The Temple of Fortuna is a historical fiction novel by Elodie Harper. It’s the third and final novel in the bestselling Wolf Den trilogy.
I’ve really enjoyed reading the Wolf Den books based in Pompeii and I was intrigued to see how the eruption of Vesuvius would be handled in the final novel. I was also hoping for a positive outcome for the characters I’d come to care about.
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Amara’s journey has taken her from a humble slave in Pompeii’s brothel to a powerful courtesan in Rome, where she achieves freedom, wealth, and influence. Despite her newfound life, the pull of her past remains strong.
Engaged in the political intrigues of the Imperial palace, Amara grapples with the reality that her daughter is in Pompeii, raised by the man she truly loves. While she yearns for her family, Amara believes their safety lies in her distance. Although, perhaps with enough cunning and courage, she will manage to turn Fortuna’s wheel in their favour.
But the year is ad 79, and Mount Vesuvius is preparing to make itself known…
The Temple of Fortuna Book Review
I really enjoyed this books and found it to be a brilliant conclusion to the series.
Elodie Harper proves once again that she is a masterful storyteller. I love her ability to bring history to life as I could vividly imagine the gritty streets of Pompeii contrasted with the more luxurious surroundings of Rome.
The story had such a strong sense of place. Having visited Pompeii myself, I couldn’t help but admire Elodie Harper’s meticulous research and commitment to detail. The narrative seamlessly weaves in references to well-known archaeological artifacts and historical figures such as Pliny the Elder, which added an extra layer of authenticity to the narrative. At times, I found myself forgetting that Amara wasn’t an actual historical figure as the the lines between fiction and reality were so blurred.
I didn’t enjoy the scenes set in Rome quite as much as those set in Pompeii, perhaps because I missed the original Pompeiian characters. I was therefore glad when Amara returned to the city and reunited with some of her old friends (and foes).
Elodie Harper skilfully builds tension with each earthquake and tremor, creating a palpable sense of foreboding as the inevitable eruption of Vesuvius looms over the story. The impending catastrophe adds a gripping layer to the plot and I could feel my heart pounding at the climax of the story.
One of the highlights for me was witnessing the progression of Amara’s character throughout the series. Her growing confidence, boldness, and the sacrifices she made for her loved ones made her a compelling protagonist.
I appreciated how the author successfully tied up all loose ends, providing a satisfying conclusion while still leaving the door open for the story to be revisited in the future.
I’ll definitely be excited to read what Elodie Harper writes next.
What to read next
If you’ve read The Temple of Fortuna, I’m assuming you’ve already read the other books in the trilogy.
For books with a similar feel to them, I’d recommend Circe by Madeline Miller and The Silence of the Girls by Pat Barker. Although they are set in Ancient Greece rather than Pompeii, they’re also gripping feminist stories.
