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A review by bekkabergamot
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood
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