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4.06 AVERAGE
4.06 AVERAGE
Turns out, it isn't fun to read about sexual slavery.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual content, Sexual harassment
challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I feel like I'm the exact right audience for this series: A queer classics nerd with a thing for complex characters and historical fiction. Unfortunate to be reading this on a flight when someone next to me asks what it's about and I forget what's socially acceptable to talk about with strangers. Very fortunate to be reading when I needed to get some tears out.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Emotional abuse, Racism, Rape, Sexism, Sexual content, Slavery, Toxic relationship, Alcohol
Moderate: Child abuse, Child death, Death, Death of parent, Murder, War
Minor: Confinement, Fatphobia, Pedophilia, Suicide, Vomit, Abortion, Pregnancy, Gaslighting
challenging
dark
tense
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:
Complicated
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
Read for the 2025 Buzzword Title April Prompt: Animals
When I bought this a couple years ago the woman at the bookstore was praising the hell out of this, and I can definitely understand why. I listened to the audiobook over a few days and the story was definitely intriguing and I felt fairly invested in what would happen to each of the characters. The strength and courage of the women in this story was remarkable, and I enjoyed Amara's development and increased hardness throughout. I am unsure if I will read more, I don't know if I need more of her story, but the library does have copies of books 2 and 3 so maybe.
When I bought this a couple years ago the woman at the bookstore was praising the hell out of this, and I can definitely understand why. I listened to the audiobook over a few days and the story was definitely intriguing and I felt fairly invested in what would happen to each of the characters. The strength and courage of the women in this story was remarkable, and I enjoyed Amara's development and increased hardness throughout. I am unsure if I will read more, I don't know if I need more of her story, but the library does have copies of books 2 and 3 so maybe.
emotional
reflective
sad
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This book came to my attention late last year via The Exploress podcast, featured in a bonus episode exploring women’s lives in Ancient Rome. A group of enslaved prostitutes isn’t the most obvious choice for a story of female empowerment, but Harper made a very compelling case for her novel and how the concerns of her characters continue to impact women today, so I found myself a copy and settled in. I’m happy to say that she didn’t disappoint! Amara’s story had me hooked from the first chapter and I was loathed to put it down. She’s a well-written protagonist that inspires many emotions: anger and sympathy over her reduced circumstances, horror at her cruel mistreatment under past and current masters, and admiration for her cleverness and the fierce love she holds for her friends. There’s a lot to like about her, which makes her struggles so compelling. Amara uses her considerable talents to secure wealthy patrons and build a business rapporteur with her pimp, Felix, in the hopes that she’ll acquire a way out of the Lupanar, but balancing her intense desire for freedom with keeping both parties on side is a fraught affair. This tension drives the narrative as any progress she makes can be undone in a moment, be it a misstep on her part or the whims of the men she services, leaving the reader gripped by the possibility that Amara won’t achieve her goal.
In these darker moments, the sisterhood of the she-wolves really shines through. Each woman—bold Victoria, motherly Cressa, love-struck Beronice, war-like Britannica, and gentle Dido—has a distinct background and individual experience with being enslaved that informs Amara’s own, and their shared trauma helps forge bonds across these divides. They provide each other comfort when customers get too violent. They share laughter and coin for food. They seek out fun and live their lives as best they can, whether it be the odd day out at the arena cheering on their favourite gladiators, winding down at the local baths, or enjoying a drink at their preferred bar. Sometimes this isn’t enough to prevent personal tragedy: Cressa’s suicide is the culmination of years of trauma and grief over her lost son, and Dido’s death is the result of Felix’s meddling in other street gangs, taking the knife meant for him. All they can do to honour their fallen friends is preserve them in their memory. Though competitive jealousy flares up on occasion, they are “the light in the darkness of [their lives]” and validate each other’s humanity in a world that reduces them to sexual objects at best and non-entities at worst.
Adding to the complexities of the characters is Pompeii itself. The incorporation of the real-life Lupanar with its cold, damp cells, hard stone beds, lewd imagery, and dim lighting really drives home how unpleasant this life was and how isolating it could be. Graffiti found etched on the walls of the Lupanar and other buildings in the city are quoted directly and portray a literate society that wanted to make its opinions known on a variety of topics, from who slept with whom, to restaurant reviews, keeping your slaves in line and enjoying them however you wish, and communicating with lovers—the latter which Amara applies to her relationship with Menander, a fellow Greek enslaved at the potter’s shop down the road. In one chapter Amara and Dido attend this elaborate party hosted by a freedman who’s desperately trying to ingratiate himself with several patricians, which is a direct callback to a character in the Satyricon and highlights the unease of the elite acknowledging former slaves as near-equals. Harper takes much from the archaeological and literary sources to immerse the reader in this world, and it’s one of the best attempts I’ve seen at bringing an ancient city and its people to life in historical fiction.
I want to end this with a disclaimer that this book won’t be for everyone. The subject matter is heavy and unflinching in its portrayal of how common slavery was in Ancient Rome and its casual violence towards women of all social classes. It may be triggering for those who’ve experienced sexual assault and/or partner abuse, as one scene between Amara and a customer demonstrates; the upside is that Harper doesn’t go into graphic detail during sex scenes nor focuses on sex any more than is necessary. For myself, I thought it was a well-paced, eloquently written story that celebrated sisterhood in adversity and the lengths we’re willing to go to improve our lot. If that’s your cup of tea, dive right in!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Stars
Also at Prose & Cons Reviews.
In these darker moments, the sisterhood of the she-wolves really shines through. Each woman—bold Victoria, motherly Cressa, love-struck Beronice, war-like Britannica, and gentle Dido—has a distinct background and individual experience with being enslaved that informs Amara’s own, and their shared trauma helps forge bonds across these divides. They provide each other comfort when customers get too violent. They share laughter and coin for food. They seek out fun and live their lives as best they can, whether it be the odd day out at the arena cheering on their favourite gladiators, winding down at the local baths, or enjoying a drink at their preferred bar. Sometimes this isn’t enough to prevent personal tragedy: Cressa’s suicide is the culmination of years of trauma and grief over her lost son, and Dido’s death is the result of Felix’s meddling in other street gangs, taking the knife meant for him. All they can do to honour their fallen friends is preserve them in their memory. Though competitive jealousy flares up on occasion, they are “the light in the darkness of [their lives]” and validate each other’s humanity in a world that reduces them to sexual objects at best and non-entities at worst.
Adding to the complexities of the characters is Pompeii itself. The incorporation of the real-life Lupanar with its cold, damp cells, hard stone beds, lewd imagery, and dim lighting really drives home how unpleasant this life was and how isolating it could be. Graffiti found etched on the walls of the Lupanar and other buildings in the city are quoted directly and portray a literate society that wanted to make its opinions known on a variety of topics, from who slept with whom, to restaurant reviews, keeping your slaves in line and enjoying them however you wish, and communicating with lovers—the latter which Amara applies to her relationship with Menander, a fellow Greek enslaved at the potter’s shop down the road. In one chapter Amara and Dido attend this elaborate party hosted by a freedman who’s desperately trying to ingratiate himself with several patricians, which is a direct callback to a character in the Satyricon and highlights the unease of the elite acknowledging former slaves as near-equals. Harper takes much from the archaeological and literary sources to immerse the reader in this world, and it’s one of the best attempts I’ve seen at bringing an ancient city and its people to life in historical fiction.
I want to end this with a disclaimer that this book won’t be for everyone. The subject matter is heavy and unflinching in its portrayal of how common slavery was in Ancient Rome and its casual violence towards women of all social classes. It may be triggering for those who’ve experienced sexual assault and/or partner abuse, as one scene between Amara and a customer demonstrates; the upside is that Harper doesn’t go into graphic detail during sex scenes nor focuses on sex any more than is necessary. For myself, I thought it was a well-paced, eloquently written story that celebrated sisterhood in adversity and the lengths we’re willing to go to improve our lot. If that’s your cup of tea, dive right in!
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 Stars
Also at Prose & Cons Reviews.
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated