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heidi_fischer's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
Graphic: Trafficking, Suicide attempt, Slavery, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Sexism, Rape, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Kidnapping, Suicide, Sexual violence, Pedophilia, and Murder
Moderate: Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Body shaming, Bullying, Child abuse, Child death, Classism, Cursing, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Infidelity, Kidnapping, and Murder
secre's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
It is without a doubt an uncomfortable read. The author doesn't shy away from the grim realities of being a sex slave in early Pompeii. The 'she-wolves' have little freedom and certainly no ability to pick and choose their 'customers'. The risks of disease and pregnancy are high. And yet Harper writes them well as a close group despite the jealousies and rivalries between them. There is a genuine bond between the girls. Whilst the narrative follows Amara primarily, the other girls are just as fully dimensional and well realised.
The world of ancient Pompeii is just as vividly imagined, coming to life around you, from the descriptions of daily life to important festivals and all the men and women Amara comes across for good or for bad. The narrative moves slowly, allowing the reader to fully invest in the characters and the life they live, but twists and turns in unexpected directions, forever keeping you on your toes. I'm intrigued to see where it goes next, particularly as it's set only five years before the devastating Pompeii volcanic eruption that obliterated life in the region.
All in all, an excellent read and one that will stay with me for some time to come.
Many thanks to NetGalley and the publishers for my free review copy of this title.
Graphic: Sexual violence, Suicide, and Slavery
Moderate: Abortion
laurak483's review against another edition
- 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
3.0
It's a powerful story about the female experience, the inherent dangers of living as a woman or marginalized person in general, and how the cycle of abuse perpetuates itself. I really feel like intense acts that happened in the final chapters were set up purely to turn this from a standalone novel into the trilogy the author wanted, and I personally think that's a mistake. I think this book was so heavy so much of the time, I would personally have enjoyed it more if we got the more uplifting part of the ending we as readers were hoping for without the violent events that will clearly be the focus of the next book (trying to talk about it without spoilers).
For the first time in a long time, I think this is a series I won't be continuing. Not because it isn't well written, I enjoyed the author's writing style. Just because it is a rather hard read, and I am honestly not invested enough in seeing more of these characters for the apparent plot point the next book(s) will tackle. The biggest strength this book has, and the thing that really was apparent and stuck out to me the most, is it's also an ode to the resilience of women. Between reading this book and listening to the song "Labour" by Paris Paloma on repeat, I am overly filled with ancestral feminine rage and I definitely need a palette cleanser after this.
Graphic: Slavery, Rape, Suicide, and Sexual assault
Moderate: Pregnancy
kmami's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Slavery, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Rape, Misogyny, Trafficking, and Sexual content
Moderate: Physical abuse, Toxic relationship, Pregnancy, Murder, Abandonment, Suicide, Violence, Abortion, and Torture
ginnyb412's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Graphic: Sexual content, Slavery, and Suicide
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Pedophilia
carmentxx's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Death, Blood, Slavery, Child death, Body horror, Rape, Sexual assault, Trafficking, Physical abuse, Racism, Murder, Medical content, Suicide, Racial slurs, Grief, Emotional abuse, and Colonisation
catell's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Graphic: Murder, Death, Blood, Suicide, Bullying, Toxic relationship, Sexual harassment, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Sexism, Infidelity, Grief, Misogyny, Gaslighting, Domestic abuse, Abortion, Rape, Child death, Violence, Trafficking, Body shaming, Suicide attempt, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, Classism, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Toxic friendship, Sexual violence, Sexual content, and Sexual assault
libkatem's review against another edition
4.0
Graphic: Domestic abuse, Abortion, Violence, Death, Adult/minor relationship, Slavery, Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Rape, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Child abuse, Sexual content, Misogyny, and Suicide
caelfind's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Graphic: Misogyny, Trafficking, Sexism, Slavery, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Physical abuse, Bullying, Violence, Rape, and Suicide
Minor: Pregnancy, Death, and Child abuse
cc_tay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.25
Graphic: Sexual content, Murder, Rape, Trafficking, Pedophilia, Misogyny, Grief, Abortion, Toxic friendship, Sexual assault, Violence, Suicide, Slavery, Kidnapping, Fatphobia, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Sexism, Emotional abuse, Colonisation, Child abuse, Blood, and Alcoholism