This is a short review of an extract from Elodie Harper's latest book The Temple of Fortuna. This is the final book in the series which began with the outstanding book The Wolf Den.

Have you seen the gorgeous cover for The Temple of Fortuna? Stunning. Very visually appealing.

Chapter 1 begins in Rome in September AD 79. Amara is saying goodbye to Queen Berenice. Queen Berenice is being banished from Rome due to political reasons by her lover Emperor Titus.Amara is there are the request of her patron.

Whilst this chapter is mostly focused on Rome, there is the odd nod to the previous book.

"The wealth surrounding Amara is a different world from the darkness that shaped her in the Wolf Den, but for all the splendour here, there is still pain."

When Amara sees Queen Berenice she is unsurprised to see she has tears pouring down her face,

"Even the most powerful woman can be broken by love."

The reader gains little hints that all may not be well in Rome. Amara doesn't like the journey home and doesn't like venturing out in Rome at night.

"Who knows if a jumped up Greek courtesan might find herself attracting the violence the graffiti writers wanted to inflict in the banished Queen? Rome has always had an edge, under the surface like hot embers ready to burst into flame, but never more so than now."

I found it interesting as well that there was a brief mention of Philos. Hopefully we will find out more about Philos in this book.

"Against her will, Amara thinks of Philos, of what it felt like to be with a man who held her as if he never wanted to let her go. Whose love she never doubted. She crushes the memory, instead smiling at her patron, pretending she doesn't feel the ache of loneliness in her heart."

The extract of The Temple of Fortuna was superb and the wait for publication will be all the more torturous after reading this.

The continuing saga of Amara who is now living in Rome under the patronage of Demetrius.

The story starts with the banishment of Berenice, longtime lover of Titus. Titus has recently come to power on the death of his father. He is reluctant to release Berenice, and she is desperate to stay, but the powers surrounding the court have made it quite clear she has to go.

Amara visits Berenice, along with many others, to say goodbye. The details of the people she meets and who she sees have to be relayed back to Demetrius so that he can keep abreast of the comings and goings of the court.

This is as well written as the previous books in the series, and the reader is immediately drawn into the Roman world of the time. Beautifully descriptive, the author’s slant on the lives of both the rich and the poor of Rome is outstanding.

A very short sample to judge, but it really whetted the appetite for what’s to come. I have no doubt that the work will be as excellent as the rest in the series.

Thank you NetGalley.

Wow! I cannot wait to read this full book and the conclusion of Amara’s story! This taster is not enough!

I love that this opens in 79Ad and the tension is mounting for the eruption of Vesuvius. The setting is captured beautifully in this extract and it flows seamlessly from the previous novel in the series despite the setting shift. Amara is as sassy as ever and her wit and intelligence shine through immediately. The opening chapter clearly sets up the conflict she feels over her feelings for her new patron and the longing for her old life. I’m really excited to read the rest of the novel. Beautifully written, accurate historical fiction is such a joy!

Special thanks to Head of Zeus Apollo for providing an excerpt from the highly anticipated 'Temple of Fortuna' by Elodie Harper, set to be released in early November.

The novel is the final installment in Harper's captivating Wolf Den Trilogy, which began with 'The Wolf Den' (2021) and continued with 'The House with the Golden Door' (2022). Throughout the trilogy, we follow the extraordinary journey of Amara, from her life as a slave in Pompeii's wolf den to her rise as a powerful courtesan in Rome.

Given that the story takes place in 79 AD, the eruption of Vesuvius and the destruction of Pompeii are expected to be crucial elements in this concluding volume. Though this extract only provides a glimpse, based on my admiration for the first two novels, I am confident that the conclusion will maintain the same level of excellence.

I am eagerly looking forward to discovering the fate of Amara, Rufina, Brittanica, and, of course, Philos.

I hadn't read any other books in this series so I went in cold, but I enjoyed this sample. The pacing worked well, the characters felt distinct, the historical detail was rich without overpowering the narrative, and I wanted to know what would happen next!

Torture!! Absolute torture!
I am dying for this book, I adore the first two and it's killing me waiting until November, so I jumped at the chance to read this extract. I don't think it was a good idea... now I need the third book even more!
Amara's story is harrowing yet inspiring. She is forced to make so many difficult choices and they take her to beautiful places full of ugly people. I need to see her triumph!! And this little snippet is such a tease!
So of course it's 5 stars from me! And plenty of waiting on the edge of my seat for the full novel!

I've been waiting and waiting for this book. So disappointed that it's only a chapter. But what a chapter. Tantalising. I can't wait to read the whole thing.

We've now reached the year of the eruption of Vesuvius. Amara is in Rome so perhaps she'll be safely out of the way? I doubt it. As with the previous two books in the series we are immediately immersed into the world of ancient Rome. Loved this extract. Thanks to the publisher and NetGalley.

I did not realise this was a book in a series. However, despite no understanding of the plot I thought the writing was no where near as lyrical and sensory as I was expecting. Perhaps this is just because I read Elektra by Jennifer Saint hours before starting this ... but the contrast was too great and I did not want to continue. I did however but it didn't get any better.

"The Temple of Fortuna" by Elodie Harper begins with a promising short extract that captures readers' attention and sparks their curiosity. From what I've read so far, the writing style is engaging and immersive, allowing readers to easily connect with the story.

Having enjoyed the first two books by the same author, my expectations are high for this new installment. Elodie Harper has proven her ability to craft captivating narratives, and it seems like "The Temple of Fortuna" will be no exception.

As I eagerly await the full book, I'm holding onto my hopes for an enthralling and intriguing journey within its pages.
Once I receive and read the complete book, i will update the review.

I’ve only read a brief extract of this novel but have already ordered the complete copy. I love stories set in ancient Rome or Greece, and this is suggestive of good research as well as an intriguing narrative.

I didn't realise this was an extract, and I have the previous authors work to read still, so I only read a small section to get a flavour for their work. It seems like I will love it though. Looking forward to starting the series from scratch.

An absolutely brilliant sample. I love Harper’s writing and this series. I am utterly devastated but equally excited for this final instalment. Buzzing to get my hands on it and devour it.

A fantastic Greek myth inspired series that I love recommending.

Stoked I got to see a snippet of what’s to come :)

I loved this and love this series! One of my favourites in the historical/mythology type genre of fiction. I can't wait for this book to come out and have been eagerly waiting for it! So sad that this is just an extract, but very excited for more. I have fallen in love with the characters and can't wait to see where their journeys take them (particularly Amara of course).

This extract has made me so excited to read The Temple of Fortuna - I had high hopes for this book and it seems like it will not disappoint! I love Elodie Harper's writing style, and how well-researched her books are. Her descriptions of the ancient world are immersive and engaging, with a well-needed fresh take on Roman society, from the point of view of those who are missed out of the classical texts - courtesans, slaves, concubines, and sex workers. Really looking forward to getting my hands on the whole book when its released - thanks so much to Netgalley and the publisher for this opportunity to read a snippet of it.

I am so excited for this book, having absolutely loved it’s The Wolf Den and The House with the Golden Door.

This was a fantastic sample, I’m absolutely itching to read the whole book now!

A enticing sample introduction to the final novel in this brilliant trilogy. Amara's journey takes her to the home of her patron and closer to the Emperor's court. There's so much to tie up and this extract seemed to finish all too soon. I can't wait to read the entire story!

This is a teaser! The next stage of Amara’s life. Such an intriguing start… I can’t wait to get my hands on the full novel! Amara is an intelligent female who has allowed Demetrius to be her patron at a huge personal sacrifice as she has had to never get true love Philos, and their baby in order to take up this position. How will fortune play out for Amara? Will she be reunited with her baby and find a way to free her lover?

November is a long way off right now!

This is one of the most underrated book series I've ever read! I am so excited to read this excerpt and hoping we are privileged enough to experience Harper's ARC.

Her writing is phenomenal - you fall into the plot and become one of the characters. It's splendid reading and this excerpt proves that we all have something to highly anticipate.

I AM SO EXCITED FOR THIS BOOK AND THIS EXTRACT JUST CATAPULTED THE EXCITEMENT!!! this has prompted a reread of the first two books. i am so ready for this book. i cannot WAIT