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4.07 AVERAGE
4.07 AVERAGE
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Is it too soon to announce a favorite read of 2022?? Just called me Mrs. Pac-Man because I chomped through this book in two days! And if my kids would have let me out of being a mommy I would have finished it in one. 400 pages I ripped through! Why is no one else reading this?? Is it just me!?
I’m gonna start this review off with some interesting facts, I love researching truths behind mythology like this… this book is based on the true history of ancient Roman times, Pompeii and its Brothels. In 79 CE a volcano erupted and covered the city of Pompeii and its occupants in lava, preserving an untouched ancient city for historians to uncover. So wax tablets used for writing, Pompeii bread, artifacts galore, and the graffiti in “the Wolf Den”. Prostitution was legal in Pompeii, and it was seen as a social norm for Roman men, a typical shop offering services like any other. The walls were adorned with erotic paintings that represented a menu of the services provided. Theories suggest that they could also have functioned as instruction manuals for more inexperienced visitors to the brothels. All the characters’ names in this book are from those graffitis and the story itself is filled with archaeological evidence while also covering major social issues that women would have suffered from during these times.
Why am I telling you all this? Well one, it’s super cool nerdy knowledge… and two, this book doesn’t hold back. It’s really easy reading, but the brutality is in every page as it should be. The things these women had to suffer through, the strength and courage and intelligence to stay alive. Just incredible and sad.
We follow Amara through her time at the Wolf Den, or in other words, The brothel, from her early days. How she got there, when she was scared and submissive - to her determination to get herself out. But with that determination, she might have to sacrifice who she is and become someone she hates.
“She tells herself it is easier not to
want, not to feel. When you cannot make your own choices,
what good is wanting anything, or anyone?”
These people have my heart, I woke up still thinking about this book and I’m sad that I finished it. However, I just discovered it’s a trilogy and September can not come fast enough! Seriously, you need to read this one!
I’m gonna start this review off with some interesting facts, I love researching truths behind mythology like this… this book is based on the true history of ancient Roman times, Pompeii and its Brothels. In 79 CE a volcano erupted and covered the city of Pompeii and its occupants in lava, preserving an untouched ancient city for historians to uncover. So wax tablets used for writing, Pompeii bread, artifacts galore, and the graffiti in “the Wolf Den”. Prostitution was legal in Pompeii, and it was seen as a social norm for Roman men, a typical shop offering services like any other. The walls were adorned with erotic paintings that represented a menu of the services provided. Theories suggest that they could also have functioned as instruction manuals for more inexperienced visitors to the brothels. All the characters’ names in this book are from those graffitis and the story itself is filled with archaeological evidence while also covering major social issues that women would have suffered from during these times.
Why am I telling you all this? Well one, it’s super cool nerdy knowledge… and two, this book doesn’t hold back. It’s really easy reading, but the brutality is in every page as it should be. The things these women had to suffer through, the strength and courage and intelligence to stay alive. Just incredible and sad.
We follow Amara through her time at the Wolf Den, or in other words, The brothel, from her early days. How she got there, when she was scared and submissive - to her determination to get herself out. But with that determination, she might have to sacrifice who she is and become someone she hates.
“She tells herself it is easier not to
want, not to feel. When you cannot make your own choices,
what good is wanting anything, or anyone?”
These people have my heart, I woke up still thinking about this book and I’m sad that I finished it. However, I just discovered it’s a trilogy and September can not come fast enough! Seriously, you need to read this one!
dark
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
dark
sad
tense
slow-paced
interesting, but ultimately quite traumatizing
emotional
mysterious
reflective
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Wow! Elodie Harper, you did that! This book sucked me in and did not let go. I immediately need Book 2!
emotional
funny
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
challenging
dark
emotional
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
dark
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes