This books tells the story of the women of the brothels in Pompeii, focusing on a cluster from a few women from a specific brothel.

I can't decide how I feel about the book. I'm currently at 64% and it's been a bit of a struggle to get there. Here are my thoughts so far:
I am really enjoying the descriptions of Pompeii and their lives - Having visited Pompeii myself a couple of years ago I feel like I could walk the streets that the book brings to life and meet those characters. I really like how the streets come to life under Elodie Harper's words.

On the negative side, the characters feel like today's characters have time-travelled to Pompeii's days of glory. I find it difficult to believe that they would speak like we currently do (although I am no expert), so that felt cheap. Perhaps because I recently read 'China', in which the vocabulary and the dialogues were so well done, this felt like more work was needed to make the setting more believable.
I liked how the women supported and protected (when possible) each other. Even though they are all very distinct characters (and that's well done in this book, taking into account each woman's story before being sold to the brothel), they do share a common bond through their experiences. I found their relationships to each other were very inspiring.

The story felt very slow initially. I struggled through the first 40%, but after that I managed to get through the next 20% in one sitting. Having said that, 40% is almost half of the book, and it's a relatively long time investment for a book. I think I will finish it, but I wanted to share my thoughts about it so far.

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this free ARC in exchange for an honest opinion.

I’ve briefly put this down at 33%. I may come back to it; I may DNF, I’m not sure. I had started to reach a point where I was enjoying it more, but I still wasn’t actively reaching to pick it up.

I didn’t dislike this book. I think it had all the promise to be a book I’d really enjoy - and, in other circumstances, I might, but I don’t think I was in the right headspace for it last month. Hence an uncommitted DNF. If I hadn’t got other commitments, I may have carried on, but I may not have enjoyed it as much as I could when coming back to it in a better suited reading mood.
The premise for this book is fascinating. Retelling the story of the women in the brothels in Pompeii. These women have been bought, often through slavery, and lose their family and everything that defined them before.
The camaraderie between the girls was inspiring. You could see they were bonded through an almost shared trauma and they would do everything they could to relieve the others or help them out. Each dealt with their situation in a different way, so each woman was clearly her own character.
The MC was really interesting and brave. She hadn’t started a lowborn girl, it was only bad fortune that threw her into a brothel. She’s still smart and talented and has bite. I’m looking forward to hopefully coming back to the story and seeing what else she does because she was definitely starting to sow seeds of a bigger plan when I left it.

I did find it a slow book and that may be where I struggled. However, writing this review, I would like to come back to it someday.

Loved this. Fan of Troy and Roman based fiction this did not disappoint. Worthy of Circe this moved quickly and was rich in detail.

Actual rating 4.5/5 stars.

Amara was once the daughter of an esteemed doctor. He had no sons and so imbued her with all of his knowledge. Amara thought this meant her future would look much like his, but she was sorely mistaken. She was to be bartered off, like live-stock and every other woman. This potential future filled her with dread but would later come to seem like dream come true when fate decided something else for her.

Her parents died, their debts become hers, she was enslaved to a brothel owner, and was removed from the only home she had ever known to bustling Pompeii. Amara became nothing more than another one of his she-wolf whores. Alone she was nothing, but these women who became her sisters roamed as a pack, and together they were not to be underestimated.

From the very opening chapter, and right until the novel's close, this was a very emotional and traumatic read. Scenes of rape, violence, and both mental and physical abuse featured repeatedly and ensured the reader was aware of the truly hopeless situation these women had been forced into. Their lives were ones of sorrow and their feelings were transferred to the reader through the author's thoughtful prose.

There were, however, moments of purity and happiness also delivered. These were scant and fleeting but did break up the monotony and degradation that was Amara, and the other women's, existence. Interactions with the other women were often the source of this hard-fought-for joy and I enjoyed seeing them grow to love and find strength in one another.

The males who also frequented these pages were often dealing with their own demons. The enhanced position that their sex afforded them in society meant that they often took their emotions out on anyone they deemed lesser than themselves, however. Women brought the brunt of anger, with fists and harsh words often thrown their way. Other males were seemingly good and kind, but their lack of understanding made them careless to the tender hearts and souls they were tasked with caring for, leading them to form as many cracks in the scant armour these women wrapped around themselves as those who truly wished them harm.

Enemies lurked on every side and I thought, on multiple occasions that Amara's outcome was going to be as bleak as all that had gone before it. A bittersweet conclusion seemed like the most apt way to end this story and I'm glad the author chose to deliver it. It felt authentic, did not degrade all that had come before, and gave the reader some measure of hope to take away from this painful but exquisitely well-crafted read.

This was very much not the tale I thought it would be and I very much enjoyed it, due to that. Perhaps enjoy isn't the best word to use when describing a book as tragic as this one. I was captivated by the writing style, sympathetic to the focus, and appreciative of the delicacy the author had in conveying this story.

Rating: 5/5
I received an early copy of this book in return for a fair and honest review, and firstly, I regret not reading it sooner. Harper’s writing drops you right into the centre of Pompeii, and gives a voice to the many women who existed in this city under the cruel tyranny of slavery. I loved following the girls, especially Amara and Dido. I loved the kinship and kindness that they continued to show eachother, despite the horrendous nature of their situation. I loved how their inner thoughts regarding men could easily have been referring to modern men too. Having been to Pompeii, and read many of the inscriptions left by sex workers and their clients, it was amazing to see life breathed into these words once more. This is such a powerful telling, and is historical fiction at its finest. I loved it, and the little snippets of Sappho, Pliny and Ovid were delightful to read. Powerful, evocative and entirely sublime.

Set in Pompeii amongst a backdrop of graffiti ridden walls, phallic lamps and duty bound slaves – the dregs of life as a Pompeii prostitute is laid bare in all of it’s sinister glory. In the seething underbelly of the city, Amara, our main protagonist lives and works in Felix’s brothel. Bought at a slave market, she is indebted to Felix and dreams of a life where she has her freedom. Amara finds comfort in the laughter of her fellow whores, like a pack of wolves, they stick together through difficult times. Their hopes soars for the streets are filled with rich men who can become an opportunity for the lowest of slaves to reverse their fortunes. Can Amara make such a man fall in love with her and purchase her freedom?

Amara’s friends are well-rounded side characters with detailed, complex backgrounds that evoke a sense of pathos from the reader. Victoria, found on a trash heap as a baby is a regular favorite with customers who often tip her with elaborate gifts. Dido, snatched by the pirates that raided her hometown and sold into slavery, is a sensitive soul who struggles to adjust to her new surroundings. Fabia, who is as ancient as the walls of Pompeii, had a son whilst working in the brothel that Felix forced her to raise as a whore. Cressa, is a walking ghost, heartbroken at the loss of her three year old son who Felix sold into slavery. Together, the girls go fishing for customers, after all, wolves are safer in packs. The women’s deep connection and loyalty to one another is incredibly moving and leaves the reader feeling pained by their comradery in grief at the lives they have lost.

Amara soon catches the eye of wealthy benefactors who begin to book her to sing at high-end parties. Will this be the opportunity she has been waiting for? Will Felix, her sadistic, psychopathic pimp allow her to walk towards freedom? Can she save the lives of her fellow wolfpack?

This story is so atmospheric with such vivid characters and a tense setting. The portrayal of life as a whore in Pompei was so emotional and Elodie Harper isn’t afraid of showing the horrific side of poverty and life in the brothels. Amara and the other women captivate you completely with their friendship and support for one and another. Love, jealousy and rivalry shown between the women as they try to survive. So many themes covered in this wonderful story to give such an insight to the world in which these women live.

Outstanding. As someone who enjoys history and historical fiction, this book ticked every box. I visited Pompeii a few years ago, and this transported me right back. The characters were perfectly developed, the plot developed at an exciting pace, and the story had me gripped throughout. I can’t recommend this book enough!

Elodie Harper transports her readerss to the hustle, dirt and business of the streets of Pompeii in AD74. The lives of women in general at this time are tough, but if you are a Lupa like the ladies of The Wolf Den it can be even harder. Amara, the daughter of a Doctor ends up in slavery after the death of her father left her and her mother peniless. We follow her life as she and the ladies she works and lives with in the Wolf Den fight to survive, she learns all she can from those around her.

The Wolf Den will make you smile at the love and friendship these ladies develop, you will admire their courage and you will cry at the hardships, sacrifices and heartbreaks they endure.

I was given a copy of The Wolf Den by NetGalley and the publishers in return for an unbiased review.

Amara was once a beloved daughter but now she is a slave and works in a brothel in Pompeii owned by a man who doesn't like being potentially outsmarted. The story follows the highs and lows of Amara and a few other women who work in the brothel. You see generosity by men and also cruelty. It certainly was a harsh world for women of low status.

I have been fascinated by Pompeii since I started learning Latin at 11 and have visited the Lupinar on several occasions, so I was happy to receive a copy of this book
It tells the story of Amare, once a free woman but now a prostitute and brutally describes the horror of the loves of these women. Her master Felix is a cold, calculating man who will stop at nothing to get his way and this influences what happens to his slaves. The main character Amare is also quite cold at times and thos made it hard for me to really like her, particularly the callous way she treats Meander.
I loved the fact that Pliny appears and I enjoyed spotting sights I recognised from my visits and this is a good read for those interested in the period

Thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for this ARC.

This book was a joy to read from start to finish. Harper shows us Pompeii through the eyes of the women enslaved as prostitutes, exposing the seedy underbelly and misogyny underlying its history. Amara is a great protagonist and you really feel for her as she has to make some hard decisions to survive. The stories of the other women are not tangential either - each has its own arc and is essential to the overall plot. I can't wait to see what Harper does next.

Set in an infamous brothel in Pompeii, 'The Wolf Den' by Elodie Harper unflinchingly portrays life as a sex slave for Amara and her fellow 'she-wolves'.

Far from salacious, 'The Wolf Den' portrays the brutality of the women's lives. They have not chosen the life they are forced to live by their calculated master Felix, and are constantly in fear of becoming like Fabia, forced to wait for crumbs from the others women's meals. Amara, clever and resourceful, tries to find a way out.

'The Wolf Den' is a cleverly written piece of historical fiction. The atmosphere of Pompeii is brought brightly to life and the women's characters are vivid. Reading about the women's enforced prostitution was horrifying and I couldn't help but equate it to todays human trafficking and modern slavery.

Set in Pompeii, the story concerns Amara, once a much-loved daughter of a middle class family, she is now a slave in a notorious brothel. She spends her time finding and servicing customers for the brothel owner Felix, enjoying life as best she can with her sisters and falling in love with a young potter. As a slave with no possessions, she understands poverty and being powerless. All along she tries to better herself, whether singing at private parties or trying to secure a benefactor, and always she is seeking to obtain her freedom, whatever the price. However, sometimes what you want comes with an unexpected price tag.

The story is told incredibly well, and the reader's sympathies are with these unfortunate girls as it is told from the female perspective. The book makes you think about freedom and slavery, cruelty and kindness and the choices we make and the repercussions of our actions. And it is all set against the backdrop of Pompeii and the Roman Empire, which provides a unique historical context. It was refreshing to read a story set in Pompeii which had no allusion at all to the eruption that devastated it, but instead used the well-preserved city as a setting which so many people have visited and so can visualise.

I really enjoyed it and found it a very moving tale..

Thank you to NetGalley, Head of Zeus and Apollo for allowing me access to the ARC in exchange for an honest review.

My thanks to Head of Zeus /Apollo for an eARC via NetGalley of ‘The Wolf Den’ by Elodie Harper in exchange for an honest review.

Set in Pompeii in 74AD, its lead character is Amara. She had been the beloved daughter of a doctor, who educated her. Yet following his death her family was plunged into poverty and Amara was sold into slavery. She is now a she-Wolf, a slave in the infamous Lupanar brothel.

Amara is intelligent and resourceful and hopes one day to reverse her fortunes. She has formed strong ties with her fellow she-wolves. We follow their lives from February through to the Saturnalia in December.

At a summer gathering she is introduced to Pliny, the Admiral of the Fleet. He speaks of his interest in seeking rare, medicinal plants. Given her background Amara asks questions and discloses her origins. A bond is formed with the old man, very different from the kind she experiences with the lupanar’s clients. It gives her a taste of the life she once knew and hopes to know again.

Pompeii’s destruction in the eruption of 79AD served to preserve many artefacts including the murals of the Lupanar. It left an important record of life in the Roman Empire.

Elodie Harper clearly undertook a great deal of research for her reimagining of Pompeii and its inhabitants including walking the streets of its ruins. I had hoped for an Author’s Note detailing this, though was able to find background information, including a list of recommended books, on her blog.

In exploring the lives of these fictional characters Harper examines a hidden side of life in the ancient world. Rather than focusing on the degradation suffered by the brothel’s slaves, she looks to the deep bonds between the women and their hopes for freedom and a different life.

I admit that I had expected the eruption of Vesuvius to feature, though ending it in a few years earlier does leave open the possibility of a sequel, especially given Pliny the Elder’s role in the evacuation.

Overall, a highly engaging work of historical fiction.

Wasn't quite sure what to expect with this one, but I really enjoyed it! It's very different to anything I've ever read, and I thought the idea was so original. It worked historically for me, but I am not an expert at all so I don't know exactly how accurate it is. Obviously this is quite a heavy topic to write & read about, but I thought it was done very well and certainly had its lighter moments - the friendships between the girls for example. I liked that each of the girls has a very different character, and they all react to their situation in different but reasonably realistic ways. While it's not really plot driven, I still found it very engaging, and I will certainly be reading the next in the series when it comes out!

A story of courage and the importance of friendship. Set in Pompeii, a tale of 6 prostitute slaves. All from different backgrounds but surviving in the best way they can. Not my usual choice of book but highly recommended.

This is very well written, with lots of fascinating detail about the period. It ended quite abruptly and I think I'd have liked a closing chapter. Am hoping the author does more in the series. I want to be there when Vesuvius erupts!

I wanted a change from all the thrillers I have been reading lately and was so glad I took a chance on this book as I really enjoyed it.

It is a very well written and compelling read and I recommend it to everyone who enjoys historical fiction, especially the Greek and Roman era.

Sold into slavery by her mother and forced into prostitution, Amara has never forgotten what her life was like as a free woman. Now forced to sell her body for a man she despises, Amara must use everything she knows to survive the harsh reality of life in Pompeii and help keep her fellow she-wolves safe. Everything has its price, and Amara will grasp at anything to be free again.

Set in the Ancient city of Pompeii, The Wolf Den centres around slave Amara and her fellow prostitues at a local brothel. Life is hard, and the novel never shys away from exploring the harsh realities these women face on a daily basis. Sexual, emotional and physical violence are a regular occurrence, and all of them are treated as commodities. Disposable ones. Because once beauty has faded, and the money dries up, what else could they have to offer? Amara as a character is intelligence and resourceful. She's never really been broken like the other girls she works alongside. She still maintains a sense of her former life, and has the ability to use her skills to try and break free. At times it makes her a ruthless individual, and not entirely likeable, however you can see why she acts this way. The secrets, the schemes, the lies. It's all for her freedom.

I really liked the relationship between all of the women within the Wolf Den. They're a found family of sorts, looking our for one another and trying to make some semblance of a life with the cards they've been dealt. There are moments of love and laughter scattered between them all, celebrating festivals and attending the gladiator fights together. There's also the inevitable jealousy and bitterness that accompanies such a life. I will say that I found a lot of the girls to be quite one dimensional in many regards. There's the mother figure in Cressa, the beautiful naive one in Dido, the outgoing one who is actually very vulnerable in Victoria etc. however overall I do think they work well as a unit.

More complicated and interesting however is Amara's relationship with Felix. Her keeper and master. Although not her first 'owner', he's the one who makes her feel the most worthless. He's unpredictable, violent and the hatred she feels for him radiates from her every pore. Yet sometimes, in rare moments of tenderness, she feels sorry for him too. His life mirrors her own in many ways, and I think Amara sees a lot of herself in him - which scares her more than she dares admit.

The story is set against the backdrop of Pompeii, but I often struggled to really picture the city. The volcano is never mentioned for one thing and outside of the brothel we don't get to see much of the hustle and bustle of everyday life in all its glory. We see festivals, special occasions but not much else. Although Amara's world is small, and revolves solely around the Wolf Den and it's inhabitants, some expansion into the surrounding city would have helped bring this world to life a bit more and inject a bit more soul and historical flair into the story. If I'm being honest, I felt this could have been set in any time period if you took out the Roman references to Gods and gladiators.

I also found the plot and pacing to be incredibly slow. It's obviously heavily character driven, with a focus on exploring these women's lives. However, I felt like not a lot actually happened and the ending feels predictable yet unrealistic in such a harsh and unforgiving world. In a story that opens up these women's lives and lays everything bare so candidly, it felt a little cheap, a little too simple.

An interesting historical read, with some complex characters set in a world I've never explored before. I just wish this had packed more of an emotional punch.