Reviews tagging 'Kidnapping'

The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper

27 reviews

amandasbookreview's review against another edition

challenging dark emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

 

Thank you, Elodie Harper, NetGalley, and Union Square & Co. for the opportunity to read this book!

“Either we choose to stay alive, or we give up. And if it’s living we choose, then we do whatever it takes.”

THE WOLF DEN

I spent the past three days reading The Wolf Den by Elodie Harper. I have wanted to read it sooner but work has kept me from diving in. I am so glad I finally found time to read this book. It took me back to Pompeii in 74 CE. Amara was once a physician’s daughter. But after his death, the debts were high and she was sold as a slave and now is forced to work as a prostitute at one of Pompeii’s most infamous brothels. Survival is their focus and Amara is determined to one day be free. She will use her wit and allure to free herself and support the women around her.

But first. Trigger Warnings: slavery, abuse, sexual assault, rape, child loss, miscarriage, suicide

This is NOT an easy book to read and it is not meant for everyone. Years ago, I went to the natural history museum that had a Pompeii exhibit on display. They displayed the casts of the victims who were killed in the eruption of Mount Vesuvius in 79 CE. They also showed some fresco paintings from the Lupanar. So it was fascinating to read about this history that took place almost 2,000 years ago. The author does a fantastic job at bringing these fictional characters to life and making them feel real. The characters all come from different backgrounds and have been forced into horrors that many cannot even imagine. They all have different reactions to these horrors. Some give up, some fight, some push their emotions away… but all their feelings are valid, no matter how different. It shows that there are many ways to react to trauma.

I cannot wait to see what is in store for Amara in the next book. Her world is changing and will no doubt find a way to fight her way to a freedwoman with independence. She has already met some historical figures such as Pliny the Elder. Another interesting thing is that the fatal eruption is only 5 years away. So there is still so much historical content to be explored. In a time where women are considered to be chattel, it is inspiring to watch them come up with their own ways to survive and support each other. I rate this book 5 out of 5 stars. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Drug abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Child abuse, Miscarriage, Murder, Rape, Self harm, Kidnapping, Death, Injury/Injury detail, Slavery, Body horror, Child death, Classism, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual violence, Suicide, and Grief

lydiamaevee's review against another edition

dark emotional medium-paced

• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, Physical abuse, and Emotional abuse

Moderate: Suicide, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Grief, Death, Confinement, and Blood

Minor: Abortion

banlocan's review against another edition

dark emotional reflective sad tense slow-paced

• 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

4.25

While the subject matter of the book makes it anything but a light read, Harper guides the reader through an unforgiving world so often overlooked or silenced. If you are looking for a slow burn read that will completely wreck you by the end then this is what you want to add to your tbr. Wonderful world building without feeling like it was an info dump the world of ancient Pompeii and the Wolfs Den come to life in a way that is obtainable and visceral. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Alcoholism, Blood, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Gaslighting, Grief, Violence, Trafficking, Suicide, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Pregnancy, Physical abuse, Medical trauma, Kidnapping, Injury/Injury detail, and Slavery

Moderate: Abandonment, Confinement, Death, Domestic abuse, Rape, Sexual content, and Toxic relationship

miaaa_lenaaa's review against another edition

3.75

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Child abuse, Death of parent, Racism, Sexism, Alcohol, Child death, Colonisation, Fatphobia, Grief, Body shaming, Toxic relationship, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, Abortion, Cursing, Death, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Kidnapping, Misogyny, Murder, Pedophilia, Physical abuse, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Miscarriage, Pregnancy, Sexual violence, Slavery, and Suicide

lucyselim's review against another edition

dark emotional informative sad tense 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? Yes

4.5

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body shaming, Confinement, Cursing, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Forced institutionalization, Gaslighting, Hate crime, Infidelity, Misogyny, Sexual violence, Slavery, Suicide, and Trafficking

Moderate: Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Alcohol, Child abuse, Colonisation, Death of parent, Grief, Kidnapping, Medical content, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexism, Sexual violence, Sexual harassment, Sexual content, Sexual assault, Toxic relationship, and Violence

macca's review against another edition

challenging emotional medium-paced

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

3.25

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Alcohol, Body shaming, Blood, Child death, Death, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Physical abuse, Pregnancy, Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual content, Sexual harassment, Sexual violence, Slavery, Stalking, Suicidal thoughts, Suicide, Suicide attempt, Trafficking, and Violence

Moderate: Abandonment, Abortion, Adult/minor relationship, Bullying, Child death, Confinement, Cursing, Fire/Fire injury, Gaslighting, Grief, Kidnapping, Murder, Self harm, Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, and Vomit

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. 

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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