24-year-old Nigerian Tomi Adeyemi signs one of the biggest book deals ever

24-year-old writer Tomi Adeyemi has just signed one of the biggest book deals ever for a young adult author.

The book “Children of Blood and Bone” which just came out had been making headlines almost a year before it hit shelves.

In March 2017, Deadline reported that Tomi had earned a seven-figure book deal for her young-adult trilogy, and even then, plans for a movie were already in the works.

According to Tomi, the book is basically Black Panther, but with magic.

Her father claims he has read the book at least 16 times.


The story focuses on a young woman named Zélie who goes on a quest to restore magic to her people. Prior to the events of the book, Orïsha had been home to maji, individuals with supernatural powers gifted to them by gods, but a despotic king outlawed magic and destroyed almost all the maji.

The cities are all named after Nigerian cities.

In this interview by Good Morning America, Tomi talks about the book and what inspired it.