I really, really loved this book! I thought it was a really good book for all people. Loved the plot, storybuilding, and characters so much more than most books I've read. I really recommend this book.

"The Gilded Ones" is a young adult fantasy novel. Though somewhat dark in tone, this reminds me of the epic fantasies I used to read when I was young. The women of this empire are oppressed through a religion that says they will be accepted by their god only if they submit to men and follow many rules. Rules that Deka quickly learns are meant to prevent "demon" women from realizing their power. The men have been identifying these women as soon as they come into their power and then kill them. But they're difficult to kill and so may need to be killed multiple ways until they really die. This is the dark part of the story. Deka and the other women are exploited and are tortured to keep them in line even after they agree to fight for the Emperor. We're not really graphically shown the torture, but we're told that it happens and see how this mentally affects the girls.

Throughout the story, Deka and the other warrior girls start to uncover the many lies that they have been told about their role and their power. Some of the twists won't surprise longtime fantasy readers, but it's still enjoyable to watch the girls grow in strength, knowledge, and self-confidence as they uncover the truth. They envision a future where women and men are equals in opportunities and respect. This novel tells a complete story, but we're told about possible future battles that suggest a sequel in the future.

The characters were well developed, complex, and reacted realistically to events. They were likable, and I cared about what happened to them. The world-building created a land that was unique without getting bogged down in details unnecessary to the story. The mystery about why Deka is different and about who will die in battle added suspense. There were no sex scenes. There were a few uses of bad language (an evil man repeatedly called the women b**ches in one scene). Overall, I'd recommend this enjoyable, interesting fantasy. I look forward to future novels in the series.

**I was provided an electronic ARC by the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for honest review.**

Namina Forna's debut novel, The Gilded Ones, is a feminist, West African-inspired fantasy where the demon-tainted girls bleed gold. When Deka has her coming-of-age ritual, she hopes to bleed red, a mark of purity. When she finds that she is one of the impure, it starts a whirlwind of suffering in which she loses all that she has. When presented an opportunity by a stranger, Deka finds herself anew as a warrior of the empire along with other tainted girls who possess rare gifts.

I was quickly immersed in the world that Forna created. I'm a sucker for the training camp/school/etc. and Forna executed this trope in Deka's military training beautifully. I also found it notable that all of the "cursed" girls were partnered with boys, but that romances took a firm backseat in the entirety of the story. Deka has a love interest, but this story was absolutely and undeniably about the strength and power of the girls. The boys, while present, were barely side characters for a majority of the book. This isn't commonly found in YA books, and it was a refreshing change.

I loved that Forna showed glimpses of what was to come throughout the book, while managing to still have a "big reveal" moment. Forna has also set up nicely for a sequel, which I hope will come as I am invested in Deka's world.

I really wasn't expecting to like this book as much as I did, and am thrilled to have been able to read this early. I am sure that readers will support this release as it seems to hit on many points that are popular right now, while having beautiful execution of the writing throughout.

I very much look forward to seeing what Forna releases in the future after such a strong debut.

First off I would like to thank NetGalley, Delacorte Press, and Random House Children's for the ebook arc so I could have the chance to read and review this amazing book.

Now for the review! I give The Gilded Ones 5/5 stars. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna is a fresh new feminist fantasy that everyone will enjoy. First off let's discuss the world building. I have always loved fantasy, however sometimes the world building can seem very repetitive, but this was not the case for The Gilded Ones. The world building for this world was totally new and unique. It was also refreshing to see such a new and creative magic system fleshed out along with the world building. On top of the excellent writing the plot of the Gilded Ones is top tier. This book has everything you could ever want: women fighting oppression, LGBTQ+ representation, found family, and a romance that does not overpower the main character's story arc. This book made me smile, laugh, and cry. If you are looking for your new favorite fantasy series, The Gilded Ones is what you need.

Namina Forna's promise of this being a feminist book does not disappoint. As someone who's faced her fair share of the various inequalities of society by grace of living as a woman, there are many instances in the book that resonated with me. At one point, I teared up and wanted to cry.

The fantasy world of Otera is beautifully diverse, with well thought-out characters, culture, history, and politics. The Gilded Ones tells the familiar story of discovering and accepting oneself, but with twists and turns that make the reading experience infinitely more enjoyable.

I cannot wait to see this book published in all its glory, along with its sequels when they come out.

The Gilded Ones is an incredibly unique fantasy set in a world where blood means everything. Deka, the main character, must undergo a ritual to test the purity of her blood. Pass, and she will be welcomed as a full member of her village and be able to marry and have children. Fail, and she will be killed for being an impure demon.

This book was full of action-packed battle scenes, as well as gory details (like how Deka was repeatedly killed) that I didn't expect but also really enjoyed. I also liked the important social commentary lacing the entire book: Deka's world is extremely sexist, with women not even being allowed to run or raise their voices. At the beginning, Deka believes in this world, and wants nothing more than to be a normal woman in her village, marrying and raising her children. However, the more time Deka spends training to fight the deathshrieks and learning more about what it means to be a 'demon', she becomes stronger mentally and physically.

I also liked Deka's friendships with the other girls, especially Britta. Britta was such a great character, although she did pale in comparison to Deka, who had a mysterious power that none of the other girls had. The romance in the book was very downplayed, which I appreciated because the book did focus more on Deka's discovery of herself. However, the romance was downplayed so much that I didn't feel much of a spark between Deka and her love interest.

As I read this book, I was drawn in to the world that the author created within the story. The main character’s journey and what she discovers about herself throughout the story was intriguing and fun to read. Also, I found it to be a much easier read that some of the other books that I’ve read lately, and I’ve felt was a good thing for me right about now. Plus the cover of the book is pretty cool! The only thing that bummed me out about this book was that I have to wait until next year to get a physical copy of this book. Since the copy that I read was an advanced reader copy, and I know the author will likely make revisions to it before it’s published next year (which I hope aren’t too many, I really enjoyed it as it was), I’m only going to give it four out of five stars for now. And I can’t wait to get a copy of it when it finally comes out next year.

This is a wonderful book about the power of women and allyship and playing the long game to achieve something truly spectacular. Young women, ostracized from their communities, are trained as warriors....but when the biggest battle comes, there is a startling and liberating secret that has to come out. I loved this book, which draws from West African myth and lore, has well-developed and diverse characters, and is masterpiece of layered stories and motivations.

Thank you to NetGalley for giving me the opportunity to read an ARC copy of this title in return for my honest review.

Girls in the kingdom of Otera must prove themselves pure and devout at the blood ceremony before they become a full member of society. Red blood ensures a young woman a place, although a subservient one to their husbands. If a girl’s blood was to run gold, she is branded a demon and sentenced to the Death Mandate. On the day of Deka’s Ritual of Purity, to her disbelief, her blood runs gold and everyone she trusts turns on her. But, a mysterious woman offers her a chance at redemption in return for becoming one of the empires deadliest warriors. The journey ahead of Deka will be difficult and dangerous, and it will shake the foundations of her beliefs. With the help of new friends and comrades, Deka will forge her own path and discover her true place in Otera.

Forna does a wonderful job building the world of Otera and its villains the deathshrieks. They are truly terrifying creatures and throughout the story continue to become more scary due to their intelligence. Deka is a fierce female main character to follow and I really enjoyed that this was a true action/adventure story and not a romance disguised as one. Forna, also did an amazing job creating supporting characters and giving them deep personalities and backstories. Britta was my favorite of Deka's friends; super loyal and funny. What more could you want it a best friend? Also, the battle scenes were awesome!

This is a great book for young women because it really focuses on how girls should not be subservient to men, hold themselves back, or think they are lesser. With the help of her bloodsisters, Deka learns the power women have if they are not afraid to use it. And while Forna does a great job focusing on the strengths and abilities of women, she also does an amazing job of showing how men and women are partners and how working together as equals can ensure a better society for all. Now, I really hate when books have a message and instead of letting it happen naturally, they beat you over the head with it. Luckily, I never got his feeling from Forna, she did an amazing job letting the reader come to their own understand of her message.

Now my one dislike of the story came in the last 30 pages or so. And I won’t give any spoilers but I will say that I was extremely confused. Just when I thought I would get a lot of answers I had been waiting for I got lost. Now, I may have totally missed the explanation and while I was reading I just went with the flow and didn’t got back to try to find what I was missing. So, it could totally be my fault, however, I really do enjoy a not to confusing conclusion.

Thank you NetGalley for this ARC!
I loved the world building and character development we get for our main girl, Deka. Her growth at the end of the book was so satisfying - especially considering how nervous and pious she was at the beginning. Her relationship with her sisters was so real and I'm always a sucker for found family books.
Thank you to Namina Forna for including her authors note explaining her examination of the patriarchy and who thrives under those restrictions. She definitely delivers on that promise, making the book fun to read while not being afraid to delve into the dark truths of male-dominated societies.
The book was enjoyable and easy to read, however there are a few times where it felt like decisions/alliances/struggles happened very quickly without any sort of back and forth between the parties involved. It wasn't a detriment to my reading experience, but it did take away some of the stakes for me because I knew that things were going to work out, especially in the end, which felt rushed.
However, the plot twists/reveals were compelling and entertaining and I can't wait to see what happens in future books. This feels like the beginning of a complex adventure series and I only anticipate things moving up from here!
I'm so sad that this book was pushed back but I hope that means it can get the launch it deserves in 2021! It definitely deserves the hype.

This was a truly beautifully written and powerful story of a girl searching to find a place to belong. I absolutely loved the plot and the imagery in the story. Deka, while uncertain a lot of the time is still a wonderful character that I really enjoyed reading about. I would definitely recommend this story!

You won't forget this book long after reading it. If you are a young woman, you could probably go a lifetime feeling that its message has touched your heart. What is most amazing about Namina Forna's debut novel is the love it shares for black women.

The main character, Deka, is raised in a climate where she is taught to hate her dark brown skin and her heritage is concealed from her. Women are neither seen nor heard. Men feel free to grab you up in the street and the village looks to blame the woman. During a ceremony to test young girls' purity, in which they are bled by knife, something goes wrong and it changes the course of Deka's life. From then on she is constantly given a choice, give up and succumb to the wills of men or fight and learn the power in your heritage.

The strength running beneath the novel that compels the reader forward is curiosity. What is Deka? What will become of her? The stakes are high to begin with when we see the fate of girls like her. Forna does an excellent job of mounting fear and building monsters out of men, but she also has moments where she paints men as rounded characters. That is the type of line you could only wish young men and women could read.

The main weakness that makes the reader pause is the ending, but by then you've already gone on the ride and you are committed. While I'd have liked to have seen a lot more resistance in the end or more description of the microaggressions between the villages, the book is rather long and by then I'm asking for too much. I can't say it falls from convention with the typical YA ending, but there is room to assume there could be sequel (or maybe that is just me wishing).

All in all, this is a book about a girl who has been raised to hate herself and the transformation of self-discovery as she learns that there is beauty in things that seem "unnatural". It is about young women of all shapes, sizes, and colors coming together to form blood bonds. It is about seeking knowledge and always being curious enough to question the status quo. Due to some language, I recommend for 9th grade - up, but all in all, it is a read for everyone and an excellent pairing with feminist theory. When my son comes of age, I plan for this to be on his bookshelf.

Beautiful, vibrant, a refreshingly unique world with serious themes that hit at home, all expertly written. This is sure to be a contender for best of the year in 2021. There was a fantastic balance of characterization and world building with fast-paced action that many authors try, and fail to execute. There was an undeniable message being conveyed in regards to patriarchy and what it means to be accepting of oneself in an oppressive world. It's bold and full of life and feminism and I was utterly entertained the whole way through. My only critique was that I felt the characterization took a bit of a left turn for Deka towards the halfway mark, and some of the narrative for the last third of the book felt a little rushed and tended to info-dump. It didn't take away from my enjoyment - I am very much looking forward to the next installment!

Thank you to netgalley for a digital copy in exchange for an honest review!

The Gilded Ones was a rich and colorful book filled with strong friendship and awesome female characters! The demon warrior thing was incredibly cool, but it also taught a lesson about how people are treated differently because of the way they were born. I really liked the story line but sometimes it felt a bit slow and lacked action! The ending was fantastic and I loved the idea of the goddesses! I'm so excited to see where this series goes next, but boy is it going to be a long wait!

After reading the first few chapters of this book, I told my husband that this was the first ARC in a long time that hooked me in. This will be a contender for all awards. It is such a beautifully written story with a main character who makes such a extraordinary transformation into a beautifully independent leader. I adore books with strong female characters, and this book was written with the intent of showing strong women. I rooted for Deka from the onset, and I cannot wait to see how she evolves in (hopefully) books to follow. I adore this book so much, and I know it will be a BIG success.

And, can we talk about the cover?! Perfection!

I'm book talking this book to students ASAP!

an interesting fantasy novel with a unique cast of characters. I enjoyed this book more than I expected to. I look forward to reading more from this author.

I loved the world building and how it correlated with the story. It was very interesting learning about religion and history. I wish we would have gotten to see more of Ortera(I think?), because I absolutely loved the part where they got to explore Heimara. The concept was also super good. I also adored the diversity, it’s not something you see very often in young adult.
Only reason this isn’t a five star is because of some cliche aspects of the plot and characters I found very predictable. But that’s pretty nit picky. My main thing was the end, it felt incredibly rushed for me.
Uh so **SPOILERS**
But Deka basically fulfills her main purpose of existing at the end of the book and entirely resolves everything in the plot. This could have easily been stretched over like another book or something(I understand this is a series?). There was some build up with like leftover jatu who are like alaki, which wasn’t even touched on until the end. It was basically a happy ending otherwise. I don’t know, maybe that is a personal opinion. But yeah I enjoyed this overall.
https://www.goodreads.com/review/show/3266551605?book_show_action=false&from_review_page=1

Five stars

I'm big enough to admit that I requested this arc for one reason: its cool cover. Normally, I'm a lot more thoughtful about what I want to pick up, but I'm so tired of the lack of diversity in YA - especially on YA book covers - and so I wanted to give this a go for its stellar imaging alone. Fortunately for me, the contents - like the cover - do NOT disappoint.

Deka is a young girl living in a society that believes young women who bleed gold are demons and that they have to be killed - often repeatedly - to rid the society of their sinfulness and impurity. Who here is surprised to know that this is a patriarchal and religiously organized society? Oh. Deka bleeds gold early on in the novel, and male-identifying figures immediately start failing her and actively turning against her; simultaneously, the women-identifying and nonbinary/fluid/shapeshifting characters appear to really be on her side.

There is *so* much to love about this novel. The symbolism - particularly around the blood, the gold, the shapeshifting, and the use of un/voiced power - is stunning. This theme of sisterhood runs throughout the novel in really beautiful and at times unexpected ways, and I found myself really moved by this. The tropes that tend to obscure this theme are simply not present here, which is incredibly refreshing. Also, I loved the novelty of the deathshrieks (and the play with their names). Among the many points I thought were so winning, my favorite is the way the women-identifying characters talk about knowing each other's pain: that girl- or womanhood is rife with a particular kind of suffering, and that torment bonds those who have the shared experiences, even when those experiences cause them to feel so isolated. There are many dark moments in this novel, but I found it endlessly inspiring and meaningful nonetheless.

I can imagine that some folks will not love the various scenes of torture and death and the general malice that some of the characters express. However, for me, those blips barely existed in the space of the magic of this novel. I CANNOT WAIT for the next one. (And, btw, there's a clear setup for a sequel at the end, but know that you are not getting yourself into an infuriating cliffhanger here).

I got this as an ARC from NetGally. This is the first book I have read by Namina Forna. Honestly, this book is so amazing and so much more than I anticipated! The world building and characters are truly wonderful! There were so many twists and turns, I couldn't put it down.

I want to thank NetGalley and Random House Kids for the ARC in exchange for an honest review!

Firstly, let me state that Namina Forna creates this very diverse cast of characters with different physical characteristics, attitudes, life experiences and voices that makes for a fabulous story. I found myself liking the world and growing with Deka, our main character, as she goes from timid and beaten to strong and aware. This was a feminist one-two punch or action and heart that I feel could have been quite impact if not for the technical issues.

Disclaimer: I was sent the eBook format and I often find that eBooks have weird things going on. This book, however, had entire repeated sentences, inconsistent action and dialog tags that were used way too often to fit properly. I GREATLY look forward to this book when it comes out on it's new publication date in 2021 because if what I read was going to be released in two-ish weeks, I would have been upset when my pre-order came in.

Pros!
- As mentioned before, this book has amazing characters when it comes to all the Bloodsisters, some of the Jatu fell short. The many women in this story, the focus, are all so different and special in their own ways. Deka as a main character was endearing. A girl raised in a small town up north finds that all the nonsense about women being less are wrong. I enjoyed her journey from meek to powerful and the ONLY thing I'd ask them to revise is maybe show her questioning before she starts declaring herself an accepting demon.
- Great in-universe lore and mythology. I mean, honestly it is great.
- I think they handled the topic of trauma very well for the time they gave it.
- the ending was satisfying and left room for more epic adventures in future stories.

Cons!
- the technical issues (in the eBook version I received) are kind of just... bad. It makes it seem like the editors did not care. I KNOW that's not true but, I can only review what I saw. There were several typos in the first few chapters, repeating sentences and action inconsistencies that simply should not have been overlooked. And I know all authors have the one phrase they cannot stop using but Deka sure rasps a lot in this book.
- There is a massive exposition dump near the end of the story that could have been fed to the reader in parts throughout the first two thirds. I fully understand wanting a big reveal but some of reveals were things we should have had some inkling of at the beginning.
- If you watch anime then you'll fully understand why the sudden power creep was jarring. Again, the expansion and explanation of abilities could have been spread out for a smoother entry to the end of the book.
- Personal, but this is not a MG book, it's young adult. There is enough gore mentioned that this is definitely YA. I'm seeing it put down as MG in some places and no.

That all being said, I loved what Namina Forna was going for here. This was, at it's beautiful core, a story about feminism, sisterhood, growth and allowing yourself to be whatever you are. Embrace what makes you different instead of hiding it away for someone else's benefit. That message is powerful and does shine through. Based solely on the version given to me, this book received 2.5 out of 5 stars. Rounded up to a three simply because I did leave it feeling like the good guys won and that made me happy.