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Firstborn of the Sun
- Author
- Marvellous Michael Anson
- Narrator
- Adjoa Andoh, Folake Olowofoyeku
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Publish Date
- 6 November 2025
- Run Time
- 18 hours 2 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
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What to expect
Brought to you by Penguin.
THE HEART-POUNDING YORUBA INSPIRED FANTASY NOVEL SET IN AN EPIC WORLD OF COURTLY INTRIGUE AND FORBIDDEN POWER . . .
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 . . .
'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
‘A Dazzling Debut’ ANDREA STEWART
‘Enthralling and epic’ ANNA DAY
‘Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ ANGELA MONTOYA
© Marvellous Michael Anson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
Critics 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
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Firstborn of the Sun is 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
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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
-
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
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Marvellous Michael Anson
- Narrator
- Adjoa Andoh, Folake Olowofoyeku
- Duration
- 18 hours 2 minutes
- Release Date
- 6 November 2025
- ISBN
- 9781405974943
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Penguin Books Ltd
- Genre
- Epic fantasy / high fantasy, Myths and Legends / Mythic fiction, Historical fantasy, Black Speculative fiction, Narrative theme: love / relationships, Traditional African religions and spiritual beliefs
Synopsis
Brought to you by Penguin.THE HEART-POUNDING YORUBA INSPIRED FANTASY NOVEL SET IN AN EPIC WORLD OF COURTLY INTRIGUE AND FORBIDDEN POWER . . .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 . . .'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‘A Dazzling Debut’ ANDREA STEWART‘Enthralling and epic’ ANNA DAY‘Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ ANGELA MONTOYA© Marvellous Michael Anson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025
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