This is a really solid book — I had no idea what to expect from the Jane Eyre reimagining/inspiration because I have never actually read Jane Eyre. That being said, I now want to read Jane Eyre because I enjoyed Within These Wicked Walls.
I appreciated how the more magical elements of the book were entertained with cultural differences and real beliefs. The Evil Eye that is the “enemy” in the novel is part of Ethiopian folk religion, but Ethiopia also became christianized very early on compared to other countries so the Evil Eye in Within These Wicked Walls is intertwined with christianity in a very interesting way. As a fan of learning world history this phenomenon of christianity losing with the preexisting local beliefs and traditions is very common and seen everywhere from the Americas to Europe to Africa and Asia. This aspect of the novel was done very well in my opinion and it made the story more exciting to me. The mixed genre and influences creating the storyline created a haunting but compelling read.
In addition, I do like the characters. I would say that some of the side characters are a little more flat than I would prefer but the main character Andromeda has realistic complexity. I almost think that the book was too short to get to know some of the other characters well which is why I marked the book down to 4 stars.

Overall very solid novel that I would reread and I look forward to any other books released by Lauren Blackwood

This book is a solid Jane Eyre retelling. It felt true to the original, and what I really loved about this retelling was the interweaving of the Ethiopian folklore & magic into the story. I found the magic/spooky elements to be the most interesting portions of the story, and I found myself very interested and invested in Andromeda's attempts to remove the curse. I thought the cast overall was good, especially some of the secondary characters like Saba and Kelela who I wish I saw more of.

What really didn't work for me was the romance. It was awkward and cute at times, but the Beauty and the Beast vibes ventured too much into a "creepy" territory for me. Magnus was a bit too manipulative and I didn't like how he didn't respect Andi's boundaries and several times I felt like he invalidated her feelings by thinking his affection would be enough (which, in the book it was enough, and that's what I had an issue with). While I don't expect every relationship in every book I read to be healthy and trauma-free, this one seemed to take comfort in some very unsettling statements construed to be romantic, but in real-life abusive contexts would be gaslighting and potentially dangerous. For that alone, this book wasn't a favorite of mine. However, I don't think it necessarily makes it a bad book-- or a bad retelling for that matter (Original Mr. Rochester was pretty slimy to me too), so I can definitely see how others will enjoy this more than me.

A big thank you to St. Martin's Press and Netgalley for a copy of this eArc in exchange for an honest review!

Some content warnings to be aware of: manipulative behavior, toxic relationships, gore, death, murder, body horror, abusive relationships, and abusive parental figures.

Thank you to the publisher and NetGalley for an eARC in exchange for an honest review.

Within These Wicked Walls is a tale of curses, redemption, and survival. Andromeda has been called to essentially preform and exorcism on a house, a house where many have tried and failed. Andi, now out of options, sees the job as a chance for a new beginning for herself as well. But can her strength of will be powerful enough to break a curse? Or will the curse devour her whole?

This tale is an absolute masterpiece. Practically flawless from start to finish and with an epic conclusion that envelops the reader, body and soul. Andi is the heroine we need, even if she does go a little boy crazy at times in the book. It fits her though, her constant need to feel loved and therefore is more of a tool from the author rather than a troupe-ish snore. The manor is as glamorous as it is dangerous with rooms that boast of it's former victories against the living. Our love interest/master of the manor Magnus is haunted and yet not stuck in feeling sorry for himself. My one wish was that we got more of Andi experiencing horrors in the house as well as the magic mechanics she used to expel them. Even so, this was a damn near perfect read and will be one I recommend during many spooky seasons to come.

I recommend this for all readers of a good spooky tale 14+ as some of the imagery portrayed could seriously spook a younger group. If you're looking for the perfect read to get into the Halloween mood, look no further than Andromeda and this creepy castle.

I really loved the magic of this book, but my favorite aspect was the characters. Each of them was a one-of-a-kind, and I had a hard time putting the book down because of them. I rooted for Andromeda the entire time, loved Saba, chuckled about Magnus. Highly recommended!

Let's start this book review of Within These Wicked Walls with the two elements I loved the most: the magic and the dynamic between Andi and Magnus. It's interesting because while Jane Eyre is a kind of gothic hint of the supernatural, I've always wished that it leaned into it more. And Within These Wicked Walls details a world of magical spirits with dangerous intentions. I am still so obsessed with a world of amulets, circles of protection, and curses.

And that brings me to the characters. I immediately fell in love with Andi. The ways the world underestimates her and how determined she is. I was the most cautious about Magnus, the Rochester-esque character, but I ended up enjoying his character so much. His almost infectious spirit, his caring compassion, and the secrets he's hiding. Their dynamic was fabulous to read, the push and the pull, the ways they're both asking someone to stay.

Love! Love! Loved this book! The mix of dark fiction with a strong pull of romantic tension done right! This gave me all the chills and feels!

I have to say that I have never read Jane Eyre, so going into this book knowing it's a Jane Eyre retelling meant absolutely nothing to me. But, I knew it would have a lot of paranormal things in it, and let me tell you, this book did not disappoint. It was creepy, gory, filled with mystery and romance, and I loved it! The author's writing style was brilliant. The way the story was written made me not want to put the book down. It had compelling characters that I rooted for the entire time I was reading this book. And that ending, it was really satisfying.

I would recommend this book to lovers of horror and romance, because this book does both really well. Overall, a very fun read.

Thank you NetGalley and publisher for the e-ARC in exchange for an honest review.

Thank you ]St. Martin's Press, for sending me an ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review!
Trigger warnings: blood, gore, abuse, death, paralysis, murder, abandonment, slavery, trafficking

As soon as I heard the words “Jane Eyre retelling” you could count me in to read this as soon as humanly possible. Debut author Lauren Blackwood has twisted Charlotte Brontë’s original story into something much more haunting, set in a cursed castle with characters that have to defeat the evil lurking within. In this unforgettable novel, Blackwood brings together well-developed world-building and a magic system that held my attention as I was drawn into the eerie surroundings. While Within These Wicked Walls is first and foremost a horror novel, it blends horror with romance in a way that brings something to the table for readers interested in either genre. I personally came for the gothic retelling and stayed for the beautiful friendships and a resilient heroine tasked with an impossible mission. Reading this was like getting a present wrapped inside another present because it seriously kept getting better the further I was led into it. The detailed imagery placed me right inside the castle, what with its bleeding walls and eerie manifestations that only served to unsettle me all the more. Having the Ethiopian-inspired elements in the story provided a much-needed infusion of background, both for our main character and for what lies outside the confines of the castle walls. Without it, the environment would have seemed too stagnant, and the characters perhaps a little two-dimensional. Getting more background into Andromeda only made her more of an interesting perspective for me going forward. Horror aside, the romantic part of the story both intrigued and delighted me. There definitely were moments between the two main characters that bordered on insta-love, but the romantic chemistry was there so I found I didn't really mind that in the long run. Lauren Blackwood has certainly managed to craft a compelling gothic romance, and pay homage to a literary classic, all while making her mark as a rising voice in literature and the YA genre. Will absolutely be looking out for more from her in the future.

Andromeda is a debtera, an exorcist who removes manifestations of the Evil Eye. But she was thrown out before she could obtain her official license, and her only option is to find a patron who can vouch for her skills. That's how she meets Magnus Rochester, the young and wealthy heir of a heavily cursed mansion. Even though it's a dangerous job no one wants to take on, Andi knows that it's her only chance. But the manifestations are worse than she could have ever imagined, and she soon realizes that staying would result in almost certain death. The problem is... she can't leave, because Magnus now holds her heart.

3 stars. WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS is a debut novel that's being marketed as an Ethiopian-inspired fantasy/retelling of Jane Eyre. Personally, I don't think that's really what this book is. There's very little Jane Eyre in the story, other than the surname Rochester and the romance with an employer. I will accept low fantasy as a descriptor, because much of the outside world-building is ignored in order to really bring a dark atmosphere to Magnus's mansion. Instead, I would say that it is more of a gothic romance.

Magnus's mansion is one heck of a setting, an ice-cold house in the middle of a desert, filled with creepy rooms and strange manifestations, from moving shadows to hallways filled with snow. Andromeda is tasked with taking on and banishing the manifestations one by one, but it doesn't take long for her to realize that she's in over her head.

For me, a three-star review is not a negative one. I liked the book, especially in the beginning. Where I docked stars was the apparent instalove and the ending that felt rushed. But there were still some major pluses, aside from the gothic mansion, which I loved. There are some great coming-of-age moments for Andi, and I really did enjoy reading about the unhealthy, twisted, and yet all-too-real relationship she had with her mentor/adoptive father. (In fact, I would've liked to see more of them.)

TW: physical & emotional abuse

Posted to Goodreads on October 5, 2021

I’ve never read Jane Eyre before, but the moment I stumbled across Within These Wicked Walls, I knew I had to read it. This is a YA historical fantasy retelling of the famous novel set in Ethiopia. It’s fascinating, atmospheric and everything that I could hope for. But even I noticed that aside from a name and a fire, there wasn’t very much of Jane Eyre in it.

Within These Wicked Walls follows Andromeda, a debtera – or exorcist – who creates amulets to rid people of the Evil Eye. Her mentor had kicked her out so now she’s on the look for a patron, and Magnus Rochester is the only one who’s offering. His house is cursed and more dangerous than she expected, but as they slowly fall in love, she knows she would do anything to free him.

So, I don’t know much about Jane Eyre or Ethiopian culture, so I can’t really comment on how well either of those things are done. I’ve seen plenty of black readers celebrating this book, so that’s enough to suggest that the cultural rep is good at least. As I said, to me, it didn’t really feel Jane Eyre like and I’ve seen other reviews from people who have read the original say the same. Yet, this is still an interesting tale. It’s just not what you might expect if you’re looking for a retelling.

Andromeda is a very resilient character. She tries to stay optimistic and she tries to love even people who are cruel to her. It’s sweet that she’s managed to keep that side of her, even when living on the streets. Yet, it’s still a little sad too. Her father figure is pretty abusive and there are trigger warnings on the matter, yet she still loves him. I get why. It’s not like we choose to care for those who hurt us, and in the end he does try to be there for her. It just wasn’t enough. I’m not going to get angry that Andi felt that way though, as this mentor was the only person she had for years. She has good memories as well as bad, and sometimes we can’t help but remember the good. Even as we’re still angry about the bad.

The love interest was Magnus. I’ve seen a few people say they weren’t a fan of him and I do get why. He’s a very emotionally volatile character and some of his actions are not great. But what is good is that he does own up to his mistakes. He’s selfish, but that’s just how he was raised. He is trying and he does listen…eventually. He actually reminded me a little of one of my current favourite characters. Loves music, can be rather childish and big with his emotions. Yet under that he’s somewhat broken and sometimes that can cause him to lash out. I was pretty fond of Magnus, even if I didn’t always agree with his actions, and I think that’s why.

The romance wasn’t too special. It definitely had it’s cute moments and some good banter. But I didn’t find myself rooting for them all that hard. I feel like in the time we had with them, we didn’t really see enough growth. Like, they were both clearly willing to make changes, but the romance did feel a little rushed. The closer I got to the end of the book, some of their interactions did start to make me roll my eyes a little. I did appreciate them by the end though.

I think the best part of this book was definitely the atmosphere. This book was creepy and dark. I loved seeing the worldbuilding with the amulets and the Evil Eye, but I definitely did not want to be in that castle. Blackwood did an excellent job with setting and mood in here. Though it wasn’t Jane Eyre, it was definitely gothic in the most delightful way.

If you’re looking for something romantic and creepy this November, you won’t be able to go wrong with this book.

This book gave me chills! I mean I don't think this is being marketed as the spookiest read you are going to pick up, but it definitely pays homage to all the Gothic elements present in its inspiration, Jane Eye. This book is its own spin and interpretation of Jane Eyre and I absolutely loved it. It was beautiful, surprisingly moving, and at times terrifying.

I love books with character depth and this is such a strength of this read. Even some of the characters you expect to be minor players reveal surprises and take of life of their own. The plot also never lulls, but the pace is absolutely perfect from beginning to end. There were just a few things that I wish had been expounded upon and explained more. Also, I am probably never going to be a Mr. Rochester fan no matter his iteration. I always want to throw a book at him or something, and I do in this book too.

Overall this is a gem. This has been a year for Jane Eyre retellings apparently. I cannot recall when I have read so many, but this is by far my favorite that I have read so far. Once again, the young adult genre comes to play! Do not count this genre out. This is a perfect example of this. This is a Jane Eyre retelling set in Ethiopia with a house haunted by evil, and a debtera needed to cleanse it. I mean...what a plot!

Many thanks to St. Martin's Press for an advanced copy in exchange for an honest review.

I have to say I wasn't a huge fan of this one - I'm not religious, and while I don't have anything against religion or anyone who is religious, I don't like being preached to or having people try to force their religious views on me, and that very much felt like what this book was doing.

Within These Wicked Walls is a tough one to review, because it had a handful of things to recommend it, which were overshadowed by me really not liking the most significant element of the book at all: the central romance between Andromeda and Magnus.

To start with the good, while this is more of a Jane Eyre inspired story than a proper retelling (more on that in a second), it does keep up the gothic atmosphere of the original while adding some new elements. The creepy house, the suspicious servants and general sense of foreboding are all well done, and I liked the integration of the magic system, which revolves around the carving of metal amulets to ward against evil spirits. There’s also a few nods to the Ethiopian setting, around the time of Italian occupation, such as the harshness of the desert landscape. I would have liked a little more detail, since the setting often felt a little unmoored and lacking in specificity, but it was nice to read a gothic story not set in dreary old England for a change.

There’s also an interesting side-plot about the relationship between Andromeda and her adoptive father Jember, though it comes somewhat out of left-field in the second half of the book and doesn’t mesh neatly with some of the other elements of the story.

All that aside however, unfortunately I did not click with the romance in this book at all, which is clearly intended to be the story’s crowning jewel. Part of this is the way the Within These Wicked Walls functions as not-really a retelling of Jane Eyre (a book I didn’t even necessarily love myself). A big part of what’s compelling about Jane Eyre is that we understand what a terrible idea the romance between Jane and Mr Rochester is, but are captivated by their relationship in all its messiness anyway. There’s also a strong critique of class, exemplified by their differing social statuses.

Here, Andromeda and Marcus fall in love pretty much straight away and are prepared to throw their lives away for each other after knowing each other for mere days. At no point did I feel they had real chemistry or any reason to be together except that it’s a hallmark of gothic novels for the heroine to fall in love with the monster. It doesn’t help that Marcus is, frankly, kind of an asshole, as well as holding all the power over Andromeda as her employer – a fact conveniently forgotten by Andromeda as soon as she realises she’s in love with him, and by the narrative at large.

I didn’t necessarily expect a stroke for stroke retelling, but I think this book would be more engaging if it had used the different setting as an opportunity to build on and critique the original story rather than simply telling a rather bland romance. I’m disappointed I can’t really recommend this one, though I’m still glad to see it as part of the growing pile of non-western retellings we’re getting these days.

Within These Wicked Walls starts off as a witty Jane Eyre like story, with a unique haunted house twist. But, as the story progressed, I found it so hard to believe in the relationships between the characters, hard to understand how and why certain events were taking place, and I found the story to be very “surface level” (which kept leaving me with a lot of questions!)

Were I a bit younger, I may have enjoyed this book more.

What a lovely way to start off the spooky season!

WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS was a lovely spin on Jane Eyre, taking this gothic romance to the sands of Ethiopia! The gothic/horror elements were very atmospheric and did a great job of exemplifying exactly why the curse on Magnus Rochester is a horrific problem to have. I haven't read Jane Eyre, but I'm familiar with key elements from another retelling and Wikipedia, so I was able to appreciate the nods to the inspiration while this was an entirely unique story.

The distinctly Ethiopian setting lended to a fantastically fresh magic system to the Western Civilization reader. I loved how faith and paranormal intertwined in this story, as well as Andromeda's work as a debtera. I'm not familiar enough with Ethiopian culture and beliefs to comment further and recommend that discussion be held by Own Voices reviewers. As an outsider reading this book, however, I was thoroughly enraptured.

I would like to advise that, while the portrayal is nuanced, there is a key character who is in fact abusive. I found myself uncomfortable with the nuance given to the character, as I fear that for younger readers, this could be seen as justification. The character is in a role model position, and his actions deemed wrong several times. But by adding backstory nuance and good aspects, while it humanizes the character, it also draws away from the trauma he caused the main character. As a reader, I found this discomforting and was not particularly a fan of that element.

Overall, I found this to be a fast paced, very interesting read perfect for the spooky season. Andromeda and Magnus suffer from some Insta-Love, but the dynamic and ongoing plot outweighed that for me. I still caution younger readers because of its portrayal of abuse and advise all readers to check for content warnings prior to reading!

CW: Childhood abuse, abandonment, character death, gore/bloodshed, trauma

Thank you NetGalley and Wednesday Books for an advanced copy for review!

'An Ethiopian remix of Jane Eyre' makes Within These Wicked Walls and brilliant tale. Andromeda (Andi) is hired by Magnus, an eccentric recluse, to rid his house and him of a curse. What follows is a terrifying and beautiful tale of survival, endurance and love. Andi has been through so much in her short life, and seeing her strength and optimism persevere through the novel is so amazing. I loved Magnus so much, and you couldn't help but truly feel for him after all the curse has put him through. Saba, who lives in the house and cares for Magnus, and Jember, who raised Andi, are amazing side characters and I loved getting to know them and their story. I loved the way the magic worked in this story, and I loved the use of amulets as protection and the way they are made was so interesting. The romance felt a little rushed, but that was outweighed for me by the story itself and the dialogue between the characters. Within These Wicked Walls is an amazing debut, and I can't wait to see what this author has planned for her next book!

This review will be posted to my Instagram (th3bookishl1fe20), Goodreads and StoryGraph (all linked in my profile) within the week before publish, 10/19.

I loved the idea of an Ethiopian Jane Eyre! WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS was super atmospheric and creepy. What kept me from adoring this was the insta-love trope. I know this is YA and all, but it just isn't for me.

An imaginative retelling of Jane Eyre with so many amazing horror elements reminiscent of horror movies of the 90’s and early 00’s. The atmosphere of this book is unreplicable. I loved the inhabitants in this book and they made the experience 10 times more enjoyable. This book manages to keep an atmosphere that makes you feel shivers down your spine and is honestly the perfect book for halloween. I loved our mc and how the author weaved the dynamic between Andi and Magnus. Overall such an amazing fast pace read that i’d recommend for anyone. It kept me wrapped up in this little world and at the edge of my seat perfectly. Thank you netgalley for providing this copy for me!

I love books that make me want learn more, and WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS did just that. The novel has a unique magic system that is based upon actual practices within Ethopia to combat the Evil Eye, something that I found fascinating. At times, the book was downright creepy, and the gothic atmosphere was on point. Blackwood has a way of wordsmithing, creating prose that is simultaneously beautiful and descriptive. I felt that Andromeda was an incredibly strong heroine, and her relationships with Jember and Saba elevated the story to the next level for me.

"The house was holding victims hostage, but I had a feeling there weren't going to be any happy reunions after the Evil Eye was cleansed."

That being said, I felt that additional world-building would have been incredibly beneficial to the story. As a fantasy standalone, the novel is relatively short (336 pages), meaning that there was room for more without bogging the writing down or causing it to be too long. I found myself needing re-read a few paragraphs/pages to ensure that I understood it correctly, and additional lead-up or description may have helped. Furthermore, I felt that Andromeda and Magnus had an "instant" romance. Unfortunately, I’m not a fan, and in this case, I think that the book may have been better without it. There was no tension (although there was definitely some banter!), and because it developed so quickly, it almost seemed unbelievable.

*Extended review with spoilers (hidden, of course) available on Goodreads.

As one of my most-anticipated books of the year, I was disappointed that I didn't love this one more. The concept is incredibly fresh/unique, but I there were a few things that fell flat for me. Overall, WITHIN THESE WICKED WALLS is a solid debut, and I cannot wait to read Blackwood's future work. Thank you, Wednesday Books and NetGalley, for the early copy in exchange for an honest review. All opinions are my own.

Andromeda has been kicked out of her home and must find work. As a debtera, she’s tasked with removing the Evil Eye from people and their houses. But it might prove too much when she comes across a particularly tough case at the Rochester house.

What an interesting, insta-love novel that has magical elements of curses and a touch of romance. I haven’t read Jane Eyre, it’s never sounded up my ally, so perhaps I’m reading this from an entirely different approach. I see everyone talking about Andi and Magnus in reviews, but I’ve always had a sweet spot for those that don’t draw the reader. Rocky and toxic as it was, I saw the soft side of Jember and was moved as his character developed later in the book. I enjoyed reading this one. It was a well-told, unique storyline. Thank you, St. Martin’s, for sending this along.