On October 21, 2025, Nigerian author Marvellous Michael Anson celebrated the launch of her highly anticipated debut novel Firstborn of the Sun at St Ethelburga’s in London. Over 100 guests gathered for the private event, including family, friends, the Penguin Michael Joseph publishing team, fellow authors, and industry professionals, as Anson welcomed her Yoruba-inspired fantasy into the world ahead of its official UK and Commonwealth release on October 23.

The evening was hosted by author Tope Owolabi and featured an on-stage conversation between Anson and her editor at Penguin Michael Joseph, Rebecca Hilsdon. Following their discussion and an audience Q&A, guests enjoyed Nigerian small chops, cocktails, and a cake inspired by the book’s cover. Attendees also received tote bags, bookish merchandise, and souvenirs, while free henna designs inspired by the book’s map added a distinctive cultural touch to the celebration. Waterstones Leadenhall Market provided special editions of the hardback, which sold out during the event.

Firstborn of the Sun follows Lọ́rẹ, an outcast in the Kingdom of Oru who must hide her dangerous secret: she is the only one without agbára, the ability to harness power from the sun. When her best friend Alawani is declared an Àlùfáà High Priest and faces a brutal trial that could kill him, Lọ́rẹ vows to rescue him. Her desperate attempt to channel agbára unleashes icy shadow magic instead, a forbidden power that leads them both to a secret land beyond Oru’s walls—and to a discovery that could topple the kingdom. The novel has been described as Game of Thrones meets Children of Blood and Bone, featuring forbidden magic, friends-to-lovers romance, courtly politics, and deadly trials.

The book’s journey to publication has been remarkable. The manuscript was shortlisted for the 2022 Kit de Waal Bursary and the Friday Night Live Competition, won the 2023 Jericho Writers Self-Edit Course Bursary, and was a finalist for the 2023 Future Worlds Prize. PMJ editorial director Rebecca Hilsdon acquired world rights to the trilogy within 48 hours of submission. The audiobook, narrated by Folake Olowofoyeku (Bob ❤️ Abishola) and Adjoa Andoh (Bridgerton), brings additional star power to this epic fantasy inspired by Yoruba culture and mythology. Anson has said of the book: “Writing Firstborn of the Sun was like weaving spells of magic and hoping that they bloom in someone’s heart as pure wonder.” With Firstborn of the Sun now in readers’ hands, that magic has officially begun.

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