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madamenovelist's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
Graphic: Child abuse, Body horror, Death, Death of parent, Domestic abuse, Sexism, Violence, Murder, Mental illness, Fire/Fire injury, Emotional abuse, Injury/Injury detail, Alcoholism, Alcohol, Addiction, Abandonment, Blood, Gore, Grief, and Confinement
Minor: Trafficking
There is a brief mention of a child being rescued from sex trafficking. The emotional/physical abuse, blood, gore, and violence are all very graphic. Not for the sensitive.stardust_heidi'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? Yes
4.0
The story was interesting but again, I had a difficult time following at times due to the narration. I might give it another go in another format sometime.
The romance was….meh. I mean, I guess it was fine, but it was clearly built off trauma and that’s not really the most solid setting for a budding romance.
Graphic: Blood, Panic attacks/disorders, and Violence
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
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
amandadevoursbooks's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
The story was a quick, thrilling read. The relationships are messy. The cross the tracks, employee/employer relationship was what I expect from YA. The silly banter for the ages of the characters
The resolution of the child abuse story arc
The relationship
I'd recommend reading this book with a critical eye and enjoying the story for what it is: a thrilling novel with a love story.
Graphic: Blood and Violence
Moderate: Child abuse, Classism, and Death
Minor: Domestic abuse
frantically's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.75
Graphic: Violence, Chronic illness, Death, and Abandonment
Moderate: Physical abuse, Emotional abuse, Death of parent, and Classism
Minor: Trafficking and Grief
natashaleighton_'s review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Graphic: Violence, Blood, and Death
Moderate: Child abuse, Physical abuse, and Body horror
Minor: Slavery, Trafficking, and Racism
stoplickingmeodin's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
3.75
Minor: Murder, Child abuse, and Violence
bekkabergamot's review against another edition
4.5
Because this is a Young Adult novel, I thought that it was wise that the curse was passed down to Magnus Rochester from his father. The curse itself is horrific with the house manifesting disturbing aspects of gore and monstrous dwellers. I would rate this in the middle for spooky level: if someone is sensitive to stories about murder or hauntings this might not be the book for them, but I also would not call this book flat out nightmarish horror. Magnus is a spoiled brat and I found him at times likable and most other times exceedingly revolting due to this fact. However, this too mirrors the aristocratic Rochester falling for the working girl in his employ from the original story.
I listened to the book as an audiobook and found the narrator to brilliantly convey the captivating tale. I rooted for Andi throughout it and found the ending haunting in its own way.
I give this YA Gothic Fantasy retelling of <i>Jane Eyre</i> 4.5 Stars Rounded Up.
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Blood
emily_mh's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
Graphic: Blood, Death, Murder, and Death of parent
Moderate: Violence, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Domestic abuse, Emotional abuse, Fire/Fire injury, and Ableism
Minor: Sexual harassment, Abandonment, Confinement, Suicidal thoughts, Colonisation, Gun violence, Racism, Drug use, Mental illness, Slavery, War, Excrement, Rape, Pedophilia, and Suicide
Menstruation, drowning, chronic pain