Afrofantasy Author Subverts Young Adult Fiction Tropes

FEATURING JORDAN IFUEKO - Jordan Ifueko was only 13 years old when she first wrote her debut novel, Raybearer, an Afrofantasy for young readers. When the book was finally published it ended up on the New York Times best-seller list and is now being developed as a Netflix show. 

Born to Nigerian immigrant parents, Ifueko wanted to see characters like herself in fiction and literature. Her third novel, just out in August 2024, is called The Maid and the Crocodile and is set in the same universe as the Raybearer duology. In addition to upending racial stereotypes, also subverts tropes about essential and domestic workers.