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wrensreadingroom's review against another edition
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
fast-paced
5.0
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
toffishay's review against another edition
dark
funny
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- 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
I loved the romance! Love Andromeda and love Magnus! Which is great because their romance is the biggest chunk of the plot, even more than the fantasy so if you don't buy into that then the rest of the book doesn't work. The fantasy elements were fine to me, they kind of fit that zone of generic YA fantasy. I like the haunted house aspect, which is a more interesting kind of story to me than other YA stories that would be more adventure based. It makes the story lean more Gothic, which makes sense because this is a Jane Eyre inspired story. The pacing is annoying and honestly, I didn't really care about the fantasy parts like all the fighting. I predicted some of the end, but that may be a reality of a retelling as well. The relationship between Jember and Andromeda was interesting too and <SPOILER> I liked that there were no easy answers with that one. <END SPOILER> The horror elements are well-done though, like I was really creeped out. Overall, a nice YA story that I could actually revisit again because I loved the romance!
Content Warnings
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
madamenovelist's review against another edition
challenging
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- 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
Content Warnings
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.onemamareads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
Read my full review here: https://onemamassummer.weebly.com/book-reviews/within-these-wicked-walls
Content Warnings
Graphic: Classism, Blood, Murder, Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, and Physical abuse
haylzno's review against another edition
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- 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
I truly loved this story!! My only gripes is that sometimes the dialogue got a tad cringey and I wish we got to know Magnus and Andromeda a bit more. But other than that, I had a blast reading this.
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!
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!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder, Death of parent, and Blood
Moderate: Drug abuse, Grief, Suicidal thoughts, and Child abuse
Minor: Fire/Fire injury and Panic attacks/disorders
stoplickingmeodin's review against another edition
mysterious
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? It's complicated
3.75
Content Warnings
Minor: Murder, Child abuse, and Violence
bekkabergamot's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
4.5
<i>Within These Wicked Walls</i> is the third retelling I have read of <i>Jane Eyre</i> and it has moved all the way up to one of my favorites in that category. I think that Lauren Blackwood made several smart choices in writing her Ethiopian-inspired debut fantasy retelling of <i>Jane Eyre</i>. She kept the gothic elements of the original story and amped them up for this story, the struggle for the reader of witnessing an insta-love scenario where all certainly does not feel right for the leading lady, but she made it her own. Sometimes when I read retellings, I feel like the authors stay to close to the original; this often makes me wonder what the point of the new version is. That is not the case here! Blackwood gives us a fantastical world where curses are real and the main protagonist, “Andromeda is a debtera—an exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye.” Akin to the original story, Andromeda knows that her best chance of survival is through employment at Rochester’s home, and also similar to the original story the book opens with Andi (Andromeda) believing that she is alone in the world due to being thrown out of her home by her adoptive father, Jember.
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.The ending leaves off with Andi realizing her adoptive father did love her in his own traumatized way. She finds herself in a relationship with a young man who proved himself to be proud, egotistical, and self-centered. This echoes the book that inspired it: despite the audience knowing that Mr. Rochester kept his mad wife locked in the attic, once rid of her he marries Jane. Here, Magnus, now rid of his demons, is free to marry Andi.
I give this YA Gothic Fantasy retelling of <i>Jane Eyre</i> 4.5 Stars Rounded Up.
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.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Violence, Murder, and Blood
emily_mh's review against another edition
dark
medium-paced
- 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
I started off LOVING this Jane Eyre retelling. I thought that Blackwood did such a good job at creating Rochester’s desperation in Magnus and the dialogue between Andromeda and Magnus felt as dramatic and devoted as it did in the original. The setting was also really intriguing. However, I liked the book less and less as time went on. There was a lack of context historically and geographically which made it difficult for me to place the book. The romance became the sole focus to the detriment of the more interesting cleansing-the-household plotline. And also the drama in that romance was SO contrived; at some points I didn’t even know what they were disagreeing about. Most importantly, I don’t think it worked well as a Jane Eyre retelling. There was a lack of atmosphere, and also none of the themes of coming-of-age/character development that really makes Jane Eyre stand out to me. Also, the romance in the original is an important part, but not the ONLY part, which is kind of how it ends up in this book. Moreover, I don’t think the toxic relationship between Andromeda and her mentor is given the gravity that it deserved. I also thought that the whole concept of disabilities coming from the attraction of the Evil Eye was super problematic.
I would by no means say this was bad, it just didn’t live up to the expectations it set and instead presented an average, slightly gothic instalove romance. As a side note, I did listen to the audiobook and thought it was okay.
Content Warnings
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 painemmehooks's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
Content Warnings
Graphic: Murder and Child abuse
halfbloodprincess_hogwarts's review against another edition
I have a little over 3 hours left of the audio and am taking myself out of misery by throwing down the towel.
The beginning I felt had potential and it constantly nose dived.
Watching paint dry would be more exciting that this book. The only reason I listened so long was due to the narrator's British accent. I like her voice and it's very therapeutic to listen to. Until I realized that I was daydreaming and no longer really following the story.
I like the premise of Andromeda exercising spirits. But her character is DEEPLY dampening my soul.
The only moment the book captured my attention was during the scene where the room Magnus was sleeping in began to fill with blood.
Every character in this story is a tortured soul and all the characters are toxic. I...just... can't.... anymore!!!!
This book makes my soul tired😩
The beginning I felt had potential and it constantly nose dived.
Watching paint dry would be more exciting that this book. The only reason I listened so long was due to the narrator's British accent. I like her voice and it's very therapeutic to listen to. Until I realized that I was daydreaming and no longer really following the story.
I like the premise of Andromeda exercising spirits. But her character is DEEPLY dampening my soul.
The only moment the book captured my attention was during the scene where the room Magnus was sleeping in began to fill with blood.
Every character in this story is a tortured soul and all the characters are toxic. I...just... can't.... anymore!!!!
This book makes my soul tired😩
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Blood, Violence, Toxic relationship, Physical abuse, Murder, and Emotional abuse