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blueheure's review against another edition
dark
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
I really struggled to finish this book. I was really excited to read a story set in Pompeii, I thought that was a pretty unique setting especially as the story doesn’t revolve around (or mention at all) the eruption of Vesuvius. I really liked the authors choice to include quotes from graffiti found in Pompeii but I also kind of felt like that was the only piece of Pompeiian culture included in the book.. period. If the city’s name wasn’t mentioned throughout the book it could have taken place anywhere; and in a nearly 500 page book I feel like there could have been a little bit of detail about the city. Not only is this book long, but it’s slow (so slow). When I was about 70% of the way through I was still kind of wondering what the plot was because the whole book just reads like a day in the life of a prostitute in Pompeii, it isn’t until probably the last 10% of the book that anything starts happening.
I loved the relationship between the women, I think it was probably the most tangible thing in the book, but I really struggled to care about the women individually. There aren’t a lot of characters, but there are enough (that we spend almost every page with) that there wasn’t enough space for all of them. There are main characters that feel like background characters because you learn one thing about them and then they’re just kind of there to interact with the protagonist, and then there are more brought in that you learn even less about and they felt completely pointless. I thought the backgrounds of the characters were really interesting and I really would have liked to see more done with that information.
[Minor spoilers warning - no details]
My biggest problem though was with the ending. It’s rushed. Like running through the airport with one shoe barely hanging on your foot and the other in your hand because security took too long and you’re about to miss your flight rushed. It starts and ends in about 11 pages. Something big happens and there’s no wind down, no resolution, the characters don’t even process it. It happens, it’s over, it’s mentioned and then the book is over. I really wanted to like this book but I’m left feeling bored and unsatisfied much like the women in the story.
I loved the relationship between the women, I think it was probably the most tangible thing in the book, but I really struggled to care about the women individually. There aren’t a lot of characters, but there are enough (that we spend almost every page with) that there wasn’t enough space for all of them. There are main characters that feel like background characters because you learn one thing about them and then they’re just kind of there to interact with the protagonist, and then there are more brought in that you learn even less about and they felt completely pointless. I thought the backgrounds of the characters were really interesting and I really would have liked to see more done with that information.
[Minor spoilers warning - no details]
My biggest problem though was with the ending. It’s rushed. Like running through the airport with one shoe barely hanging on your foot and the other in your hand because security took too long and you’re about to miss your flight rushed. It starts and ends in about 11 pages. Something big happens and there’s no wind down, no resolution, the characters don’t even process it. It happens, it’s over, it’s mentioned and then the book is over. I really wanted to like this book but I’m left feeling bored and unsatisfied much like the women in the story.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexism, Death, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide, Slavery, Rape, Pregnancy, Misogyny, Kidnapping, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Alcohol, Body shaming, and Pedophilia
jamieleepilk's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
Thank you so much to Head of Zeus for providing me with a proof.
UK Release 13/5/21.
"The pain is physical in its ferocity, she cannot bear to look back. 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?"
I'm a sucker for anything even slightly related to Greek mythology! So when I saw this beauty of a book cover all over my social medias I knew I needed to read it as soon as humanly possible and my gods it did not disappoint! Incredible characters, dark & gripping story I couldn't read this fast enough.
The Wolf Den follows Amara, a slave working in an infamous brothel in Pompeii. Amara is incredible and from line one you adore her. Her strength and courage that she's had to build up and protect herself and her heart from the dark realities of her new life. Her voice is so strong and hopeful it's honestly inspiring.
This is one of those books where you are crying one minute and then the next you are cheering on these women! The heartfelt moments between the women in the brothel are so heart-wrenchingly beautiful and such a shining light in such a dark story.
Elodie's writing is so elegant and yet some how gritty and raw in equal measure, the story flows so well and is paced perfectly.
I can't wait until this book is out in the wild in a few weeks so I can recommend it to every-one who sets a foot through the door of the shop. I will not shut up about how good this was.
I'm so excited about this book and what comes next.
UK Release 13/5/21.
"The pain is physical in its ferocity, she cannot bear to look back. 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?"
I'm a sucker for anything even slightly related to Greek mythology! So when I saw this beauty of a book cover all over my social medias I knew I needed to read it as soon as humanly possible and my gods it did not disappoint! Incredible characters, dark & gripping story I couldn't read this fast enough.
The Wolf Den follows Amara, a slave working in an infamous brothel in Pompeii. Amara is incredible and from line one you adore her. Her strength and courage that she's had to build up and protect herself and her heart from the dark realities of her new life. Her voice is so strong and hopeful it's honestly inspiring.
This is one of those books where you are crying one minute and then the next you are cheering on these women! The heartfelt moments between the women in the brothel are so heart-wrenchingly beautiful and such a shining light in such a dark story.
Elodie's writing is so elegant and yet some how gritty and raw in equal measure, the story flows so well and is paced perfectly.
I can't wait until this book is out in the wild in a few weeks so I can recommend it to every-one who sets a foot through the door of the shop. I will not shut up about how good this was.
I'm so excited about this book and what comes next.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death of parent, Emotional abuse, Grief, Panic attacks/disorders, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexism, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Slavery, Toxic relationship, and Violence
Moderate: Abortion
Minor: Adult/minor relationship, Vomit, and Pregnancy
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