Tomi Adeyemi, born on 1 August 1993 in the United States to Nigerian immigrant parents, is a Nigerian‑American novelist and creative writing coach whose work has reshaped young adult fantasy literature. She is widely recognised for her Legacy of Orïsha trilogy, which includes Children of Blood and Bone, Children of Virtue and Vengeance, and Children of Anguish and Anarchy. These novels draw on elements inspired by West African cultures and have achieved international acclaim, topping bestseller lists, winning major awards, and sparking a high‑profile film adaptation.
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Early Life and Cultural Roots
Tomi Adeyemi was born in the United States to parents who emigrated from Nigeria. Her father worked as a physician in Nigeria before emigrating, and later took up other work in the United States while her mother held domestic jobs. She grew up in Chicago and did not speak Yoruba, a language of her heritage, during her childhood years. Adeyemi has described growing up while trying to assimilate in the United States, only reconnecting with her cultural heritage later in life. It was this journey of rediscovery that contributed to the themes and worldbuilding in her fiction.
She graduated from Hinsdale Central High School in Illinois in 2011, where she won academic scholarships. She went on to study English Literature at Harvard University, graduating with honours. While at Harvard, she received a travel grant to study West African mythology, religion, and culture in Salvador, Brazil. This experience provided foundational inspiration for her first novel’s setting and cultural influences.
Literary Career and Key Works
Adeyemi’s breakthrough came with her debut novel, Children of Blood and Bone, published in 2018. The novel is set in the fictional land of Orïsha, where magic has been eradicated by a brutal king and a young protagonist named Zélie Adebola fights to restore it. The book debuted at number one on The New York Times Young Adult Hardcover Bestseller list, firmly establishing her as an influential voice in YA fantasy.
Her trilogy, collectively known as the Legacy of Orïsha series, includes:
- Children of Blood and Bone (2018)
- Children of Virtue and Vengeance (2019)
- Children of Anguish and Anarchy (2024)
All three titles reached The New York Times bestseller lists, signalling sustained global readership and engagement with her work.
Adeyemi’s novels take traditional elements of fantasy, such as magic, quests, and heroic struggle, and reframe them through West African‑inspired cultural concepts, creating a distinctive narrative voice and setting that differs from the medieval European models often dominant in the genre.
Awards and Recognition
Adeyemi’s work has received several significant honours. Children of Blood and Bone won the 2018 Andre Norton Award for Young Adult Science Fiction and Fantasy, the 2019 Waterstones Children’s Book Prize, and the 2019 Hugo Lodestar Award for Best Young Adult Book. Adeyemi was named to the Forbes 30 Under 30 list and included in TIME Magazine’s 100 Most Influential People in 2020. These recognitions reflect both commercial success and cultural impact.
Film Adaptation and Global Media Presence
The first book in Adeyemi’s trilogy has been in active development as a feature film since before its publication. Originally optioned by Fox 2000 Pictures, rights to the adaptation moved through various studios following corporate changes, and in 2022 Paramount Pictures acquired the rights.
The adaptation is now scheduled for release in January 2027, directed by Gina Prince‑Bythewood and featuring a star‑studded ensemble cast including Thuso Mbedu, Amandla Stenberg, Damson Idris, Tosin Cole, Viola Davis, Cynthia Erivo, Idris Elba, Lashana Lynch, and Chiwetel Ejiofor. Adeyemi is credited as co‑screenwriter and executive producer on the project, demonstrating her ongoing creative involvement.
This adaptation has generated widespread interest as a major fantasy film with predominantly Black leads, and as an example of a novel by an African‑American author being translated to a mainstream cinematic experience.
Cultural Impact and Representation
Adeyemi’s novels have played a substantial role in expanding representation within the fantasy genre, a space historically dominated by Eurocentric themes. By placing Black characters and West African‑inspired cultural elements at the centre of her narrative, she has given readers, particularly young Black readers, protagonists they can see themselves in, while also engaging broader audiences with new creative worlds.
Her public commentary on storytelling reinforces the importance of diversity and visibility in literature, and she often discusses her motivation to empower readers who may not have traditionally found reflections of themselves in fantasy literature.
Contribution Beyond Novels
Besides her fiction, Adeyemi is a respected creative writing coach and mentor. She runs workshops, masterclasses, and online resources aimed at helping aspiring writers, particularly from underrepresented backgrounds, develop their craft. This work extends her influence beyond her novels and into the broader writing community, where she encourages emerging voices to pursue storytelling rooted in their own cultural experiences.
Tomi Adeyemi has become one of the most prominent voices in modern young adult fantasy. Her education, personal journey, and creative vision have produced a trilogy that not only achieved commercial success but also opened conversations about inclusivity and cultural inspiration in literature. Through award‑winning books and a major film adaptation, Adeyemi continues to inspire readers and writers around the world.
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Author’s Note
Tomi Adeyemi’s rise from a Chicago upbringing to global literary prominence demonstrates how storytelling can transcend cultural boundaries and reshape genres. Her Legacy of Orïsha series brought West African‑inspired fantasy into mainstream international literature and continues to influence young adult fiction, representation, and media adaptations. This article reflects a careful adherence to well‑documented facts about her life, achievements, and impact without speculation, and is intended to give readers a clear, accurate overview of her significance in contemporary literature.
References
- Tomi Adeyemi, Macmillan academic author profile
- Tomi Adeyemi, Library of Congress author profile
- Cast and development details for Children of Blood and Bone film, BellaNaija.
