Willow Smith Pens Debut Fantasy Novel ‘Black Shield Maiden’
The multitalented daughter of Hollywood power couple Will and Jada Smith is branching out into the literary world. Willow Smith, known for her hit songs like “Whip My Hair,” is set to release her debut fantasy novel “Black Shield Maiden” this May.
Co-authored with Jess Hendel, the book is being published by Penguin Random House, the same publisher behind her father Will’s bestselling autobiography.
“Black Shield Maiden” tells the story of Yafeu, a young warrior kidnapped from her West African home and thrust into a strange, northern kingdom. There, she must navigate a world of savage shield maidens, tyrannical rulers, and mysterious gods. According to the publisher’s description, the novel is a “fiercely epic” historical fantasy.
Overcoming Backlash and Controversy
The book’s initial release in October 2022 was stalled after Smith and Hendel faced accusations of creating historically inaccurate and offensive depictions of African people. The author has not publicly responded to the backlash.
However, the revised edition has now received a glowing endorsement from acclaimed fantasy writer Tomi Adeyemi, who calls it “Intimate, tender, and fiercely epic.”
Inspiring Readers with Timeless Wisdom
In a 2022 interview with NME, Willow Smith expressed her hope that “Black Shield Maiden” will inspire readers by exploring timeless themes. “At their core, the issues we’re facing now are the same issues we’ve faced time and again throughout our history,” she said.
“That’s why we create new narratives from different perspectives and even look back into history for deep wisdom that can inspire & help us evolve. My hope is that this story will do that for readers.”
Upcoming Book Tour and Signing
To celebrate the release of “Black Shield Maiden,” Willow Smith will join Tomi Adeyemi for a conversation and book signing at the Strand Bookstore in New York City on May 7th.
The highly anticipated novel is available for pre-order now and will hit shelves on the same date.
