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wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
5.0
Graphic: Alcoholism, Child abuse, Vomit, Body horror, Bullying, Death, Death of parent, Gun violence, Grief, Sexism, Domestic abuse, Physical abuse, Abandonment, Alcohol, Fire/Fire injury, Murder, Suicidal thoughts, Violence, Animal cruelty, Colonisation, Cursing, Gore, Injury/Injury detail, Adult/minor relationship, Blood, Chronic illness, and Emotional abuse
alyxbeau's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.5
Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Body horror
Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
Minor: Slavery
icapturethecastle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.0
Graphic: Death of parent and Blood
Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Blood, and Gore
Minor: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, and Racism
puttingwingsonwords's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
The atmosphere of the ice cold house in the middle of the desert was perfectly creepy. But here I also felt like the horror would have benefited from a little more time to breathe. I guess I like my gothic horror with a little less action and a little more dread. I did love the way warding off the Evil Eye worked with the crafting of amulets, magic as a precise & complex skill.
Overall it was a great book, just a little rushed at times for my taste. It works well as a Jane Eyre retelling, but it also stands on its own. I recommend it if you like YA fantasy and/or romance and gothic horror.
Graphic: Child abuse, Death, Physical abuse, and Blood
Moderate: Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Classism, Death of parent, and Violence
Minor: Alcoholism, Fire/Fire injury, and Suicidal thoughts
toffishay's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
Graphic: Grief, Death of parent, Blood, Gore, Violence, Death, and Emotional abuse
Moderate: Physical abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Child abuse, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, and Body horror
Minor: Sexism, Racism, Trafficking, Infidelity, Gun violence, Misogyny, Religious bigotry, Murder, Sexual violence, Kidnapping, and Fire/Fire injury
erandle's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
Graphic: Blood, Violence, Injury/Injury detail, Gore, Fire/Fire injury, Death, and Body horror
Moderate: Mental illness, Physical abuse, Suicidal thoughts, Abandonment, Death of parent, Drug abuse, Drug use, and Emotional abuse
Minor: Colonisation, Death of parent, Suicide, Addiction, and Bullying
haylzno's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
The perfect October read (I mean, seriously. Haunted house? Super evil demonic forces? Say less)
I loved the pacing of this book, I was never bored and the banter between Andi and Magnus was just perfect.
This will absolutely be one I re-read over and over again!
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Child abuse
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders
rorikae's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
Andromeda is a debtera, an exorcist who crafts amulets to ward off spirits attached to the Evil Eye. For one of her assignments, she enters the employ of the charming Magnus Rochester. His house is home to some of the more disturbing manifestations that Andromeda has encountered and it will take her full background of knowledge to attempt to cleanse it. As she works to unravel the hold that the manifestations have, she is drawn closer and closer to Rochester.
'Within These Wicked Walls' has incredible atmosphere. Blackwood creates a truly disturbing house with arms extending out of walls and the impression of hundreds of rats at the end of the corridor. This was my favorite aspect as I was quickly immersed in the feeling of the house and understood Andromeda's quest to get rid of the manifestations. Andromeda is a compelling character that I came to care for quickly. Her determination paired with her magical abilities create an engaging heroine that is easy to root for. My one big sticking point with this story is the romance. It happens quickly and then for a third of the book it feels like Andromeda is thinking more about her feelings than the disturbing house she is living in. That felt unrealistic and the instant attraction between her and Rochester was aggravating. I think this story would have benefited from leaning more into the horror than the romance, especially halfway through. Blackwood's gift with atmosphere is exquisite though and does keep my interest in picking up another book of theirs in the future.
Moderate: Blood, Death, Death of parent, Violence, Body horror, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Toxic relationship
chronicacademia's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
Moderate: Ableism, Death of parent, Suicidal thoughts, and Death
clea's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
But the heavy focus on the romance made me lose interest (I'm not a big fan of the insta-love trope) and overshadowed the more compelling storylines and characters.
I liked the haunted atmosphere Blackwood created and the action scenes were fun.
Although the novel tackled a lot of heavy topics, it didn't leave an impression on me. But as I have not read Jane Eyre, I possibly missed some underlying nuances and deeper meaning.
Overall, it was an entertaining read with complex characters.
If you are looking for a romance taking place within a creepy/gothic atmosphere and you like YA fantasy, I think you will adore this book !
Graphic: Death of parent, Death, Blood, and Child abuse
Moderate: Suicidal thoughts and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Colonisation, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, and Slavery