§Author· 2 books
Tomi Adeyemi
Also known as Tomi Champion-Adeyemi
Young adult fantasy reached a major milestone with the publication of the Legacy of Orïsha series, a West African-inspired fantasy trilogy that brought rich mythology and high-stakes magic to modern speculative fiction. Author Tomi Adeyemi achieved widespread acclaim with her debut novel, Children of Blood and Bone, which debuted at number one on The New York Times Best Seller list and earned prestigious honors including the 2018 Andre Norton Award, the 2019 Waterstones Book Prize, and the 2019 Hugo Lodestar Award. Her trilogy has sold over three million copies worldwide and has been translated into screen adaptations.
Career & Background
Born in San Diego, California, on August 1, 1993, Adeyemi earned her honors degree in English literature from Harvard University. After graduation, she spent time studying West African culture and mythology in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, on a Harvard travel grant, an experience that sparked the foundational concepts for her debut world-building. Writing her first novel in her early twenties, Adeyemi quickly expanded her creative career into screenwriting, modeling, acting, and public speaking. In addition to collaborating with major media platforms such as Disney, Amazon, and Netflix, she penned the feature film adaptation of her series for Paramount Studios and teaches writing masterclasses at thewritersroadmap.net to mentor emerging authors.
Writing Style & Themes
Adeyemi's narrative style is characterized by fast-paced action, rich world-building, and multi-perspective storytelling featuring shifting loyalties and complex character motivations. Drawing deeply from Yoruba folklore, West African mythology, and Afrofuturist concepts, her fiction addresses real-world issues of systemic oppression, prejudice, power dynamics, and resilience. Her work balances high-concept magic systems and visceral conflict with philosophical questions about fate, justice, and community connection.
Major Works
- Children of Blood and Bone — Published in 2018, this debut novel introduces the land of Orïsha, where a ruthless monarchy suppressed magic and slaughtered the maji. The story follows Zélie Adebola on a dangerous quest to bring magic back to her realm, winning the Andre Norton Award and Hugo Lodestar Award.
- Children of Virtue and Vengeance — The 2019 sequel to Adeyemi's debut explores the chaotic aftermath of magic's return to Orïsha, plunging Zélie and her allies into an escalating civil war against royal forces.
- Children of Anguish and Anarchy — The climactic conclusion to the Legacy of Orïsha trilogy follows Zélie as she faces ultimate trials to safeguard her people and determine the final fate of magic and freedom in her world.
§All Books
Children of Blood and Bone
Tomi Adeyemi, 2018
384 ratings
Children of Anguish and Anarchy
Tomi Adeyemi, 2024
17 ratings