Firstborn of the Sun cover art

Firstborn of the Sun

 Preview

Get 30 days of Premium Plus free

£8.99/month after 30-day free trial. Cancel monthly.
Try for £0.00
More purchase options
Buy Now for £16.99

Buy Now for £16.99

About this listen

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

 African American Epic Fantasy Historical World Literature Royalty Heartfelt Fiction

Critic reviews

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!
All stars
Most relevant
a brilliant story, the world building is amazing and it borrows from Yoruba west African culture in a way that suits this new imagined world. listening to this felt like I could see the story vividly in my mind. the story is amazing, action packed and I particularly liked the displays if power, both physically and politically 10/10 would recommend. also great voice acing

a lovely letter to the culture it represents

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.
Absolutely stunning!! This has to be one of my top favourite read of the year!
From the very first chapter, Marvellous Michael Anson delivers a story that is as immersive as it is emotionally resonant. The audiobook is absolutely incredible. Highly recommend.

Full review on my goodreads and IG - @starlight_and_blooms

A stunning epic fantasy

Something went wrong. Please try again in a few minutes.