The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper takes place in a Pompeii's brothel where our main character, Amara, works as a sex slave. Having lost everything as a young woman, even her own freedom, Amara tries to survive in the hell she ended up living in, looking for a way of escaping his cruel master and the harsh life of a sexual worker in ancient Rome.

I have to expose myself, and my literal reading comprehension, here. If I have to confess why I pick this book... I must say I thought it was a historical urban fantasy of some sort...HEAR ME OUT, AMARA AND HER COWORKERS/FRIENDS ARE DESCRIBED AS SHE-WOLVES. Okay? I took it literally. I thought she was a sex worker at Pompeii AND a lycanthrope. It made sense to me. Don't ask me why, It just did.

"By day, she walks the streets with her fellow she-wolves, finding comfort in the laughter and dreams they share."

This line on the blurb to me said: Paranormal fantasy with, possibly, sapphic representation. Inside my head it made total sense, and sounded interesting, so I requested the ARC. Could I be farther from the truth? ... I guess, but hardly. Luckily, I took note of my misinterpretation quite early, when I realized they were referenced as she-wolves because of the term "Lupanar". I'm not quite sure if this misconception came from my lack of knowledge since I'm not a English native speaker, but I feel so embarrassed... So let me get this straight. Werewolves and lesbians: No. Pompeii and historical fiction: Yes.

So, obviously, my initial expectation was quite far from the truth, but thankfully I notice my error early, and I would say that my opinion on this novel was not affected by this misconception.

I sadly found this novel boring and pointless, rather than plotless. It felt like Elodie Harper was writing without a clear direction. For a book with 400 pages, it felt longer, due to its reiterative narration and the weakness of the plot. I would say this novel was more character-driven, if it was true. But it didn't come out as that. The writing style, with a narration in present tense, remarked this conflicting flaw: This style is highly action-oriented. It helps move the story with a quick pace, but it has less room for reflection and the expression of the deepest character's thoughts. So, as the book plot didn't move forward and was almost nonexistent, we were left with an endless routine of Amara going to the tavern, having to pleasure man, having conflict with Felix, and walking around with Dido.
I could understand why people may love this book, but to me, it read too juvenile for such a harsh topic and the period it was developed was almost irrelevant.

I tried SO HARD to get into this book and I simply could not. I could not care about the main characters nor the story line.

In The Wolf Den, author Elodie Harper brings to life the brutal and unforgiving world of Pompeii's notorious brothel. Amara, once the cherished daughter of a Greek doctor, is sold into slavery by her mother, and is now a prostitute.

Despite her circumstances, Amara finds solace in the bonds she forms with the other women in the brothel. Together, they navigate the dangerous streets of Pompeii, dreaming of freedom and a better future.

The narrative is engaging, and Amara’s strength and resourcefulness make her a character worth rooting for. However, the book's explicit depiction of sex and violence makes it a tough read for those who prefer gentler stories. The portrayal of the brutal reality faced by sex slaves during that era is probably accurate, but it can be overwhelming and disturbing.

There are moments of inauthenticity that took me out of the story, such as the use of British slang that wouldn’t have existed in 74 AD Pompeii. The book offers a heartbreaking glimpse into the lives of women experienced horrors beyond my imagination. 3 stars.

** Thanks to the publisher for a comp of this title. The opinions expressed are my own.

I received a copy of this book to read in exchange for an honest review via netgalley and the publishers.

The Wolf Den has been on my netgalley backlog for way too long, and I'm so glad I've finally had the opportunity to get to it and am also kicking myself for it having taken this long! (too many books too little time).
Set in ancient Greece, we follow Amara, who's been bought as a slave and used as a prostitute at a brothel by her master, Felix. Amara has nothing, no family, no home, no money, and not even her real name anymore.
But Amara is resourceful and clever and finds a way to try and leave this life behind along with that of her dear friend and fellow she-wolf hoar, Dido.
This book is so raw and insightful as to how hard times were in ancient Pompeii and was very moving and gripping in places, too.
Amara is a strong and inspirational character, and the vivid setting and storytelling woven by the author made me feel like I was right there with her every step of the way through the book.
Check trigger warnings.

This was a wonderful story written by author Elodie Harper. I really enjoyed the world building and the character development within The Wolf Den. Thank you to all for allowing me to read this eARC!

Very blunt and candid about life as a sex slave at that time. This book managed to get me emotionally invested that I ended buying the book and the sequel.

I received a free copy of The Wolf Den from NetGalley and, while the start was slow, I'm glad I stuck with it.

This historical fiction novel is set in ancient Pompeii, a city on the verge of destruction, and tells the story of Amara, a slave in a brothel known as the "Wolf Den." Amara is a prostitute whose value is based on how many customers she can satisfy and how much money she can generate, but she is also intelligent and resourceful, and she uses these skills to develop a plan to gain her freedom.

The story is a combination of tragedy, hope, and intrigue as Amara navigates the complexities of her position in the Wolf Den and struggles to balance her desire for freedom with the need to keep her cruel owner, Felix, at bay. The setting is vividly described and the language used is authentic and unapologetic, showing the brutality and abuse that the women in the Wolf Den faced. The book also explores the differences in wealth and social status between the rich and the poor in ancient Pompeii.

While some reviewers have criticized the lack of historical accuracy, I believe the story is fairly realistic in its portrayal of the lives of slaves and prostitutes in Pompeii. Overall, The Wolf Den is a story of courage, determination, and friendship, and I would recommend it to fans of historical fiction. However, it's important to note that the book includes themes of slavery, prostitution, rape, and abortion, which may be triggering or disturbing for some readers. It also may contain explicit or disturbing language and content, so readers who are sensitive to these themes or who may be triggered by such content should exercise caution before reading.

A raw portrait of the lives of women in Pompeii, The Wolf Den and Elodie Harper is definitely one to look out for. It felt like I was transported back in time and I felt every emotion coming from the characters and was shocked at the actions taken by others. Highly recommend this one and I can't wait for the rest of the trilogy!

WOW! This book is incredibly breathtakingly and heartwrenchingly written. This is not my typical reading genre, but I am so happy that I picked this up. Keep ‘em coming!

one of my most anticipated reads. harper does an excellent job setting a scene and immersing the reader in the dark, overlooked parts of Pompeii. looking forward to the following sequels.

For any fans or anyone who has read “The silence of the girls” by Pat Barker, this book is similar. The book mostly has female relationships consisting of the Main character and her fellow co-workers in a brothel. Amara is sold as a slave in a brothel. During her time there she decides to try to find a way to make money, or at least get a patron to become a free woman. The book was amazing at describing Pompeii and its different settings throughout the book. With the characters being in the brothel, and there being a lot of heavy topics within the book, I appreciate how the author went about them. This was my first time reading a book with Roman themes, but nonetheless, I enjoyed it. There were several festivals and Roman customs that really piqued my interest and were fun to read. I really enjoyed reading this book and the ending is where it gets realllllyyyyy good. I believe I got a little attached to some characters and was shocked when the later events unfold. I am looking forward to reading part two and anticipating the release of part three. This review will be posted on GoodReads: on 11/25/22.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the early access!

It's an interesting story, nice to see different perspectives to normal.

You get attached to the characters, and you can't put the book down, because you want to know what happens to them.

Wonderful installment that transported me right back to Pompeii! The writing was easy to follow and the plot felt historical but also quite real and palpable. All came together perfectly in the end, but as I was left craving for more, it still left me feeling content with the story and the next steps it might take.

This started out slowly but ended on a very high note! The author nailed details about Pompeii, though more world building would have been a plus. I look forward to reading her next novel in this series!

Thanks so much for ,y advanced copy of this book.

This was a book that’s usually very outside my comfort zone and not like anything I’ve read before but wow I enjoyed this so so much.
It was a book that once I picked it up, I struggled to put it down which is always a win.
The story completely absorbed me, the characters were so complex & the story was just straight to the point which I loved.
It was a tough read in parts but one that I felt was very important as Elodie did not sugarcoat or glamorise the lives of Amara and her friends.
I’m looking forward to reading more of this authors work.

I enjoyed this story. I wouldn't say there was anything really special about the writing, but the story was compelling and I was constantly interested in what would happen next. I loved the relationships between the women, that was the highlight of the book for me - hope to see more of that in the next one, and would also be curious to see more of Drusilla. I didn't really get why Amara and Menander loved each other so much, I felt like there was more telling and not enough showing in that aspect of the story. Looking forward to reading about what happens next.

If you have ever been to Pompeii, or want to visit one day, The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper is for you. This is the first book in a trilogy and I am excited to see what happens next.

One of the highlights of any Pompeii tour or in guidebooks is the brothel. Today it just seems like one of the more provocative or seedier parts of the ancient city, a symbol of the hedonist lifestyle of myth, but this story brings to life the stories of those who worked there. This story centres around Amira, originally from Greece. After the death of her father, Amira’s Mother was forced to sell her into slavery and to work in Pompeii’s brothel, better known as the Wolf Den, the prostitutes known as the “She-Wolves.” The women and men who work in the brothel spend their nights with customers, but ultimately form a bond to look out for one another. When women bare children, their children are also forced to work in the brothel or are sold by the owner. Life at The Wolf Den is always about business. For the slaves, for the owner, for the customers. Amira dares to dream of a life outside of the Den and works out a way for the brothel to make money through a number of entrepreneurial ventures and capitalizing on talents with the owner, with Amira taking her cut. Her dream is to make enough money to buy her freedom.

What has really stayed with me is the depths of relationships and bonds that are formed within the brothel. The ways in which everyone bands together to care for one another. This is best highlighted when a new woman arrives they nickname Britannia. The hope that the characters maintain that one day they will be free. Hope to live a life free, free to love, free to leave this past behind. The incredible hardship is ever-present and these women are strong, these women are resilient, these women are hopeful, these women are resourceful. Amira uses her talents as a stepping stone to her freedom. But will she ever truly be free?

Thank you to NetGalley and Union Square and Co. for gifting me a copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.

I was excited to read this first book in a historical fiction trilogy but was a slightly less overwhelming read as i expected it to be. Wolf Denreimagines the lives of enslaved women in Pompeii’s brothel through the main character called Amara. Their pain and sufferings was contrived and I struggled to connect or care them. However a deliberate choice of slow reveal as this is going to be a trilogy. It was slow and unappealing.

I am a huge fan of historical fiction but was not really into stories that did retelling of mythology. When I first read the description to this book it really intrigued me and thought this would. E the book to get me into this genre. I can honestly say this book did not disappoint, I enjoyed the feminist aspect of the book and having a strong female lead.

You can truly tell the author did a lot of research for this story, taking in the setting and time period of this book, there was a lot of attention to detail. The book overall had a dark cloud over it due to its subject matter, as it depicts life of women who lived in a brothel and their life at the Wolf Den. I would definitely say this is not for the faint of heart, due to its graphic matter. It was a truly well written story and I applaud the author for it.

I cannot wait to read the second book of this trilogy!

Set in ancient Pompeii a few years before its destruction, The Wolf Den (a crass term for brothel), is a character-driven tale about a group of women whose fate forces them into a life of prostitution under a sadistic and manipulative pimp, Felix. In this patriarchal society, women and girls (even poor male children) have little agency over their lives which is reflected in how each arrived there – Victoria was discarded at birth and found barely alive at the town trash heap; Amara was sold by her mother into servitude to avoid starvation, but betrayed and sold into prostitution; Dido and others were unfortunate victims of being on the losing side of a war or simply kidnapped from their villages; and Paris was born in bondage to a prostitute who works at the brothel - all enslaved and in the sex trade working for profit not their own. Human trafficking is not a new phenomenon.

This is a character-driven novel with quite a few characters. The reader experiences this world largely via Amara’s point of view. Born free and educated (literate) under the tutelage of her physician father, she has a resilient and determined spirit that holds to her sense of identity and yearns for freedom despite the hopelessness of her circumstances. She and the other women form sisterly bonds (some assume matronly roles) to support, comfort, and navigate their hellish environment.

Seemingly, the author wants us to rely on Amara’s intelligence and cunning to escape this miserable existence; however, it falls a bit flat (in my opinion) because so much of her (and the story’s) progression seemed hinged on her youth, appearance (she’s attractive and physically fit), natural talent (she sings well, plays the lyre), education (she’s literate, can calculate), and above all PURE LUCK! The novel is propelled via a series of uncanny breaks – Amara stumbles from one well-timed opportunity to the next while the trajectories of her contemporaries vary drastically from hers.

Sub-plots involving extortion, on-going rivalry between a neighboring brothel owner and his prostitutes, and the quest to find “true love” in dire situations (as an enslaved prostitute) round out the novel. From a historical standpoint, there’s not much here – this could have been any ancient city; however, I found the VERY brief references to highly-celebrated festivals (Saturnalia, etc.), the events (gladiator games), tributes to the gods, and other traditions that were practiced quite interesting.

Thanks to the publisher via NetGalley in exchange for an honest review.