Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls is a beautifully gothic subversion of Charlotte Bronte’s Jane Eyre. In many ways, Lockwood’s Andromeda is put into situations that are the inversion of Bronte’s Jane. And, yet, she ends up in the same place. Andromeda is employed by Mr. Rochester at Thornfield as an exorcist, just like her remote, abusive mentor. Once she begins working, her relationship with Magnus Rochester goes from combative to intimate the more they spend time together and encounter the manifestations of evil in the house. Being that both characters were terribly awkward and neglected in some way, their courtship unfurls like a tentative slow dance between pubescent teens.

Lockwood’s language expresses every aspect of their relationship with the same care and exactitude as she does the moments of horror and sorrow that occur in the house. Her writing, more than anything outside of the names associated with Thornfield is the most reminiscent of Bronte. The tone, the imagery, the word choices all harken back to the true Romantics.

“Knowing him was like encountering the beauty of a snake: feared and misunderstood, through no fault of his own. Slender almost delicate looking, but with undeniable strength beneath the surface. Frightened, hiding, and lashing out in turns.”

The way Andromeda sees Magnus is the best example of Lockwood’s ability to romanticize. Magnus cries. He’s betrothed. He’s almost everything a modern reader would find unattractive in a male lead, but he does not come off as less than while reading. He’s just tragic, and Andromeda intends to save him. The novel’s language supports their power exchange.

“A wedding. I couldn’t even imagine it. I never really wanted to. Men seemed to need periodic babysitting, but woman came already fully capable unless they were unable to work or wanted children. But I was working and could defend myself.”

Lockwood deftly elevates the role of woman while not negating the role of man or demonizing Rochester’s vulnerabilities. She gives Andromeda license to be strong and capable and her Rochester license to be weak and needy without making either of them unattractive because of their role. It’s genius, and she does it all in fewer pages than seems possible. This one is definitely a must read, and one that teachers and scholars should pay close attention. I expect it to be a part of conversations for many years to come.

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for giving me a advanced copy of this novel in exchange for my honest review.

Gothic, spooky, romantic, magical, and satisfying. These are just some of the words I'm using to describe WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS. This YA fantasy is a retelling of Jane Eyre, that while being quite different from the Bronte story plot-wise, manages to perfectly encapsulate the tone and energy of it. And for that, it is the strongest Jane Eyre retelling I've read yet.

Andi, a debtera, has been hired to cleanse the home of Magnus Rochester from the Evil Eye. Yet, when she gets there, she realizes that she's in over her head. Between the house's haunts and Magnus himself, there's lot for Andi to figure out.

There is a line in this book that Magnus says to Andi that had me YELLING, no joke. I won't spoil it here, but IYKYK.

Overall, I think is a YA fantasy that is so different from so much that is out there right now. It'll be a hit for horror fans, fantasy fans, romance fans, and fans of Jane Eyre. If you call into one of these categories (or more), you'll want to pick up this book!

What didn't this book have? Romance, horror, suspense, supernatural, and. coming of age; this was one of the most original and creative retellings of Jane Eyre I have ever read! This book was genuinely creepy, legitimately romantic, and stunningly descriptive. Lauren Blackwood is a boon to the YA genre.

I learned about this book from a publisher PR crowd cast and I’m so glad I picked it up. The magical and dark retelling of Jane Eyre is genius as two opposites fight a curse that threatens everyone they love. Will a young debtera apprentice be able to save them all?

Andromeda’s strength is phenomenal as she wades through a sea of sinister secrets, prejudices, and terrifying monsters to find love where she least expected it. Her lonely life and need for a job have led her to get rid of the Evil Eye living inside Magnus Rochester. Her education was not complete as a debtera before her mentor Jember abandoned her and she soon realizes she is in over her head. But she has enough hope and optimism to make her new plan work…even if it kills her.

The story is a wonderful and gripping infusion of fantasy, horror, and romance all wrapped up into one as people disappear one by one in a household filled with fear and menace.

The suspense is intense and the characters are intriguing as I waited with bated breath to find out who would survive and who would meet their painful and terrifying end.

Thank you to Ms. Blackwood for giving me the opportunity to read this book with no expectation of a positive review.

A nice retelling that will appeal to JAne Austen lovers. Not as much horror as it seemed to be marketed a but definitely the romance and heroine tropes that Austen and the retelling crowd will like.

rating: 4.5

Within These Wicked Walls is a deliciously creepy, Ethiopian inspired retelling of Jane Eyre by debut author, Lauren Blackwood.

It took me a little while to completely get into the story but once I did, I couldn't put it down. Even though it has elements inspired by Jane Eyre, this story is entirely its own and I absolutely love the way Lauren Blackwood brought it to life. After this, I know that young adult fantasy thriller is a genre I want to read more of. One of the best books I've read this year !!

I thought this was a good read. You can definitely see the inspiration that Jane Eyre had on this work and the different tropes the author decided to use and manipulate. I liked the idea of getting rid of the Evil Eye and that only people trained can do it. The added layer of having the colonists versus the indigenous people in the different mindsets about the Evil Eye was a nice layer that helps to add a viewpoint on imperialism. I overall really enjoyed this book.

Interesting plot and characters. It has an intriguing beginning that would compel you to read up until the end. The mysterious creature in the story is predictable. The romance part was the typical love triangle trope you read. The story is action-packed with unexpected horrible scenes you can imagine. For me, it's not a Jane Eyre retelling but a delight to read on its own.

I'm thankful to the author, the publisher, and Netgalley for allowing me to read and review a copy of this book. All thoughts and opinions are my own.

This was a great read. I spotlighted it as book of the day on my social media platforms, and I included it in a monthly roundup of new releases on my Black Fiction Addiction blog.

I honestly didn't know this was a Jane Eyre retelling! Imagine my surprise when I started reading and coming upon the names of Rochester and the like. But don't worry, it doesn't strictly adhere to the story plot of the original source and Magnus is a lot warmer than his predecessor.

The strongest parts of the book is the writing. Lauren Blackwood has a wonderful way with words in how she sets up and shapes scenes. The descriptions are lovely and I could picture and imagine everything so clearly in my head. She has an ability to make the reader and empathize with the characters she creates.

The plot of working to banish the manifestations in the house and cleanse it of the curse is so cool. I absolutely loved how she worked on her amulets and how she learned to improve/add to her craftwork. Also, how her encounters with the manifestations! Some of the scenes really upped the tension and I was like gripping the kindle. Even better were the scenes that were pretty creepy!

I really disliked the romance bit because it was a bit too effusive for me. Magnus does not shy away from expressing his affections and I'm more into the reserved, subtle romance. A lot of the stuff the characters said or did together felt saccharine and Andromeda's feelings were a bit too quick for my tastes. Thus why I enjoyed the first half of this book much more than the first.

A pretty good debut and an interesting reshaping of the original story. I have a keen interest following the author to see her future stories.

eArc provided by NetGalley.

What a fun read with a distinct Beauty and the Beast retelling vibe. Enjoyed this. Thank you Netgalley for the copy.

I had big expectations for this book, but it just didn't do it for me.
The plot dragged a lot, and I didn't enjoy the characters. Andromeda was too good, too optimistic, and I get she's gone through a lot and it's her defense mechanism, but she forgives too much. And Magnus just didn't make much sense to me.
The retelling aspects were interesting, I kind of liked how it adapted Jane Eyre to a fantasy world with these ghost-like creatures. It wasn't that bad, really. I just was uninterested for the most part.
Also, lately I'm not enjoying books narrated in the 1st person so that may have played a part in how I perceived it, but that's somthing absolutely personal and not osmething the book did wrong!
Overall, I think it just wasn't for me.

Ok so at first I forgot that I had this arc, then I kept hearing about it on YT. Well what can I say, it wasn’t what I was expecting that’s for sure, but it was what I needed to get me out of a mini slump.. the awkwardness of the main two characters was funny but not. The plot twist I kinda had a feeling about. It writing was good a slow at times, but I enjoyed the book and give it 3 .5 stars. I feel like the storyline could have been a but more but the author did the job of telling the story,

The audiobook was great! I really liked the narrator. Within These Wicked Walls is fast paced. The romance is insta love which I’m usually not a fan of, but in this case it went well with the story. Magnus is my favorite kind of sad damaged boy. Andromeda is also damaged, but does what she needs to do to survive. She is so brave! The mystery was predictable, but still enjoyable. I read this pretty fast. I couldn’t put it down! I look forward to more from this author! Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this in exchange for an honest review!

Characters - 6/10
Within These Wicked Walls started off really great. It did not end that way. Let's start with the characters. I liked both Andromeda and Magnus in the beginning. Andi is a survivor and I really admire that in a character. Magnus had the potential to be the brooding bad boy. Unfortunately, both of them fell flat.

Somewhere in the middle of the book both of them devolve into whiny, clingy children. Both of them are over 18, so it was just a weird turn of events. Magnus turned into a clingy brat. He sounded like a child who lost his teddy bear and he would throw tantrums when he didn't get his way. It's like he was meant to be 16 instead of 20.

The romance between the two of them was very insta-lovey (the worst kind) and I wasn't really here for it. Overall they just needed some more work.

Atmosphere - 6/10
The atmosphere could have used some work. It's not creepy enough, and the worldbuilding could have used some work. We're not given enough context on what's going on in the world outside the mansion. It makes me feel like the mansion is just floating in some void. Some more details could have helped to flesh out the story more.

Writing - 8/10
I did enjoy the writing style a lot. It immediately sucked me in, and I sped through the first half of the book. I enjoyed the straightforward, easy to read writing. Less is more sometimes.

Plot - 6/10
The plot wasn't too complicated to follow, but once again I wish we had gotten more details. It seems to be a recurring thing for me with YA books lately. They just lack detail. I don't need Sanderson levels of detail, but some more lore would be nice. The premise is there, it just needs more.

Intrigue - 6/10
The Ethiopian setting was amazing. I learned a lot and I wish we had leaned into it more. I also haven't read Jane Eyre, so I can't comment on how accurate of a retelling it is.

Logic - 5/10
I really did enjoy the conflicts in this book. It was less about the curse and more about Magnus and her adopted father in the end. While I did enjoy the conflict between Andi and her father, I wish the focus was more on the curse. It lacked some focus.

Enjoyment - 6/10
Overall this wasn't a bad book, it just lacked some depth. The writing was great and the characters were great in the beginning. I recommend this one for beginner horror readers.

Let’s start with what I loved. I loved the characters. I loved Andromeda (Andi), I loved Magnus, and I loved Saba. There were some moments where I liked Jember (especially in terms of his relationship with Saba), but overall, I couldn’t get over what he did to Andi over the years. The abuse she had to deal with because of him.

But let’s talk Andi first. She’s a debtera, an exorcist who “cleans” households of evil spirits. But because she’s not an approved debtera, she’s not really allowed to practice. But since Jember pretty much kicks her out, she has to figure out how to survive on her own. So she heads to Thornfield Hall with a job to remove the evil demons from the place. Little does she know what she’s getting into.

The house…well, it scares the shit out of her, and with all the stuff she has seen over her years with Jember, that’s saying something.

Thornfield Hall also brings her to the attention of Magnus Rochester. The spoiled, charming, and charismatic owner of the hall and he quickly falls head over heels for Andi.

Saba is the…ok, it’s hard not to give spoilers here, but this part surprised the hell out of me so I don’t want to give it away…she is like a helper/maid/lady’s maid around the hall. She helps Andi get acquainted with the hall and helps her with clothes and things. All I’ll say is…she is not what she seems. And she has a past with Jember.

Ok, let’s talk about the romance between Andi and Magnus. It just…didn’t work for me. I found Magnus to be kind of a spoiled man child and Andi deserves so much better than him. I liked him as a character on his own. He’s kind of fun and hopelessly romantic, but for Andi…not so much.

And that’s pretty much my only issue with the book.

There were some slow moments that I thought could’ve been paced better, but other than that, this was a fun, scary AF book. The setting is extraordinary, the characters are well-developed, and the premise is brilliant.

If you’re looking for a unique take on Jane Eyre, Within These Wicked Walls is definitely worth giving a shot. I’m giving it 3.5 stars.

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood is out now!

Thank you to NetGalley and Wednesday Books for the free eARC in exchange for an honest review!

4.5

The story takes place in a cursed mansion that provided a lot of the claustrophobic atmosphere I love in gothic settings, and I quite enjoyed the magic system of creating amulets to ward off evil. I loved the desert setting and the little reminders of that like the food descriptions/eating with hands. While initially Andi's relationship with Magnus (and her relationship with her mentor/father, Jember) made me roll my eyes, I was absolutely bought in by the end and even teared up a time or two.

As I haven't read Jane Eyre, I cannot speak to how successful this was a retelling; however, I can say it provided all the gothic creepiness I wanted and more and that the writing itself was incredible. I think this is one of the strongest debuts I've read in a while and will absolutely be picking up whatever Lauren Blackwood writes next.

Within These Wicked Walls isn't much similar to Jane Eyre. And that's not necessarily a bad thing. It's creepy and fantastic; a solid debut.

DNF - this story just was not for me, primarily due to personal preference. Many of the characters grated on me, and the worldbuilding also did not work for me--which was a disappointment, as I very much wanted to love it going in. I did enjoy the gothic elements, specifically, the Manifestations. I will not be cross-posting this review, as I am hopeful other readers that this book is better suited to will give it a chance.

Title: Within These Wicked Walls
Author: Lauren Blackwood
Genre: Fantasy, YA
Rating: 4.0

What the heart desires, the house destroys...

Andromeda is a debtera—an exorcist hired to cleanse households of the Evil Eye. When a handsome young heir named Magnus Rochester reaches out to hire her, Andromeda quickly realizes this is a job like no other, with horrifying manifestations at every turn, and that Magnus is hiding far more than she has been trained for. Death is the most likely outcome if she stays, but leaving Magnus to live out his curse alone isn’t an option. Evil may roam the castle’s halls, but so does a burning desire.

I actually enjoyed this quite a bit! I found it creative and unique, and I loved both Andromeda and Magnus. There were a few places that seemed fairly abrupt, like some of the progression between scenes was chopped, and that felt a bit awkward, but this wasn’t enough to turn me off the book. Bits of this were quite creepy, but this was definitely an entertaining read.

Lauren Blackwood lives in Virginia. Within These Wicked Walls is her debut novel.

(Galley courtesy of St. Martin’s Press in exchange for an honest review.)