hard choices that are not always morally clean.
- Meticulous Research: Casati’s historical fiction is deeply researched. She spent years studying ancient Greek texts and researching the Assyrian Empire to ensure that the customs, clothing, warfare, and religious practices depicted in her books are historically accurate.
- Independent Reading: All of her currently published books are completely standalone. You can pick up Babylonia before Clytemnestra without missing any plot connections.