It was always going to be tricky to finish this trilogy, set in Pompeii when everyone knows what's coming! But Elodie delivers a wonderful final book to close the story, Amara feels so familiar, a fully rounded character and we've lived alongside her rise from rags to riches. Beautiful

Fortune favours the brave.

I re-read The Wolf Den and The House with the Golden Door before starting to read The Temple of Fortuna, not only to refresh my memory, but also to give a review what the book (and the trilogy) deserves. But, as I am sitting here trying to map out the review, I still wonder, how on earth will I manage to give my opinions on a book that is so masterfully written?

I firstly have to give my utmost thanks to the team at Head of Zeus and Elodie Harper for giving the chance to read The Temple of Fortuna in advance.

Instead of re-writing the synopsis or what happened in the book, I will concentrate on the writing, language and the overall emotional rollercoaster that is The Wolf Den-trilogy. Having high hopes for the final installment to be as vivid in language, emotion, culture and history as the previous two. Did it disappoint? Absolutely not.

On this intimate historical journey I have shared laughter, tears, hope, sorrow and faith with Elodie Harper's writing. Did I want the journey to end? No, I really did not. This is one of those very rare books that really will make you stop and reflect.

I also must mention the amount of research Elodie Harper has put into these books is very, very impressive. How everything is woven into the story, merging fictional with the real world of the past. Did I at several points forget, that most of the characters in the book are fictional? Yes.

I highly recommend The Temple of Fortuna, however! Please do read the first and second book before starting this one. Although, this book could be read as a stand-alone, but... read the first two. Do it. You won't be disappointed.

I cannot wait what Elodie will write about next!

3.5 upped to 4*
I suppose that my expectations were too high and I'm sure that my rate will change if I read it again
This is not the best instalment in this series, it's like the author felt she needed close as much as possibile and in the best way.
Rome is at the height of its power and Amara is a courtesan playing with power and powerful people.
I think the main issue was that time gap between this story and the previous made some things a bit weird.
This is a rags to riches story, Amarna was a lupa and a slave. She's able to fight and be freed. The Amarna in this book is less strong, a sort of shadow of the woman in the previous books.
Even if it's not the best in the series it's a compelling and entertaining novel. I will miss these characters
Recommended.
Many thanks to the publisher for this ARC, all opinions are mine

What a brilliant, brilliant close to a fantastic trilogy. I can't wait for it to officially hit book stores and i hope this trilogy gets the love and attention it absolutely deserves.

"The Temple of Fortuna" by Elodie Harper presents an engaging historical fiction narrative set against the backdrop of Ancient Rome and the impending disaster of Mount Vesuvius. The story follows Amara's remarkable journey, from a slave in Pompeii to a courtesan in Rome's imperial palace. Harper's storytelling brings the vivid settings and characters to life, immersing readers in the world of Ancient Rome.

The novel effectively captures the dynamics of power, ambition, and intrigue within Roman society. Amara's quest for power and her determination to rise above her circumstances make her a compelling protagonist. The author also weaves in elements of suspense as the looming eruption of Mount Vesuvius casts a dark shadow over the characters' lives.

However, "The Temple of Fortuna" may be seen as somewhat formulaic, following the familiar trope of a protagonist striving for success against all odds. Additionally, some readers might find the pacing uneven, with the story taking time to build before reaching its dramatic climax.

Overall, "The Temple of Fortuna" is an enjoyable historical fiction novel that provides a glimpse into the ancient world and the resilience of its characters. While it may not break new ground in the genre, it offers an entertaining and well-researched story that will appeal to readers with an interest in Ancient Rome and its intriguing history.

This book was my most anticipated read of 2023 and my high expectations were completely fulfilled.
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I’ve been a trembling mess after reading this. My heart was constantly on the edge of exploding and the fearful apprehension had my emotions fleeing to escape, it’s that vividly written, that well researched by the author, it honestly takes your breath away.
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I’m always in awe by the authors amazing ability to bring to life an ancient time & place, to make you feel fully invested in every single gripping moment with these compelling complex characters. The characterisation and narration throughout the series is phenomenal.
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This series has a very special place in my heart, inspiring me to get on a plane to Italy for my birthday. The history absolutely fascinates me. Pompeii was the highlight of my holiday and is an experience I’ll never forget, and promise to revisit one day. I’m now craving to visit Rome.
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I loved The Temple of Fortuna. It was everything I needed, wanted and more. Elodie writes a powerful piece of art that will erupt all your emotions.
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There were many times my eyes filled with tears of joy and sorrow, when I got to the epilogue I was a weeping mess. I loved the epilogue, I loved the authors choice of character to wrap up this series in such a satisfying way, perfect ending to a perfect book series….yet I will always yearn for more.

This final instalment of Elodie Harper’s Wolf Den trilogy follows a third new phase in Amara’s life and rise to riches. She has left her daughter and lover behind to search out prosperity and security with her new patron in Rome. A freedman himself, Demetrius treats Amara with respect and dignity and allows her near unrestricted access to his wealth. The only thing missing in her new life is love.

The first page throws the reader straight into the middle of Amara’s new life in Rome, giving constant contrast to her old life of fear and uncertainty. As a classics graduate, I found it particularly interesting to see the comparisons between Rome and Pompeii bought to life with such vivid detail. Elodie Harper doesn’t shy away from describing, in depth, the ancient scenery and society. She even manages to weave in political intrigue and hints of real historical upheavals. The looming threat of Vesuvius adds a particularly interesting tension to the novel as readers wait in expectation for news of a horrific event that the characters remain unaware is in their future. Even though I was expecting the reference to its eruption, I was not expecting the vivid scenes that would be painted or the depth and variety of emotions that these scenes would evoke.

With her detailed backstory and tumultuous experiences in the first two books, the character of Amara seems to jump out from the page as a real person. There is so much depth to her character that it is impossible not to become fully embroiled in her life as you read. Her emotions became my emotions, her ambition became my ambition, and her fears became my fears; it came to a point where I felt I could predict her thoughts and actions in each scenario. In the pivotal moments of decision where I doubted what path she would choose, I felt that it was her doubt I was feeling as she fought with herself to make the right choices. Mostly these boiled down to a tug-of-war between love and security, a theme that has been a constant throughout the trilogy. It is such a familiar theme that it helps the reader relate closely to Amara’s struggles despite the centuries that stand between us and her.

I can't say much plotwise as this is Book 3 in a trilogy. But if you are looking for a stunning read that will overcome your heart and soul in the best kind of way - look no further than this book!

This is the weakest book of the trilogy, and I think it's in part due to our modern knowledge of how the finale must play out. To me, though, it's mostly missing the high-level drama, scheming, and the general strategizing I so enjoyed Amara applying in the previous two novels in order to survive.

Due to a substantial time jump of 3 years, <i>The Temple of Fortuna</i> tries to keep previously prominent characters in the reader's memory by conjuring flashbacks of them instead of having them naturally appear on page, which often felt forced. And while I do enjoy the descriptions of life in Ancient Rome (my beloved), I personally found there were one too many atrium frescoes described in detail.

I have to admit, I am still deeply enamoured with the romance... Philos... what a man. Yes, the romantic drama still provided me with plenty of serotonin. It's because of that, and due to my love of the rest of this trilogy, that I can't bring myself to rate this book any lower than 4 stars! Would read all of them again.

<b>***I received a digital copy from the publisher through Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.***</b>

As enjoyable and absorbing as the first two books of the trilogy. Perhaps and little slower and less satisfying than its predecessors, but still a better read than many books

I absolutely LOVED this final book in the trilogy. The setting was incredibly described - so rich and vivid. The eruption was harrowing and was really worth the wait. The devastation wreaked on the lives of the characters was incredibly moving and I found it really interesting to see how people fled the destruction. I really enjoyed seeing Amara’s and Philos’ characters develop and felt truly satisfied by the ending. I like that things weren’t entirely resolved and that the story seems to continue on beyond the pages of the book. Thanks so much for the advance copy!

* Thank you Elodie Harper, Head of Zeus & Netgalley for the Arc! *

Let me start by saying that I had "The Wolf Den" & "The House with the Golden Door" on my TBR for a year now. So when I read 1300 pages in 2 days it's because Elodie Harper wrote an intricately woven tale that merged history, emotion, and trauma! Set against the backdrop of ancient Rome and the impending eruption of Mount Vesuvius, this final installment was a rollercoaster.

Continuing Amara's journey from slavery in Pompeii's wolf den to her rise as a courtesan in Rome, there's a lot of focus on growth and transformation. As the story unfolds, the looming eruption of Mount Vesuvius creates an atmosphere of tension and uncertainty (and not wanting to spoil anyone Amara is facing the same tension and uncertainty even not knowing about the destruction coming her way... so, double-thrill!). The historical accuracy brings the impending catastrophe to life, making each moment very compelling to read.

So, if you're interested in reading about resilience, power, ambition, and loyalty, with a mix of original & historical characters: start now!

The final instalment of The Wolf Den trilogy doesn’t disappoint. Full of vivid descriptions, unique plot line and packed with action, we see the return of Amara and the cast of well crafted characters. I don’t usually read series but I’ve looked forward to each of these books coming out and haven’t read anything else like it.
Thanks NetGalley for the read!

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for this eARC of 'The Temple of Fortuna' by Elodie Harper.

I have waited MONTHS for the final book in this trilogy by Elodie Harper. I will be honest, 'The Temple of Fortuna' wasn't that great of a book in comparison to the other two but it did end the trilogy off on a nice note.

Thoroughly enjoyed the final book in this Wolf Den trilogy. Ancient Rome comes to life, you can hear the noise, smell the cooking and spices, see the slaves collecting water and waiting on their patrons. The volcanic eruption and earthquake vividly described. Whoever hasn’t read this trilogy is in for a treat. Thankyou to NetGalley, the author and the publisher for this review copy.

How on earth am I supposed to right this review? I have been dying for this book since I finished The House with the Golden Door in October last year. There is not a single book that I have looked forward to more this year. I find I am incredibly emotionally invested in this story. In Amara, Britannica, Philos and Rufina's story. And I feel a hatred for the antagonist only on par with the hatred I feel for Agamemnon. So, you might imagine that the book itself cannot possible live up to all that because no book, no author is perfect...

Well fuck that because I'm pretty sure Elodie Harper had produced a perfect ending to a perfect trilogy. Perfection is impossible my ass!!!

So here's my spoiler free review...
YAAAAAAAAAAAS!!!!!!

If you'd don't want spoilers, don't read further because I just can't not talk about it!!!

The book begins with Amara in Rome with her new patron, living the life of the rich and powerful. But she misses her daughter and her love in Pompeii and, despite her freedom and money, she's still being used as a political spy for her patron and his powerful friends. Predictably, this lands her is hot water, so much so that her patron asks her to marry him to protect her, and sends her to friends in Pompeii to keep her safe.

The writing in this book is so vivid that I easily felt that I was Amara. Her fear for her own life, the heart ache of seeing her family again but knowing that cannot be together, and the anger and disgust for the man who formerly owned her as a slave and still threatens to ruin her life. I felt all of it like a vice around my chest, tightening with the bad and loosening with the good. I wasn't reading words on a page, I was watching it happen, right in front of my eyes.

I could feel the protective influence of the money, her powerful friends and her gladiator sister wolf... who was by far my favourite character by the way, Long Live Britannica!! And then the event I've been waiting for since I picked up a book set in achient Pompeii happens... Vesuvius erupts. That protection crumbles just as easily as the buildings, as the sky fills with ash and fire and one by one, her friends perish. I felt heartbroken and exhausted by the end of it. It is a genuinely apocalyptic scene, I cried through most of it.

And the ending... I cannot imagine a better one. I was almost lulled into a false sense of security but I knew it wouldn't be as easy as it seemed. Luckily there was a solution to the problem and I literally screamed when it happened!!! I had only one problem with the book as I finished the last chapter... Which was fixed by the epilogue!!

I would have loved a little more, just one or two more chapters to see the reunion which is hinted at actually happen. But I can see it in my head and I've cried for that too. My only problem is that I have noone to talk to about this book!!! Which is why the review is so long... This won't fit in an Instagram post so I'll have to do some editing.

I highly recommend the whole trilogy to anyone who enjoys books set in the ancient world. It's exciting, chilling, heartbreaking, heartwarming, incredibly gripping and completely worth your time!

Bring tissues and prepare to fall...hard.

I've just read the final page of The Temple of Fortuna, the last book in the stunning Wolf Den trilogy, and I can't begin to describe the emotional rollercoaster I've been on. I can't fault this series at all. I'll try my hardest to review this powerful finale without spoiling the series for anyone who hasn't discovered these books yet...and if you haven't read them, get them on that TBR right now.

Elodie Harper takes us back to unforgiving world of Rome and Pompeii, to join Amara on the final part of her journey from a whore of the wolf den to courtesan in Rome. This book is a truly stunning ending to the series with everything we've come to expect and more. The journey is thrilling and fraught with dangers at every moment. Amara is a unique and memorable protagonist. An incredibly clever, tenacious and strong woman who refuses to accept her fate as a whore, Amara has an incomparable ability to identify an opportunity to improve her situation. The stakes are always heart wrenchingly high, but now Amara has far more to lose and fight for. The remaining cast of characters is equally engaging and memorable; the unnerving Felix, jealous and equally opportunistic, Britannica, the iceni warrior; the fiercely loyal Philos and all the others make this a truly stunning set of books.

One of my favourite aspects of Harper's writing is her ability to bring ancient Pompeii to life. Her descriptions bring every aspect of the Roman world to life in a vivid way. It's so well researched and blends easily into the narrative so subtly you often forget you're reading historical fiction and you're almost in a thriller.

I have adored every step I've taken with Amara and I'm truly sad I won't be going into her world again. Harper is a truly wonderful and talented writer and I can't wait to see what world she's going to take us to next. Even if you're not into history, this novel is so exciting, thrilling and captivating you won't fail to love it. My poor heart has been pushed to its limits during this trilogy...at least I get to give it a rest now!

I'm going to buy this trilogy as a gift for all the book lovers in my life for Christmas, I honestly can't recommend it enough. My heart felt thanks to the publishers and netgalley for providing me with an arc in return for an honest review. 5 stars from me.

What an amazing finale to an amazing series. Elodie Harper is a fantastic writer and I can't wait to devour whatever she reads next.

What a brilliant final book to end the Wolf Den trilogy. Set in both Rome and also Pompeii, we are back with Amara as she makes the difficult decisions to secure her daughter's future. An absolute joy to read. Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for an ARC in return for an honest review of the book.

Utter perfection! For me, the perfect way to end a trilogy! Well perfect would be to just carry on writing as I feel Amara is now a part of me but I needed this. Was it wrapped up in a nice little bow? Of course but sometimes in life we just need that ending!

I really really enjoyed this instalment. The wolf den will always be the best book out of the three but this was brilliant. I kind of wish we had a bit more Felix but he can’t be the main character in every book can he?

As someone who is truly interested in what happens in Pompeii 79 AD, this was an exciting read and I am so thankful that I got to read it. Can’t wait to purchase the paperback! Thanks NetGalley !!