Cynthia Erivo Narrates “Children of Anguish and Anarchy ”Audiobook — Here’s a First Listen! (Exclusive)

Carly Tagen-Dye

23 May 2024 at 12:00 pm·3-min read

The forthcoming novel from Tomi Adeyemi, which concludes her bestselling 'Legacy of Orisha' fantasy series, is on sale this summer

<p>mark seliger; macmillan audio</p> Cynthia Erivo and the cover of — mark seliger; macmillan audio
Cynthia Erivo and the cover of 'Children of Anguish and Anarchy' by Tomi Adeyemi

Cynthia Erivo is lending her voice to a beloved fantasy project — and PEOPLE has an exclusive first listen.

The acclaimed actress, singer and producer will narrate the audiobook for Tomi Adeyemi’s new novel Children of Anguish and Anarchy. The book, out this June, is the last installment of Adeyemi’s bestselling West African-inspired Legacy of Orisha series.

Children of Anguish and Anarchy will wrap things up for fans of the series, and for its steadfast protagonist Zélie, a member of the maji, an oppressed magical group. The final book follows Zélie as she embarks on a treacherous journey after the group’s powers are stolen by the ruthless King Baldyr. Zélie must do everything she can to save the maji and their magic, before it’s too late.

<p>mark seliger</p> Cynthia Erivo — mark seliger
Cynthia Erivo

"I was so excited to get the chance to help bring Tomi Adeyemi’s breathtaking world of magic and hope to life by narrating the epic conclusion to this exhilarating series," Erivo previously said of narrating the novel. "I’ve always been a huge fan of the series so it’s an honor to narrate the final book."

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Erivo’s 2015 Broadway debut as Celie in The Color Purple earned her the Tony Award for Best Leading Actress in a Musical and a Grammy for Best Musical Theater Album. The actress was also nominated for two Academy Awards for Best Actress and Best Original Song for the 2019 drama Harriet. Erivo is staying close to her theater roots with her latest project — playing Elphaba in the upcoming film adaptation of Wicked.

Adeyemi is the bestselling author of previous Legacy of Orisha novels Children of Blood and Bone (2018) and Children of Virtue and Vengeance (2019). In 2020, she was named as one of Forbes’ 30 Under 30 honorees and as one of TIME’s Most Influential People of that year. She has also won prestigious literary awards such as the Hugo Award and Nebula Award.

<p>macmillan audio</p> The audiobook cover for 'Children of Anguish and Anarchy' by Tomi Adeyemi — macmillan audio
The audiobook cover for 'Children of Anguish and Anarchy' by Tomi Adeyemi

“Cynthia is a once-in-a-generation type of talent. Maybe even once in an eon," Adeyemi says of Erivo. "Everything her beautiful spirit and voice embraces touches my heart. I am absolutely honored that she will be bringing the final installment of this trilogy to life with her incredible talent, and I personally cannot wait to devour her narration!”

For a first glimpse of Erivo’s narration, listen below.

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Children of Anguish and Anarchy will be published in hardcover, and released via MacMillan Audiobooks, on June 25.

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Read the original article on People.

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