Firstborn of the Sun: A Yoruba-Inspired Epic of Forbidden Magic, Courtly Intrigue and Star-Crossed Love - Hardcover

Anson, Marvellous Michael

Hardcover

ISBN 10: 0241705053 ISBN 13: 9780241705056

Publisher: Michael Joseph, 2025

Synopsis

In a Kingdom Built on Secrets, Her Hidden Magic Could Destroy Everything.

A heart-pounding Yoruba inspired fantasy set in an epic world of courtly intrigue and forbidden power…

'Rich worldbuilding inspired by Yoruba mythology and a strong cast of characters. This debut fantasy shines as bright as the sun' L. R. LAM


‘Absolutely Radiant’ BEA FITZGERALD
'Wildly Imaginative' HANNAH KANER
'A sweeping, enchanting fantasy' ESMIE JIKIEMI-PEARSON
‘A Dazzling Debut’ ANDREA STEWART
‘Enthralling and epic’ ANNA DAY
'Gorgeously, powerfully written' INDIA HOLTON
‘Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ ANGELA MONTOYA


In the Kingdom of Oru L'ore has a secret. She is the only one without agbára – the ability to harness power from the sun. On pain of death she must conceal it from everyone. Including her best friend, Alawani.

But when the gods declare Alawani an Àlùfáà High Priest – a great honour where he will serve the gods and the Kingdom – he must be stripped of his power in a brutal trial likely to kill him. Unwilling to bear his death, L'ore vows to rescue him.

When she desperately attempts to channel agbára an icy shadow magic instead pours from her hands; a power she learns originated from a forbidden, secret land beyond Oru.

In this place, she and Alawani must seek sanctuary from those pursuing them. But soon they will discover a secret that could bring the kingdom to its knees . . .

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Early Readers are fanning the flames of Firstborn of the Sun!

'I was completely hooked. The tale delves deeply into African mythology, with storytelling that feels timeless' ***** 5 star reader review

'This book is a breath of fresh, fiery air . . . the plot? Absolutely jaw-dropping. I'm talking "mouth open, phone slipping from my hands" levels of shock' ***** 5 star reader review

'Wowowow this book was incredible . . . a completely new vibe of its own - a richly layered magic system, stunning worldbuilding, and characters so compellingly complex you’ll root for all of them at some point (even when they’re at odds)' ***** 5 star reader review

'Both magical and meaningful ... a stunning tribute to Yoruba heritage, and I highly recommend it to anyone who loves culturally rich fantasy' ***** 5 star reader review


‘Absolutely radiant. Anson has created a captivating, intricate world with characters who will stay with me for a long time. A perfect balance of political machinations and aching romance, wrapped up in a fast-paced action packed adventure. I loved it!’ BEA FITZGERALD, author of Girl Goddess Queen

'A searing tale of ambition, love and survival . . . This is a wildly imaginative debut which begins an epic story' HANNAH KANER, author of Godkiller

'A dazzling debut, with characters that leap off the page and burrow into your heart. Filled with love, betrayal, and questions of loyalty, the twists and turns this story takes will keep you reading late into the night' ANDREA STEWART, author of The Gods Below

‘Fierce, exciting and utterly original, Firstborn of the Sun is an enthralling and epic fantasy, with a beautiful and tender romance at its center’ ANNA DAY, author of The Girl who Grew Wings

'Epic and gorgeous, Firstborn of the Sun, enraptures readers in the rich, complex Kingdom of Oru with intricate magic, fascinating politics, swoony romance, and gasp-worthy twists. A radiant debut, not to miss!' DHONIELLE CLAYTON, author of The Conjurverse series

'Gorgeously, powerfully written, with wonderful characters and intricate, luxuriant worldbuilding - altogether really quite exceptional. I foresee it becoming a beloved classic amongst fantasy readers.' INDIA HOLTON, author of the Dangerous Damsels series


‘A rich and confident fantasy with expansive world building and a magic system as vicious as it is unique. Filled with intricately woven twists and action from beginning to end, readers will have a hard time putting this book down. Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ - ANGELA MONTOYA, author of Sinner’s Isle and A Cruel Thirst

About this title

About the Author

Marvellous Michael Anson has been writing for over a decade and has self-published a thriller, His Dark Reflection, to critical acclaim. She was shortlisted for the Future Worlds Prize in 2023, the 2022 Jericho Writers Friday Night Live Competition and the 2022 Kit De Waal Bursary, was longlisted for the 2023 REVPIT competition, and won the 2023 Jericho Writers’ Self Edit Course Bursary. In addition, Marve is a filmmaker who wrote and produced an award-winning short film in 2016 and is a recipient of the 2017 AFRIFF Film School Scholarship Program. She is a member of the Society of Authors, the World Science Fiction Society and the British Fantasy Society. She is a mentor for Black Girl Writers. Firstborn of the Sun is her debut fantasy novel.

Edition details

• Publisher: Michael Joseph
• Publication date: 2025
• Language: English
• ISBN 10: 0241705053
• ISBN 13: 9780241705056
• Binding: Hardcover
• Number of pages: 592