Picture a Trinidadian-Canadian storyteller who weaves magic, family drama, and futuristic vibes into unforgettable Young Adult tales—meet Liselle Sambury! Bursting onto the literary scene with her 2021 debut, Blood Like Magic, Sambury has carved a niche with her self-described 'messy Black girls in fantasy situations.' Her stories blend fantasy, sci-fi, and horror, all rooted in her vibrant Toronto upbringing and Trinidadian heritage.
The Making of Liselle Sambury
Born and raised in Toronto, Ontario, Liselle Sambury grew up in a bustling household filled with cousins, grandparents, and the rich flavors of Trinidadian culture. As an only child in this lively, blended family, she found inspiration in the messy, beautiful dynamics of kinship—themes that pulse through her work. A linguistics major at Queen’s University, Sambury honed her craft through creative writing courses, but her true spark came from a teenage obsession with Twilight and fanfiction. These early experiments helped her find her voice, blending imitation with originality. Her homesickness for Toronto while living away fueled her debut, setting her stories in a city she loves.
Liselle Sambury’s Unforgettable Stories
Sambury’s debut, Blood Like Magic (2021), is a dark urban fantasy set in a futuristic Toronto of 2049. It follows Voya Thomas, a teen witch tasked with sacrificing her first love to save her family’s magic—a heart-wrenching dilemma wrapped in Black diasporic themes. The novel, a Governor General’s Literary Awards finalist, showcases Sambury’s knack for blending sci-fi tech with ancestral magic. Its sequel, Blood Like Fate (2022), deepens Voya’s journey, exploring community and sacrifice. Delicious Monsters (2023), a psychological horror-thriller, tackles haunted houses and complex mother-daughter ties, earning an Amy Mathers Teen Book Award nomination. Tender Beasts (2024) dives into family secrets and murder mysteries, cementing Sambury’s versatility across genres. Her style—vivid, emotionally raw, and culturally rich—centers Black girls as heroes in worlds where magic and morality collide.
What sets Sambury apart is her commitment to authenticity. She infuses her Trinidadian-Canadian identity into her work, from intergenerational households to the sights and sounds of Toronto’s Caribbean communities. Her magic systems, often tied to blood and ancestry, reflect the weight of heritage, while her 'messy' characters navigate love, duty, and identity with relatable grit.
Why Liselle Sambury Matters
Sambury’s impact lies in her bold reimagining of Young Adult fantasy. By centering Black girls in genres traditionally dominated by white protagonists, she offers a fresh lens on magic and heroism. Her exploration of Black diasporic identity—especially Trinidadian-Canadian experiences—resonates with readers craving representation. Through her YouTube channel, Sambury demystifies publishing, sharing tips that empower aspiring writers. Her work challenges stereotypes, weaving social commentary into thrilling narratives, and her growing catalog promises to shape YA literature for years to come.
- Born: Toronto, Ontario, with Trinidadian heritage
- Key Works: Blood Like Magic (2021), Blood Like Fate (2022), Delicious Monsters (2023), Tender Beasts (2024)
- Awards: Governor General’s Literary Awards finalist (2021), Amy Mathers Teen Book Award nominee (2022, 2024)
Ready to dive into a world of Black Girl Magic and heart-pounding fantasy? Snag Blood Like Magic and let Liselle Sambury’s vibrant storytelling sweep you away!