Love in Color

Love in Color is a collection of thirteen reimagined love stories drawn from West African folktales, Greek mythology, and Middle Eastern legends. British-Nigerian author Bolu Babalola transforms these traditional tales into contemporary narratives set in locations across the globe. Each story centers on romance while incorporating elements of the supernatural, divine intervention, and cultural traditions from the source material. The characters range from goddesses and spirits to modern professionals, maintaining core aspects of the original tales while placing them in present-day contexts. The collection includes three original stories by Babalola alongside the retellings, featuring protagonists navigating relationships in London and Lagos. The stories vary in length and tone, moving between different narrative styles and perspectives. The anthology examines how ancient ideas about love, destiny, and human connection translate into modern experiences. Through its mix of folklore and contemporary settings, the collection explores themes of cultural identity, gender dynamics, and the universal nature of romance.

Readers appreciate the fresh reimagining of myths and folktales with modern, feminist perspectives. Many note the lyrical writing style and diverse cultural representation across the stories. What readers liked: - Beautiful prose and descriptive language - Strong female characters who have agency - Mix of familiar and lesser-known folklore - Contemporary settings that make old tales relevant What readers disliked: - Some found the writing style too flowery and repetitive - Several stories follow similar romance patterns - A few readers wanted more depth and complexity - Some felt the modern retellings lost the original tales' meaning Review scores: Goodreads: 3.9/5 (17,000+ ratings) Amazon: 4.3/5 (1,200+ ratings) BookBrowse: 4/5 Sample reader comment: "The writing is gorgeous but after a few stories, they started to feel formulaic. Each follows a similar path to happily-ever-after." - Goodreads reviewer Another notes: "These retellings give power and voice to female characters who were often sidelined in the original myths." - Amazon reviewer

Daughters of Nri by Reni K. Amayo This West African fantasy romance weaves Nigerian mythology and magic through the tale of twin goddesses discovering their powers and destinies.

Gods of Jade and Shadow by Silvia Moreno-Garcia A young woman's life transforms when she meets the Mayan God of Death and embarks on a quest through 1920s Mexico.

The Hundred Thousand Kingdoms by N. K. Jemisin A mortal woman becomes entangled in the politics of enslaved gods while navigating power, inheritance, and a forbidden romance.

Girl, Serpent, Thorn by Melissa Bashardoust Persian folklore forms the foundation of this tale about a cursed princess choosing between power and love.

These Violent Delights by Chloe Gong This reimagining of Romeo and Juliet transposes the classic romance to 1920s Shanghai amid gang wars and a mysterious plague.

🌟 Bolu Babalola reimagined ancient love stories from around the world, with a particular focus on African folktales and mythology that are often overlooked in Western literature 💫 The author drew inspiration from her Nigerian heritage and her academic background in anthropology to breathe new life into these traditional tales ✨ Before becoming an author, Babalola worked as a writer for television and was named a "screenwriter to watch" by Forbes magazine 🌺 The collection includes stories from Greek mythology, Persian folklore, and Chinese legends, but presents them with contemporary settings and modern sensibilities 🌟 Several stories in the book challenge traditional gender roles found in the original tales, empowering female characters who were previously portrayed as passive or secondary characters