Singer and actor Willow is writing a series of fantasy novels with Jess Hendel, publisher Del Rey announced in a news release.
The Penguin Random House imprint will publish the first book in the series, Black Shield Maiden, this fall. The publisher describes the novel as “a powerful and groundbreaking historical epic about an African warrior in the world of the Vikings.”
“Championing intersectional feminism, freedom of gender expression, and dialogue across cultures, Black Shield Maiden confronts the most pressing subjects of our time, and shows a path forward, through connection and community,” Del Rey said.
The book follows the unlikely friendship between Yafeu, an enslaved young warrior taken from her home in the Ghanain Empire, and Freydis, a Viking princess.
Willow, the daughter of actors Will Smith and Jada Pinkett Smith, became a child star in 2010 with the release of her hit single “Whip My Hair.” She’s released four albums since then, the latest of which, Lately I Feel Everything, came out last year. Hendel is a writer and musician in Los Angeles.
Willow shared news of the book on Instagram, writing, “I’ve been working on this historical fiction for over 4 years [and] I couldn’t be more excited to see what aspects of the story will incite more catharsis for you all.”
Black Shield Maiden is slated for publication on Oct. 4.
Michael Schaub is a Texas-based journalist and regular contributor to NPR.
