Reviews tagging 'Death'

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

49 reviews

aformeracceleratedreader's review against another edition

dark sad medium-paced

4.25

I read Jane Eyre in high school and was down for a retelling. Overall really enjoyed this, teared up a little towards the end even. I could've gone with a little less of the romance and a little more of the Evil Eye though. Enjoyed the characters and the setting. Would love to read more from this author.

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Death of parent, and Death

Moderate: Injury/Injury detail, Fire/Fire injury, and Grief

Minor: Alcoholism, Racism, and Colonisation

salemander's review against another edition

4.5

SUCH a good gothic horror novel wow. loved andi so much 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Injury/Injury detail, Body horror, Classism, Death, Abandonment, Alcoholism, and Child abuse

saliwali's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, Grief, Emotional abuse, Blood, Child abuse, Death, and Physical abuse

Moderate: Toxic friendship, Toxic relationship, Abandonment, Addiction, Bullying, Drug abuse, and Gaslighting

jennaniho's review against another edition

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? It's complicated
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was...a ride, to say the least. I was afraid to pick it up because it was promoted (or whispered, more likely) to be an "Ethiopian-inspired Jane Eyre retelling" and I personally don't like Jane Eyre that much. But, when I read that it had ghosts and exorcism in it probably set in the Caribbean, I gave it a chance and I wasn't that disappointed. 

The book is good, but I felt the pace was too slow for my taste. Still, I enjoyed reading it. Andromeda (Andi) became my favorite character. She was a no-bullshit kind of gal, but had the normal insecurities of any late teenager, which made her relatable. She was also honest, and incredibly powerful. Her character reminded me a lot of the Japanese anime series, Witch Hunter Robin, where the main character is also incredibly powerful, but very naive. 

What I didn't like at first was the "romance" between her and Magnus. I felt it was a bit vague and a bit non-consensual. Maybe is because I was seeing him through Andi's eyes. There were moments when their interactions felt a bit bland, but in others you truly felt the connection between them. 

Yet, what I absolutely loved about this book was the mystery surrounding the house and how detailed the author described every important aspect of it. Lauren's writing style made you feel like you were in the dammed place and I remember jumping a bit every now and then whenever a scary or tense scene came on because it kept you on the edge of your seat (or the bed, in my case). You had bleeding walls, sinister manifestations, an abusive father figure, and a deep secret that made you anxious to know about it but didn't want to find out so soon in the book. To this, the author delivered that perfect wait. I also loved the Ethiopian-inspired elements, which gave the story more nuance and color. It is a very dark tale, so these details allowed it to keep the story interesting. 

Within These Wicked Walls was better than I expected. It was what I wanted 'Mexican Gothic', by Silvia Moreno-Garcia to feel like. The story Lauren weaves is unique, nail-biting, and with a killer storyline. I might read it again and probably will comprehend some of the elements I didn't like. But, overall, it is a great book. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Gun violence, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Grief, Child abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Racism, Slavery, and Trafficking

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

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Content Warnings

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

onceuponasillylittlebook's review against another edition

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

• 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

I haven't read or watched Jane Eyre (I know, I know) so I can't comment on how little this story relates to it but on its own it was a fairly enjoyable romance/horror. 

The Ethiopian setting was interesting and learning about what a debtera is and does makes a change from the typical Christian exorcisms although there wasn't much worldbuilding beyond that. 

The romance was cute with some great banter. Lots of introspection and character growth. I love a story where roles are switched and the FL protects and saves the ML. 

The horror elements were scattered throughout and not a major part of the story, nor were there any tense moments or jumps cares, just the slightly spooky atmosphere of a haunted house (I'm quite thick-skinned though so some might find it a bit scarier!). 

Some trigger warnings for physical abuse. 

Worth a read if you like romance and horror! 

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Content Warnings

Minor: Blood, Death, Abandonment, Child abuse, Death of parent, and Physical abuse

notapenguin's review against another edition

dark emotional mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Violence, Emotional abuse, and Confinement

Moderate: Death, Racism, Slavery, and Child abuse

Minor: Body horror, Blood, Death of parent, and Abandonment

alyxbeau's review against another edition

fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Let me start off by saying reading something from another new culture to me (this book is Ethiopian inspired) is wonderful. I love how often I am coming across new cultures in books and being able to learn little snippets of information. However, this book started off with a really exciting idea and then fell completely flat by the end. The premise of cleansing a house of monsters was set up very well-spooky, mysterious. As soon as Magnus, the love interest was introduced, the focus shifted entirely and we saw little to no attempts at cleansing the house that worked, it all happened off page. I did not find the back and forth with immediate caving in after saying she cant be with him any fun at all, it was not a dynamic I appreciated. I had a large problem with the overuse of her one gimmick - the idea of good and bad "survival habits." The first mention was quirky and I thought it was cute. But it was constantly being brought up as a reason for every action she made. It didn't need to be. I genuinely had some issues with how the main character acted most of the time, though possibly realistic based on her age and her upbringing. Speaking of which, do not get me started on Jember. What an abusive horrible man in so many ways. There was constant mention of the way he abused or hurt Andromeda, yet when Andromeda would mention it to Magnus and see how horrified he was she would yell at HIM. Telling him he had no right to be mad at Jember. WHO WOULDNT BE? YOU ARE MAD AT JEMBER. WHY CANT HE BE MAD TOO? WHY DO ONLY YOU HAVE THE RIGHT? Magnus cared about Andromeda, so he was mad at the man who treated her so poorly while he raised a child with no love. He can be mad. Jember was a walking contradiction as well. By the end of the book we see him playing a game that requires touch and we KNOW he cant stand to touch people, Andromeda mentions it every time she thinks about Jember. And its a game that requires A LOT of touch that he used to play with Andromeda too when she was little to pass time. And 

what the hell was up with it being revealed he straight up kidnapped her as a kid? What the actual F***

Anyway I started off really excited and wound up disliking this book quite a bit. I did not see how this was inspired by Jane Eyre, but that didnt bother me at all as I didn't go into the book knowing that was part of its goal. 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death, Suicidal thoughts, and Body horror

Moderate: Child abuse, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse

Minor: Slavery

maregred's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced

• 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

3.0

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent, Body horror, Blood, and Death

Moderate: Toxic relationship, Violence, Child abuse, and Injury/Injury detail

Minor: Colonisation, Sexism, and Racism

icapturethecastle's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• 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

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Death of parent and Blood

Moderate: Death, Death of parent, Blood, and Gore

Minor: Violence, Suicidal thoughts, Slavery, and Racism