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Firstborn of the Sun
A HEART-POUNDING YORUBA INSPIRED FANTASY NOVEL SET IN AN EPIC WORLD OF COURTLY INTRIGUE AND FORBIDDEN POWER . . .
‘Absolutely Radiant’ BEA FITZGERALD
‘A Dazzling Debut’ ANDREA STEWART
‘Enthralling and epic’ ANNA DAY
‘Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ ANGELA MONTOYA
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 . . .
_____________
‘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, author of Girl Goddess Queen
'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, author of The Gods Below
‘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, author of The Girl who Grew Wings
‘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, author of Sinner’s Isle and A Cruel Thirst
‘Absolutely Radiant’ BEA FITZGERALD
‘A Dazzling Debut’ ANDREA STEWART
‘Enthralling and epic’ ANNA DAY
‘Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ ANGELA MONTOYA
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 . . .
_____________
‘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, author of Girl Goddess Queen
'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, author of The Gods Below
‘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, author of The Girl who Grew Wings
‘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, author of Sinner’s Isle and A Cruel Thirst
615 pages, Hardcover
First published October 23, 2025
85 people are currently reading
6830 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 154 reviews
March 19, 2025
I think it's the best thing since sliced bread #WeWhoOwnTheSun
October 23, 2025
A stunningly impressive West African-inspired epic, high fantasy.🤩
L'ore is an outcast in Oru, daughter of a coward and hiding a secret that would see her killed: she is the only one without agbára – the ability to harness power from the sun.
When her best friend, Prince Alawani (who will never become King) is chosen to be an Àlùfáà, something that should be impossible for him, L'ore vows to rescue him.
Lots of secrets come to light, there’s brilliant friendship and slow burn, epic fight scenes and magic, political intrigue. Also, the world-building is intense, but it is easily digestible. When authors can pull this off on their first try, I’m astounded.
Whilst there is so much going on (the synopsis leaves so much out), I never felt lost. You are reminded of certain points and history throughout. Normally, I despise hand-holding in fantasy, but this wasn’t that. This was the perfect balance.
Ọgbọ́ n ọdún yìí wèrè èmíì Today’s wisdom may be tomorrow’s madness.
It was filled with snippets of wisdom, moments of self-reflection built in for the characters and readers which never felt heavy-handed.
You get quite a few povs. Most are fully realised and I’m sure others will be fleshed out in future instalments.
I do wish there was a glossary or appendix, or even a map to help ground me more. However, this was an early copy, so these could be present in the final copy.
I did feel we were going in circles with our two main characters, but the pace and intrigue still kept my attention.
‘It’s not about what you want. It’s about dealing with what you already have. It’s who you are. You can’t change it, the same way you can’t decide to be a tree.’
I can already predict some reviewers will complain about the dialect used occasionally to represent the Yoruba culture. I appreciated it. Immerse yourself and educate yourself.
For fans of The Battle Drum, Children of Blood and Bone.
Arc gifted by Michael Joseph Penguin Random House.
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L'ore is an outcast in Oru, daughter of a coward and hiding a secret that would see her killed: she is the only one without agbára – the ability to harness power from the sun.
When her best friend, Prince Alawani (who will never become King) is chosen to be an Àlùfáà, something that should be impossible for him, L'ore vows to rescue him.
Lots of secrets come to light, there’s brilliant friendship and slow burn, epic fight scenes and magic, political intrigue. Also, the world-building is intense, but it is easily digestible. When authors can pull this off on their first try, I’m astounded.
Whilst there is so much going on (the synopsis leaves so much out), I never felt lost. You are reminded of certain points and history throughout. Normally, I despise hand-holding in fantasy, but this wasn’t that. This was the perfect balance.
Ọgbọ́ n ọdún yìí wèrè èmíì Today’s wisdom may be tomorrow’s madness.
It was filled with snippets of wisdom, moments of self-reflection built in for the characters and readers which never felt heavy-handed.
You get quite a few povs. Most are fully realised and I’m sure others will be fleshed out in future instalments.
I do wish there was a glossary or appendix, or even a map to help ground me more. However, this was an early copy, so these could be present in the final copy.
I did feel we were going in circles with our two main characters, but the pace and intrigue still kept my attention.
‘It’s not about what you want. It’s about dealing with what you already have. It’s who you are. You can’t change it, the same way you can’t decide to be a tree.’
I can already predict some reviewers will complain about the dialect used occasionally to represent the Yoruba culture. I appreciated it. Immerse yourself and educate yourself.
For fans of The Battle Drum, Children of Blood and Bone.
Arc gifted by Michael Joseph Penguin Random House.
Bookstagram
Tiktok
October 23, 2025
4.5 Stars
A rich fantasy world, a kingdom built on secrets, forbidden magic and a cast of characters that I was invested in from the first page. I really loved this book!
I wish we got to see outside of the kingdom but it also makes sense that this will be explored in book 2. It took quite a while for the characters to travel to the borders of the kingdom.
The friends to lovers! The angst! I loved these characters and I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed the next book now.
A rich fantasy world, a kingdom built on secrets, forbidden magic and a cast of characters that I was invested in from the first page. I really loved this book!
I wish we got to see outside of the kingdom but it also makes sense that this will be explored in book 2. It took quite a while for the characters to travel to the borders of the kingdom.
The friends to lovers! The angst! I loved these characters and I neeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeeed the next book now.
Want to read
March 20, 2025I AM SO READY FOR THIS BOOK, IT'S GONNA BE AMAZING <3
UPDATE: MY ARC JUST LANDED AAAAAAA!!!!
UPDATE: MY ARC JUST LANDED AAAAAAA!!!!
they-told-me-to-read-it
March 4, 2025Saw the cover via the author’s socials and immediately added to tbr.
October 14, 2025
It took me a while to get to this as it looked really epic and i wasnt sure i was in the right headspace but im glad i finally got around to it. This is a wonderful step towards authentic, exciting, widespread Black led Fantasy and i really quite enjoyed it.
The novel centres around the Kingdom of Oru and their tradition of selecting the next ruler. The king will have an heir but that heir will not rule. A high priest will be selected from a special bunch of people and he will then sire the next heir to the throne, while ruling as regent until the son comes of age. Something like that. Admittedly it does get a little confusing at the start but all this is so that the power of oru aka agbara isnt too concentrated in one line.
Our FMC Lore has no agbara and grows up feeling outcast but her only friend is the prince-with-no-power Alawani. When Alawani gets called to take the test to be the next high priest, she fights to stop him as it will surely mean his untimely death. This is where the romance comes in, in that she and Alawani are in love but in no way is this a “romantasy” like social media might make you think. I dont mean this negatively but just for awareness. If youre going in thinking its going to be super smutty and all about their relationship then youre wrong. Its more about identity and acceptance and loyalty and familial piety that is a large part of Nigerian and other cultures. I really like that about this.
Even when the explanation or repetition of naming conventions got a bit much for me, i still respected how authentic it was. I had small issues with main character shield in that you always knew they would survive really massive ordeals. It was only really an issue cause the author kept highlighting how dangerous something was but they just always got out of it easily enough or someone pooped up at just the right time etc. it made it lose its realism for me.
The fighting scenes were really well done as i could see the influences of things like Avatar: The Last Airbender which made it really enjoyable to watch/read in my head. I liked the array of characters, even Lore even if she did say silly things some times lol
The end had me rolling cause like, men *eye roll* but im defo excited to continue this journey.
Overall this was really well done and im so glad to have found a Black led Fantasy that could lead the way for us with credibility and talent where, in my personal opinion many have been a let down. This of course pulls from Nigerian influence which on the one hand even though i appreciated it, really think we need to branch out more when it comes to our books. Nigerian is not the only starting point for Black Fantasy world building available, and i really want to see more of it. But i digress. This book was really good and im happy the author is getting all the shiny marketing and release hype like her counterparts as its well deserved imo.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the arc. All opinions are my own.
The novel centres around the Kingdom of Oru and their tradition of selecting the next ruler. The king will have an heir but that heir will not rule. A high priest will be selected from a special bunch of people and he will then sire the next heir to the throne, while ruling as regent until the son comes of age. Something like that. Admittedly it does get a little confusing at the start but all this is so that the power of oru aka agbara isnt too concentrated in one line.
Our FMC Lore has no agbara and grows up feeling outcast but her only friend is the prince-with-no-power Alawani. When Alawani gets called to take the test to be the next high priest, she fights to stop him as it will surely mean his untimely death. This is where the romance comes in, in that she and Alawani are in love but in no way is this a “romantasy” like social media might make you think. I dont mean this negatively but just for awareness. If youre going in thinking its going to be super smutty and all about their relationship then youre wrong. Its more about identity and acceptance and loyalty and familial piety that is a large part of Nigerian and other cultures. I really like that about this.
Even when the explanation or repetition of naming conventions got a bit much for me, i still respected how authentic it was. I had small issues with main character shield in that you always knew they would survive really massive ordeals. It was only really an issue cause the author kept highlighting how dangerous something was but they just always got out of it easily enough or someone pooped up at just the right time etc. it made it lose its realism for me.
The fighting scenes were really well done as i could see the influences of things like Avatar: The Last Airbender which made it really enjoyable to watch/read in my head. I liked the array of characters, even Lore even if she did say silly things some times lol
The end had me rolling cause like, men *eye roll* but im defo excited to continue this journey.
Overall this was really well done and im so glad to have found a Black led Fantasy that could lead the way for us with credibility and talent where, in my personal opinion many have been a let down. This of course pulls from Nigerian influence which on the one hand even though i appreciated it, really think we need to branch out more when it comes to our books. Nigerian is not the only starting point for Black Fantasy world building available, and i really want to see more of it. But i digress. This book was really good and im happy the author is getting all the shiny marketing and release hype like her counterparts as its well deserved imo.
Thank you to NetGalley and publishers for the arc. All opinions are my own.
September 26, 2025
FIRSTBORN OF THE SUN - MARVELLOUS MICHAEL ANSON
As I read this book, I kept thinking, 'wow, this would make an incredible film'. The writing of Firstborn of the Sun is cinematic and powerful, sweeping the reader straight into a world that feels vast and complex.
While there are fantasy elements that we'd expect, like magical powers, political intrigue and deadly secrets, as well as a protagonist's journey to discover her own strength, this book feels utterly unique due to it being based on West African mythology and culture.
I honestly don't have any notes, as this is exactly the sort of fantasy book I love. The characters are multi-faceted and often do things I don't expect, I didn't see the twists coming and I loved the magic system. There is romance here (steamy, not spicy), but it feels secondary to the plot and L'ore's journey. I can't wait for book 2.
Don't miss out on this one! Thank you to Marvellous Michael Anson, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Release date: 23 Oct 2025
Review score: 5/5
TWs: d*ath, v*olence, injury detail, s*xual content
As I read this book, I kept thinking, 'wow, this would make an incredible film'. The writing of Firstborn of the Sun is cinematic and powerful, sweeping the reader straight into a world that feels vast and complex.
While there are fantasy elements that we'd expect, like magical powers, political intrigue and deadly secrets, as well as a protagonist's journey to discover her own strength, this book feels utterly unique due to it being based on West African mythology and culture.
I honestly don't have any notes, as this is exactly the sort of fantasy book I love. The characters are multi-faceted and often do things I don't expect, I didn't see the twists coming and I loved the magic system. There is romance here (steamy, not spicy), but it feels secondary to the plot and L'ore's journey. I can't wait for book 2.
Don't miss out on this one! Thank you to Marvellous Michael Anson, the publisher and NetGalley for the opportunity to read this book.
Release date: 23 Oct 2025
Review score: 5/5
TWs: d*ath, v*olence, injury detail, s*xual content
October 5, 2025
Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for the arc of Firstborn of the Sun. I was so excited about this book (I'd even pre-ordered it!), so I'm sad to say that I'm DNFing it on page 292/the half-way mark.
Review summary
Firstborn of the Sun was billed as Yoruba-inspired adult epic fantasy. It delivers on the epic elements and Yoruba culture, but the 300ish pages that I've read felt more like a trope-heavy YA epic romantasy.
I think the right reader will absolutely adore this book, but I'm not that reader. I'd recommend it for fans of YA romantasy in African-inspired settings, interesting magic systems, and fight scenes.
In more detail
For readers who enjoy YA romantasy, I think there's a lot to love about this book. But while I read both YA novels and romantasy novels, I don't tend to read cis-het YA romantasy — and especially not when it's so heavy on tropes. I got very tired of what felt like manufactured sexual rivals hiding things in their cleavage, "touch her and die" moments, and characters generally only seeming to think about their love interest when they should have been focussed on far more pressing issues.
I loved the cultural Yoruba-inspired elements of the world, but the more practical elements (geography, economics, distance, social structure and communications...) didn't make any sense. On page 289, there was finally an acknowledgement and a hint of an explanation for why the world is geographically so illogical ("Old magic" — "Yes, but how is it done?" — "Shh...not here"). However, I really value convincing worldbuilding in fantasy so it was a case of too little, too late for me.
I also struggled with the fact that the characters never to seem to think about the consequences of their actions, the book seemed to rely on the shock factor at times, and it also started really in media res.
In fact, it's so in media res that I spent up until page 39 thinking that the love interests pining over each other were half-siblings. This was after the MFC had come to the FMC's rescue in a fight, then had a play fight with her, and then sought out gang members and killed them so they wouldn't hurt the FMC on her behalf. (Those gang members didn't come back into play in the 300ish pages I read, so it felt like it was just inserted so as to have a "touch her and die" moment. But, I'm going to give the book the benefit of the doubt and hope that they became relevant at some point in the second half.)
It's a shame, because the magic system and setup was intriguing. But I've soft DNF'd this book so many times by now, and it has pushed me into a several-week-long reading slump, so I think it's time that I go ahead and DNF it for good.
Review summary
Firstborn of the Sun was billed as Yoruba-inspired adult epic fantasy. It delivers on the epic elements and Yoruba culture, but the 300ish pages that I've read felt more like a trope-heavy YA epic romantasy.
I think the right reader will absolutely adore this book, but I'm not that reader. I'd recommend it for fans of YA romantasy in African-inspired settings, interesting magic systems, and fight scenes.
In more detail
For readers who enjoy YA romantasy, I think there's a lot to love about this book. But while I read both YA novels and romantasy novels, I don't tend to read cis-het YA romantasy — and especially not when it's so heavy on tropes. I got very tired of what felt like manufactured sexual rivals hiding things in their cleavage, "touch her and die" moments, and characters generally only seeming to think about their love interest when they should have been focussed on far more pressing issues.
I loved the cultural Yoruba-inspired elements of the world, but the more practical elements (geography, economics, distance, social structure and communications...) didn't make any sense. On page 289, there was finally an acknowledgement and a hint of an explanation for why the world is geographically so illogical ("Old magic" — "Yes, but how is it done?" — "Shh...not here"). However, I really value convincing worldbuilding in fantasy so it was a case of too little, too late for me.
I also struggled with the fact that the characters never to seem to think about the consequences of their actions, the book seemed to rely on the shock factor at times, and it also started really in media res.
In fact, it's so in media res that I spent up until page 39 thinking that the love interests pining over each other were half-siblings. This was after the MFC had come to the FMC's rescue in a fight, then had a play fight with her, and then sought out gang members and killed them so they wouldn't hurt the FMC on her behalf. (Those gang members didn't come back into play in the 300ish pages I read, so it felt like it was just inserted so as to have a "touch her and die" moment. But, I'm going to give the book the benefit of the doubt and hope that they became relevant at some point in the second half.)
It's a shame, because the magic system and setup was intriguing. But I've soft DNF'd this book so many times by now, and it has pushed me into a several-week-long reading slump, so I think it's time that I go ahead and DNF it for good.
December 9, 2024
I received this Copy of Firstborn of the Sun as a advance reader copy to review prior to book launch next year. I felt very honoured to be selected and was very exited to begin reviewing it.
I have to say I have loved reading this book, its both escapist and reflective for me, a mirror through which I could explore an ancient culture of old Yoruba Gods, legends and magic. There were lots of twist and turns in the plot with multi dimensional Characters and it gripped me from the start, Marve has a easy and natural way of communicating in her writing, which bring the story to life for the reader.
" L'ore peeled off the hood of her cloak and inhaled deeply taking in the cold desert air. The night was clear, the moon shone like a pearl in the sky, and the icy winds howled as they hovered over the tall buildings that formed the capitol city of Ilu Oba. The city was built with the whitest limestone, bleached bright enough that the sun makes the high points sparkle and at night, the moons light gave the city an unworldly glow"
The book is intriguing taking the reader into this mythical world of ancient gods in the kingdom of Oru. Marve builds her main characters relationship with emotion, friendship, loyalty and betrayal, pulling on the heart strings at times. I really cared about L'ore and Alawani, and their exiting journey together which got me hooked straight away. I especially love the character of L'ore who is fascinating, such a strong young women who had to fight prejudice and adversity without any additional powers. She was driven by love and loyalty, even swearing a blood oath.
The story is magical and very well told from lots of different viewpoints, with an unexpected twist at the end.
The story telling reminded me of listening to the magical West African story's told by Jan Blake.
I would definitely recommend this book
I have to say I have loved reading this book, its both escapist and reflective for me, a mirror through which I could explore an ancient culture of old Yoruba Gods, legends and magic. There were lots of twist and turns in the plot with multi dimensional Characters and it gripped me from the start, Marve has a easy and natural way of communicating in her writing, which bring the story to life for the reader.
" L'ore peeled off the hood of her cloak and inhaled deeply taking in the cold desert air. The night was clear, the moon shone like a pearl in the sky, and the icy winds howled as they hovered over the tall buildings that formed the capitol city of Ilu Oba. The city was built with the whitest limestone, bleached bright enough that the sun makes the high points sparkle and at night, the moons light gave the city an unworldly glow"
The book is intriguing taking the reader into this mythical world of ancient gods in the kingdom of Oru. Marve builds her main characters relationship with emotion, friendship, loyalty and betrayal, pulling on the heart strings at times. I really cared about L'ore and Alawani, and their exiting journey together which got me hooked straight away. I especially love the character of L'ore who is fascinating, such a strong young women who had to fight prejudice and adversity without any additional powers. She was driven by love and loyalty, even swearing a blood oath.
The story is magical and very well told from lots of different viewpoints, with an unexpected twist at the end.
The story telling reminded me of listening to the magical West African story's told by Jan Blake.
I would definitely recommend this book
October 26, 2025
i LOVED this book!!! west african culture (yoruba) inspired high fantasy with heavy world building, lore and a complex layered, but surprisingly easy to follow, magic system.
> forbidden power and love
> dark magic
> court politics and intrigue
> friends to lovers
> betrayals, choices and trials
> multiple pov
this is a four star read because it was definitely slow to get in to. there was a lot to take in before the plot started to really take off but i just know this series is going to be a winner for me. it’s beautifully written, with characters that you connect with throughout their pain/suffering and happiness. yoruba heritage isn’t something that i was clued up on before reading firstborn of the sun and it has been SO interesting to learn. there is so much culture packed between these pages and i’ve had the best time doing my own research on top of this to have a better understanding. as i said, it did take a little while to get into this book but it’s absolutely worth the patience because it just gets better and better.
the only other book i have read that gave me similar feelings was priory of the orange tree, which i have seen firstborn be recommended for fans of. if you loved priory of the orange tree, you’ll love this one. it’s complex and compelling. the storytelling is captivating and i’m desperate to find out what happens next in this series!
> forbidden power and love
> dark magic
> court politics and intrigue
> friends to lovers
> betrayals, choices and trials
> multiple pov
this is a four star read because it was definitely slow to get in to. there was a lot to take in before the plot started to really take off but i just know this series is going to be a winner for me. it’s beautifully written, with characters that you connect with throughout their pain/suffering and happiness. yoruba heritage isn’t something that i was clued up on before reading firstborn of the sun and it has been SO interesting to learn. there is so much culture packed between these pages and i’ve had the best time doing my own research on top of this to have a better understanding. as i said, it did take a little while to get into this book but it’s absolutely worth the patience because it just gets better and better.
the only other book i have read that gave me similar feelings was priory of the orange tree, which i have seen firstborn be recommended for fans of. if you loved priory of the orange tree, you’ll love this one. it’s complex and compelling. the storytelling is captivating and i’m desperate to find out what happens next in this series!
December 29, 2025
Review to come! ☀️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
If anyone wanted a Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon kind of fantasy but with an all African cast set in an Africa-inspired world, this needs to be on your radar STAT!! 🤯
This was a punch of a debut and man I don’t know what to write that won’t spoiler the plot by accident. Let’s just say the plot revolves around an imcredibly important night and the four main characters of the book are thrusted into a plot that’s been in the making for years. ⏳
The four POV’s are: L’ore, a young woman whose life is a literal walking death trap due to the secret that she hides; Alawani, a prince only in name who wants nothing more than to be with his best friend, Lore, but instead is called to the priesthood; Milua, a fiery temple maiden who will stop at nothing to find out who her birth parents were and protect her position in the temple; and Toba, the kind Crown Prince who finds out that his role in life is more precarious than he thought. I loved and rooted for each of these characters in their own ways, but I did find myself annoyed with L’ore’s lack of planning and impulsiveness here and there. I’m sure that after the events of this book, it’ll get better, but boy was I ready to slap some sense into her a few times. My favorite of the bunch probably had to be Milua because she’s so complex. She’s cold and brutally ruthless, but I do feel like there’s a small part of her that deeply wants connection with other people. I do wish Toba’s development happened a little earlier on in the book, but man am I excited to see where he goes in the next book! And Alawani. . . Jeez my dude you’ve got some BAD family drama. 😮💨
All in all, I really enjoyed this intense political fantasy and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes them! Thank you goes out to the author, Anton, for giving me the chance of getting my hands on an eARC! Sorry for the late review, but man was it worth every delayed second this semester put me through. 🥲
Publication date: October 23, so go get your hands on this now!!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
(FINAL REVIEW:)
If anyone wanted a Game of Thrones/House of the Dragon kind of fantasy but with an all African cast set in an Africa-inspired world, this needs to be on your radar STAT!! 🤯
This was a punch of a debut and man I don’t know what to write that won’t spoiler the plot by accident. Let’s just say the plot revolves around an imcredibly important night and the four main characters of the book are thrusted into a plot that’s been in the making for years. ⏳
The four POV’s are: L’ore, a young woman whose life is a literal walking death trap due to the secret that she hides; Alawani, a prince only in name who wants nothing more than to be with his best friend, Lore, but instead is called to the priesthood; Milua, a fiery temple maiden who will stop at nothing to find out who her birth parents were and protect her position in the temple; and Toba, the kind Crown Prince who finds out that his role in life is more precarious than he thought. I loved and rooted for each of these characters in their own ways, but I did find myself annoyed with L’ore’s lack of planning and impulsiveness here and there. I’m sure that after the events of this book, it’ll get better, but boy was I ready to slap some sense into her a few times. My favorite of the bunch probably had to be Milua because she’s so complex. She’s cold and brutally ruthless, but I do feel like there’s a small part of her that deeply wants connection with other people. I do wish Toba’s development happened a little earlier on in the book, but man am I excited to see where he goes in the next book! And Alawani. . . Jeez my dude you’ve got some BAD family drama. 😮💨
All in all, I really enjoyed this intense political fantasy and I can’t wait to see where the next book takes them! Thank you goes out to the author, Anton, for giving me the chance of getting my hands on an eARC! Sorry for the late review, but man was it worth every delayed second this semester put me through. 🥲
Publication date: October 23, so go get your hands on this now!!
Overall: 4.25/5 ⭐️
November 16, 2025
I’m really sad that I didn’t love this one. It took me forever to get into the story and I felt like I was constantly putting it down to read something else. Something about the pacing especially in the first 30% did not work. The work building was a bit heavy handed which tends to not be my favourite thing. We also have a friends-to-lovers arc that justifies my continued dislike of the trope. I’m going to let my thoughts on this one sit for a bit but this is how I feel at the moment 😭
September 25, 2025
4.5 ⭐️ rounded up!
The best fantasies, in my opinion, have heavy themes, political intrigue, social commentary, and intricate world building, and this Yoruba mythology inspired debut has everything you need in spades!
We’re delving into a world of unique magic systems, state corruption, ethnic cleansing, propaganda, caste systems, and everyone is out for themselves. The characters are complex and flawed, it’s hard to pick a side, and I loved it. I had a hard time reconciling with the fact that a lot of this was done for a man, but I understood too that someone as deeply lonely as L'ọrẹ could easily be pushed to desperate actions to save the only person who has ever really shown her kindness.
I think fans of The Poppy War would love this
Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House for the ARC!
The best fantasies, in my opinion, have heavy themes, political intrigue, social commentary, and intricate world building, and this Yoruba mythology inspired debut has everything you need in spades!
We’re delving into a world of unique magic systems, state corruption, ethnic cleansing, propaganda, caste systems, and everyone is out for themselves. The characters are complex and flawed, it’s hard to pick a side, and I loved it. I had a hard time reconciling with the fact that a lot of this was done for a man, but I understood too that someone as deeply lonely as L'ọrẹ could easily be pushed to desperate actions to save the only person who has ever really shown her kindness.
I think fans of The Poppy War would love this
Many thanks to NetGalley and Michael Joseph/Penguin Random House for the ARC!
May 15, 2025
A scorching debut from an exciting new voice in fantasy, Firstborn of the Sun has everything you could want from an epic fantasy--layered worldbuilding, engaging characters and twists and betrayals I'm still reeling from. I can't wait to find out what happens next!
March 24, 2025
5/5⭐️Chile when I tell you I did not know what to expect! I did not know what I was gonna get into with this book! I was lucky enough to get picked for an early ARC copy and it was amazing to be on this journey! I just want to say thank you to Marve and Sere for everything!
This book was an easy read! The prologue was strong and the adventure following Lore’s journey was amazing! My favorite character was Command! There were so many layers to these characters that nobody was innocent! The world building was great leaving room for more! The action was on point and omg I would’ve loved to see what the attires were looking like in real life! All the way down to the cowrie shells! 🐚 Such a five star read and can’t wait for more!
This book was an easy read! The prologue was strong and the adventure following Lore’s journey was amazing! My favorite character was Command! There were so many layers to these characters that nobody was innocent! The world building was great leaving room for more! The action was on point and omg I would’ve loved to see what the attires were looking like in real life! All the way down to the cowrie shells! 🐚 Such a five star read and can’t wait for more!
May 26, 2025
May 25, 2025:
Overall rating as of right now: 4.75
Review:
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Firstborn of the Sun. This story was amazing, eventful, full of culture, emotional and beautifully written. It captured my full attention before I even got done reading the Prologue. By chapter five I was so invested that I forgot I was an a ARC reader and forgot to take notes.
Now, the ARC did have some flaws that looked like the pesky autocorrect caused.
But… that’s not why I didn’t give it a full five stars. I’m not giving it a full five stars because… now I need to go back in & reread it without the pressure of being an ARC reader. But… this is a fantastic read.
May 25, 2025:
I’ve decided to omit my notes during my read from my this review but it can be found here https://hardcover.app/books/firstborn...
I understand this is an ARC and most of the issues that I might point out will be resolved in the final version. Right now this is my reading thread, notes, guesses and will eventually turn into a review
April 25, 2025:
Y’all… update. The traveling ARC has finally arrived to the end of its journey… Me.
Now, it’s time to read it. Which I have started. So, from here on out this will now turn into a reading thread/review.
Let us begin.
April 2nd 2025: The cover is 100% stunning. This is becoming my most anticipated reads of 2025.
October 2024:
Y’all don’t understand how excited I am for this book. I’ve been following the progress of this book since the very start. This is the one book I’m looking forward to in 2025.
Overall rating as of right now: 4.75
Review:
Thank you for allowing me to be an ARC reader for Firstborn of the Sun. This story was amazing, eventful, full of culture, emotional and beautifully written. It captured my full attention before I even got done reading the Prologue. By chapter five I was so invested that I forgot I was an a ARC reader and forgot to take notes.
Now, the ARC did have some flaws that looked like the pesky autocorrect caused.
But… that’s not why I didn’t give it a full five stars. I’m not giving it a full five stars because… now I need to go back in & reread it without the pressure of being an ARC reader. But… this is a fantastic read.
May 25, 2025:
I’ve decided to omit my notes during my read from my this review but it can be found here https://hardcover.app/books/firstborn...
I understand this is an ARC and most of the issues that I might point out will be resolved in the final version. Right now this is my reading thread, notes, guesses and will eventually turn into a review
April 25, 2025:
Y’all… update. The traveling ARC has finally arrived to the end of its journey… Me.
Now, it’s time to read it. Which I have started. So, from here on out this will now turn into a reading thread/review.
Let us begin.
April 2nd 2025: The cover is 100% stunning. This is becoming my most anticipated reads of 2025.
October 2024:
Y’all don’t understand how excited I am for this book. I’ve been following the progress of this book since the very start. This is the one book I’m looking forward to in 2025.
October 22, 2025
Rating 3.75/5 ( I have have rounded it to four for Goodreads convinience )
This is a masterful work, the author’s narrative voice is confident, unafraid to make readers visualize everything from action scenes to thematic explorations, down to the character sketches exactly as they intended.
We are taken through a journey of the chosen one, the underdog who i not meant to accept her place but steer clear off of it as long as possible. Her existence is a threat to the carefully crafted religious and political order. When religion and government intertwine good things are rarely a part of the history and we are delivered a gory, violent tale of corrupt power — casual violence in the name of devotion.
Magic is regulated, and an object of fear, used to inflict violence, it draws from elemental magic systems but subverts it into its own unique two-part system, an intriguing concept. the father-daughter dynamic is endearing , and one of my favourites.
The political intrigue hooks your attention with tight pacing and consistent sense of dread looming over the characters that the reader witnesses through multiple points of view.
At places the text however does feel disjointed in the sense that certain characters are introduced in ways that make it clear that relationship dynamics are pre-existing and we are meant to follow as those evolve not form. However, certain characters feel like they have only been called up as plot convenience their bonds with the mmc and fmc hastily done.
The supporting characters were build with such depth that those became my favourite, to the point main characters and their relationship with each other falls flat —- the existing latent romantic tension was my least favourite, it felt juvenile at times, despite being a focal plot device. I would not call it romantasy, but fantasy with aromatic subplot. Dialogues can feel tad unnatural in places but that does not distract too much from the story.
Overall, for fans of diverse world mythology, unique narratives and exploration of cultures vastly different from theirs . This book was quite reminiscent of “A song of Legends Lost” in all the positive ways possible.
A massive thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me get to this early !
This is a masterful work, the author’s narrative voice is confident, unafraid to make readers visualize everything from action scenes to thematic explorations, down to the character sketches exactly as they intended.
We are taken through a journey of the chosen one, the underdog who i not meant to accept her place but steer clear off of it as long as possible. Her existence is a threat to the carefully crafted religious and political order. When religion and government intertwine good things are rarely a part of the history and we are delivered a gory, violent tale of corrupt power — casual violence in the name of devotion.
Magic is regulated, and an object of fear, used to inflict violence, it draws from elemental magic systems but subverts it into its own unique two-part system, an intriguing concept. the father-daughter dynamic is endearing , and one of my favourites.
The political intrigue hooks your attention with tight pacing and consistent sense of dread looming over the characters that the reader witnesses through multiple points of view.
At places the text however does feel disjointed in the sense that certain characters are introduced in ways that make it clear that relationship dynamics are pre-existing and we are meant to follow as those evolve not form. However, certain characters feel like they have only been called up as plot convenience their bonds with the mmc and fmc hastily done.
The supporting characters were build with such depth that those became my favourite, to the point main characters and their relationship with each other falls flat —- the existing latent romantic tension was my least favourite, it felt juvenile at times, despite being a focal plot device. I would not call it romantasy, but fantasy with aromatic subplot. Dialogues can feel tad unnatural in places but that does not distract too much from the story.
Overall, for fans of diverse world mythology, unique narratives and exploration of cultures vastly different from theirs . This book was quite reminiscent of “A song of Legends Lost” in all the positive ways possible.
A massive thank you to Netgalley and the publishers for letting me get to this early !
November 10, 2025
“Eternity is unkind to those who go down to the grave with secrets meant for the living.”
I have to admit, I felt quite intimidated by the 600 pages of this book, but I’ve “inhaled” it in one day, as pages are so easy to turn.
I loved this world, inspired by myths we are not used to seeing in fantasy, and that felt very different and interesting (so are the author’s social media, in which she explains a lot, I learnt so much). The world building is very detailed, from politics —and the ways of replacement of the people in power— to the magical system and it at the heart of the plot, creating a dense novel (in the best of ways).
Even though the romance is a lot more developed than what I anticipated (and has a lot of importance regarding the characters’ interactions), it’s very much an epic fantasy, heavy on politics, alliances and treasons —and magic. I loved to witness all of that, as much as the “initiatic journey” our characters engage on, as they travel around their country for their quest.
This book is as much an identity quest for all the protagonist who have to discover who they are, and decide if they will accept their fate or fight against it… a fate they were all prepared to face since a very young age, even though they didn’t know that —or why.
I can’t wait to read the next installment!
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and to the author for the access to the ebook on NetGalley. My opinions are my own
4.5/5
I have to admit, I felt quite intimidated by the 600 pages of this book, but I’ve “inhaled” it in one day, as pages are so easy to turn.
I loved this world, inspired by myths we are not used to seeing in fantasy, and that felt very different and interesting (so are the author’s social media, in which she explains a lot, I learnt so much). The world building is very detailed, from politics —and the ways of replacement of the people in power— to the magical system and it at the heart of the plot, creating a dense novel (in the best of ways).
Even though the romance is a lot more developed than what I anticipated (and has a lot of importance regarding the characters’ interactions), it’s very much an epic fantasy, heavy on politics, alliances and treasons —and magic. I loved to witness all of that, as much as the “initiatic journey” our characters engage on, as they travel around their country for their quest.
This book is as much an identity quest for all the protagonist who have to discover who they are, and decide if they will accept their fate or fight against it… a fate they were all prepared to face since a very young age, even though they didn’t know that —or why.
I can’t wait to read the next installment!
Thank you to Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and to the author for the access to the ebook on NetGalley. My opinions are my own
4.5/5
November 8, 2025
Firstborn of the Sun was my most anticipated debut of the year. Honestly, I wasn’t this excited by a new author in a long, long time. So, yes, my expectations were very high for this one… and never in my wildest dreams was this good. Marvellous Michael Anson first book is a precious and rare gem, ready to conquer your bookshelves and hearts.
What a ride! I finished it last night, or it finished me, I’m not sure, and I’m still astounded by how much I loved this read. I’m obsessed with everything in this book. First of all, it has the most gorgeously lethal, compelling and vibrant world, super complex and detailed, amazingly designed and such a beautiful homage to Yoruba culture. And then, there is the plot. This madly crazy crafted plot that ruined me for any plot forever. I’m serious. The political game here is completely in other level. The fight and magic scenes are superb. The constant tension and danger, the drama… no one is ready for how good everything is.
And all of this with the most cunning, imperfect, power hungry cast of characters ever. Never in my life I was surprised by characters like I was by these ones. Don’t love, don’t trust, don’t believe anyone. All of them have their own backstories, their ambitions and secrets, and no one is safe from the others. I never knew what to expect from them and learning their motivations was the most emotional ride ever. The most complex cast ever and I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Firstborn of the Sun is, for me, the best debut of the last years. Marvellous talent is otherworldly and I believe she is here to revolutionize the fantasy bookish world. I’m already dying to read the next one… CAN’T WAIT!
Thank you to NetGalley, Marvellous and Penguin Michael Joseph for giving me an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
What a ride! I finished it last night, or it finished me, I’m not sure, and I’m still astounded by how much I loved this read. I’m obsessed with everything in this book. First of all, it has the most gorgeously lethal, compelling and vibrant world, super complex and detailed, amazingly designed and such a beautiful homage to Yoruba culture. And then, there is the plot. This madly crazy crafted plot that ruined me for any plot forever. I’m serious. The political game here is completely in other level. The fight and magic scenes are superb. The constant tension and danger, the drama… no one is ready for how good everything is.
And all of this with the most cunning, imperfect, power hungry cast of characters ever. Never in my life I was surprised by characters like I was by these ones. Don’t love, don’t trust, don’t believe anyone. All of them have their own backstories, their ambitions and secrets, and no one is safe from the others. I never knew what to expect from them and learning their motivations was the most emotional ride ever. The most complex cast ever and I can’t wait to see what will happen next.
Firstborn of the Sun is, for me, the best debut of the last years. Marvellous talent is otherworldly and I believe she is here to revolutionize the fantasy bookish world. I’m already dying to read the next one… CAN’T WAIT!
Thank you to NetGalley, Marvellous and Penguin Michael Joseph for giving me an eARC in exchange of an honest review.
October 8, 2025
(Disclaimer: I received this book from the author. This has not impacted my review which is unbiased and honest.)
Firstborn of the Sun is full of secrets. It navigates our versions of the world, the truth, and the past. Immediately, I loved the banter and friends to lovers vibe. This is a multi-layered fantasy which has an unhurried world building build. I loved how the foundation is slowly pieced together - and broken apart - and it felt incredibly organic. There's also this core of friendship and love which defies religion, loyalty, and country. We have swoons, multiple insights into the characters, and a fabulous world. But I think my favorite element was the unlocking and power discovery. There's something about that theme which always gets me.
Firstborn of the Sun is full of secrets. It navigates our versions of the world, the truth, and the past. Immediately, I loved the banter and friends to lovers vibe. This is a multi-layered fantasy which has an unhurried world building build. I loved how the foundation is slowly pieced together - and broken apart - and it felt incredibly organic. There's also this core of friendship and love which defies religion, loyalty, and country. We have swoons, multiple insights into the characters, and a fabulous world. But I think my favorite element was the unlocking and power discovery. There's something about that theme which always gets me.
January 15, 2026
I started writing a review but if I actually keep on doing it I will talk myself out of the enjoyment I had for this book, so let me say this.
Temilore. Kilode?????? Your goodness is not great. All of it is your fault. In fact they should change your oriki to include Olodo and ask you to leave us alone.
Everyone else was great tho! Looking forward to the next one x
Temilore. Kilode?????? Your goodness is not great. All of it is your fault. In fact they should change your oriki to include Olodo and ask you to leave us alone.
Everyone else was great tho! Looking forward to the next one x
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
January 16, 2026
An intense African inspired fantasy story, Marvellous Michael Anson’s Firstborn of the Sun is an impressive and commanding traditionally published debut novel. An imaginative and complex power struggle story of magic and action, this book has an expertly crafted plot that’s twisty, full of turmoil, and honors its cultural influences while also being very accessible and compelling. With confident storytelling and distinctively fresh fantasy elements, Firstborn of the Sun is a well-rounded and excellent start to Anson’s planned epic fantasy trilogy. (On Goodreads, 4.5 star rating rounded down).
I will be the first to admit that having zero familiarity with Yuruban culture, I had no idea what to expect from this book having received it as part of Goldsboro’s GSFF subscription. However, I am glad to have been exposed to this book as it’s a really solid one! Set in the fictional Continent and Kingdom of Oru that’s governed by a monarchy and Holy Order, Firstborn of the Sun’s strong African roots and inspirations are one of the book’s biggest highlights. A good number of popular high fantasy books tend to be loosely based around European fantasy material that can often feel stale or uninspired, but this book is distinctively different and conceptually very refreshing. As to be expected for a high fantasy book, the story has a well-crafted magic system that’s based around one’s agbára, sun-based inner magic gifted to each individual from the gods. Not only is the magic system unique, but so too is Anson’s creative use of various sun or heat-based magic mixed with traditional spear and dagger combat, leading to excellent magical warfare and elaborately choreographed fight sequences. Unlike other fantasy or dystopian series set in arid desert like environments, the Kingdom of Oru feels fully realized, vibrant, but most importantly lived in and diverse. Featuring six rings, each region is distinctive and provides a variety of different environments and settings for the story to work with as its characters continue on their journey. Despite having quite a few different terms, statuses, and vocabulary, Anson does a great job at guiding the reader through her world-building and lore where no experience with African fantasy folklore is needed which becomes second nature when reading the further into the story you get. Short proverbs and snippets that separate chapters are also a nice touch that adds to the overall tone of the book.
Firstborn of the Sun not only has a distinctive fantasy flavor but also has the narrative content to back it up. Set around the selection of prospective priests who are selected from each ring of Oru every ten years who are then stripped of their agbára as part of tradition to ensure the future powers for the Kingdom, the book’s plot is essentially a power succession struggle between different political figures following the recent death of the King. Anson’s storytelling and plotting are excellent, particularly when it comes to the intense scheming, manipulation, and political maneuvering of the different figures across groups and generations. Additionally, the succession of power is unique and complicated in that the King of Oru is determined based on the firstborn of the High Priest/Regent who is selected from the decennial priesthood selection process while the firstborn of current King has no actual political power, an important limitation that plays a major role in the story. Additionally, during transitional periods between kings or rulers, the Regent assumes all powers of the king’s role until a new successor ascends, leading to potential conflicts of power. The plot is complex, featuring multi POV’s including the daughter of the outcast L'ore who has no agbára, her childhood best friend and royal prince Alawani, his bonded temple maiden Milúà, and the heir to the throne Tofa. Each representing a POV from a different group within the kingdom, they provide good variety and exploration of Anson’s expansive world. I found the book most compelling when it was focused on the intricate power plays and conflicting interests of each young main character, a marketing blurb drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones being an apt reference in loose concept.
Complementing its strong plotting are a variety of great themes that run throughout the story. Despite being from different political entities and backgrounds, all four of the young characters have a recurring element of being saddled with the legacies or burdens of their parents and the consequences of their past actions. For L'ore in particular, the recurring motifs of being an outcast and survivor run throughout her story, directly shaping her decisions and coming full circle by the end of this first book. The theme of corruption, deception, and twisting of the words of the gods are also elements that are effectively used as the story builds and grows, not to mention the book’s title being referenced dramatically in the back of the novel.
While the book is very well-rounded and has an expertly crafted plot, at times I found the pacing and story to occasionally drag, particularly in its middle section. Initially featuring just L'ore and Alawani’s POV’s that complement each other, as the other two POV’s are added and the scope of the series expands, the general pacing slows considerably due to the constant perspective shifts. A lot happens and the content is interesting, but juggling three to four perspectives means a lot of pages are used to cover a relatively short amount of time within the story. To Anson’s credit, the POV’s are utilized well and are necessary to provide the context for each character’s motivations as well as revealing how intricate and complex the line of succession is and how far the Holy Order’s reach extends, but there are moments where I felt that the book was a bit slow and slightly long for what it was trying to do. Additionally, after an action-packed start, the story takes a while to get going, though the payoff for patient readers is worth it when the book gets to its back half.
When I started reading this book, I was not aware that it was only the start of a new trilogy rather than being a standalone novel, thinking that the book would need all its nearly 600 pages to tell its story. However, as just the start of the series, perhaps it could’ve been trimmed slightly as I found L'ore’s journey out of the core to the outer rings taking a lot longer than I would’ve expected; the content is narratively good but lengthy. While I liked Alawani’s platonic and romantic chemistry with L'ore and found his early chapters during his summoning to priesthood compelling, I found his characters and chapters to be less interesting and contributing less to the story compared to the other three POV’s. Especially when compared to how strong, driven, and passionate L'ore’s POV is, I felt like his character kind of plateaued a bit early in the book and left L'ore to carry the back-half of their duo on her shoulders. That said, based on the direction the series appears to be going, I fully expect this to change considering the big plot twist his last chapter ends on. For those that are for or against romantasy genre books, do note that Firstborn of the Sun is NOT a romantasy book and is an authentic epic fantasy story. There is a romance element that follows the friends-to-lovers and ill-fated romance tropes well, but the romance is used as a base for character growth/motivations only and is a minor supporting element rather than the focus; the few romantic moments are brief and free of spice.
Featuring a well-crafted plot, complex character motivations and dynamics, great magical elements and action, and distinctive Yoruban inspirations, Firstborn of the Sun is a very solid start to Anson’s new series. With a great mix of story, characterizations, world-building, and most importantly scale, this book is a confident and well-rounded fantasy adventure that fully earns its high and epic fantasy genre classifications. This was a book that I never would’ve read or even heard of if not for Goldsboro’s GSFF subscription, but I am glad I took a chance on it as it’s a book that needs to be talked about more in fantasy book circles not only for its diversity and representation, but also because it’s just a great book in general. At the time of this review, Firstborn of the Sun is currently a UK-only title due to lack of publishers in other regions but if you’re able to somehow get a copy of it, it’s an imaginative hard fantasy book worth picking up!
*For more reviews, book lists and reading updates, check out my blog TheBookGrind!
I will be the first to admit that having zero familiarity with Yuruban culture, I had no idea what to expect from this book having received it as part of Goldsboro’s GSFF subscription. However, I am glad to have been exposed to this book as it’s a really solid one! Set in the fictional Continent and Kingdom of Oru that’s governed by a monarchy and Holy Order, Firstborn of the Sun’s strong African roots and inspirations are one of the book’s biggest highlights. A good number of popular high fantasy books tend to be loosely based around European fantasy material that can often feel stale or uninspired, but this book is distinctively different and conceptually very refreshing. As to be expected for a high fantasy book, the story has a well-crafted magic system that’s based around one’s agbára, sun-based inner magic gifted to each individual from the gods. Not only is the magic system unique, but so too is Anson’s creative use of various sun or heat-based magic mixed with traditional spear and dagger combat, leading to excellent magical warfare and elaborately choreographed fight sequences. Unlike other fantasy or dystopian series set in arid desert like environments, the Kingdom of Oru feels fully realized, vibrant, but most importantly lived in and diverse. Featuring six rings, each region is distinctive and provides a variety of different environments and settings for the story to work with as its characters continue on their journey. Despite having quite a few different terms, statuses, and vocabulary, Anson does a great job at guiding the reader through her world-building and lore where no experience with African fantasy folklore is needed which becomes second nature when reading the further into the story you get. Short proverbs and snippets that separate chapters are also a nice touch that adds to the overall tone of the book.
Firstborn of the Sun not only has a distinctive fantasy flavor but also has the narrative content to back it up. Set around the selection of prospective priests who are selected from each ring of Oru every ten years who are then stripped of their agbára as part of tradition to ensure the future powers for the Kingdom, the book’s plot is essentially a power succession struggle between different political figures following the recent death of the King. Anson’s storytelling and plotting are excellent, particularly when it comes to the intense scheming, manipulation, and political maneuvering of the different figures across groups and generations. Additionally, the succession of power is unique and complicated in that the King of Oru is determined based on the firstborn of the High Priest/Regent who is selected from the decennial priesthood selection process while the firstborn of current King has no actual political power, an important limitation that plays a major role in the story. Additionally, during transitional periods between kings or rulers, the Regent assumes all powers of the king’s role until a new successor ascends, leading to potential conflicts of power. The plot is complex, featuring multi POV’s including the daughter of the outcast L'ore who has no agbára, her childhood best friend and royal prince Alawani, his bonded temple maiden Milúà, and the heir to the throne Tofa. Each representing a POV from a different group within the kingdom, they provide good variety and exploration of Anson’s expansive world. I found the book most compelling when it was focused on the intricate power plays and conflicting interests of each young main character, a marketing blurb drawing comparisons to Game of Thrones being an apt reference in loose concept.
Complementing its strong plotting are a variety of great themes that run throughout the story. Despite being from different political entities and backgrounds, all four of the young characters have a recurring element of being saddled with the legacies or burdens of their parents and the consequences of their past actions. For L'ore in particular, the recurring motifs of being an outcast and survivor run throughout her story, directly shaping her decisions and coming full circle by the end of this first book. The theme of corruption, deception, and twisting of the words of the gods are also elements that are effectively used as the story builds and grows, not to mention the book’s title being referenced dramatically in the back of the novel.
While the book is very well-rounded and has an expertly crafted plot, at times I found the pacing and story to occasionally drag, particularly in its middle section. Initially featuring just L'ore and Alawani’s POV’s that complement each other, as the other two POV’s are added and the scope of the series expands, the general pacing slows considerably due to the constant perspective shifts. A lot happens and the content is interesting, but juggling three to four perspectives means a lot of pages are used to cover a relatively short amount of time within the story. To Anson’s credit, the POV’s are utilized well and are necessary to provide the context for each character’s motivations as well as revealing how intricate and complex the line of succession is and how far the Holy Order’s reach extends, but there are moments where I felt that the book was a bit slow and slightly long for what it was trying to do. Additionally, after an action-packed start, the story takes a while to get going, though the payoff for patient readers is worth it when the book gets to its back half.
When I started reading this book, I was not aware that it was only the start of a new trilogy rather than being a standalone novel, thinking that the book would need all its nearly 600 pages to tell its story. However, as just the start of the series, perhaps it could’ve been trimmed slightly as I found L'ore’s journey out of the core to the outer rings taking a lot longer than I would’ve expected; the content is narratively good but lengthy. While I liked Alawani’s platonic and romantic chemistry with L'ore and found his early chapters during his summoning to priesthood compelling, I found his characters and chapters to be less interesting and contributing less to the story compared to the other three POV’s. Especially when compared to how strong, driven, and passionate L'ore’s POV is, I felt like his character kind of plateaued a bit early in the book and left L'ore to carry the back-half of their duo on her shoulders. That said, based on the direction the series appears to be going, I fully expect this to change considering the big plot twist his last chapter ends on. For those that are for or against romantasy genre books, do note that Firstborn of the Sun is NOT a romantasy book and is an authentic epic fantasy story. There is a romance element that follows the friends-to-lovers and ill-fated romance tropes well, but the romance is used as a base for character growth/motivations only and is a minor supporting element rather than the focus; the few romantic moments are brief and free of spice.
Featuring a well-crafted plot, complex character motivations and dynamics, great magical elements and action, and distinctive Yoruban inspirations, Firstborn of the Sun is a very solid start to Anson’s new series. With a great mix of story, characterizations, world-building, and most importantly scale, this book is a confident and well-rounded fantasy adventure that fully earns its high and epic fantasy genre classifications. This was a book that I never would’ve read or even heard of if not for Goldsboro’s GSFF subscription, but I am glad I took a chance on it as it’s a book that needs to be talked about more in fantasy book circles not only for its diversity and representation, but also because it’s just a great book in general. At the time of this review, Firstborn of the Sun is currently a UK-only title due to lack of publishers in other regions but if you’re able to somehow get a copy of it, it’s an imaginative hard fantasy book worth picking up!
*For more reviews, book lists and reading updates, check out my blog TheBookGrind!
November 18, 2025
4.5/5, rounded down.
this was overall really good, however i think it’ll lose a lot of readers due to the excruciatingly slow beginning and the repetitiveness in the writing style initially. both these issues wore off later in the book, however they did ultimately impact my rating of it. i was actually close to dnf’ing this, but once i pushed through the beginning, i was fully hooked. where this book succeeds the most is in its worldbuilding, and how smaller details of the world impacts its characters and forces their hand. this book is deeply in love with the culture it represents, and that love made it even more fun to read. very excited for the sequel, because i think this series will only get better and better
this was overall really good, however i think it’ll lose a lot of readers due to the excruciatingly slow beginning and the repetitiveness in the writing style initially. both these issues wore off later in the book, however they did ultimately impact my rating of it. i was actually close to dnf’ing this, but once i pushed through the beginning, i was fully hooked. where this book succeeds the most is in its worldbuilding, and how smaller details of the world impacts its characters and forces their hand. this book is deeply in love with the culture it represents, and that love made it even more fun to read. very excited for the sequel, because i think this series will only get better and better
October 22, 2025
Thank you so much to Penguin Michael Joseph, Marvellous Michael Anson and NetGalley for sending me an eARC of Firstborn of the Sun!
Firstborn of the Sun follows L’ọrẹ, who lives in the Kingdom of Oru, where everyone is born with agbára, the ability to harness the power of the sun. However, L’ọrẹ has a secret, one that she's been keeping from everyone, including her best friend Alawani; she has no agbára. As the daughter of a coward, she is shunned by the people, and she knows that if her secret is to be revealed, she'll be even more reviled. However, when her best friend is called to become a priest of Oru, and potentially die in the process, L’ọrẹ does everything she can to free him, including accidentally unlocking a secret power that is thought to have been eradicated. On the run, they must seek refuge and L’ọrẹ must learn to harness these powers, all while a dangerous secret threatens to tear apart the kingdom.
I've been excited for this book for a while and my gosh it did not disappoint! The worldbuilding in this is phenomenal; Oru is a Yoruba-inspired kingdom made up of six rings which all have different exports and use for the kingdom, and while we didn't see much of the larger world in this book, we still got quite a bit of information about the world outside Oru, which I'm excited to see in an upcoming sequel. The way the world was described felt so magical, and I really loved the nods to Yoruba culture present. It's not a culture I'm particularly familiar with, but I'd love to read more works that are inspired by Yoruba culture. The magic system in this is also great; (almost) everyone can use this sun magic and the strength of the power is tied to how close you are to royalty, which I found really interesting. The way that the monarchy worked in this was also really fun; instead of it just being a hereditary monarchy, passed from father to son, upon the king's death the High Priest of Oru assumes the title of Lord Regent and rules until his own firstborn comes of age and then becomes king. I've not really seen a monarchal system like this in other fantasy books so it was fun to have this new system; some of the intricacies did confuse me at first but as I kept reading I grew to understand it.
L’ọrẹ is such a powerful character to read about. She's fiercely loyal and protective over the very few people in her life, and while she makes some decisions that truly baffled me, I could really understand her motivations and reasoning behind those decisions. She's impulsive and naive at times but she's a character that really pulls you in and makes you root for her at all times. I also really liked Tofa and Milúà's POVs; I found them both to be also engaging and intriguing characters to read about, especially getting closer to the end of the book. Anson has such a way with writing characters that makes you really care for them, even if they're on opposing sides to another character that you're rooting for, which makes things complicated emotionally!
The writing was also really good here; I really enjoyed the way battle scenes were written especially. Sometimes in epic fantasy, I tend to gloss over battle scenes because I can't really visualise them, but the way Anson writes these battle scenes had me imagining it perfectly, like a film. I'd love to see an adaptation of this actually; I think it'd make a great film or TV show!
I think my main gripe about this is the romance; I'm usually not a friends to lovers fan and the romance here was a bit too fast for me. Because L’ọrẹ and Alawani have been friends for so long, they've built up this trust and respect for each other outside of the book, and so the bits that we saw just felt rushed for me. I love some good yearning, and while this had a little bit, I think I'd have preferred more, but that's just my personal preference! I did like the way they truly cared for each other, however some decisions that both of them made had me rolling my eyes. They are teenagers though, so I'll let them off!
Firstborn of the Sun is an ambitious, magical, epic fantasy debut that really clicked with me, and I can't wait for the sequel to be able to explore more of the lush, beautiful world that Anson has created. And with some of the twists that were introduced in this, I'm really excited to see where the story goes next!
Firstborn of the Sun follows L’ọrẹ, who lives in the Kingdom of Oru, where everyone is born with agbára, the ability to harness the power of the sun. However, L’ọrẹ has a secret, one that she's been keeping from everyone, including her best friend Alawani; she has no agbára. As the daughter of a coward, she is shunned by the people, and she knows that if her secret is to be revealed, she'll be even more reviled. However, when her best friend is called to become a priest of Oru, and potentially die in the process, L’ọrẹ does everything she can to free him, including accidentally unlocking a secret power that is thought to have been eradicated. On the run, they must seek refuge and L’ọrẹ must learn to harness these powers, all while a dangerous secret threatens to tear apart the kingdom.
I've been excited for this book for a while and my gosh it did not disappoint! The worldbuilding in this is phenomenal; Oru is a Yoruba-inspired kingdom made up of six rings which all have different exports and use for the kingdom, and while we didn't see much of the larger world in this book, we still got quite a bit of information about the world outside Oru, which I'm excited to see in an upcoming sequel. The way the world was described felt so magical, and I really loved the nods to Yoruba culture present. It's not a culture I'm particularly familiar with, but I'd love to read more works that are inspired by Yoruba culture. The magic system in this is also great; (almost) everyone can use this sun magic and the strength of the power is tied to how close you are to royalty, which I found really interesting. The way that the monarchy worked in this was also really fun; instead of it just being a hereditary monarchy, passed from father to son, upon the king's death the High Priest of Oru assumes the title of Lord Regent and rules until his own firstborn comes of age and then becomes king. I've not really seen a monarchal system like this in other fantasy books so it was fun to have this new system; some of the intricacies did confuse me at first but as I kept reading I grew to understand it.
L’ọrẹ is such a powerful character to read about. She's fiercely loyal and protective over the very few people in her life, and while she makes some decisions that truly baffled me, I could really understand her motivations and reasoning behind those decisions. She's impulsive and naive at times but she's a character that really pulls you in and makes you root for her at all times. I also really liked Tofa and Milúà's POVs; I found them both to be also engaging and intriguing characters to read about, especially getting closer to the end of the book. Anson has such a way with writing characters that makes you really care for them, even if they're on opposing sides to another character that you're rooting for, which makes things complicated emotionally!
The writing was also really good here; I really enjoyed the way battle scenes were written especially. Sometimes in epic fantasy, I tend to gloss over battle scenes because I can't really visualise them, but the way Anson writes these battle scenes had me imagining it perfectly, like a film. I'd love to see an adaptation of this actually; I think it'd make a great film or TV show!
I think my main gripe about this is the romance; I'm usually not a friends to lovers fan and the romance here was a bit too fast for me. Because L’ọrẹ and Alawani have been friends for so long, they've built up this trust and respect for each other outside of the book, and so the bits that we saw just felt rushed for me. I love some good yearning, and while this had a little bit, I think I'd have preferred more, but that's just my personal preference! I did like the way they truly cared for each other, however some decisions that both of them made had me rolling my eyes. They are teenagers though, so I'll let them off!
Firstborn of the Sun is an ambitious, magical, epic fantasy debut that really clicked with me, and I can't wait for the sequel to be able to explore more of the lush, beautiful world that Anson has created. And with some of the twists that were introduced in this, I'm really excited to see where the story goes next!
November 21, 2025
2 Stars ⭐️⭐️
Currently DNF’d @30%
It’s a warm November afternoon. I’m browsing the bookstore, looking for something to entertain me on my holiday in Vietnam. I’m looking for a deep and gritty fantasy, which meant I stayed far away from the Fourth Wing and ACOTAR sections of the store. Eventually, I found the display table titled “fantasy new-releases” and picked this book up. The blurb hooked me and I loved the idea of a Yoruba-inspired fantasy. It was also a thick book which I’d need for my two-week holiday.
Anyway, all I can say is that I wish I picked up a different book, as I’m only two days into my holiday and had to DNF it. It started off strong and the plot looked promising, and the world building and magic system seemed super unique and cool. The pace was slow but I was fine with that as I enjoy when a world is fleshed out. The characters seemed cool, and the dynamics were interesting. I was absorbed in the world.
But then the immersion started to crack, as the characters steadily got less believable and more stupid, especially the FMC. And look, I love myself a flawed FMC, but she was so ridiculous in every way that I simply couldn’t think her as real even in the context of fiction — and I don’t think the author intended to make her this flawed which just made the whole thing worse.
Since I still have two weeks left, I may or may not pick up this book again just to sate my curiosity. More likely, though, I will steal my boyfriend’s Sunrise of the Reaping and read that instead.
Currently DNF’d @30%
It’s a warm November afternoon. I’m browsing the bookstore, looking for something to entertain me on my holiday in Vietnam. I’m looking for a deep and gritty fantasy, which meant I stayed far away from the Fourth Wing and ACOTAR sections of the store. Eventually, I found the display table titled “fantasy new-releases” and picked this book up. The blurb hooked me and I loved the idea of a Yoruba-inspired fantasy. It was also a thick book which I’d need for my two-week holiday.
Anyway, all I can say is that I wish I picked up a different book, as I’m only two days into my holiday and had to DNF it. It started off strong and the plot looked promising, and the world building and magic system seemed super unique and cool. The pace was slow but I was fine with that as I enjoy when a world is fleshed out. The characters seemed cool, and the dynamics were interesting. I was absorbed in the world.
But then the immersion started to crack, as the characters steadily got less believable and more stupid, especially the FMC. And look, I love myself a flawed FMC, but she was so ridiculous in every way that I simply couldn’t think her as real even in the context of fiction — and I don’t think the author intended to make her this flawed which just made the whole thing worse.
Since I still have two weeks left, I may or may not pick up this book again just to sate my curiosity. More likely, though, I will steal my boyfriend’s Sunrise of the Reaping and read that instead.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
August 14, 2025
How do you even begin to articulate your thoughts when you've just finished the best book you've ever read?
A maiden with everything to lose.
A prince with no power.
A girl with a deadly secret.
Right from the beginning this book has me hooked; no time was wasted and the author jumped straight into action. I was sucked into the world of L'ore and her inability to harness power from the sun - something so simple and ordinary to anyone else in the Kingdom of Oru.
With fantasy books it can be hard to tick all the right boxes and ensure all aspects of the story are written well - world building, characters, magic systems, relationships, plots, etc., and yet Marvellous Michael Anson did this so well I truly have no feedback or things that as a reader I wish she had done differently. The world and culture in this book was incredibly rich, the characters were so complex I couldn't decide who I wanted to see succeed in their missions knowing it would be at the detriment of one of the other characters and the politics were fantastic!
I was kept on my toes throughout the entire duration of the story! No points felt like they were lagging and I never found myself bored with the different POVs - if anything I felt spoilt getting to peak inside each persons head. With every couple of pages I read I was either gasping, crying, laughing or swooning. I often find at some point with fantasy books it can be easy to predict where the direction of the book is going or spot a plot twist from a mile away but with FOTS I was always slightly off the mark, always surprised, always clutching my pearls.
Without spoiling anything, I really want to give props to Marvellous' mind because there was a certain character (****) whose story I was very invested in and I was eager to see what/if something would trigger a shift in his mindset. So, when the puzzle pieces fell into place to spark that shift I really had to give a round of applause because it was so smoothly done - it made perfect sense!
Although I've just finished this book I'm already eager to read it again - I truly don't know how I'm supposed to carry on until book 2. Any and every thing I could have wanted to see within a fantasy book was written in these pages. Do you have any idea how cool it feels to see yourself, your culture, your people spun in such a beautiful and brilliant way?
If you've spoken to me over the past couple of weeks then you know I've tried to slip this book into ever conversation I can because if there is ONE recommendation you should take from me it will be this book - Firstborn of the Sun. This was the first 6 star full-length fantasy book I've read and unfortunately for every other fantasy book out there, my standards have risen drastically!
I couldn't write this review without sharing my favourite character - MILUA.
"You delay your destiny for a girl? Who is she? Tell me, and I'll slit her throat and end this"
Iya-Aye had said then that since Milua was as stubborn as a rock, it was worth testing which would break first. Milua dared a glance at the stone and was proud of is crack.
I'm sorry but nothing you say can make me hate Milua, she is too funny and straight to the point! I love her so much. I would empty my entire life savings to see this adapted into a movie or even a series because I doubt a movie could accurately convey the brilliance of this book within 2-3 hours.
You know the memes we see on social media of 'How to kidnap a reader 101' and it's just a trail of books by a woman picking them up. That's me with FOTS. Someone start praying for the people who are fortunate enough to read this in October when it comes out because if I spot a wild copy of this book, I will be making a sharp beeline to the reader to discuss haha!
Congratulations in advance to Marvellous for her bestselling fantasy book, Firstborn of the Sun! I eagerly await the second book and from here on out will auto-buy any book from her <3
A maiden with everything to lose.
A prince with no power.
A girl with a deadly secret.
Right from the beginning this book has me hooked; no time was wasted and the author jumped straight into action. I was sucked into the world of L'ore and her inability to harness power from the sun - something so simple and ordinary to anyone else in the Kingdom of Oru.
With fantasy books it can be hard to tick all the right boxes and ensure all aspects of the story are written well - world building, characters, magic systems, relationships, plots, etc., and yet Marvellous Michael Anson did this so well I truly have no feedback or things that as a reader I wish she had done differently. The world and culture in this book was incredibly rich, the characters were so complex I couldn't decide who I wanted to see succeed in their missions knowing it would be at the detriment of one of the other characters and the politics were fantastic!
I was kept on my toes throughout the entire duration of the story! No points felt like they were lagging and I never found myself bored with the different POVs - if anything I felt spoilt getting to peak inside each persons head. With every couple of pages I read I was either gasping, crying, laughing or swooning. I often find at some point with fantasy books it can be easy to predict where the direction of the book is going or spot a plot twist from a mile away but with FOTS I was always slightly off the mark, always surprised, always clutching my pearls.
Without spoiling anything, I really want to give props to Marvellous' mind because there was a certain character (****) whose story I was very invested in and I was eager to see what/if something would trigger a shift in his mindset. So, when the puzzle pieces fell into place to spark that shift I really had to give a round of applause because it was so smoothly done - it made perfect sense!
Although I've just finished this book I'm already eager to read it again - I truly don't know how I'm supposed to carry on until book 2. Any and every thing I could have wanted to see within a fantasy book was written in these pages. Do you have any idea how cool it feels to see yourself, your culture, your people spun in such a beautiful and brilliant way?
If you've spoken to me over the past couple of weeks then you know I've tried to slip this book into ever conversation I can because if there is ONE recommendation you should take from me it will be this book - Firstborn of the Sun. This was the first 6 star full-length fantasy book I've read and unfortunately for every other fantasy book out there, my standards have risen drastically!
I couldn't write this review without sharing my favourite character - MILUA.
"You delay your destiny for a girl? Who is she? Tell me, and I'll slit her throat and end this"
Iya-Aye had said then that since Milua was as stubborn as a rock, it was worth testing which would break first. Milua dared a glance at the stone and was proud of is crack.
I'm sorry but nothing you say can make me hate Milua, she is too funny and straight to the point! I love her so much. I would empty my entire life savings to see this adapted into a movie or even a series because I doubt a movie could accurately convey the brilliance of this book within 2-3 hours.
You know the memes we see on social media of 'How to kidnap a reader 101' and it's just a trail of books by a woman picking them up. That's me with FOTS. Someone start praying for the people who are fortunate enough to read this in October when it comes out because if I spot a wild copy of this book, I will be making a sharp beeline to the reader to discuss haha!
Congratulations in advance to Marvellous for her bestselling fantasy book, Firstborn of the Sun! I eagerly await the second book and from here on out will auto-buy any book from her <3
October 22, 2025
Wow… wow, wow, wow! Where do I even start!
This book has gone straight into my top 5 reads of all time.
L’ore has a secret. She is the only one without agbára - the ability to harness power from sun. When the gods declare Alawani an Àlùfáà, he’s sent to be stripped of his power in a trial likely to k1ll him. At the thought of losing him, L’ore vows to rescue him.
This is an epic fantasy book with a romantic subplot. The writing is so good! And we have 4 pov’s! This book gripped me from the very first chapter and I’m sure my heart has had the best cardio workout reading this book.
The way Marve writes her characters is just phenomenal. I hate L’ore for being so selfish but I love her for being so selfish. She’s so strong, steadfast and will not back down. She is a character that really has you questioning morals. Alawani, the verdict is still out. I’m undecided. Tofa starts off like a side character that I felt quite eh about but Marve got me again. The way his character builds is epic. And Milua is just… morally black. I would not want to meet her in a dark alley, that’s for sure.
The world building is so rich. I really loved the 6 rings of the kingdom of Oru and the descriptions of each. The magic system is PHENOMENAL! I am so excited for more of this in the next book (I don’t want to give any spoilers)
I found myself utterly immersed in the Yoruba culture (west African/Nigerian culture- PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong). It was so beautiful and colourful and I enjoyed exploring the language and trying to pronounce the words. Google got a work out! The political intrigue is outstanding. What is true, what isn’t?
The last 20%, my heart was absolutely pounding and I kept having to stop to get my breathing in check. The battle scenes are epic. There is so much tension, pain, heart stopping moments.
This is one of those books that I think will have the same impact that The Will of the Many did. It will keep growing for months to come. And this is only book 1 of what is set to be a trilogy!
It is quite a dense book in terms of plot, world building, culture, gods and magic, but if you love epic fantasy, it’s a MUST READ!
Thank you so much to Penguin Aus for an arc copy of this book 🖤
This book has gone straight into my top 5 reads of all time.
L’ore has a secret. She is the only one without agbára - the ability to harness power from sun. When the gods declare Alawani an Àlùfáà, he’s sent to be stripped of his power in a trial likely to k1ll him. At the thought of losing him, L’ore vows to rescue him.
This is an epic fantasy book with a romantic subplot. The writing is so good! And we have 4 pov’s! This book gripped me from the very first chapter and I’m sure my heart has had the best cardio workout reading this book.
The way Marve writes her characters is just phenomenal. I hate L’ore for being so selfish but I love her for being so selfish. She’s so strong, steadfast and will not back down. She is a character that really has you questioning morals. Alawani, the verdict is still out. I’m undecided. Tofa starts off like a side character that I felt quite eh about but Marve got me again. The way his character builds is epic. And Milua is just… morally black. I would not want to meet her in a dark alley, that’s for sure.
The world building is so rich. I really loved the 6 rings of the kingdom of Oru and the descriptions of each. The magic system is PHENOMENAL! I am so excited for more of this in the next book (I don’t want to give any spoilers)
I found myself utterly immersed in the Yoruba culture (west African/Nigerian culture- PLEASE correct me if I’m wrong). It was so beautiful and colourful and I enjoyed exploring the language and trying to pronounce the words. Google got a work out! The political intrigue is outstanding. What is true, what isn’t?
The last 20%, my heart was absolutely pounding and I kept having to stop to get my breathing in check. The battle scenes are epic. There is so much tension, pain, heart stopping moments.
This is one of those books that I think will have the same impact that The Will of the Many did. It will keep growing for months to come. And this is only book 1 of what is set to be a trilogy!
It is quite a dense book in terms of plot, world building, culture, gods and magic, but if you love epic fantasy, it’s a MUST READ!
Thank you so much to Penguin Aus for an arc copy of this book 🖤
October 9, 2025
What an absolutely fantastic debut this is! I cannot recommend it enough, and I already can’t wait for the rest of the trilogy.
Firstborn of the Sun is a wonderfully written fantasy novel infused with Yoruba culture and mythology. In a kingdom ruled by queens and kings who wield the power of the Sun, a gift from the ancient gods, L’Ore is an outcast. An orphan raised by a man who turned away from his god-given destiny, she is the only person in the realm without magic. But when she tries to save the prince she loves, she accidentally unleashes another kind of power hidden deep within her - one that turns the entire kingdom against her. On the run from everything and everyone she knows, L’Ore finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue, crumbling traditions, and mythological powers that threaten to unravel the kingdom itself.
The political intrigue and mythological background of this novel were my absolute favourite aspects. As much as I enjoy a good action scene, there’s nothing quite like the tension and complexity of well-written political scheming. The author did an incredible job here, building suspense, revealing just enough information to keep readers hooked, and dropping twists here and there that kept the excitement up at all times. I loved exploring the multi-layered society she created: the hierarchy, the roles of the Priests, the Maidens, and the royal family, and the fascinating, unique system through which the next sovereign is chosen. The way Yoruba folklore was woven into the world-building was absolutely brilliant, too.
Though Firstborn of the Sun is a long book and the pacing slows at times, there’s always something compelling waiting around the corner. I ended up reading it in just two days because I could hardly put it down.
The characters are another major strength. L’Ore is a deeply complex protagonist: forced to hide for most of her life, she now must uncover her identity and heritage while confronting enormous challenges. Her evolving relationships, her doubts, and her inner strength made her easy to root for. The Maiden on the fugitives' tracks also had me really fascinated - with her determination, her power and her hidden depths. Alawani, the prince, was an interesting one, too - I changed my mind about him a few times and am quite curious to see how his story will develop.
In short, in case it wasn't clear, I'd highly recommend this book to any fantasy lovers who enjoy complex world-building, political intrigue and mythology-infused novels.
Firstborn of the Sun is a wonderfully written fantasy novel infused with Yoruba culture and mythology. In a kingdom ruled by queens and kings who wield the power of the Sun, a gift from the ancient gods, L’Ore is an outcast. An orphan raised by a man who turned away from his god-given destiny, she is the only person in the realm without magic. But when she tries to save the prince she loves, she accidentally unleashes another kind of power hidden deep within her - one that turns the entire kingdom against her. On the run from everything and everyone she knows, L’Ore finds herself caught in a web of political intrigue, crumbling traditions, and mythological powers that threaten to unravel the kingdom itself.
The political intrigue and mythological background of this novel were my absolute favourite aspects. As much as I enjoy a good action scene, there’s nothing quite like the tension and complexity of well-written political scheming. The author did an incredible job here, building suspense, revealing just enough information to keep readers hooked, and dropping twists here and there that kept the excitement up at all times. I loved exploring the multi-layered society she created: the hierarchy, the roles of the Priests, the Maidens, and the royal family, and the fascinating, unique system through which the next sovereign is chosen. The way Yoruba folklore was woven into the world-building was absolutely brilliant, too.
Though Firstborn of the Sun is a long book and the pacing slows at times, there’s always something compelling waiting around the corner. I ended up reading it in just two days because I could hardly put it down.
The characters are another major strength. L’Ore is a deeply complex protagonist: forced to hide for most of her life, she now must uncover her identity and heritage while confronting enormous challenges. Her evolving relationships, her doubts, and her inner strength made her easy to root for. The Maiden on the fugitives' tracks also had me really fascinated - with her determination, her power and her hidden depths. Alawani, the prince, was an interesting one, too - I changed my mind about him a few times and am quite curious to see how his story will develop.
In short, in case it wasn't clear, I'd highly recommend this book to any fantasy lovers who enjoy complex world-building, political intrigue and mythology-infused novels.
November 16, 2025
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5
If there’s one thing I love in fantasy, it’s world-building that feels alive — and Firstborn of the Sun delivered that so well. The Yoruba mythology in this book? Beautiful. The way it shaped the magic, the politics, the gods, the tension… it made the story feel big, ancient, and deeply rooted in culture. And that plot twist tied to the mythology? I didn’t see it coming, and it made everything click in such a satisfying way.
Let me not lie though — it took me a while to get into the story. The beginning felt slow, and I kept waiting for that moment where everything would snap into place. But when it finally did, I was gone. Fully immersed. This world swallowed me completely.
L’ọrẹ is a strong character, but sometimes she annoyed me. That sense of entitlement she carried — like she deserved the world because she felt the gods cheated her — it made me pause a few times. I understood her pain, but it didn’t always translate into growth.
And some character decisions? Ehn, I’m still side-eyeing them.
Especially Alawani joining the Order. Yes, yes, I know he didn’t have a choice. The gods called, and he had to obey. But why come the night before to make a blood vow to L’ọrẹ? Why complicate everything? That move didn’t make sense to me at all.
But despite all that, I genuinely enjoyed this book. The politics, the magic, the mythology — it carried the story in a way that made me forget the slower start. And now I’m genuinely excited for book two. I want more of this world, more of the gods’ drama, and more of L’ọrẹ’s power unfolding.
Highly recommend if you love African mythology, political fantasy, and stories that grow deeper the more you read.
If there’s one thing I love in fantasy, it’s world-building that feels alive — and Firstborn of the Sun delivered that so well. The Yoruba mythology in this book? Beautiful. The way it shaped the magic, the politics, the gods, the tension… it made the story feel big, ancient, and deeply rooted in culture. And that plot twist tied to the mythology? I didn’t see it coming, and it made everything click in such a satisfying way.
Let me not lie though — it took me a while to get into the story. The beginning felt slow, and I kept waiting for that moment where everything would snap into place. But when it finally did, I was gone. Fully immersed. This world swallowed me completely.
L’ọrẹ is a strong character, but sometimes she annoyed me. That sense of entitlement she carried — like she deserved the world because she felt the gods cheated her — it made me pause a few times. I understood her pain, but it didn’t always translate into growth.
And some character decisions? Ehn, I’m still side-eyeing them.
Especially Alawani joining the Order. Yes, yes, I know he didn’t have a choice. The gods called, and he had to obey. But why come the night before to make a blood vow to L’ọrẹ? Why complicate everything? That move didn’t make sense to me at all.
But despite all that, I genuinely enjoyed this book. The politics, the magic, the mythology — it carried the story in a way that made me forget the slower start. And now I’m genuinely excited for book two. I want more of this world, more of the gods’ drama, and more of L’ọrẹ’s power unfolding.
Highly recommend if you love African mythology, political fantasy, and stories that grow deeper the more you read.
June 10, 2025
“On the night of a great blood moon, seven children were born to a man. Nearly two decades later, the mysteries of that night still haunt the kingdom”
This book was so much fun to read and I WISH I could already read the second book as I DESPERATELY want to know what will happen next with L’ore and the others. (But it will be a wait as this book itself is only coming in October this year — but I am all here for it and eagerly waiting).
L’ore - who to be fair is a bit reckless and stubborn — is thrown into a destiny she didn’t know about. Which unfolds and unfolds as progressing through this book. Secrets, loyalty, betrayals; it has it all.
Fan of the world-building. The kingdom of Oru with its Agbára (magic of the sun) and forbidden old magic was very interesting. The by Yoruba mythology inspired fantasy is intriguing and exciting. The politics and structure of the kingdom, with its conspiring and scheming powers, was well done.
I really enjoy a book with multiple points of view when done well. And reading from the perspective of L’ore, Alawani, Milua and others really added to the story and suspense. Somehow really enjoyed reading from Milua’s perspective in particular, not sure why.
Highly recommend this book! Hope this book will do well and we will see a lot more from this author.
Thank you Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Firstborn of the Sun.
This book was so much fun to read and I WISH I could already read the second book as I DESPERATELY want to know what will happen next with L’ore and the others. (But it will be a wait as this book itself is only coming in October this year — but I am all here for it and eagerly waiting).
L’ore - who to be fair is a bit reckless and stubborn — is thrown into a destiny she didn’t know about. Which unfolds and unfolds as progressing through this book. Secrets, loyalty, betrayals; it has it all.
Fan of the world-building. The kingdom of Oru with its Agbára (magic of the sun) and forbidden old magic was very interesting. The by Yoruba mythology inspired fantasy is intriguing and exciting. The politics and structure of the kingdom, with its conspiring and scheming powers, was well done.
I really enjoy a book with multiple points of view when done well. And reading from the perspective of L’ore, Alawani, Milua and others really added to the story and suspense. Somehow really enjoyed reading from Milua’s perspective in particular, not sure why.
Highly recommend this book! Hope this book will do well and we will see a lot more from this author.
Thank you Michael Joseph, Penguin Random House and NetGalley for providing me with an advanced reader copy of Firstborn of the Sun.
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