Back in April, Tomi Adeyemi, a 23-year-old Harvard University graduate one year out of university, landed one of the biggest Young Adult debut novel publishing deals ever.

The Nigerian-American author and writing coach signed a reported seven-figure deal for her fantasy trilogy, which included a movie as well.

The title of the first installment is Children of Blood and Bone, and is centred around Zélie, a 17-year-old determined to bring magic back to her land, after it was ordered away by ruthless king who murdered her mother and persecuted her people.

The movie is in development at Fox 2000/Temple Hill Productions, with Karen Rosenfelt and Wyck Godfrey (the team behind Twilight, Maze Runner, The Fault In Our Stars) producing.

The cover for Children of Blood and Bone was revealed this week, designed by Rich Deas, and Adeyemi told Teen Vogue she wanted it to convey the ‘power, beauty and blackness’ of the book, as well as its serious themes of racism, oppression and power.

‘We live in a time where men, women, and children of color are being dehumanised and oppressed and unjustly murdered. Though my book is an epic fantasy, it’s directly tied to all of that pain,’ she said.

Adeyemi is based in San Diego, California. Children of Blood and Bone will be published in March 2018.

More about the book:

Zélie Adebola remembers when the soil of Orïsha hummed with magic. Burners ignited flames, Tiders beckoned waves, and Zelie’s Reaper mother summoned forth souls.

But everything changed the night magic disappeared. Under the orders of a ruthless king, maji were targeted and killed, leaving Zélie without a mother and her people without hope.

Now, Zélie has one chance to bring back magic and strike against the monarchy. With the help of a rogue princess, Zélie must outwit and outrun the crown prince, who is hell-bent on eradicating magic for good.

Danger lurks in Orïsha, where snow leoponaires prowl and vengeful spirits wait in the waters. Yet the greatest danger may be Zélie herself as she struggles to control her powers – and her growing feelings for the enemy.

Categories Fiction International

Tags Africa Children of Blood and Bone Fantasy Nigeria Tomi Adeyemi Young Adult