BLOGS

The author could just be the next big thing in literature AND film

BY BRITNI DANIELLE, MARCH 30, 2017|EBONY

Tomi Adeyemi’s novel, Children of Blood and Bone, hasn’t even been released yet and it’s already headed to the big screen, thanks to a blockbuster deal with Fox 2000. Publishers clamored to snap up the 23-year-old’s novel, reportedly resulting in a “whopping publishing deal,” according to Deadline. 

Children of Blood and Bone is the first book in Adeyemi’s fantasy trilogy rooted in African mythology, and has been described by some as “Avatar: The Last Airbender meets Black Lives Matter.” According to the writer’s website, the book follows the Orïshas’ struggle to survive after they’re threatened by a power-hungry king.

Here’s what’s listed so far:

With magic, Zélie’s family could stand against the royal guard.
Her people wouldn’t live in fear.
Her mom wouldn’t have hanged from that tree.
Years after the king wiped magic out of Orïsha, Zélie has one chance to bring it back. To do so, she’ll have to outwit and outrun the crown prince, who’s 
hell-bent on erasing magic for good.

Children of Blood and Bone is the first book in Adeyemi’s highly-anticipated series and could set the young writer up to be the next big thing in young adult fantasy. The film adaptation is being produced by the folks who brought moviegoers Twilight, Maze Runner, and The Fault In Our Stars, and Fox 2000 reportedly paid close to seven figures for the book’s film rights.

At just 23, Adeyemi could be an important new voice in both literature and film. The Harvard grad not only gives tips to bourgeoning writers about honing their craft, but the Nigerian-American author has also said she hopes her work will inspire young Black girls.

“I want a little Black girl to pick up my book one day and see herself as the star,” Adeyemi wrote on her blog. “I want her to know that she’s beautiful and she matters and she can have a crazy, magical adventure even if an ​ignorant part of the world tells her she can never be Hermione Granger.” Something tells me Adeyemi is this close to reaching her goal.

**MY TAKE: Glad to read about Afrocentric book-to-film deals especially in the speculative genres.**