Full review to be posted soonish.

I would like to thank the publisher and netgalley for providing me a free copy in exchange for an honest review.

So, I never really got into this one. It's a great book.. it made Reese's YA book picks, so I know it's good. But I'm just not digging the YA vibe. I knew it was YA going into it, but I guess I'm just not a big reader of YA like I used to be. I will still recommend this book and our library has purchased a copy.

This was an interesting book with a compilation of several elements that were quite a draw--the Jane Eyre vibes, some fantasy elements, and a POC main character. This book was featured by Once Upon a Book Club and I can see why they selected it for their YA box.

Andromeda was such an interesting character, and I loved Magnus! The horrors from the house were so good and made me want to keep on reading. Can't lay my finger on what it was, but something felt like it was lacking, so 4/5 stars.

My rating: ⭐️⭐️⭐️½⭐️ (3.5 stars)

Within These Wicked Walls tells the story of Andromeda, a young woman who goes by Andi. When the story begins, she is hoping that exorcising the Evil Eye for her wealthy and eccentric client, Magnus Rochester, will get her the recognition she requires to continue her work as a proper debtera; since her mentor threw her out before she could earn her license.

But cleansing the Evil Eye is a much bigger undertaking than Andi first anticipated. (So much so that many debtera have tried – and failed – before her.) And her growing feelings for the young heir complicate matters further. It will take all of Andi’s training – and maybe a little help from others – to accomplish this life-threatening task.

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After hearing about the super interesting premise, I was definitely excited to pick up Within These Wicked Walls! The execution itself was not, unfortunately, all I was hoping it would be. But, it was still an enjoyable read!

I loved the gothic, Ethiopian-inspired fantasy and horror aspects of this story. The haunted mansion and ominous curse were well crafted and very spooky. In fact, I think the foreboding horror unraveling in the mansion was so well done that it outshone everything else. Where this story fell short for me was in regards to the rest of its world-building. Because so much of the plot takes place at the Rochester estate, the world outside of this setting felt like it didn’t reach its full potential.

Another element of this story that I enjoyed was Andi and Magnus’s characterization. They were both full, rounded characters with their own demons to overcome, literally. Their romance itself did feel a little rushed, and a bit like it came out of nowhere, but was nevertheless quite sweet. While I could appreciate the romance overall, I did feel like it just took up too much space in this story. There were a number of conflicts thrown in to prolong their discord that I couldn’t help feeling weren’t really necessary. It was clear they cared about each other and would end up together, and their squabbles felt surface-level at best.

The magic system and curse at the heart of this novel were so interesting! It felt like a missed opportunity to have the story focus more on the budding relationship than the intricate universe it was set within.

Thank you to the publisher, Wednesday Books/St. Martin’s Press, and NetGalley for providing me with an e-ARC of this book. All thoughts are my own.

This book is visually stimulating as hell. The creepy house and changing rooms, oh man. This was a fun story and I even received a physical copy in a book box so that was nice. I think I'll try the audiobook in the future and see if that raises my rating.

This book is amazing! I adored the way the history was told from the character's perspective. It's a unique. It realy has a beautiful writing. I can't wait to read more works of this author.

This one started out so well. But as the story went on it just got boring. The writing was meh and the I hated the characters.

Andromeda is a debtera - someone who exorcises the Evil Eye from households.
She is looking for patronage after a disagreement with her mentor and finds herself working for Magnus Rochester.
Andromeda soon realises that she may have bitten off more than she can chew but is determined to see the job through. Even if it means risking her heart and her life.

The concept for this book immediately intrigued me - an Ethiopian Jane Eyre retelling - and the cover certainly didn't hurt.
Andromeda was a likeable and relatable protagonist. She hadn't had the easiest upbringing, but was still an optimistic person, which I liked.
Magnus was a mixed character for me, as I liked him most of the time, but did find him to be a bit of a spoiled brat at times. I also felt that he was a bit 2D and could have done with some fleshing out.
Jember, Andromeda's mentor, was interesting and I enjoyed finding out more about him.
The setting of the house was interesting, and I liked the concepts of the amulets and different Manifestations. However, I would have liked a bit more world-building.
The romance was sweet at times, and I liked the banter, but it happened a little too quickly for my liking, but that's because I prefer slow burns.
The plot was interesting and held my attention throughout, but I did find myself becoming a little bored towards the end and wasn't as invested as I could have been.
The writing style was easy to follow, and I would definitely consider reading another book by the author.

Overall, this was an enjoyable read.

was gifted this book in addition to the digital arc so it's special to me <3
loved reading this, it was spooky and chilly and i enjoyed it a lot. the romance was..not There all the time. honestly it felt a little red-flaggy and a little more insta-lovey but overall it was ok!

- thanks to netgalley and the publisher for providing me with the ARC in exchange for an early review.

I enjoyed the Jane Eyre retelling element of this book. However, it was a little slow for me. Once it got going it was action-packed a joy to read.

Within These Wicked Walls is a retelling of Jane Eyre. As a fan of the classic, I was eager to read this book. This novel seem to lack the charm of the original. I also did not like the fantasy aspects of the novel. Thus, this novel had potential but the author could not pull it off. Still, I recommend this for fans of Jane Eyre.

I picked this because a friend recommended it, and because they said it was like a paranormal Jane Eyre retelling. They weren’t kidding. There are definitely some fantastical elements involved, and a very unique magic system. I enjoyed the book. I won’t say it’s one of my favorites, but it’s worth the read.

I absolutely loved this book! I found it hard to put down. I highly recommend reading it! You won’t be disappointed.

Wow, this book was amazing. Beautifully written with a heartbreakingly good ending.

*Thank you to the publisher for this eARC.

I was given a copy of this book through Netgalley via the publisher in return for an honest review.

People stated this was supposed to be a retelling if Jane Eyre but I don't see it. Despite this I honestly really enjoyed this book. Our MC works to vanquish curses from a nobles home in return for a patron. I enjoyed the main character Andy it was interesting to watch her character develop. We learn about her tragic backstory and why she was adopted. Lauren writes about a world that seems like present day. Though I do still question how and where the evil eye (the curse) comes from and why.

The story is fast paced and pulls you in. I was dying to know what happened next sand couldn't wait to read more. I almost hope that it would be turned into a series for more. Though it ended nicely enough as a stand novel.

This was a surprise favorite read for me this year so far! A definite recommend!

An eerie, mysterious, atmospheric fantasy with strong undertones of horror, this Ethopian-inspired YA gothic novel tells a spooky story unravelling in a haunted castle and around characters with varied motivations but essentially in the midst of an unfolding romance that could've been so much more.

Within These Wicked Walls is a reimagining of Jane Eyre with paranormal and fantastical elements woven into it.

I binged this book in less than twelve hours. I’d had it on my TBR since way before it was released, but naturally, I pushed it off for months and months, as one does. I’m so glad that I finally picked it up! Jane Eyre is one of my favorite classics, and I loved how this book gave glimpses of it yet had its own twists and turns. I loved the characters, the relationships, and the mystery. I couldn’t believe how quickly I flew through it and would highly recommend!

Content warning for violence, death, blood, loss of loved ones.

A huge thank you to NetGalley and St. Martin’s Press/Wednesday Books for the ARC of Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood.

I don't really know how to feel about this one. The short chapters were nice, and I really liked the main character, Andi, and her relationships with some of the side characters (who were, for the most part, pretty likable). I also loved the horror aspects and the way the castle brought them to life. Unfortunately, I have to admit I hated the instalove in this book, though I'll admit the banter was cute. I just felt that Andi and Magnus's romance progressed too fast for my taste, and the angst felt unnecessary and mostly annoyed me. Generally, I think I would have loved this book so much more if it were longer and had more room to develop everything, but I still enjoyed it!

Oh my goodness, THIS BOOK!! It was utterly, completely, and totally phenomenal. I am in love with it. (and Magnus)(and Andi).
First of all, the magic system is phenomenally crafted. We follow Andromeda (or Andi), a debtera hired by the (initially) mysterious Magnus to cleanse his manor of The Evil Eye ominous noises commence. There's not a lot I can say about what in the realm of Magic System made me love this one so much without spoiling anything, but, in short, it's very creative and based on the crafting of amulets which I haven't seen in any other book.
Second of all, the characters in this novel are chef's kiss! I love how feisty Andi is, how flirty Magnus is (though he can be a bit of a pick-me *insert side-eye and eye roll*), and, most of all, THE BANTER. I love some good banter.
I also must mention the Ethiopean mythology prevalent throughout the novel and added so much to the reading experience! I also found my mouth watering on multiple occasions from googling traditional meals that I will probably be trying out soon. I'd also like to mention that I thought it was weird how pale cover Andi was, considering she is said to have dark skin *aggressive side-eye*.
You would think a gothic aesthetic set in the middle of a desert might not work out, but Lauren Blackwood will prove you wrong swiftly on that front. It was the perfect amount of creepy, and the imagery used to portray the manifestations of the Evil Eye was stunningly and eerily written, much like everything else in Within These Wicked Walls.
The only things that I found not-so-perfect were the speed at which the romance developed (it felt rather rushed, and the conflicts within it petty at times) and the fact that the plot was slightly predictable sometimes.
Overall, I highly recommend this book if you want some good banter, a spooky read with an impeccable setting that is a special kind of atmospheric.
P.S. I would highly recommend this for readers that enjoyed Down Comes the Night, but I can't quite explain why.