This book is a masterful retelling of Jane Eyre! It's so true to the core of the original, but it improves in certain places in nuanced ways. The Ethiopian folklore, religious iconography, and history pairs reeeeally really well with Andi's (Jane's) journey. All her struggles with classism; surviving abuse; striving for piety, dignity and independence while wrestling with desire, jealousy, and a yearning for comfort and validation, are all VERY much present, and even more poignant coming from a PoC. Magnus (Rochester) is just as poignant, with his intense mood swings, and privileged flippancy. There was nothing lost in making the story properly paranormal, all of the heart and themes are still there.

The book did sort of lose me in the last quarter, when it largely focused on Andi's relationship with her mentor and father-figure. I think the book had a lot to say about generational trauma, or learning to forgive/let go/choose to live with love despite traumas endured... but the final chapters dragged, and repeated themselves, as Andi tried to force family therapy sessions and confessions of love out of Jember.

But all in all, I love the representation, and the powerful, genuine voice of Andi. I am so thankful that Jordan Ifueko positively reviewed this book, because I might have believed the dissenters and missed it otherwise! Thanks for the bump, Jordan! Haters gonna hate, this book is great!