Sold by her mother. Enslaved in Pompeii’s brothel. Determined to survive. Her name is Amara. Welcome to the Wolf Den… Amara was once a beloved daughter, until her father’s death plunged her family into penury. Now she is a slave in Pompeii’s infamous brothel, owned by a man she despises. Sharp, clever and resourceful, Amara is forced to hide her talents. For as a she-wolf, her only value lies … she-wolf, her only value lies in the desire she can stir in others.
But Amara’s spirit is far from broken.
By day, she walks the streets with her fellow she-wolves, finding comfort in the laughter and dreams they share. For the streets of Pompeii are alive with opportunity. Out here, even the lowest slave can secure a reversal in fortune. Amara has learnt that everything in this city has its price. But how much is her freedom going to cost her?
Set in Pompeii’s lupanar, The Wolf Denreimagines the lives of women who have long been overlooked.
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The Wolf Den is set in the lupanar (brothel) of ancient Rome’s Pompeii. Lupanar means wolf den and the prostitues were called she-wolves. That alone made for a very unique setting, one I haven’t come across before. The story follows the Greek Amara who was sold by her mother and now works in the brothel for Felix who owns her. Her live isn’t her own anymore but she’s willing to do anything she can to gain her freedom.
It’s been a while since I read a really great historical fiction set in the ancient world and I’m just so glad that this story exceeded my expectations since I had been so highly anticipating it. I loved it so much to the point of hardly being able to put the book down and that doesn’t happen very often with me.
I liked how the usual stories set in ancient Rome are about the emperors and empresses but with this one we get one that’s about the regular people of Pompeii and the hardships they so often went through. And as horrendous as Amara’s life was, I really enjoyed reading about her. She was an interesting and clever character. Knowing what this book is about you definitely don’t expect rainbows and unicorns but I really did feel her sorrow as well as the sorrow of her fellow she-wolves.
I also enjoyed reading about the other women working in the lupanar; Berenice, Cressa, Dido and Victoria. They were all very different from one another but I liked how they all had each other’s back and the caring and humorous moments they shared with each other. Amara and Dido especially had a really great bond with each other and I loved reading about their friendship. But my heart really went out to them all.
Felix and Amara had quite an interesting relationship, I must say. Amara hated his guts obviously for buying her putting her to work in his brother but there were moments where the lines definitely blurred. The need to survive him and the life she was leading at the lupanar was always present though. Also, this book is the first in a trilogy if I’m not mistaken so I can’t wait to see where things go next.
Beautifully written, brutally honest and packing quite the emotional punch, The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper is now one of my favorite books of the year. I would very highly recommend it to everyone!
The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper is an excellent historical fiction that takes place in the ancient location of the infamous Pompeii. This is a haunting and complex story of survival, finding one’s inner strength, society at its best, and its worst, and a glimpse into the lives of women on the fringe of society, most through no fault of their own.
Amara is a fascinating and complex character. We see her change and, actually blossom in some degrees, with her abrupt change in circumstances. We get to take a glimpse inside the fringe of society, the brothel. The author places faces to these historic figures. Names to these nameless women. To follow along as we see her transition, the obstacles she experiences, and the rays of light that are shown upon her despite where is now is, was brilliant. She easily placed me into her corner from the very beginning.
The author creates a narrative and a window into this life. She is impressive balancing upon the line of showing the reader the hardness, the difficulties, the hurt, loss, pain, and humiliation that some feel and experience, all the while showing us the relationships and bonds formed amongst the women, the strength, the resilience, the fight present within these women’s souls.
The author also clearly did her research in laying out a picture of what society was like figuratively and landscape-wise. She places us literally within the streets of town, and at times it feels as if I have actually gone back in time myself.
This novel is so unique and beyond excellent. I have to admit, this can sometimes but hard and difficult material to read, however it is displayed tastefully and balanced appropriately, and is so worth the read.
For anyone that loves historical fiction, ancient settings, and strong female characters.
5/5 stars
Thank you to NG and Head of Zeus for this ARC and in return I am submitting my unbiased and voluntary review and opinion.
I am posting this review to my GR and Bookbub accounts immediately and will post it to my Amazon, Instagram, and B&N accounts upon publication.
The Wolf Den is one of the most original and immersive books I’ve read in a long time. A unique piece of historical fiction that, while about the Ancient Roman world, isn’t about royals or high class/well known historical figures. Instead of showcasing the splendor and elegance of Roman nobles like most hist fics taking place in a similar time and setting, The Wolf Den is about the nitty and gritty streets of Pompeii.
A story of survival, strength, female bonds and friendships, this book captivated me from beginning to end. I will say, the language was very modern, something I’m not used to with the genre. But it worked and I feel made the book more accessible to a wider audience.
I loved Amara and her fellow she-wolves. These characters and their stories took me on an emotional roller coaster. I was on the edge of my seat more than once.
I cannot wait for the next book in the series. The Wolf Den was so highly anticipated for me and it delivered.
One quick thought before finishing my review: THE ENDING. The character we lose…I’m heartbroken and still can’t quite grasp why this character suffered this fate. I need to discuss with someone!!