Cover Image: Within These Wicked Walls

Within These Wicked Walls

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Member Reviews

This was a great retelling of the classic novel Jane Eyre with totally new elements and a setting that makes the story fresh. I think teens will really enjoy the fast pace and the ingenuity of the main character Andromeda and the mysterious and tragic love interest.
The only thing that really bugged me was the focus on the relationship between Andromeda and Jember. There seemed to be a lot of focus on redeeming him. He had abused Andromeda earlier in her life, and it seemed a little odd that so much of the story was focused on making him seem--not so bad? Like the fact that he called her "his daughter" in the last few pages makes up for the fact that he beat her up and kicked her out.
Other than that, this story was a lot of fun from beginning to end.

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Within These Wicked Walls has everything I love in a story: witty banter, so much romantic chemistry, and a cursed house with an equally cursed (and also very cute) owner. I adored Andromeda's forthright voice, her stubborness, and her sense of humor. This book weaves a perfect blend of spooky atmosphere with heartfelt emotions.

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I didn’t expect to sit down and finish a book in one sitting, but here we are.

This book was absolutely amazing. From the beginning, I was in love with Andi (or Andromeda). Her no-nonsense attitude was plain as day in the very first lines of the book. Growing up under the tutelage of a gruff, bitter man—he trained her to be all business. And that business was staying alive despite the Evil Eye and its darkness. She had trained to be a Debtera (aka excorcist) almost her entire life. So when Magnus, the rich chocolatier and owner of a cursed castle, hires her for an impossible job, the promise of not living on the streets and a patronage is too tempting to ignore.

There is a lovely gothic feel to the story, sprinkled with just the right amount of horror and suspense. Adi’s emotions are written so well and it was a joy and an adventure being in her head. There wasn’t a lull in the plot at all, and I found myself at points even holding my breath.

Even the characters you don’t like at first, you end up loving. Adi takes the same journey—through blood, stubbornness, and a whirlwind romance.

I cannot recommend this book enough. Just be prepared to spend the rest of your day reading once you pick it up.

♥♥ ARC provided by NetGalley in exchange for an honest review ♥♥

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