Reviews tagging 'Murder'

The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

87 reviews

sofiadanielle's review

challenging dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

It’s a difficult read to get through, not because the story isn’t interesting or the writing is bad.. But the subject matter is heavy. The every day life of these characters feels so especially heavy, that it was hard for me to get through the first half. 

However, having finished, I’m in better spirits about the second novel, to continue Amara’s story and see how everything else unfolds. I think I still need a rest from the heavy content, though, frankly, and will probably read something a bit more lighthearted before continuing the series. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Rape, Suicide, Sexual assault, Slavery, and Violence

Moderate: Physical abuse, Abortion, and Murder

withlivjones's review

dark emotional 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? No

4.75

What a start to what I’m sure will be  a stellar trilogy! I initially wasn’t sure that this book would be my thing, but my am I glad to be wrong! 

Elodie Harper does a fantastic job of conjuring up ancient Pompeii, from the lavish parties of high society to the desperation of its poorest inhabitants. The setting is so vivid and exciting and draws you right into the plot. 

Amara is a brilliantly-written protagonist, with a certain amount of complexity and morally-greyness to her that makes her point of view so compelling. Her main priority is protecting herself, but she is forced to question how much she is willing to lose in order to gain some power: her morals? her dignity? friends and first loves? 

There are so many other characters who are very well-written as well, from the loveable to the absolutely terrible excuses for a human being (*cough*felix*cough*). The female characters in particular are more diverse than most books I’ve read, and the complex relationships between them show both female solidarity and rivalry in a society where women have no power. 

I loved this book and I cannot wait to read the next instalment in the trilogy! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Blood, Death, Grief, Murder, Sexual violence, Misogyny, Physical abuse, Slavery, Sexual content, and Suicide

Moderate: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Trafficking, and Classism

anitaforthewin's review

dark emotional hopeful 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

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual violence, Sexual assault, and Murder

burnourhistory's review against another edition

dark slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Violence, Rape, Slavery, Trafficking, Suicide, Murder, and Grief

Moderate: Death, Abortion, and Alcoholism

kcbookshelf's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

4.75

Heartbreakingly open depiction of times in ancient Pompeii. A story of pain, greed, loss and yet somehow a slither of hope remains.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Suicide, Child abuse, Slavery, Sexual violence, Murder, Emotional abuse, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Grief, Abortion, Domestic abuse, and Child death

fe_aye's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.0

This book is a great insight to the life of slaves in Pompeii and the friendships of women in those times. The characters are wonderful and real and every single one is complex with their own independent things going on and following each of them throughout this story was amazing to see. I loved the relationships and the characters and the way they interacted. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Sexual harassment, Cursing, Vomit, Murder, Grief, Misogyny, Sexism, Slavery, Sexual violence, Death, Toxic relationship, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Trafficking, Classism, Alcohol, Confinement, and Death of parent

meg_sc's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional reflective slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.5

The ending of this book had me reeling. I was a bit cautious about reading historical fiction from an era that I know so much about, but I thought this book did it brilliantly. Harper does a wonderful job of humanising the often overlooked enslaved people of the Roman world, and I feel like this book is paced so well. 
Definitely one to heed the warnings for if you're sensitive to the themes of the book, but if you're thinking about picking it up I recommend it! 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Suicide, Sexual content, Sexism, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Sexual assault, Slavery, Grief, Death, Trafficking, Murder, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Xenophobia, Child abuse, Pregnancy, Pedophilia, Alcoholism, Alcohol, and Abortion

alyssa_simard's review against another edition

challenging emotional reflective medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Murder, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Sexual violence, Violence, Sexism, Sexual harassment, Misogyny, and Slavery

racheleanne06's review against another edition

dark emotional sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Pompeii comes to life in this harrowing tale of slavery and womanhood in AD 74. It’s a about love, friendship and doing what it takes to survive in this harsh unforgiving world.

I visited Pompeii last summer and every piece of what I saw there came to life in this book. From the food, and people, to the ancient celebrations and the cultures, you feel like you are there, in the city with the Wolf Den girls back in AD 74.

The plot is very character focused, but you really care for Amara and the other girls despite their flaws, and this world they are inhabiting is so full of terror and horrors that you can’t help but plead with the gods and goddesses that they survive the ordeals they are subjected to. 

If you enjoy historical fiction and learning about the ancient worlds, then this book is for you. Perfect for fans of Madeline Miller and Philippa Gregory. Just don’t expect perfect happy endings.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, Grief, Murder, Physical abuse, Trafficking, and Sexual harassment

Moderate: Child abuse, Alcoholism, Emotional abuse, Abandonment, Abortion, and Death

Minor: Vomit

m_a_r_i_a_m's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative sad tense slow-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? It's complicated

4.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Murder, Sexual assault, Adult/minor relationship, Grief, Physical abuse, Sexual harassment, Trafficking, Slavery, and Suicide

Moderate: Abandonment, Sexism, Pregnancy, Rape, Alcohol, Toxic relationship, Cursing, Abortion, and Sexual content

Minor: Body shaming