A review by nic_readsbooks
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper

dark emotional sad medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

Let me tell you, I have binge read the Wolf Den trilogy this month. I’ve always been a little unsure of whether I would like books set it Ancient Rome as it wasn’t really an area of history that I was particularly interested in however I had heard such good things about this series that when the opportunity came up to read the final instalment in the series I took it as a sign that I needed to give the whole series a go.

This series was such an engaging and interesting read.

Set in Ancient Rome focusing on telling the stories of the women who have been overlooked, this final instalment continues the story of Amara who is a courtesan in Rome, she is caught up in political schemes and drawn into the lives of those around her. Her daughter lives far away in Pompeii but this is the year Mount Vesuvius is about to erupt.

The Temple of Fortuna was such a good conclusion to this series, full of political intrigue and action. 

The characters are well written and Elodie Harper really brings them to life in a way that helps you to feel you really know them. With Amara in particular, the skill with which the author develops her character across the series from humble beginnings to where she is now, is so well done. 

The real life events interwoven with the plot made this book all the more powerful, you knew the tragedy that was about to unfold and this made the book a good but often emotional read as you prepare to say goodbye to the characters we have known and love. 

The eruption of Mount Vesuvius in particular was written in such a way that I had a visceral reaction to the experience of Amara and her family.

This was a wonderful series and I am so pleased I challenged myself to give it a go