Reviews with content warning for Physical abuse - Within These Wicked Walls

Reviews tagging 'Physical abuse'

Within These Wicked Walls by Lauren Blackwood

32 reviews

saliwali's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious reflective sad tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

Content Warnings

jennaniho's review

Go to review page

challenging dark mysterious sad tense slow-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

This book was...a ride, to say the least. I was afraid to pick it up because it was promoted (or whispered, more likely) to be an "Ethiopian-inspired Jane Eyre retelling" and I personally don't like Jane Eyre that much. But, when I read that it had ghosts and exorcism in it probably set in the Caribbean, I gave it a chance and I wasn't that disappointed.

The book is good, but I felt the pace was too slow for my taste. Still, I enjoyed reading it. Andromeda (Andi) became my favorite character. She was a no-bullshit kind of gal, but had the normal insecurities of any late teenager, which made her relatable. She was also honest, and incredibly powerful. Her character reminded me a lot of the Japanese anime series, Witch Hunter Robin, where the main character is also incredibly powerful, but very naive.

What I didn't like at first was the "romance" between her and Magnus. I felt it was a bit vague and a bit non-consensual. Maybe is because I was seeing him through Andi's eyes. There were moments when their interactions felt a bit bland, but in others you truly felt the connection between them.

Yet, what I absolutely loved about this book was the mystery surrounding the house and how detailed the author described every important aspect of it. Lauren's writing style made you feel like you were in the dammed place and I remember jumping a bit every now and then whenever a scary or tense scene came on because it kept you on the edge of your seat (or the bed, in my case). You had bleeding walls, sinister manifestations, an abusive father figure, and a deep secret that made you anxious to know about it but didn't want to find out so soon in the book. To this, the author delivered that perfect wait. I also loved the Ethiopian-inspired elements, which gave the story more nuance and color. It is a very dark tale, so these details allowed it to keep the story interesting.

Within These Wicked Walls was better than I expected. It was what I wanted 'Mexican Gothic', by Silvia Moreno-Garcia to feel like. The story Lauren weaves is unique, nail-biting, and with a killer storyline. I might read it again and probably will comprehend some of the elements I didn't like. But, overall, it is a great book.

Content Warnings

wrensreadingroom's review against another edition

Go to review page

dark emotional mysterious sad tense fast-paced

5.0

Content Warnings

onceuponasillylittlebook's review

Go to review page

dark mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0

I haven't read or watched Jane Eyre (I know, I know) so I can't comment on how little this story relates to it but on its own it was a fairly enjoyable romance/horror.

The Ethiopian setting was interesting and learning about what a debtera is and does makes a change from the typical Christian exorcisms although there wasn't much worldbuilding beyond that.

The romance was cute with some great banter. Lots of introspection and character growth. I love a story where roles are switched and the FL protects and saves the ML.

The horror elements were scattered throughout and not a major part of the story, nor were there any tense moments or jumps cares, just the slightly spooky atmosphere of a haunted house (I'm quite thick-skinned though so some might find it a bit scarier!).

Some trigger warnings for physical abuse.

Worth a read if you like romance and horror!

Content Warnings

alyxbeau's review against another edition

Go to review page

fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Loveable characters? No
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.5

Let me start off by saying reading something from another new culture to me (this book is Ethiopian inspired) is wonderful. I love how often I am coming across new cultures in books and being able to learn little snippets of information. However, this book started off with a really exciting idea and then fell completely flat by the end. The premise of cleansing a house of monsters was set up very well-spooky, mysterious. As soon as Magnus, the love interest was introduced, the focus shifted entirely and we saw little to no attempts at cleansing the house that worked, it all happened off page. I did not find the back and forth with immediate caving in after saying she cant be with him any fun at all, it was not a dynamic I appreciated. I had a large problem with the overuse of her one gimmick - the idea of good and bad "survival habits." The first mention was quirky and I thought it was cute. But it was constantly being brought up as a reason for every action she made. It didn't need to be. I genuinely had some issues with how the main character acted most of the time, though possibly realistic based on her age and her upbringing. Speaking of which, do not get me started on Jember. What an abusive horrible man in so many ways. There was constant mention of the way he abused or hurt Andromeda, yet when Andromeda would mention it to Magnus and see how horrified he was she would yell at HIM. Telling him he had no right to be mad at Jember. WHO WOULDNT BE? YOU ARE MAD AT JEMBER. WHY CANT HE BE MAD TOO? WHY DO ONLY YOU HAVE THE RIGHT? Magnus cared about Andromeda, so he was mad at the man who treated her so poorly while he raised a child with no love. He can be mad. Jember was a walking contradiction as well. By the end of the book we see him playing a game that requires touch and we KNOW he cant stand to touch people, Andromeda mentions it every time she thinks about Jember. And its a game that requires A LOT of touch that he used to play with Andromeda too when she was little to pass time. And

what the hell was up with it being revealed he straight up kidnapped her as a kid? What the actual F***

Anyway I started off really excited and wound up disliking this book quite a bit. I did not see how this was inspired by Jane Eyre, but that didnt bother me at all as I didn't go into the book knowing that was part of its goal.

Content Warnings

puttingwingsonwords's review

Go to review page

dark emotional tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? It's complicated
Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.5

It was a quick and engaging read. Sometimes maybe too quick; the romance went a little fast for me. I think that might be typical of YA, though. I did like how the romance was written, but it was a little hard to buy that it all happened over the course of a few days.

The atmosphere of the ice cold house in the middle of the desert was perfectly creepy. But here I also felt like the horror would have benefited from a little more time to breathe. I guess I like my gothic horror with a little less action and a little more dread. I did love the way warding off the Evil Eye worked with the crafting of amulets, magic as a precise & complex skill.

Overall it was a great book, just a little rushed at times for my taste. It works well as a Jane Eyre retelling, but it also stands on its own. I recommend it if you like YA fantasy and/or romance and gothic horror.

Content Warnings

zias's review

Go to review page

emotional reflective tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

toffishay's review

Go to review page

dark funny mysterious tense medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.25

I loved the romance! Love Andromeda and love Magnus! Which is great because their romance is the biggest chunk of the plot, even more than the fantasy so if you don't buy into that then the rest of the book doesn't work. The fantasy elements were fine to me, they kind of fit that zone of generic YA fantasy. I like the haunted house aspect, which is a more interesting kind of story to me than other YA stories that would be more adventure based. It makes the story lean more Gothic, which makes sense because this is a Jane Eyre inspired story. The pacing is annoying and honestly, I didn't really care about the fantasy parts like all the fighting. I predicted some of the end, but that may be a reality of a retelling as well. The relationship between Jember and Andromeda was interesting too and <SPOILER> I liked that there were no easy answers with that one. <END SPOILER> The horror elements are well-done though, like I was really creeped out. Overall, a nice YA story that I could actually revisit again because I loved the romance!

Content Warnings

whenjessreads's review

Go to review page

mysterious

2.0

I…. did not like this book. I spent most of the read just wishing it would end.

The premise was so exciting! An Ethiopian-inspired fantasy with exorcists and the Evil Eye and on top of that, it’s a fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre!

No. Just no. None of that is correct at all. Ethiopian-inspired? Says who? The characters certainly didn’t suggest it - the main character was a POC, but the setting was a rich white man’s mansion filled with his white staff, with a level of culture equivalent to an undercooked bowl of white rice. His last name was Rochester, but if a similar last name is all you need to be labelled as a retelling, then Pocahontas is a retelling of Orwell’s 1984.

I don’t mean to rant - I mean, I do, but I don’t mean to be so rude. I just get so frustrated when a book is described as one thing and ends up being another.

I hated the MMC, he was so uncomfortable and immature and obnoxious and embarrassing and OH LOOK I BLINKED AND THEY’RE IN LOVE.

The father figure was LITERALLY abusive and yet portrayed as someone to be respected and loved.

The FMC was inconsistent and confusing. Her talents were fascinating but got buried very quickly under the romantic drama.

To pull back for a bit. This book had such a great premise. The fantasy aspect was so unique, and I really do wish I had been able to learn more about it, and though the writing was a little clunky, it wasn’t badly written.

I was just so bored and so frustrated and I’m sorry this is one giant rant. At least now I’m done with this book and can move on.

Content Warnings

erandle's review

Go to review page

adventurous dark mysterious tense fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

3.0

Content Warnings

More...