Before I even finished this book, I knew I was going to need the final installment immediately. The House with the Golden Door somehow manages to expand everything that made The Wolf Den so compelling while raising the emotional stakes even higher.

Amara's journey continues to be the heart of this trilogy. Watching her navigate freedom while realizing that escaping the wolf den doesn't mean escaping the systems that control her was incredibly compelling. Her victories never come easily, and every choice she makes feels earned. I loved seeing her grow into someone who is determined to protect the people she cares about, even when it comes at great personal cost.

However, one of the biggest strengths of this series is how alive Pompeii feels. Elodie Harper brings the city to life without overwhelming the story with historical detail. The politics, social hierarchy, and everyday life all feel seamlessly woven into the narrative, making it easy to become completely immersed in the setting. Except we know where the history of Pompeii is headed so that only adds another layer of tension.

The supporting cast is just as memorable as Amara. The friendships, rivalries, and shifting loyalties all felt authentic, and I found myself just as invested in their futures as I was in hers. There were several moments that genuinely surprised me, and more than one scene left me with a knot in my stomach wondering how everything could possibly work out.

The writing is incredibly readable, and despite tackling difficult subjects, the story never felt heavy for the sake of it. There's definitely a great balance between character moments and larger political intrigue, making it difficult to put down.

This has quickly become one of my favourite historical fiction series. I can't wait to see how Amara's story comes to an end.

I absolutely see why many people love Rebecca Ross' writing, however, I really don't think it's for me. I've tried so many of her books at this point and I really wanted to love this one because the atmosphere is undeniably beautiful. Rebecca Ross has a gorgeous writing style, and the island setting felt incredibly vivid. Unfortunately, I never felt like the story lived up to its premise.

The biggest issue for me was the pacing. It moves at such a slow, meandering pace that it felt like very little actually happened for large portions of the book. The mystery surrounding the missing girls should have created a sense of urgency, but instead it often took a backseat to long descriptions and repetitive conversations. I kept waiting for the plot to really take off, and it never quite did.

I also struggled to connect with the characters. Jack and Adaira's relationship didn't hold my attention, and I found several of the emotional moments relied more on poetic prose than genuine chemistry. Even with multiple points of view, I never felt particularly invested in anyone's journey.

The folklore and spirits were easily the most interesting part of the novel, but I wish they had played a larger role. There were glimpses of something darker and more magical, yet the story spent so much time lingering that the fantasy elements never felt as impactful as I'd hoped.

This wasn't a bad book by any means, it just wasn't the right fit for me.