WW2 Historical Fiction at its very best – SPAIN and GERMANY
Last in the ‘Wolf Den’ Trilogy set in POMPEII
28th November 2023
The Temple of Fortuna by Elodie Harper, last in the Wolf Den Trilogy set in POMPEII.
‘The Temple of Fortuna brings to a successful conclusion a series that conjures up the ancient Roman world in vivid detail’ Nick Rennison, Sunday Times 19.11.23.
The year is AD79 and the book opens with Amara living in Rome with her patron Demetrius, where she is caught up in the political scheming of the time. Her life is one of riches and comfort, a stark contrast to her earlier years when she was working in the Wolf Den, the brothel, in Pompeii, run by the machiavellian and deeply unpleasant Felix.
She returns to Pompeii to see her young daughter, who is being cared for by her former lover and father of the child, a young man for whom she still cares deeply. But given the mores and machinations of the period, she is due to marry her patron, a fairly cool man when it comes to a relationship but someone who is good enough to her.
Once back in Pompeii there are already ominous tremors, a portent to the eruption that we know will come. She reacquaints herself with her former lover, her daughter and other friends and is pleased to connect once again with Britannica, the gladiatrix whom she sponsors. And then Vesuvius starts to erupt, the darkness of the volcanic cloud descends and ash and molten rock spur the residents to either hunker down in their buildings or to flee, seeing them escape to Surrentum and Neapolis.
This is a well-paced novel that truly transports the reader back to the time and place. There are wonderful details included from the era: from nail painting and malachite eye shadow; descriptions of the funeral rites of an emperor, when an eagle is released taking the emperor’s soul to pastures new. This makes for a stunning conclusion to the series and can be read as a standalone, although the whole story of Amara might be richer if read in sequence. This is definitely a series to read in preparation for a visit to Pompeii, where you can see the actual wolf den featured in the stories and explore the streets that Amara might have walked…. all the while imagining the daily life that went on in the town, the fast food stands, the debates in the forum, the oil candles burning at night time. It really brings that period to full and colourful life.
A very good read. Recommended.
Tina for the Tripfiction Team
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