The Wolf Den

I really enjoyed this novel. Some reviews might say the story line is light and focused too much on the women’s relationship to each other but I really love this perspective set in Roman times. It kept my attention and I look forward to reading the next book in this series.

I haven’t read many, if any, historical fiction set in ancient times. So I was excited when I was invited to participate in a book tour for the second book in this series. I was fortunate enough to receive The Wolf Den as well. Thank you to Turn The Page Tours , Elodie Harper, and Union Square & Co. for inviting me along and for the gifted books. This book feels much bigger than the words on these pages. I guess that’s as it should be since the story is one about an ancient city, in an ancient time. that is destined for total destruction in the very near future from when it begins. While the subject matter is hard to read about, the way Elodie writes gives it a tenderness. I love Amara’s story. It is a tragic one, to be sure, but it is also one of strength and resilience. She never lets her life as a slave in a brothel break her spirit. I’m not sure I would’ve lasted as long as she does nor would I have been strong enough to make the plans she does. Her will to survive and to win back her freedom is amazingly strong considering her circumstances. Dido is my favorite character. She becomes Amara’s closest friend and also the one that keeps her from giving in to her rage. If not for Dido’s reining-in, Amara would have likely met a tortuous end. Dido is a sweet and tender person and Amara loves her deeply. They became more than friends, they became as sisters. She was the one person, other than Amara, that I hoped for her dreams of a life outside the brothel to come true. There are many villains in this story. Some are plain to see…Felix and his men, for sure. If there was ever a character that I hate more, I don’t remember who. This guy, even though he’s a product of his upbringing, is a vile and cruel man. I hope he gets what he deserves in the end. But there are other villains that aren’t so obvious and that will surprise you. It is still jarring to read how badly men treated women. It wasn’t just the men who sold women into slavery, the men who ran the brothels, or the men who frequented them. The higher class men treated women just as badly, like they’re invisible unless they were using them in some way or just property to do with as they saw fit. To see these women paraded around, passed around, exploited, abused, and treated with total disregard brought me to tears…angry tears. By the luck of the Universe I was brought into a world where things were changing for women. Slavery was no longer allowed (in my country anyway). Brothels were no more (except in one state). Even so, women are treated like second class citizens at times. And, the mindset of generations of men hasn’t changed completely. But reading this book made me realize that it takes strength and steadfastness to overcome. And when you make your own situation better, you indirectly do so for others you may never know. Amara’s story does this, even though she is a fictional character. I thoroughly enjoyed The Wolf Den, even if the final chapters are heart-wrenching. I sobbed out loud during one particular scene. I can’t wait to read the entire series. I highly recommend this book to fans of historical fiction, ancient historical fiction, stories about women trying to overcome against unthinkable odds, found family, and forbidden love.

A story about an enslaved woman in ancient Pompeii striving to escape her circumstances that delves into the many facets of female friendships, this book evokes emotion and weaves in real archaeological discoveries into the central plot of the story. I loved spotting "small" details of the characters' surroundings or jewelry that are well-knowne artifacts from the ruins in Pompeii. The dialogue comes off as a bit too modern at times, and I wish there were more immersive historical details (what people wore, what they ate, etc.) but overall I think the atmosphere makes you feel immersed in the story and feel that some of these details were omitted due to pacing reasons. Obviously, this book deals with SA since the main characters are enslaved women in a brothel, but the author does a good job of detailing the realities of these women's' lives while not being too graphic or triggering. After reading this I immediately went online and purchased the two other books in the trilogy.

I really enjoyed this book (and I'm very picky!). Word to the wise-- this is a book about prostitutes in Pompeii and there is NO smut. I'm a person who really appreciates a nice fade-to-black, so it was perfect and exactly to my taste. It was still an honest book, an adult read for sure, but no cringy sex scenes. The plot and characters were very compelling, and I loved that there was obviously a lot of research done into historical accuracy. Harper really brought Pompeii to life.

This was a lovely novel. The story unfolded in an easy to follow and very engaging way. The main characters were captivating and interesting. Loved the concept of this book, and the richness of themes presented within it. Highly recommend.