The Gilded Ones is a hard book to read, and a beautiful one. Readers looking for a fantasy historical West African story to sink their teeth into will be absolutely thrilled.

The Gilded Ones CoverSixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.
But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself. (Goodreads)
Goodreads



I received an eARC of The Gilded Ones from Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
The Gilded Ones needs trigger warnings for toxic masculinity, an extremely patriarchal society, mentions of and discussion of rape, enslavement of characters based on color of their blood, death of main character, mind control, xenophobia, misogyny, brutal abuse of main characters and side characters, and discussion of genocide. Take these notes seriously when you read, please.



This is a book that was clearly written with love and a desire to make the world better in so many ways. It deals with a deeply patriarchal society and critiques it from within in a way that I don’t think I’ve ever seen.

The author’s note talks about her experiences living in Sierra Leone and the United States and the way that patriarchy is similar and different in both societies. Forna does not pull her punches at any point in this book, and it is all the better for it.

“To every person reading this book: Know that you are the hero of your own story. You can make things happen, and you can change the world. Choose to change the world for good.” – Author Note

The magic system is fascinating, and it has a diverse cast of characters that will keep you on the edge of your seat. I loved the female friendships that grew throughout the story, and the sapphic romance that developed between some side characters. Y’all know I’m here for that always.

The only thing I didn’t love about The Gilded Ones was, ironically, the main romantic subplot. It really didn’t work for me. There wasn’t really enough time spent on it for the ending to be believable for me. That being said, I look forward to seeing how Forna fleshes it out with the events of the second book and deciding if I’m convinced.



I recommend this book, as long as you are prepared to deal with the content warnings. You can pick it up from Bookshop, Amazon, or The Book Depository through my affiliate links.

Deka lives in a backwater village in a patriarchal society obsessed with female purity. Unfortunately, she bleeds gold, which means she is impure and must die. Except she literally cannot. She only escapes the cycle of failed executions because the emperor declares that demonic alaki like herself can be purified by serving as his elite fighting force against the deathshrieks that plague their land. At first Deka embraces her comrades, training, and rapidly-expanding suite of powers, but something isn't adding up. She and her sisters-in-arms form a delightfully tight bond as they shake off entrenched misogyny. Crams enough action (and violence) for an entire series into book one.

I wanted to love it, but I just liked it. There were some slow bits that I had a hard time slugging through. will definitely read any further installments, though.

This book gave me life. I savored it, read it one chapter at a time, so I could keep myself in this world just a little bit longer. This book is one I would have on my daughter's bookshelf, and yet another I found telling my friends "hey, when this comes out you HAVE to read it."

Thank you NetGalley and Publishers for the free ARC.

I thought this book was just ok. I am giving it 3 stars. There is a lot that is being tackled in this novel which i can appreciate. However it would just get repetitive.

This is mostly due to the protagonist Deka who is very introspective. Quite often a tiny bit of dialogue would lead to a paragraph or two of Deka analyzing what was just said. Quite often it wasn't new information so it would be the same questions being asked over and over.

This slowed down the book quite often and messed with the pacing. It ruined the mystery and intrigue of the book.

Some positives, the worldbuilding is pretty interesting.

"They might need us now because we’re valuable, might pretend to accept us, to reward us—but never forget what they did to us first. If they did it once, Deka, they’ll surely do it again, no matter the flowery promises they give."

This was such a beautiful book, inside and out. Namina Forna has created an intriguing world with a detailed magic system, an intricate history, and amazing characters that are simply mind blowing and unforgettable.

Deka of Irfut has my heart forever and it's hers to do with as she so pleases. Deka is an admirable heroine, and is everything I want in a YA Fantasy heroine, and then some. Reading about her exploits and watching her come into her power is so heartwarming and inspiring.

The characters in this book were great - the good, the bad, and the morally grey. It's hard not to root for the alaki and they make it so worth it. It's a band of outcasts - girls who are told they would never amount to anything, becoming the kingdom's last hope against deathshrieks. These girls have been through a lot and there was a lot of graphic description of torture and the different horrors they've faced.

"And that’s the worst part of it. The physical body—it heals. The scars fade. But the memories are forever. Even when you forget, they remain inside, taunting you, resurfacing when you least expect."

For a YA Fantasy, this book had so many twists and turns and reveals. The ending was so satisfying and I love how things wrapped up - I can't wait for book two, because I can't wait to see what happens next after THAT ending.

"They taught us alaki to suffer, but they also taught us to survive—to conquer. And we will use those lessons. It’s time to take up our swords once more"

The feminist nature of this book was really something. I love how the author structured it and then dismantled it. It was integral to the world building and the plot, and everything was so well done. This is a masterpiece of a book.

"The way I see it, we all have a choice right now. Are we girls, or are we demons? Are we going to die, or are we going to survive?"

I have so many highlights of favorite quotes from this book I could share for days. It gripped me from start to finish, and I can't wait for everyone to experience the beauty that is "The Gilded Ones"

I received a DRC from the publishers via Netgalley in exchange for my impartial review. This review was written voluntarily.

This book was high on my anticipated reads list and I am happy to report that it lived up to my hopes and more!!

A feminist fantasy novel? Sign me up! I absolutely adored this story and everything that it stood for. Sixteen-year-old Deka is probably one of my favorite female characters, ever. She embodies strength, empowerment and empathy. I would highly recommend this to any reader looking for a captivating fantasy novel.

I absolutely cannot wait for the sequel to be released!!

There is something about harsh fantasy worlds that I love. And how horribly women are treated in this world is very harsh. Deka bleeds golden blood which makes her as being almost immortal and a great fighter. The way her people treat her after this discovery is gut-wrenching. Yet Deka overcomes her obstacles and builds powerful friendships. A very gripping story. The only weak point is the romance. It's not as developed as Deka's friendships.

This review is based on an advanced reader copy provided through Netgalley for an honest review.

The cover art on this book was what caught my eye. It was just so pretty!
Sometimes when I read YA novels I feel like it’s a novel meant for anyone that just happens to have younger protagonists and teen appropriate content. This one felt like it was written very much for teens and that’s ok. It’s a great book for the girl of the right age to be hitting the realization that the world is vastly unfair and she’s not going to be getting a fair share in life. I read more than a few of those myself as a teen when female power fantasies were still really new. The oppression is unfair and the chosen girl is going to fix it!
A bit older and you realize the world isn’t a monolith of evil handily awaiting smashing. So, for a teen girl I recommend this pretty unconditionally! For the aging and cynical it’s a fine book. It just reads very young.

In this world, most women are normal but some, when puberty hits, bleed gold and are then under the Death Mandate. Deka is one of those unlucky ones, but after months under the Mandate she's freed by a woman she names "White Hands" and taken to the capitol to serve in the Emperor's army. As she undergoes training, Deka learns to fit in with her group of alaki (other girls who bleed gold and are now being trained to fight). There are political and cultural machinations at play, and Deka slowly becomes a major part of the Big Plan.

The blending of races was well done, with the only example of racism coming in Deka's town (she's the only one with dark skin and that helps make her an outcast). Misogyny, on the other hand. runs rampant in this world. There's also a definite caste system in play, with women like Deka at the bottom. I really enjoyed Ike, Deka's... pet? It's a serpent or a cat or a flying animal, shapeshifting as needed and able to communicate with Deka telepathically. The deathshriekers needed more description for me to fully understand what they looked like. Their evolution was an interesting part of the book, but that part went very quickly -- as did the "ending" (there will be a sequel!).

eARC provided by publisher via NetGalley.

Talk about a book for all my "The Old Guard" fans here! The Gilded Ones is a powerful story about embracing our power. Steeped in an incredibly patriarchal and sexist world, Deka's journey is immersed in a world that fears women. One that does what it can to instill a culture of fear, reporting, and punishment. I could write pages on how The Gilded Ones dismantles the sexism and patriarchal conditioning within the world. It's one that is so well done, but also instills a sense of fear, terror, and rage.

At the same time, The Gilded Ones is a story about survival and strength. About what happens when we are treated like monsters, expected to live with fangs. What will we become? And what will we do to people, our neighbors, and our loved ones, when we deem them as demons. When we de-humanize them into Others. Will we speak up? Continue to wield the blade, or watch on in silence? The Gilded Ones is a multi-faceted debut that delivers a variety of emotions - simmering range and unabashed joy - as well as thoughtful introspection.

I loved this book. The worldbuilding and plot specifically were outstanding and I will remember it for a long time. However, I think it should have been written as a genre sci/fi rather than a YA novel. I think the story could have been so much deeper rather than depending on a love between two of the characters. At times I felt there wasn't something the main character was working towards and the plot was kind of just floating along.

That being said, the story was so unique and so so so well written. I look forward to more books by Namina Forna.

THIS WAS AAAMAZING! Exactly what I hoped for from a book with a cover that gorgeous.

Namina Forna's world building was wonderful and different. She created a society that I unfortunately have no trouble imagining - highly patriarchal, and dealing with many hard social issues. But diamonds are made under pressure, and the women, or "demons," who have been subjugated for generations are finally fighting back. I can't wait to see them kick butt in book two.

"The Gilded Ones" features a diverse cast, and I would bill this as feminist tale about love and friendship and finding your place in the world There is a slight bit of romance that wasn't really built up, but I'm definitely looking forward to more character building in the next book.

Now I just need to get my hands on a physical copy, because I NEED to own this.

I really enjoyed this novel and the lush world building and fierce characters are emblematic of classic YA fantasy, which I loved. Forna’s debut is strong and Deka is a character I would root for through anything!

I've been trying to decide whether this is a 4-star book or a 3-star book for me, and I think I've decided it's definitely a high 3. This book starts out at a clip, but after about midway, there's something lagging in the storytelling. There's mostly a focus on the military campaign and raids on the Deathshrieks, which is okay, but took away from some more interesting details, for me. I'm a reader who needs more depth to feel connected to a story, I guess. I found myself skimming most of the latter half of the book, and was really surprised by Deka and Keita's romance - like, why did we need this? I think the book would have actually been better without it, as it felt more shoehorned into the plot than any natural development. I think the messages would have been more powerful without it, as well.

As for what I loved: I LOVED that this story told of a history of oppressing women, of racial prejudice and of colorism, without the author leaping out of the page and spelling it out. This very important discussion is had through plot, background, and fantasy with goddesses and beasts and demons. I'd love to learn more about the history of the Gilded Ones, which I'm sure will come with more sequels. I don't quite see how they could change what ended up happening, but that remains to be seen. I was also much more interested in White Hands and the whole land of the Equus than I got information on, so hopefully that will come with the next books, as well.

On the whole, this is a decent book, with glimmers of Kristin Cashore's "Graceling" series, combined with Nnedi Okorafor's powerful insights into race and gender. I will look forward to more of the series to see what the author does, as I see a whole lot of potential here. And I adore the cover, as well!

I really enjoyed reading The Gilded Ones. There are many things that this book does really well, but one of the ones that stands out the most to me is the worldbuilding. Not only is the world itself well-built in a way that makes it easy to visualize, but it is a unique setting that feels completely original. The world has its own unique history and mythology, thought out traditions, and completely new monsters and creatures that roam around. I find it incredible whenever I'm able to read something that manages to feel different than anything else I've read before, but this story absolutely does that!

I also loved the characters in this story. Deka is a strong protagonist, and there's a very realistic struggle she goes through as she begins to face everything she has grown up believing to be true, and a new drive to accept herself and be proud of who she is. Deka is fierce and caring, and I loved seeing her growth over the course of the story. I also loved the relationships she formed. There's a little bit of romance in the story, which to be honest isn't all that interesting (though it thankfully isn't any unbelievable insta-love) and doesn't take a huge focus in the story. Instead, more important are the friendships Deka forms. I love books that highlight female friendships, and the overall feeling of sisterhood in this book.

To be honest, I found the pacing a little slow at times, and I do think some parts of the book probably could have been condensed. But overall the world was enticing and the plot engaging, And I loved the way the book tackled subjects like colorism, sexism, etc. There also is more violence in the book than I was expecting, which is fine but I wish I had been a little more prepared for it. Overall I would definitely recommend this book, a strong 4/5.

Thank you to NetGalley and Delacorte Press for the arc of this book. All opinions are my own.

EXCUSE ME NAMINA!!! My heart is hammering in my chest, my jaw is slack and I can’t formulate words to make anything coherent.

I have read a lot of YA Fantasy over the years and it’s getting harder and harder to really knock my socks off, but I can say I am SO GLAD I waited until I was in the right headspace to read so that I could give this book the proper attention it deserved. This book is a FORCE to be reckoned with in fantasy. From the world building, the magical system to the relationship dynamics, the flow of words, to the beautifully crafted plot this book was flawless. From the beginning, you’re sucked into Deka’s world. It’s easy to feel her pain as she feels it.

On a journey of discovery, self worth, self love and liberation, The Gilded Ones takes you on the journey with Deka, Britta, Keita, White Hands and the rest of their group as they traipse across the desert to fight the big bad, the deathshrieks. The way Namina paints a picture- it builds the scene in your mind. Every point vivid and beautiful. Her ability to pull you in, keep you sucked in and then rip your heart out to put it back together is incredible.

It was easy to fall in the love with the characters, but even easier to relate to them. This book will take you on a powerful journey. Full of imagery, power, deceit and learning to believe in yourself. It’s fantastically done and I can not recommend this enough.

This book blew my mind. The depth of the main character is one that has been hard to release after finishing reading. I have a feeling Deka will always stay with the readers of this book because we become so immersed in her mind and her story. Beware of the mature content - I would not recommend this to my sixth grade students, but high school students I think would love this story of a girl taking back her power. So heartfelt and inspirational!

I enjoyed the world and magic inside The Gilded Ones. There is good diverse and feministic representation in this patriarchal society. The story can be briefly slow at times and a tad predictable. Sometimes characters are fickle in their decisions. Overall it is an easy read; I feel like anyone could pick up this book. Girls will relate to the friendships and experiences these characters face. Guys will like the blood and violence. I’m looking forward to where this story is going in book 2.

I don't want to give much away, but this book is FANTASTIC. Normally, I tear through books I love, but this one was something I wanted to drink in so I took my time.

In short, it's a world in which everyone is taught that girls are born as far lesser than men. It is written into every rule and social norm, and around puberty the girls are tested to see if they are...even worse than the typical girl.

This book features a girl brought up in this world and doesn't pass that test. She ends up somewhere that will test her in so many other ways, which will change everything. EVERYTHING.

A wonderful story with messaging about patriarchal norms and why they are in place, giving yourself and others the power they deserve, found family, and true friendship.

I did mark this as dark because some pretty awful stuff happens, and there is no shying away from, shall we say "sword violence" both on individuals and during battles.