From beginning to end, it’s a true page-turner and there is so much to love about Within These Wicked Walls. With complicated relationships abound and a deep dive into the supernatural world of evil spirits, this novel is as thrilling as it is chilling. I was able to get past the feelings of unease surrounding the manifestation of wicked wraiths and still enjoy the book, which is a testament to Blackwood’s writing. While I don’t necessarily gravitate toward eerie reads (and yes, I was definitely a little creeped out when reading certain parts of this book), I still couldn’t wait to continue the story that Blackwood beautifully wrote. I have never really read anything like that it and that is part of what hooked me from the very first pages.

What’s even better is that each character is just as great on their own, their joining together is just a delightful bonus.Ĭharacters and couples aside, where Within These Wicked Walls truly shines is in its uniqueness.

It’s hard to delve deeper into their relationship without giving too much away, but I will say that I think you’ll be hard-pressed to find any reasons to dislike the pairing of Andromeda and Magnus. There are moments of wittiness, vulnerability and feeling that I wasn’t expecting, but I am glad it was part of the tale. One of the main reasons for this is definitely the banter shared between the two. Without getting too much into the actual plot, there is no stone left unturned, especially as it pertains to the relationship between Andromeda and Magnus.Īndromeda and Magnus make for an intriguing pair and one of my favourite couples out of all the books I’ve read thus far in 2021. There is nothing that Blackwood does not give readers in terms of the tale that plays out in Within These Wicked Walls – from the characters to the world-building, everything about this book is a reader’s dream. Sure, it might be a good precursor, but it is not a necessity as Blackwood creates a world that is entirely her own. For those unfamiliar with Jane Eyre, it is not something that you will necessarily have to read beforehand. (Courtesy of Wednesday Books)Īn Ethiopian-inspired fantasy retelling of Jane Eyre, Lauren Blackwood’s Within These Wicked Walls is a treat for readers.

Within these wicked walls