The House With The Golden Door is the second book in @elodielharper magnificent Wolf Den trilogy. The author re-imagines life in Pompeii but gives the women of the story all of her focus and their own, very important voice. If you haven’t read The Wolf Den, please do, it’s a fantastic account of a brothel that actually existed (and you can still visit) and we get to know women that were enslaved or worked at the brothel and what life was like for them in such a precarious and unpredictable world. Mostly we focus on our female lead, Amara. She was previously a doctor’s daughter but when her father died, she was sold into slavery. At the beginning of this novel, she finds herself in a very different situation which on the surface, looks as if her life has improved but dig a little deeper and we find that her life is still quite dangerous and unstable depending on the decisions that she chooses to make. I love Amara as a character. She’s wise beyond her years, determined and intelligent. She’s learned a lot since the end of the last novel and through some traumatic circumstances that have led to the loss of those precious to her. However, the metaphorical road that she chooses to travel in THWTGD has the potential to change her life as she knows it forever. There’s some fantastic characterisation in this series - as well as Amara we also learn more about Britannica (who I’ve got a soft spot for and who continues to intrigue me!). There are several returning characters, many with such strong personalities from The Wolf Den which on one hand, feels familiar and safe and on the other hand opens up the story in a villainous, more frightening manner. And that ending? I cannot WAIT for the final book in the series! Thank you so much to @sandladysbooks for buddy reading this with me! Four solid stars 🌟 🌟 🌟 🌟 #bookstagram #scottishbookstagrammer #buddyreadswithcath #thehousewiththegoldendoor #elodieharper #wolfdentrilogy #theancientworld #favouriteseries❤️ #favouritetrilogies #enslavedwomen #readingwithmyfriends #womenledfiction #secondbookinatrilogy #readthisseriesyouwontbedisappointed https://www.instagram.com/p/ChaMH87rlPU/?igshid=NGJjMDIxMWI=