A review by silver_valkyrie_reads
Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

adventurous dark 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

4.25

 I can be a bit hard on retellings of Jane Eyre because I love it the original so much, but this one hit a great balance of sticking with the familiar structure while making the world and characters totally fresh. A very enjoyable read, and one of several books that have surprised me with having some amount of Christian worldview despite not being 'Christian fiction' per se, and I'm loving that!

 I do feel like I should address the way the abusive relationship in this book is handled. For me, it came across as 'people are complicated' in a Saving Mr Banks kind of way that I really appreciated. It is possible to extend undeserved love and forgiveness, and understand why a person behaved unacceptably, without excusing the unacceptable behavior. That said, while I was able to take the story in that light, I also think the author could have done a better job presenting all sides of that complexity in the ending of the story. Because of that, I would be hesitant to recommend this book to either people who take abuse and trauma too lightly already, or to people who are struggling because of past abusive situations.
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