LB: Really the romantic trope is the main thing. MB: What is it about Jane Eyre that drew you in for retelling? I love that Within These Wicked Walls really leans into the supernatural, and Magnus, the head of the house and love interest of Andi, is way more charming and romantic than the original Rochester in my opinion. And that's pretty admirable as a musician myself. LB: I just thought they were these incredible people who… Of course, I added some fantasy elements, so it's not as extreme as I made it, but to be able to construct something that would keep away evil, I just feel like it takes a sort of mentality, you know, and a connection to the spiritual world and creativity.

MB: I thought it was so fascinating after I finished listening to Within These Wicked Walls that I immediately went and looked up, 'What culture does this come from? Where does this come from?' I'm curious, what appealed to you about the debtera for your story? They construct amulets against the Evil Eye to ward away bad luck and such, and they also sing and dance in the church. LB: I guess it's not really an exorcist, but that's the closest term, I guess I could say. Can you explain to listeners who might not know what a debtera is?

MB: So Within These Wicked Walls is an Ethiopian-inspired Jane Eyre retelling about Andromeda, or Andi as we call her, a young debtera who is tasked with ridding a castle from the Evil Eye. Melissa Bendixen: This is Audible Editor Melissa Bendixen, and I'm here with author Lauren Blackwood, whose debut novel, Within These Wicked Walls, is garnering lots of excitement and praise right now from the young adult world for its fresh concept. Note: Text has been edited and may not match audio exactly.

Behind these wicked walls