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thereshegoesagain's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
This book and trilogy are going to stick with me for a while. Elodie Harper does such a good job handling such difficult subject matter in a way that’s not too graphic but also doesn’t gloss over the horrors of being a brothel slave.
Amara’s journey trying to get out of her brothel life is both really hard to watch but also so, so hopeful.
Amara’s journey trying to get out of her brothel life is both really hard to watch but also so, so hopeful.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, and Slavery
n_nazir's review against another edition
4.0
It's really well written but it's such a tough story and I don't think I have the stomach for the sequels.
helenaaliceee's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
inspiring
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
andrea303's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
hunnyontoast's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.25
This reminds me a lot of Kate Quinn’s Mistress of Rome! Story arch is pretty similar so if you like that you might like this. What stands out to me is Harper’s expansion on the themes of sisterhood which paint a more compelling picture of life in ancient Rome.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Gun violence, and Trafficking
balconyflowers's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
imoganthebogan's review against another edition
dark
hopeful
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
This book did not disappoint it was a tale of female resilience and the importance of sisterhood and how women survive when their autonomy is stripped away.
I echo everyone else’s praise when it comes to the characters in this book. The characters were a way to highlight something larger than themselves (the slavery and loss of autonomy women experienced in brothels) and I love how the book explored the different ways the characters responded to enslavement. I never felt like one characters behaviour wasn’t justified and I enjoyed the natural tension this brought up between the characters.
My favourite moments were the quiet moments in this book. There were so many small and seemingly insignificant acts of rebellion, heartache and hope that were surprisingly touching. While this book is explicit due to the content I never felt it was violent or graphic for the sake of it. It was clever how the author could permeate the despairing atmosphere of the book without having to fill its pages with violent acts. It was more focused on the consequences/reactions to sexual violence rather than the acts themselves.
I loved the little historical epigraphs at the start of the chapter and I went wild for the historical figure we meet in this book. It felt like an AC game in that regard.
The reason it wasn’t 5 stars was because I found the book a little hard to get into due to the third person narrative voice and the introduction to so many characters at once. I sometimes found some scenes a little predictable so I wasn’t necessarily wowed. Lastly, I think there could have been more world building. The inclusion of the many rites and festivals present in Pompeii was a nice touch but I wanted more of the incredible setting.
Overall, I’m very excited to continue with the series and I can’t wait to see how they incorporate the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
I echo everyone else’s praise when it comes to the characters in this book. The characters were a way to highlight something larger than themselves (the slavery and loss of autonomy women experienced in brothels) and I love how the book explored the different ways the characters responded to enslavement. I never felt like one characters behaviour wasn’t justified and I enjoyed the natural tension this brought up between the characters.
My favourite moments were the quiet moments in this book. There were so many small and seemingly insignificant acts of rebellion, heartache and hope that were surprisingly touching. While this book is explicit due to the content I never felt it was violent or graphic for the sake of it. It was clever how the author could permeate the despairing atmosphere of the book without having to fill its pages with violent acts. It was more focused on the consequences/reactions to sexual violence rather than the acts themselves.
I loved the little historical epigraphs at the start of the chapter and I went wild for the historical figure we meet in this book. It felt like an AC game in that regard.
The reason it wasn’t 5 stars was because I found the book a little hard to get into due to the third person narrative voice and the introduction to so many characters at once. I sometimes found some scenes a little predictable so I wasn’t necessarily wowed. Lastly, I think there could have been more world building. The inclusion of the many rites and festivals present in Pompeii was a nice touch but I wanted more of the incredible setting.
Overall, I’m very excited to continue with the series and I can’t wait to see how they incorporate the eruption of Mount Vesuvius.
obliteraturebygaytorayd's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
Really enjoyed and excited for the next ones. I anticipate interesting character growth in the upcoming novel, whereas this one laid the foundations for the main character’s growth and set parameters for expectations of the archetypal men in her life.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual harassment and Sexual assault
Moderate: Murder, Rape, Physical abuse, Trafficking, Violence, Toxic relationship, Domestic abuse, Classism, Emotional abuse, Vomit, Grief, Suicide, Slavery, Pregnancy, and Death
Minor: Alcohol, Abortion, Fatphobia, Body shaming, and Alcoholism