The Babylon Game
A girl discovers dragons and magic in ancient Babylon.
The Babylon Game is a fantasy novel by Katherine Roberts, published on 4 March 2002. It is the second book in the Seven Fabulous Wonders series, which reimagines the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World. The story is set in 539 BC within the city of Babylon, known as the Gateway of God.
- title
- The Babylon Game
- author
- Katherine Roberts
- published
- 4 March 2002
- series
- The Seven Fabulous Wonders
- setting
- Babylon, 539 BC
- wonder
- Hanging Gardens of Babylon
Lore & Background
The novel follows Tia, the adopted daughter of a perfume maker, as she picks herbs in the sacred Amytis garden. Next to the garden is a portion of the double defense wall surrounding the city. Tia soon discovers what lies between the two walls: Sirrush, otherwise known as dragons. Fearing for the dragons' health, she leaves them food. A touch from the dragons grants Tia great magical powers, enough to threaten or save Babylon. These powers will be needed, as far in the plains the Persian king Cyrus the Great plans to capture Babylon. The secret of its salvation might just lie in the hanging gardens themselves.
Reader's Guide
The Babylon Game is the second installment in Katherine Roberts' Seven Fabulous Wonders series, which adapts each of the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World into a fantasy novel. This entry focuses on the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, blending historical elements with magical realism. The novel introduces dragons (Sirrush) as guardians of the city and explores themes of power, identity, and survival against an invading force. Roberts uses the setting of 539 BC Babylon to weave a tale of a young girl who must harness newfound abilities to protect her home. The book contributes to the series' overarching goal of reimagining ancient wonders through accessible fantasy narratives for young readers.
Did You Know?
- The novel was published on 4 March 2002.
- The story is set in 539 BC inside the city of Babylon, known as the Gateway of God.
- Tia discovers Sirrush, otherwise known as dragons, between the double defense walls.
- A touch from the dragons grants Tia great magical powers.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote The Babylon Game and when was it published?
Katherine Roberts is the author of The Babylon Game, which was released on 4 March 2002.
What series is The Babylon Game part of?
It is the second installment in the Seven Fabulous Wonders series, a set of fantasy novels that reimagines the Seven Wonders of the Ancient World.
What is The Babylon Game about?
A young girl living in ancient Babylon stumbles into a hidden world of dragons and magic. Her adventure is woven around the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, one of the ancient world's most famous wonders.
Where and when is The Babylon Game set?
The story takes place in 539 BC within the city of Babylon, a place the novel refers to as the Gateway of God.
Which of the Seven Wonders does The Babylon Game focus on?
The book is built around the Hanging Gardens of Babylon, setting it apart from the other entries in the Seven Fabulous Wonders series.
More in British fantasy novels 1-24
Spotted an error? Know more?
This is a living reference — every entry is fact-audited, and reader corrections feed straight into our audit queue. Suggest an edit · See this site's audit record