Firstborn of the Sun

De: Marvellous Michael Anson

Narrado por: Adjoa Andoh, Folake Olowofoyeku

Brought to you by Penguin.

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


In the Kingdom of 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 High Priest – 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 Oru.

In this place, she and Alawani must seek sanctuary from those pursuing them. But soon they will discover a secret that could bring the kingdom to its knees . . .

'Rich worldbuilding inspired by Yoruba mythology and a strong cast of characters. This debut fantasy shines as bright as the sun' L. R. LAM
‘Absolutely Radiant’ BEA FITZGERALD
‘A Dazzling Debut’ ANDREA STEWART
‘Enthralling and epic’ ANNA DAY
‘Readers are going to LOVE THIS BOOK!’ ANGELA MONTOYA

© Marvellous Michael Anson 2025 (P) Penguin Audio 2025

Reseñas de la Crítica

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!

Firstborn of the Sun is 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.

Fierce, exciting and utterly original, Firstborn of the Sun is an enthralling and epic fantasy, with a beautiful and tender romance at its center

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!

Gripping and very imaginative

The world in this book is very well built and extremely rich. It is beautiful and inspiring and made me extra happy as an African. It also made me curious to read more, and I can’t wait for the next installment. The only thing I would point out that could have used some editing was the overuse of the expression “too stunned to speak,” or variations of it (That stood out to me for some reason). The audiobook was acceptable, but I hope that with time and more opportunities the narrators will improve their craft, because some parts of the performance lacked the punch certain scenes seemed to require imo. Would definitely recommend though...