The Wolf Den: the stunning first novel reimagining the lives of the women of Pompeii (The Wolf Den Trilogy) Paperback – 2 Sept. 2021

I really enjoyed this book; historical fiction at its best.This is a fascinating time in the history of Pompeii and this novel is set some 5 years before the great volcanic eruption that buried and preserved life/frozen in time in Roman Pompeii.Elodie Harper is an established author and she demonstrates all her skills here in a simple tale of life in a brothel. What is fascinating to me is the strong female characters and how they became slaves and consequently forced into the life of a sex worker.Indeed the novel is a balanced view of Roman life, and being away from Rome it isn’t so politically focused. It was good to realise the misfortune of a woman caught up prostitution that they were not willing participants. The life of Amara is the young woman who we follow in this story. The daughter of a doctor whose family fell into hard times and poverty led her to be sold into slavery. She is a terrific character who we cannot judge too critically as she schemes to escape the bondage to her pimp who owns the establishment and who holds the lives of all “his girls” in his power. It is a hard life, made harder if you are disobedient or self-asserting.The story follows a year in Amara’s life in AD 74 and brings Pompeii alive to the reader. It was really interesting to see life from the perspective of the poorest and most vulnerable in society and see the acceptance of slavery was rooted within the fabric of the Empire.Full of well drawn characters who have various influences on Amara’s hopes and dreams. The women forced into prostitution are both Amara’s friends and rivals and life is less than easy with an ever present sense of danger.The book is the first in a trilogy, beginning here in the brothel, The Wolf’s Den. This is an delightful piece of writing and an absorbing story, taking the reader back into a real world, a documented history within a fictional tale. However, there are many modern day comparisons in regard to people trafficking, women forced into prostitution as sex slaves and the objectification of women in society.A novel and a series of books I warmly recommend and will myself complete in due course. Elodie Harper is in danger of becoming a favourite author of mine.

Any story which brings to attention the lives of the forgotten women of history is to be applauded and The Wolf Den shines a much deserved light on the lives of the prostitutes who were used, and so often abused, in the wolf dens of the ancient world. Set in Pompeii, five years before its destruction by the eruption of Mount Vesuvius, The Wolf Den takes us deep into the heart of the lupanar and into the re-imagined lives of the she-wolves who once lived there.When her family fall on hard times, Amara is sold into slavery but rather than become just another victim, Amara is determined to gain her freedom even though life with an avaricious brothel keeper in Pompeii's notorious lupanar is both difficult and fraught with danger. Women employed as prostitutes have no say in what happens to them, nor do they have the luxury of turning down custom so, for them, freedom seems an impossible dream. However, rising above the harsh reality of their lives, is a group of strong and determined women who form a bond of sisterhood, which is, in itself, empowering. There's humour in the novel and also the usual bitchiness which can invariably happen when a group of women live together but there's also a feeling of camaraderie and a sense of belonging even when their lives are shown in emotional detail.Combining historical fact with fiction, the story brings alive the casual violence of this ancient world. The dark and gloomy atmosphere of the lupanar, from the spluttering lights of smelly candles, the individual rooms which offered no privacy, to the pornographic graffiti on the walls and the erotic paintings which advertise their trade all highlight the harsh reality of the life of a she-wolf in the wolf dens of AD74 Pompeii.The Wolf Den is a well written, fascinating and finely detailed, character driven novel, which certainly gets the trilogy off to a really good start

I was close to abandoning the story as it was a slow uncomfortable read until half way. I then was captivated until the end

I LOVED this book. It was a really pushed turner.

I bought this book without any high expectations as I only really wanted something to get me back into reading but this book had me obsessed. The book does an amazing job at highlighting the hardships of the women in the brothel but also women in general and it feels relatable even now. I loved all the characters, even the ones you’re not supposed to, because they felt so real as if I was sat with them. The storyline wasn’t what I expected but it was even better as I loved the female character using stereotypical female traits to try and get ahead. Such a descriptive story which allows you to fully immerse yourself in the book and time. Whenever I felt I wanted to turn my attention to something else there was a twist which keeps it interesting. I can’t comment on the historical correctness of the book, as I’m not very knowledgeable about that time I couldn’t tell but it felt very cohesive. I’m happy the negative reviews didn’t put me off. It’s heartwarming, sad, joyous and I would read it again!