Tomi Adeyemi Reflects on the Adaptation of Her Novel 'Children of Blood and Bone' and Her New Book 'The Siren'

Tomi Adeyemi's new novel, The Siren, features a striking cover image of the author herself, which she views as a powerful statement of ownership. After spending over a decade immersed in the world of her debut novel, Children of Blood and Bone, and dealing with the stress surrounding its film adaptation, the decision to put her image on the cover was intentional. Adeyemi, who describes it as "terrifying – like the Mona Lisa, staring at you everywhere," wants this book to be distinctly hers.

Since Children of Blood and Bone debuted in 2018, it has become a major success, landing a seven-figure publishing deal and topping the New York Times Young Adult bestseller list. The novel centers on Zélie, a young woman striving to restore magic to Orïsha, and reflects Adeyemi's desire to center a dark-skinned Black girl in an epic fantasy narrative.

Adeyemi feels the weight of her success as a representation of a new generation of Black young adult literature. "I felt pressure to be the perfect dark-skinned Black girl," she noted, emphasizing the significance of her role in the literary landscape. While responses from readers about the impact of her work have been heartwarming, they’ve also been challenging for her to navigate.

In The Siren, her shift from fantasy to contemporary storytelling finds her protagonist, Emery, a Black student at Dartmouth College, seeking to escape her troubled past and drawn into a sorority of mystical beings. Adeyemi describes the character as embodying her own inner teenager, whom she wishes she could console.

Despite her success, Adeyemi's career path was initially uncertain. She began writing at age five, creating fan fiction before considering other career avenues influenced by her immigrant family's values. After studying English at Harvard and securing a fellowship to explore West African mythology in Brazil, she was inspired to create Children of Blood and Bone.

The book, which took over four years to write and faced 63 rejections before publication, swiftly gained acclaim, leading to a Hollywood adaptation that includes a stellar cast featuring Viola Davis and Idris Elba. However, her experiences during the adaptation have been distressing, leading her to describe the process as "the worst thing I have ever had to live through." In a TikTok video, she expressed that she left the set feeling "hyperventilating and sobbing," and she has since opted not to watch the film, which is slated for a January 2027 release.

Adeyemi has been candid about her struggles with the adaptation process, stating that it felt overwhelming and has affected her emotionally. While she refrains from detailing specific incidents on set, she has voiced concerns regarding casting choices, particularly involving Amandla Stenberg and discussions around colorism. Despite the public discourse, she maintains that decisions in filmmaking are ultimately beyond her control.

Looking ahead, she emphasizes her desire to move beyond her debut series and celebrate her achievements. She is proud of her contributions to a literary landscape that now features a variety of stories with dark-skinned protagonists. Adeyemi believes that her work has paved the way for future generations, stating, "You changed things," as her publisher remarked.