A decent book.

The narrator does a good job.

I did find the first 20% quite slow and hard to get into.

Parts of the plot are very similar to other books I’ve read in this genre.

The twist was well done.

My main issue is I found the FMC quite annoying and self pitying. I know the situation drives the plot but the fact her family are horrible and hate her yet she’s trying to save them irked me.

Beyond those gilded walls is a mesmerizing gothic romantasy that draws readers into a dark and haunting world of shadow magic, forbidden love, and deadly secrets. At the heart of the story is Odyssa Duhiva, a resilient heroine who risks everything to infiltrate a castle shrouded in corruption and mystery to save her family.

The narration by Stefanie Kay elevates the experience, immersing listeners with her ability to bring both the eerie atmosphere of the haunted castle and the emotional depth of the characters to life. Her voice lends a compelling richness to Odyssa’s inner struggles and determination, while also capturing the enigmatic allure of the masked male lead and the sinister undertones of the castle’s dark magic. Kay’s pacing and delivery perfectly complement the slow-burn romance and intensifying stakes, making the audiobook an especially gripping way to experience the story.

For fans of gothic romantasy, "Beyond Those Gilded Walls" delivers a tale of familial sacrifice, moral complexity, and shadowy passion, all brought vividly to life by a skilled narrator who enhances the immersive and atmospheric storytelling. If you love dark magic, mysterious castles, and a narrator who truly draws you into the story, this audiobook is a must-listen.

I was excited to read Beyond Those Gilded Walls because I am, admittedly, a huge gothic romance-loving girl (give me all the spooky, eerie, atmospheric vibes, please and thanks), and boy, oh boy, do I have thoughts.

First off, Odessa’s family is HORRIBLE—like, truly, irredeemably, unbearably Awful. They were so terrible that it was almost comical, like cartoon villains or something. Usually, I prefer my villains to have a bit more nuance, but that being said, hating them contributes to the plot and was necessary to push the story forward. (But, damn, I never knew I could hate a child so much.)

Although this story was inspired by the works of Edgar Allan Poe, I also feel like it will be a huge hit with readers who enjoyed Phantasma (one of my personal favorite reads of 2024). This novel has a very similar vibe while still remaining unique and original.

Overall, if you love gothic romance with a bit of body horror and an MMC who is completely down bad for the lady in his life, chances are you’re going to want to check out Beyond Those Gilded Walls.

Odyssas family was the WORST. Her mom was terrible to her. Her brothers were terrible. And it was so frustrating that she kept just wanting to please them. I’m so happy Tallon came along and showed Odyssa that love doesn’t have conditions! This is a gothic romantasy where a plague has infected the town and Odyssa wants to find the cure. And while Odyssa was a pushover with her family she does grow a backbone! The beginning is a little slow and frustrating due to Odyssa being a pushover. However the ending was perfect and honestly I wish it was a little bit longer because Odyssa and Tallon both deserved all of the happiness. I would definitely read a second book about the two of them!
The narrator for this book did an amazing job!
Thank you so much Dreamscape Media for the ALC.

Unfortunately this fell very flat for me. Not a whole lot actually happens in the book and the characters are extremely one dimensional. A lot of showing and not a lot of telling. The twist near the end of the book wasn’t very satisfying and because I had no emotional attachment to the characters (even 75% of the way into the book), I didn’t care about the implications of the twist for the characters.

This was unfortunately a DNF for me at 30%. I had a really hard time following why the FMC, Odyssa, would work so hard and put herself through hell to keep her brothers, who treated her like absolute garbage, afloat. The constant self-flagellation from Odyssa as well really started to just get to me and I didn't see her really start to stand up for herself or develop the sense of self-worth that she deserved. Thank you very much to NetGalley and to Dreamscape Media for the advanced copy.

Beyond Those Gilded Walls
Rating: 2.5 stars

I picked up Beyond Those Gilded Walls expecting a dark, brooding gothic fantasy—especially with comparisons to Edgar Allan Poe being thrown around. As a lover of all things gothic, I was ready for haunting atmospheres, layered characters, and lush, chilling prose. And while the first chapter did intrigue me, the book quickly lost its footing.

Let’s start with the romance. I wanted to love it—I really did—but it felt rushed and underdeveloped. The connection between the characters lacked the slow-burn tension or emotional weight I crave in dark fantasy romances. Instead, it felt like the relationship skipped straight to declarations and angst without earning it. The dialogue, too, fell flat. For a story that should have crackled with intensity and longing, the interactions felt hollow and unmemorable. I needed more substance, more fire, and more believability to invest in the romance.

Then there’s the magic system, which left me baffled. Our protagonist survives an illness, and suddenly she has some of the most powerful magic in the world? The logic behind this transformation wasn’t explored enough, and it felt like a shortcut rather than a well-earned arc. The story kept telling me how powerful she was, but I couldn’t see or feel the stakes of that power.

And the protagonist’s motivation? I couldn’t wrap my head around her relentless fight for a brother who was absolutely despicable to her. Why was she willing to sacrifice so much for someone so unworthy? It made it hard to root for her when her actions didn’t align with her circumstances.

I also have to call out the marketing here. Comparing this book to Edgar Allan Poe sets a very high bar. Poe’s work is defined by its chilling atmosphere, psychological tension, and poetic darkness—none of which this story fully delivered. There were hints of a gothic aesthetic, but it was surface-level at best.

I walked away from this book frustrated, with more questions than answers. There were moments where I could see the story trying to be something grand and immersive, but it just didn’t get there. The rushed romance, flat dialogue, and shallow development undermined its potential.

Final verdict: This isn’t a bad book—it’s just not what it was marketed as. If you go in expecting an intricately dark gothic fantasy with an unforgettable romance, you’ll likely walk away disappointed. Adjust your expectations, and you might find something to enjoy—but for me, this one missed the mark.

THIS WAS SO GOOD!!! I finished this in pretty much a day i was hooked. The narration and production was amazing. I love fantasy but I don't think I've read a dark gothic fantasy like this before?! I was enthralled with the story.

I absolutely devoured this book. It was so captivating. There weren’t any points where it was dragging or slow, it started full speed and kept it going through the end and I ate it up. I didn’t know I could love Jessica more but I absolutely do!

Thank you for NetGalley for this Audio ARC.

This story follows Odyssa whose kingdom has been plagued by a blood sickness. Her mother has already succumbed to the sickness and in order to save her family she goes to work in the barricaded castle.

Within the Castle walks the cruel Prince holds extravagant parties every night and ignores the pleas of his dying kingdom. Odyssa soon attracts the attention of mysterious masked man Tallon.

Trapped in the castle there is a darkness that seems drawn to Odyssa and she is eager to find a cure for the sickness and find out the truth. This story was full of dark , gothic vibes with a haunted castle and mysteries.

Really enjoyed the narrator.

Odessa survived a plague that’s been killing people in the kingdom including her mother. Soon after she gets a job at the palace to help support her brothers as promised to her dying mother. While working as a servant in the place, she discovers a disturbing connection between the bloody plague and the prince.

Overall the story fell a little flat. The insta love story with Tallon was okay but very forgettable. The book has some spice but not a huge amount (2/5). The story got very repetitive and I really struggled to build a picture of the palace or the characters in my head as the descriptions were not detailed and well written.

If you are looking for a gothic story with some romance, it could be interesting for you. I don’t know if it will be a series but the end is open to it so let’s see!

Many thanks to NetGalley and the publisher for the ALC in exchange for a honest review.

I wanted soo badly to love this story, but it just fell flat for me and was a like, not love. It definitely has potential if it is a series that will be continued though.
I found that the characters and story overall was pretty one dimensional. I could feel what the author was trying to do with the characters but it just didn’t pull through for me. I think they just needed to be more fleshed out all around as well as the world and magic.

Odessa has cared for everyone in her home for most of her life but has never been appreciated for what she does and longs for a family. She ends up going to work for the terrible prince in order to save her brother's lives. She meets Talon the princes right hand man who has many secrets that are dangerous for Odessa. This is a very interesting romantasy. It definitely focuses more on Odessa and her journey working at the castle and her desire to be loved than her romance with talon. It feels like he pops up randomly to make things more difficult for her. Her family is also terrible and she has so much trauma do them.

Beyond Those Gilded Walls is a binge worthy standalone fantasy romance read. It’s an interesting mashup of gothic, atmospheric settings and fantasy elements. The world building was so well done. It was easy to picture myself in the story especially the opulent balls hosted by the Prince. There was also an incredibly interesting juxtaposition between those living inside the luxury of the castle and those struggle outside the castle walls. Odyssa had the makings of an interesting FMC; however, I often struggled with her choices. On her own, she’s fierce but with her siblings, she lets them walk all over her. The dynamic between Odyssa and advisor was fascinating to explore as things kept changing and evolving between them. For the most part, I felt this story was well paced. It progressed in an organic way until the ending. The ending felt more rushed than the rest of the book, so I wish it had kept the pacing the rest of the book held. I read this via audiobook and loved Stefanie Kay’s narration. Kay really captured the atmospheric setting of this book while bringing Odyssa to life. There was plenty of emotion and life injected into the narration that I was fully captivated. I highly recommend checking out the audiobook for Beyond Those Gilded Walls.

I could not listen to this fast enough! Trust me, I tried.

The following are the notes I wrote as I listened to it.

*A blood sickness has plagued the city. The royals are ignoring the issue while people have to quarantine to not accidentally kill off their family members. Sounds familiar.

*The anger in this book is palpable! Both in the writing and in the narration. Shout out to this narrator. She really got the emotions across. The parental-sister dynamic is so real. F those spoiled brat brothers.

*Homie is 20 and still living off mommy? And you want your sister to leave and still send you money? Be so for real right now.

*Soul shades? Oop (won't spoil this)

*I'll be your little wolf shadow daddy

Okay I'll stop because I don't want to spoil it. Spice is limited to one real scene. Slow burn.

I will now be going to read the rest of her catalog.



I got this audio via netgalley.

Absolutely loved this book.

A deadly sickness attacks a kingdom and people are sick and dying daily.

We start the story off with Odyssa, a survivor of the disease, taking care of her sick mother who is dying from it. As her dying wish, she asks Odyssa to take care of her brothers.

Soon, her mother passes and her brothers return home and immediately, I don't like them and I don't understand why Odyssa even tries because they are absolute jerks to her and blame her for their mother's death and everything else that goes wrong in their lives.

After turning her out to get a better job to support them, Odyssa starts working in the castle... while working in the castle she catches the eye of one of the lazy prince's men. He's a mystery to her and she to him.

Will she get the cure from the prince to save her brother? Will she find a place and meaning in the world? Read this book to find out!

It's a great read that sets a wonderful scene in an imaginary world caught in between magic and death.

Beyond Those Gilded Walls is a Poe-inspired gothic fantasy romance that hooks you from the very first page.

In a land shrouded by the red mist of the Blood Plague, Odyssa, one of the few survivors, works tirelessly to provide for her brothers. But as her money dwindles, she finds herself applying for the only job that will pay enough to give her family a chance at survival. The catch? It’s within the walls of a castle where no one who enters ever comes back out. A castle where lavish parties are thrown every night, and Odyssa will be forced to serve the wretched humans who care nothing for the suffering beyond those walls. But Odyssa has a plan: she’ll infiltrate the castle, find the cure that the evil Prince withholds from everyone, and steal it.

However, within these walls, she finds more than she bargained for. Inexplicable things begin happening in the chilling castle, as spectral beings—visible only to her—emerge from the walls, hell-bent on breaking Odyssa.
Only a mysterious man, the Prince's right-hand man, seems to have the answers to her burning questions.

This is gothic fantasy romance at its best. Taylor’s hauntingly atmospheric prose pulls you into this plague-stricken world and keeps you hooked until the very last page.

The mixture of psychological horror and romantic fantasy was perfectly executed. The imagery was both amazing and horrifying as this preternatural castle came to life, balanced expertly with swoon-worthy romance and damning secrets.

The romance takes a spicy turn about 70% into the book. Odyssa and the MMC (main male character) have a beautiful, heartwarming love story that I adored watching unfold. They’ve both been through so much, and the evolution of their relationship was wonderfully done.

One of the things I really loved about this book is that the FMC (female main character) is 27. It’s so refreshing to read a fantasy where the FMC isn’t 18 or 19 years old. I truly appreciated her maturity and life experience.

I loved how everything played out and can’t wait to see what Taylor writes next. She leaves the door open for another character’s adventure in this same universe, and I hope we get to see more from this world.

You’ll enjoy this book if you like themes and tropes of:
Gothic elements
Forbidden romance (servant and the Prince’s right-hand)
Magic
Gods
Plague
Spicy romance
Ghosts
Secrets

I listened to the audiobook, and the narrator did an incredible job. She brought the characters to life in such a fluid way which allows you to truly settle into the story.

Thank you NetGalley and Dreamscape Media for this ARC audiobook in exchange for an honest review

This had such promise! The premise and magic system seemed interesting, but I wanted more. More detail on the magic and the world, and more backstory to the side characters, especially that damn cat because she ended up being my favorite. A LOT of time and detail went into the FMC's penchant for getting into trouble, wherein the MMC was magically there to save the day (like on repeat, we get it she's a damsel in distress and he's going to make sure she's safe ~EVEN THOUGH HE DOESN'T ACTUALLY INTERVENE WHEN THE OPPORTUNITY DOES ARISE). The ending felt very rushed and, again, I wanted more information. Thanks Netgalley for the e-ARC!

3.5 Stars

In a kingdom forsaken by its cowardly prince, a blood plague is running rampant in the streets. Odyssa, a rare survivor of this plague, infiltrates the castle as a servant in a desperate attempt to save her family. There she encounters the prince's right hand man, Tallon, who might lead her to the answers she's looking for.

How can I describe my feelings towards this book? On the one hand, the magic was interesting, the romance was good and I loved that it's a standalone. On the other hand, the fmc frustrated me, and the villain of the story felt incredibly shallow. I also wish we got more of the gothic atmosphere promised to us in the synopsis.

I do think the Romantasy girlies will eat this up, and I'd probably recommend it to fans of One Dark Window by Rachel Gillig.

I really enjoyed this story, it was a lot of fun. I lived how she found worth in herself and someone who didn't need her to prove she was good enough.