by Elodie Harper
Published : 12th May 2022
Publisher : Head Of Zeus
Format : Kindle, Audio, Hardback, Paperback
Genre : Historical Fiction
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Synopsis
Freed from Pompeii's brothel. Owned as a courtesan. Determined to have revenge. Her name is Amara. What will she risk for power?
Amara has escaped her life as a slave in Pompeii's most notorious brothel. She now has a house, fine clothes, servants ā but all of these are gifts from her patron, hers for as long as she keeps her place in his affections.
As she adjusts to this new life, Amara is still haunted by her past. At night she dreams of the wolf den, and the women she left behind. By day, she is pursued by her former slavemaster.
In order to be truly free, she will need to be as ruthless as he is.
Amara knows she can draw strength from Venus, the goddess of love. Yet falling in love herself may prove to be her downfall.
My Review
The House With The Golden Door is the second book in this fantastic trilogy that tells us the lives of women who have long been overlooked and not allowed a voice.
Iāll quickly say that I loved The Wolf Den, it was such a great immersive read that the expectations for the second were high!
Not only were my expectations met but they were far surpassed, Amara is back and living life as a freedwoman, happy with her patron Rufus but not all is as it seems and when secrets are revealed Amara constantly feels that undercurrent of fear of the unknown, of not remaining free.
I loved her relationship with her previous friends Britannica and Victoria from the brothel and felt her love come across in Elodieās writing for Amara's desperation to free her fellow she-wolves.
Without realising whatās happening Amara falls for someone she shouldnāt fall for, they can never be together in public and if discovered her freedom would be under threat but that doesnāt stop what the heart wants and Amara builds a secret life with this man, content in their hidden home but she is deceived by a friend and Amara finds her self trying to out with Felix yet again.
Once again Amara is surrounded by drama, desperately trying to live a happy free life but having to deceive and haggle her way every day.
Britannica had to be my favourite character, I love Amara and her strong determination to never give up but Britannica is just so unique that she could have a story all of her own!
Towards the end I found myself questioning whether I would have made the choice that Amara chose to make, wondering if I could leave everything behind but this just raised my expectations for the third book as knowing Amaraās character she will come back better than when she left! Thatās the hope anyway.
Why I Loved It
The vivid description that Elodie uses to describe the streets of Pompeii, the festivals in which slaves worship and the intricate artwork of paintings on the walls in her garden allowed me to truly imagine myself there.
This story is evocative, dramatic, rich in historical detail and full of unforgettable characters.
Thank you @headofzeus for this Blogspot and beautiful copy āØ
Rating
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Purchase Here
Other books by this author
The Wolf Den ( book one )
purchase Here
I hope you enjoyed reading my thoughts on this review, if you have read this book why not drop me a line telling me your thoughts?
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