Within These Wicked Walls

I loved this Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre. Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood has gore, romance, rooms filled with blood, books that attack, and more.

Plot

Andromeda is desperate to make a living since the abusive man that raised her has just kicked her out. She is a debtera, someone who cleanses homes from the Evil Eye. In her desperation, Andromeda takes on an impossible job that no one else would dare to touch. When she meets her handsome new employer, Andromeda slowly realizes that her task will be much harder than she had imagined. She also suspects that her boss is hiding a lot more than he let on.

Thoughts on Within These Wicked Walls

I loved Andromeda’s character. She’s tough, funny, and very determined. Magnus was a great character as well, a bit slow to recognize his privilege but ready to charm Andi’s socks off. Their relationship was very insta-lovey, which is probably my only critique of this novel. Otherwise, I loved it.

I also liked that the author eased into the story rather than present lots of info-dumping and world-building. The world-building is there, but it’s gradual.

I will definitely pick up anything else that Lauren Blackwood decides to write.

My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐

Available Now.

Thank you to St. Martin’s Press for an arc provided via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.

For regular reading updates, follow my Goodreads profile.

For book reviews on newly released books, check out the blog page.