For this book I did Goodreads Status Updates instead of a review
August 19, 2021 –
96.0% "For some reason, I wasn't really shocked by the recent revelations even though they should be shocking. I kinda guessed something like this would happen in my head." (Audiobook Edition)
August 19, 2021 –
68.0% "That backstory about the brothel is brutal!" (Audiobook Edition)
August 19, 2021 –
45.0% "The development about her Mom's backstory is unexpected and interesting!" (Audiobook Edition)
August 19, 2021 –
10.0% "Loving the worldbuilding but excited for more explanation because right now I still feel like I don't really know anything about this world." (Audiobook Edition)
August 19, 2021 –
1.0% "Right at the beginning-already intrigued-ritual of purity and girls treated lesser than-the makings of a book I can dive headfirst into

🌟🌟🌟.75/5 stars
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Oh my, this fantasy is quite the ride!!
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This book follows Deka, a girl deemed impure by her village's Ritual of Purity and sentenced to the Death Mandate for one reason: her blood runs gold. She is a "demon," immortal in all deaths but one. But before the priests can find her "true death" and kill her completely, she is taken to become a soldier in the emperor's army against the monstrous Deathshrieks that plague the kingdom. But, as usual, all is not what it seems. Political agendas and whispers of rebellion make blurry lines even blurrier, and Deka must figure out who is truly manipulating who before it is too late for any of them.
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The fantasy elements are this book's strong points! I felt myself getting lost in the world-building time and time again, and the action, magical creatures, etc really make this novel stand out. Plus, the characters are all really interesting, and there are little hints of romance to feed my appetite 🙈. Overall, I enjoyed my time with this story!! I kept trying to solve the mysteries with Deka but I could never get close, I didn't know who she should trust either! It's edgy, gripping, and tear-jerking at times. If you do pick this book up, be sure to get through the first 25% of the book if you're hesitant because the author and the story grow a lot after that and you won't regret pushing through! I didn't vibe a lot with the ending, but overall I know a lot of people felt differently than me about it!

I feel like the cover for The Gilded Ones is everywhere lately. Every day I see it on my Goodreads feed, booktubers and bookstagrammers promote it, twitter, blogs, you name it...so... I also wanted to be part of that train gang.

I can proudly say that the hype surrounding this novel is well deserved. This was really good story, with good representation and message, that was also very enjoyable and entertaining.

If you know me, you know that the most important things to me, when it comes to books and stories, are characters.
The Gilded Ones has variety of interesting characters that I got to know through a story and by the end of the novel, I found myself truly caring about them, so I am really looking forward to read about them in future installments.

The world building was done great. It was so easy for me to imagine all the palces, jungles and deserts in the story.
I like to read fantasy from time to time, but I don't consider myself an expert in this genre, however, I do feel like I can say that the author did a good job introducing this world, with all the history and present events.

The story was easy to read, thanks to a good, simple but rich writing style.

The end was good, and even better introduction to next book in the series.

I was really fascinated with one event that was mentioned closer to the end of the book, when one character described what happened in the past. I won't say more about it bc it would be a spoiler, but I will stress out that it impacted me the most, because I never came across to something similar in my reading life.

I also want to quickly mention how the main event or purpose in the story passed so quickly and after so much preparation surrounding it, it was resolved so easily and I expected more obstacles.

The Gilded Ones is good book about feminism, impacted by author's own experience and authenticity.
It also represented diversity, the are POC characters, lqbtq+ characters (I should stress out that for now only sapphic relationship was mentioned, but I feel there's space for more representations in sequels).

There are also some references and mentions of sexual abuse, so be aware of that.

I also want to emphasize how The Gilded Ones can provoke great discussion, so I encourage you to reading in book clubs.
Of course, reading it in your own company has it's benefits too.

To make it short, I recommend you to read it.

I received a copy of this book for a fair and honest review. When I read the description of this book I knew that I was going to love it. It gave me all the things I need as a woman. It was all about power, pain, self-discovery and adventure of a lifetime. Deka always felt different and only wanted a place to belong. When she turned 16 years old she is test for purity but her blood is gold instead of red. She because an outcast among her people. Then a mysterious woman comes and tells her there is something greater out there for her. She goes on a journey to find who she really is and what she is capable of. There are some dark themes and twists and turns but it kept me wanting to see if Deka would find what she was looking for. I want more in this world.

Thank you to Net Galley, the publisher and author for providing me an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I was drawn in to the Gilded Ones right from the start. It has lush world building and interesting characters. The story moved along a fast pace and kept me interested. It does have some sensitive topics: , extreme physical violence, misogyny, abuse, xenophobia, not explicit but referenced sexual violence. All these topics can lead to good conversations with students. I loved the friendships made during this story.

"The Gilded Ones" is the book young girls crave and adult women wished they had as children. Namina Forna found a way to present the truth within the fiction for adolescent readers, but made it alluring for adult readers as well. While this book should NOT be read by everyone, it should NOT be missed by anyone. Go and read one of the best (debut) novels of this year!

When the protagonist's blood runs gold instead of red, she is declared a "demon" and sentenced to death...until a female figure appears and offers her a chance at "absolution." Feminism and misogyny are international themes and issues that continue to permeate into individuals worldwide. Namina Forna wanted to examine the idea of the patriarchy—how and why it is practiced—and how religion continues to influence this societal practice. "The Gilded Ones" by Namina Forna is the latest book to tackle how the “adult world” influences the youth negatively and why certain societal practices continue to exist through posterity.

When they come of age, girls in Deka’s world are cut to show that they have pure blood. If their blood flows red, no problem. But, if their blood is gold, they are impure and put to death. Deka is impure.

But a woman comes for her after her ninth death, and she gives Deka an alternative. She can come and fight Night Shrieks for the emperor in an army, and after a year gain her freedom. Deka takes this offer.

But—obviously—things aren’t as simple as all that.

Descriptive and lush world building along with a strong female lead is what makes this book stand out. Yes since Tomi Adeyemi’s smash COBAB, more series are coming that feature this type of trope. It’s of course fantasy and just like the previously mentioned book, there are people ( women in particular) that possess a certain blood that makes them tainted in their society but useful for the beasts they will encounter. In order to be viewed as useful some girls are “rescued” and required to fight for the king of their land in hopes of serving and surviving long enough to gain freedom. But alas, there’s a twist and there are secrets kept from these girls, are they actually bad, do they need to fight in the army to help the king or has their whole existence been a lie? Find out by reading the Gilded Ones.

SOOOO long. Very high fantasy. Although it raises great conversations about girls being set up to be monsters rather than heroes, the length and overwhelming world building is too much for my middle school library.

Dear THE GILDED ONES,

I love you. I love your world, rich with magic but broken by systemic patriarchal lies about blood and purity. I love Deka, a magical Black girl who thinks that her golden blood makes her a demon, for whom only way to escape endless torture is to volunteer as a child soldier for the empire that hates her. Deka who unlearns her shame and finds POWER.

I love the vast mythology you weave, steeped in the cultural heritage of West Africa, of Sierra Leone. I love Deka’s furious, fearless journey to uncover her true matriarchal lineage - one buried by colonial and patriarchal forces, but never eradicated from the bodies of powerful women.

You are a freedom cry, a triumph, a story about girls who face genocide, war, abuse, and brutality and SURVIVE. Girls who will not be made into monsters. Girls who love each other, who band together, who will change the world.

We need you here, in our world. And I want to put you in the hands of every girl who comes into my library. Can’t WAIT to read what comes next. Thank you. I love you.

PS - also can I say how much I love @naminaforna for representing Spelman with such fierce pride? As an Agnes Scott grad - I see you and your excellence!

"We all have a choice right now. Are we girls or our we demons?"
Namina Forna's highly anticipated debut did not fail to impress both young adult and adult readers alike. Forna wrote a true coming=0f-age story Deka, the main character faces horrible challenges of being deemed "impure" simply by her own biological markers with no fault of her own. This YA novel seamlessly weaves a character-driven plot while still focusing on the huge themes of friendship, coming-of-age, and injustice. Definitely a recommended read for sure!

I flew through this book. I can’t wait to read the sequel.

Trigger warnings to gore, sexual abuse, violence, death, and graphic content.

Thank you to the Publisher and Netgalley for the advanced e-reader copy. All opinions expressed are my own.

This was one of my favorite books of the year, fantasy is my favorite genre and I loved the representation in this book. The story was so well done, I can’t wait for future books from namina forna!

I really enjoyed this book! I wrote a blog post about it and you can find it attached! I loved Deka and her crew of Bad a$$ warriors and found family!

This book was incredible and I need the sequel immediately! The magic system was perfect, the characters are unique and driven. They're strong and fearless and just amazing!

I absolutely enjoyed this one, cannot wait for the second book so I can see more of Deka, her love, her friendship and her challenging fate. Though there were some parts where I got lost in all the names and background story, I did love the development and the plot twists. The love interest was a little abrupt, but the ending made up for it. The bloodsisters were such a wonderful development, their friendship gave me hope and happy feelings, that true friendship can conquer everything. I am so excited to find out more of the goddesses and White Hands.

Deka has been waiting for the ceremony to determine her purity her entire life. As the daughter of an outsider she has never been fully accepted. But when her blood runs gold and death shrieks attack the village on the day of the ceremony, she is instead taken to the capital to be a part of the emperor's new alaki army. An army that is being trained to hunt and kill the death shrieks. The more she trains, the less she knows, everyone is keeping secrets. Will she be able to figure everything out in time?

"Remember, this will be tough, but you will overcome it. May fortune guide you."

•First read of February?

The Gilded Ones

4.5 /5

Deka is a 16 year old, who lives in an orthodox village, where the teachings of Infinite Wisdoms is absolute, she awaits the blood ceremony where she will be tested for purity, if her blood runs red (pure) or gold (impure). On the day of the ceremony, the Deathshrieks (monsters who take away girls) attack and her blood runs gold, she is deemed impure, unnatural.

Seeking absolution from Oyomo, her God, she joins the elite training "Warthu Bera" in the service of the emperor of Hemaira. She discovers that she is an anamoly when it comes to the Deathshrieks and this is used as an advantage in her training skills.

I adored Deka and Britta's characters, Britta is just so warm a person, her trying to be friends with everyone, hugging them when they're sad, even when she was going through difficult time herself, speaks volume for her sympathetic character.

Deka being tested again and again like pure gold, only comes up brighter and powerful. I loved the growth in her character from a timid girl to a strong one.

I also liked White Hands's fierce character, and Katya and Keita.
I loved the world building in the book, the reference to Emeka's Tears, and the northern Lights. The pacing of the book was perfect according to me, quite fast as you fly through the book. There is action throughout the book.

Things I loved-
-The diversity of characters.
-the language; terms like Alaki, Durkas, Karmoko, Okai, The Nibari. It shows how well thought/researched the book is, not missing minute of details.
-How racism is discussed through the story.
-Women being fierce warriors, "Conquer or Die", standing up for themselves, and their rights.

This beautiful high fantasy "The Gilded Ones" by @namina.forna , has been one of my most anticipated reads for 2021, and it didn't disappoint, I was overjoyed when I found out, I have been accepted for the booktour by @tours.terminal and I got to read this through @netgalley
Thank you for this lovely opportunity.

Isn't this cover gorgeous?

The Gilded Ones is a feminist fantasy with West African flavor and it is fierce. The writing flows effortlessly. The pacing works perfectly. The characters are well developed. Their fears and flaws and strengths fit their experiences. I loved them all.

The book begins with Deka's purity ceremony, a ritual that tests the blood of 16 year old girls to see if it is purely human, or if the girls have instead matured as alaki - demonic, golden blooded, near-immortal beings that must be slaughtered according to the death mandate.

On the day of her ceremony, Deathshrieks attack Deka's village, and in desperation she screams at them to stop attacking those she loves.

They obey.

Her eyes flash golden.

A local man stabs her with a spear and after an initial river of red, Deka's blood runs gold. And she dies. Or, almost-dies.

Over the next few days Deka will almost-die nine times; stabbing, burning, dismemberment, the villagers try it all to find Deka's true death. Then a strange woman comes to the village, finds Deka, and offers her a choice: stay in the village and die as many times as it takes to finally stay dead, or leave and fight in the Emperor's army of alaki, girls just like her. It's not really a choice at all.

This is not your typical "kid with magic goes to a magical school" story, so don't be fooled. It is raw and emotional. You'll fall in love with Deka and her friends as they learn who they are, learn what is worth fighting and dying to protect.

This is definitely a five star read.

It was clear that "The Gilded Ones" was Forna's debut title. I did not enjoy how long it took to get into the action of this book. The entire first half felt like world-building with a small amount of plotline and I really badly wanted to get into the point of the story. Once the action started, I really enjoyed this book until the end. The end felt like closure and when I saw that this was book 1 of a trilogy, I was thoroughly confused. I'm unsure what might be in the next 2 books and I would be happy to never read them. I do think fans of fantasy would enjoy this book, and while I enjoyed it overall, I was disappointed in certain aspects.