Photos via Instagram

Nigerian writer and filmmaker Marve Michael Anson recently celebrated her 30th birthday with a stunning Instagram post captioned: New decade ✨✨✨ Let’s go!!!

Anson is known for her fantasy trilogy, the first of which His Dark Reflection was published in 2023 and met with resounding praise for its blend of traditional fantasy and Yoruba culture. It’s a thrilling mystery surrounding a married couple, both with their own skeletons in the closet that come to life following the death of their son. Marve’s second novel, Firstborn of the Sun is set to be published by Penguin Michael Joseph in October 2025, and is available for preorder here. If the idea of yoruba fantasy hasn’t sold you, take a peek at its synopsis.

A HEART-POUNDING YORUBA INSPIRED FANTASY NOVEL SET IN AN EPIC WORLD OF COURTLY INTRIGUE AND FORBIDDEN POWER . . .

In 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 – 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 the six rings of Oru.

One where she and Alawani must now seek sanctuary and discover a secret that could bring the Kingdom to its knees . . .

This is an exciting time or new novels, celebration, and many more stories to be shared. Happy birthday Anson!

If you want to send her (belated) birthday wishes, or to see the stunning photoshoot, check out her instagram here.