The Wolf Den (Wolf Den Trilogy, 1) Paperback – March 29, 2022

I am reeling from this book. I fell in love with these women who struggle so much, who have no freedom yet care for each other through the darkest times. Loved the ancient setting and very strong characters, even the villains are so multi-dimensional. There were heartbreaking moments and I’ll admit as a mom a few triggering moments, but what can I say, this one made me cry and I credit the author for her skill there. I can’t wait to see what’s in store for Amara next.

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.

Let me start off by saying to check your trigger warning. Avoid this book if you have sensitive triggers to (g)rape.The history aspects of this book are very interesting. I’d love the worldbuilding. This book is not for the faint heart though. It’s pretty traumatic. Going into this I don’t know why, but I thought it was a fantasy HA. I quickly realize that it is a historical fiction about a brothel. Like the entire book takes place in this brothel. This book seems relatively accurate (who’s to know), which makes it all the more depressing. It’s a hard read.All that said, I still enjoyed it. Can’t decide if I’m going to read the second book or not yet. It’s like I love this suffering.3.5 ⭐️

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.

I enjoyed this book when I read it, but wasn't head over heels for it. Now, after finishing the series, I appreciate this beginning so much more. Add this to your TBR!

Some folks hate slice of life stories and you can see that when you look at the one and two star reviews of this book. I happen to love slice of life stories where the characters are simply being themselves and living their lives not having unrealistic adventures that reach a climax before wrapping up.Some people want to claim this makes no historical sense, yet as an ancient historian who has studied a fair amount about Pompeii as well as sexuality and gender across history, I really felt this was a complex and fictionally honest view of how someone who was Amara might have lived. In fact, her life would have probably been much worse in some ways, but most modern readers want a happy ending. I haven't read the other two books, but given the date and location of the story, folks needing a happy ending may be in for a shocker.There is no attempt to teach the readers much Latin or Greek nor are the descriptions and dialogue written in an odd fashion in an attempt to get you to think that Romans and those enslaved by them somehow spoke differently than we might had we lived in their world. The tone and language are raw and made so that today's readers can understand it without cringing at the faux antiquity of the language.