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A very evocative portrait of Roman Pompeii told from the perspective of Amara, a doctor‘s daughter who was sold into slavery after his death and is now a brothel slave. It‘s a brutal life and the narrative doesn‘t hold back on the brutality, yet there is also moments of pleasure and deep friendship between Amara and fellow brothel slave Dido. The plot might be too slow for some, but I thought it set up the story well for the second book.

Had another ✨Inflectra✨ infusion today. Very much enjoying this audiobook about prostitutes in Roman Pompeii.

Loved reading this historical fiction set in ancient Pompeii. It was surprisingly more heart-warming than I imagined it to be, with a lot of scenes about friendship, forbidden love, and survival. The ending even managed to surprise me! So pleasantly surprised.

My partner did such a great job with holiday gifts this year! He got me a remote page turner for my Kindle and this amazing book haul! The Fitzgerald is the fancy Broken Binding edition, the Barker is signed, and the Burton is the illustrated edition that I've been lusting after for ages! I feel very happy and spoiled. 🥰

Set in ancient Pompeii, this is the candid story of enslaved sex workers from a brothel, and their ability to cope, survive and out wit their captors. I absolutely loved the epigraphs beginning each chapter, this was clearly written by an avid Ovid scholar. I will definitely read the rest of the trilogy. #BookedInTime.

A historical fiction novel that takes readers into the brothers and brutality of ancient Pompeii. There‘s love, hope and characters who showcase humanity even though they derive from location and time frame far from now, some things such as family, friendships, and loyalty that are timeless. Loved this one!

A few of my reading goals for May.
#readinggoals #pop23 #serieslove2023 #readyourtbr #readyourshelves #booked2023

This is the first book in a trilogy set in Pompeii, Amara is a slave and works in Pompeii's infamous brothel. Amara wants to leave this life and tries her best to get her freedom. I was really invested in this story and the lives set in this time period. Amara is full of strength, as are the other slaves. I really great gripping read.

A truly captivating and empowering story of the women long forgotten in pompeii. I couldn't put this book down for a second, I loved Amara's character and her ambition. This book also manages to tug at the heartstrings so be prepared! Diving straight into the sequel!

Thank you @jhod this sounds fab! I love books about Pompeii so I can‘t wait to dive in! 😀 👍

I liked the writing style of this book as we see ancient Pompeii through the eyes of a prostitute. I‘m so tempted to say so-so just because it made me a little sad, but that‘s the point. So much of the ancient world can be glamorized in film and books, but this one reminds us of the harsh realities of the time.

I had myself convinced I wasn't going to enjoy this (maybe because I've was disappointed with an ancient Greek female POV books recently, I was afraid this ancient Rome female POV book would be the same). However, I ended up getting sucked in to the story, and quite enjoyed it. It also helped that I'd been to Pompeii, so I liked linking up the places I'd seen with those in the book. Between a pick and so-so overall.

⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️ We follow the life of a slave working in a brothel in ancient Pompeii.
I loved this book! It is tragic but I could not stop reading, its written so well, I was totally wrapped up in the story. I will definitely be reading the second book and was excited to see this will be a trilogy.

“May men fall to me as this offering falls to you, Greatest Aphrodite. May I know love‘s power, if never it‘s sweetness.”

I totally forgot to post these!
I was getting my son a book for Easter and my two most anticipated reads just happened to be buy one get one 50% off!

A sisterhood exists in one of Pompeii‘s most notorious brothels where the brutalities of life as a slave are shared in intimate detail with the reader. Amara, once a doctor‘s daughter struggles more than most with the life she finds herself in. Despite her loyalty to the other women in the brothel she is not prepared to settle with what fate has dealt out to her and her journey to becoming a freed woman is captivating in places. An enjoyable read.

Now Available! 🥳🎉📚

Book Review- https://www.boleybooks.com/2021/11/22/the-wolf-den/

#boleybooks #thewolfden #elodieharper #bookbeast #bookjoy #netgalley #bookreview #bookbuds

The Wolf Den is beautifully realised, lush and rich with detail. It fits well alongside other Greek retellings, focusing on women at the bottom of society instead of princesses. But I‘m not sure I‘ll read the sequel - I think because I found Amara the least interesting character. None of her actions really had consequences, even the devastating ending, and I wanted to see her fail more often and show more flaws.

Tackle the TBR 🤓📚 #boleybooks #thewolfden #elodieharper #bookbeast #bookjoy #netgalley #bookbuds
What are you reading? 😊

This wasn't bad at all. Heavy stuff, but I can see this book appealing to fans of the HBO show Rome. The characters are not immediately likeable here, but my empathy for them certainly grew as I got deeper into the book. I actually liked how it ended, although I'm not sure if I'll be looking for the sequel anytime soon.

Thanks to Netgalley and Sterling Publishing for the e-arc!

⭐: 4

(Photo in the background belongs to Jack Hunter)

I raced through this and enjoyed the scene setting and the complex friendships between women and co workers in the brothels of Pompeii. I was hoping, urging, willing the women to use their intelligence, grit and strength to escape their situation. The main character did, to some extent, but the love stories and powerlessness didn‘t sit comfortably.

Loving seeing everyone‘s scary Halloween themed reads…. Starting this one today - in my defence it does have a pumpkin coloured cover 🤣🤣

I ordered 4 books from Waterstones, these two came super fast.

How's this for a bookshop location? An old watermill. So pretty. Daisy guarding my purchase.