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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
This was such a good read, I can't believe I waited so long to get my hands on it and dive in. Though I do love that it's a completed series now so I don't have to wait for the next ones to come out.
'The Gilded Ones' is book one in Namina Forna's 'Deathless' series. It follows Deka, a sixteen year old preparing for her ritual of purity to determine that she is a pure and innocent girl and can continue to be a member of society and one day get married. Unfortunately on the day of her ritual her village is attacked and she is cut spilling her blood which runs the bright gold of the impure, of a demon. She is taken by her village elders and killed nine times as they search for her true death and harvest her golden blood.
Until one day a woman arrives saying on behalf of the Emperor all cursed demon girls are being taken and summoned to the south to be trained as warriors. There Deka meets other girls just like her all with the same cursed blood, all with the ability to survive most mortal wounds, and other hidden talents.
spoilers
I can't explain why but I love a book with an overly sexist society, no matter which way it goes, either sex being persecuted simply for being born what they were has me intrigued. Probably the first book I fell in love with like that was 'Homeland' by R.A. Salvatore, which is a women dominate society and the Anne Bishops 'Black Jewel's' series which has so many gender roles and rules. 'The Gilded Ones' sucked me in with the heavily oppressive religion, the infinite wisdom, which stifles anything a women might want to think or feel or want till all they are left with is being a wife, mother, homemaker. Through out the book as we learn more and more about the four ancient gilded ones, the originals who were all females and used to hold all the power until their sons the Jatu rose up and trapped them, overthrew their rule and then set up their new one which kept women quiet and low and weak.
Another thing I love about the book is not seeing all the twists and turns, this one kept me guessing, yes there was some obvious stuff really in your face, most of the dealings with her mother namely. Though I was surprised that they had her just die after sneaking away with her fake death in order to try to reach White Hands, why didnt she become a deathshriek? But I am glad that we didnt get a sappy reunion. There was too many characters as it was, I had trouble keeping all the recruits strait, their urini. Despite that I felt that there wasn't any flat or two dimension characters, they all had distinct personalities and maybe if I wasn't speeding through needing to know what happens next I would have better remembered who was paired with who.
Deka had some really great moments, first with the betrayal of the scant few she felt she could trust which included her father. Plus she's still meek and believing all the propaganda that the infinite wisdom tires to tell them about women. I didnt really care for all the mask stuff, at the beginning she kinda drove me insane for how much she mentions it and describes everyones masks and how sad she is going to be not to get to wear one. Then when training starts and they go for that run with the boys for the first time and she gives that classic sports movie/before the battle pep talk, the we will not be defeated speech. It really shows how she's changing, she hasn't completely given up on all the teachings she was indoctrinated in since brith. Which was another thing that was odd, after reading all the truths about her and her mother, it made me start to question how her mother decided to raise her, why not tell her that's how she has to act but to clue her in to anything that's real to let her know that one day things will be different, that you don't have to believe all the bullshit. We know that there are southern tribes that don't follow these teachings at all. Why not raise her there or just not let her completely buy into the cover story?
Overall I felt like this was just such a powerful story, with amazing characters, it didnt get bogged down with too many action scenes, the grotesque and shocking details were handled with care and not just used to sensationalize, the characters felt real, the pace picked up when they made it to the training area, and it was just so easy to read. That last one people might not see as a positive but I quite enjoy books like that.
I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
'The Gilded Ones' is book one in Namina Forna's 'Deathless' series. It follows Deka, a sixteen year old preparing for her ritual of purity to determine that she is a pure and innocent girl and can continue to be a member of society and one day get married. Unfortunately on the day of her ritual her village is attacked and she is cut spilling her blood which runs the bright gold of the impure, of a demon. She is taken by her village elders and killed nine times as they search for her true death and harvest her golden blood.
Until one day a woman arrives saying on behalf of the Emperor all cursed demon girls are being taken and summoned to the south to be trained as warriors. There Deka meets other girls just like her all with the same cursed blood, all with the ability to survive most mortal wounds, and other hidden talents.
spoilers
I can't explain why but I love a book with an overly sexist society, no matter which way it goes, either sex being persecuted simply for being born what they were has me intrigued. Probably the first book I fell in love with like that was 'Homeland' by R.A. Salvatore, which is a women dominate society and the Anne Bishops 'Black Jewel's' series which has so many gender roles and rules. 'The Gilded Ones' sucked me in with the heavily oppressive religion, the infinite wisdom, which stifles anything a women might want to think or feel or want till all they are left with is being a wife, mother, homemaker. Through out the book as we learn more and more about the four ancient gilded ones, the originals who were all females and used to hold all the power until their sons the Jatu rose up and trapped them, overthrew their rule and then set up their new one which kept women quiet and low and weak.
Another thing I love about the book is not seeing all the twists and turns, this one kept me guessing, yes there was some obvious stuff really in your face, most of the dealings with her mother namely. Though I was surprised that they had her just die after sneaking away with her fake death in order to try to reach White Hands, why didnt she become a deathshriek? But I am glad that we didnt get a sappy reunion. There was too many characters as it was, I had trouble keeping all the recruits strait, their urini. Despite that I felt that there wasn't any flat or two dimension characters, they all had distinct personalities and maybe if I wasn't speeding through needing to know what happens next I would have better remembered who was paired with who.
Deka had some really great moments, first with the betrayal of the scant few she felt she could trust which included her father. Plus she's still meek and believing all the propaganda that the infinite wisdom tires to tell them about women. I didnt really care for all the mask stuff, at the beginning she kinda drove me insane for how much she mentions it and describes everyones masks and how sad she is going to be not to get to wear one. Then when training starts and they go for that run with the boys for the first time and she gives that classic sports movie/before the battle pep talk, the we will not be defeated speech. It really shows how she's changing, she hasn't completely given up on all the teachings she was indoctrinated in since brith. Which was another thing that was odd, after reading all the truths about her and her mother, it made me start to question how her mother decided to raise her, why not tell her that's how she has to act but to clue her in to anything that's real to let her know that one day things will be different, that you don't have to believe all the bullshit. We know that there are southern tribes that don't follow these teachings at all. Why not raise her there or just not let her completely buy into the cover story?
Overall I felt like this was just such a powerful story, with amazing characters, it didnt get bogged down with too many action scenes, the grotesque and shocking details were handled with care and not just used to sensationalize, the characters felt real, the pace picked up when they made it to the training area, and it was just so easy to read. That last one people might not see as a positive but I quite enjoy books like that.
I will definitely be continuing on with the series.
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Action packed and full of heart. I adore the Alaki, their Uruni, and everyone in their newly found family just as much as I did the first time.
adventurous
mysterious
sad
medium-paced
Deka is a young teenager whose life is turned upside down in a blink of an eye. She always felt different then everyone else but her hope was that she wouldn’t be. When she bled gold blood instead of red she knew then that her life would never be the same. White Hands appeared to her and offered her a choice would be her savior and the thorn in her side for the next few months. Deka chooses to fight and is sent to the Warthu Bera training grounds. The toughest place for all Alaki. These girls are put through hell in order to fight a war that is nowhere near what it seems. The more Deka trains the more she learns that she is not a typical Alaki. There is something different about her and she is determined to find out what it is.
“Are we girls or are we demons? Are we going to die, or are we going to survive?” This was another Netgalley book that I requested and I’m so glad that I did. This is a West-African fantasy adventure that is written so beautifully I really can’t describe it. Forna creates such a wonderful world with so much realism in spite of the clear fantasy element. The issues that the girls face in this book while they are exaggerated to an extent they still are true to the everyday issues that we as women have to deal with on a regular basis. I couldn’t put this book down and anyone that loves fantasy will love it as well I definitely recommend this book.
Nikki
“Are we girls or are we demons? Are we going to die, or are we going to survive?” This was another Netgalley book that I requested and I’m so glad that I did. This is a West-African fantasy adventure that is written so beautifully I really can’t describe it. Forna creates such a wonderful world with so much realism in spite of the clear fantasy element. The issues that the girls face in this book while they are exaggerated to an extent they still are true to the everyday issues that we as women have to deal with on a regular basis. I couldn’t put this book down and anyone that loves fantasy will love it as well I definitely recommend this book.
Nikki
Deka is a young teenager whose life is turned upside down in a blink of an eye. She always felt different then everyone else but her hope was that she wouldn't be. When she bled gold blood instead of red she knew then that her life would never be the same. White Hands appeared to her and offered her a choice would be her savior and the thorn in her side for the next few months. Deka chooses to fight and is sent to the Warthu Bera training grounds. The toughest place for all Alaki. These girls are put through hell in order to fight a war that is nowhere near what it seems. The more Deka trains the more she learns that she is not a typical Alaki. There is something different about her and she is determined to find out what it is.
"Are we girls or are we demons? Are we going to die, or are we going to survive?" This was another Netgalley book that I requested and I'm so glad that I did. This is a West-African fantasy adventure that is written so beautifully I really can't describe it. Forna creates such a wonderful world with so much realism in spite of the clear fantasy element. The issues that the girls face in this book while they are exaggerated to an extent they still are true to the everyday issues that we as women have to deal with on a regular basis. I couldn't put this book down and anyone that loves fantasy will love it as well I definitely recommend this book.
#netgalley #thegildedones
"Are we girls or are we demons? Are we going to die, or are we going to survive?" This was another Netgalley book that I requested and I'm so glad that I did. This is a West-African fantasy adventure that is written so beautifully I really can't describe it. Forna creates such a wonderful world with so much realism in spite of the clear fantasy element. The issues that the girls face in this book while they are exaggerated to an extent they still are true to the everyday issues that we as women have to deal with on a regular basis. I couldn't put this book down and anyone that loves fantasy will love it as well I definitely recommend this book.
#netgalley #thegildedones
adventurous
dark
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
General Description: Deka's village requires all 16 year olds to go through a ceremony to ensure the girls have red blood. If their blood is gold, they are a demon that cannot be easily killed. Deka has gold blood. After 9 different attempts to kill Deka, with no result, a mysterious woman comes to her village and gives her a choice: continue to try to be killed or fight for the empire. Will Deka be able to defend the empire that has essentially imprisoned her and those like her? How will Deka handle working with the empire? what troubles are people like Deka needed for that she may not be aware of?
ALLLL the goods:
- SUCH a unique and well described world. even listening via audiobook did not hinder any of my understanding of the world.
- The female friendship explored in this book was actually really beautiful and I was not expecting it.
- I appreciated how YA the romance was and it did not detract from the focus on the fantasy storyline, but also did not feel like a full on romantasy, which I thought was appropriate in a YA sphere.
- The pacing was absolutely fantastic, I did not want to stop listening to it
- Even though this is a series, I felt enough resolution at the end of the book that if there was not another book, I would feel pretty resolved.
Overall, if you like YA fantasy and can handle a bit of gore, you should read this immediately.
ALLLL the goods:
- SUCH a unique and well described world. even listening via audiobook did not hinder any of my understanding of the world.
- The female friendship explored in this book was actually really beautiful and I was not expecting it.
- I appreciated how YA the romance was and it did not detract from the focus on the fantasy storyline, but also did not feel like a full on romantasy, which I thought was appropriate in a YA sphere.
- The pacing was absolutely fantastic, I did not want to stop listening to it
- Even though this is a series, I felt enough resolution at the end of the book that if there was not another book, I would feel pretty resolved.
Overall, if you like YA fantasy and can handle a bit of gore, you should read this immediately.
Solid plot I guess but why does she have to "shiver" so often
adventurous
dark
emotional
sad
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
2⭐️
Este libro no ha sido de los que más me han gustado.
Sentía un poco que la autora iba escribiendo las cosas según se le ocurrían de forma caótica, y los “plot twists” se me han hecho un poco un sinsentido. Hay partes que se me ha hecho largo, y que sentía que la protagonista evolucionaba un poco sin sentido y de una página a otra.
Otra cosa que no me ha convencido es que se me hacía una escritura demasiado young adult (para mi) pero s la vez muy violenta y con escenas desagradables, y no me encajaban mucho ambas cosas. Había partes que se me hacía interesante por ver cómo seguía la historia pero no mucho más. Algo de lo que si no he disfrutado es que se me hacía muy predecible constantemente, te dejaba cosas caer que a l siguiente página pasaban y me hacía la lectura algo tediosa.
Dicho esto, hay partes que he disfrutado, sobre todo del final, y quizás me lea la segunda parte cuando la saquen, pero no es un libro que me ha marcado, aunque sí entretenido (a partes). Las escenas de lucha y de entrenamiento si me gustaban, y el mundo también, aunque siento que tenía ciertos plot holes por esto que digo de que era un poco caótico. Aún así, valoro y aprecio la inclusión de los personajes, que eran muy diversos y de una forma no forzada. Otra cosa que me ha gustado eran ciertas escenas y sobre todo como muestra una realidad de las mujeres que sigue siendo cierta para algunas, y lo ha sido siempre en el pasado. Te da ciertas enseñanzas que está bien leer y trasmitir, aunque sea un libro de fantasía.
Este libro no ha sido de los que más me han gustado.
Sentía un poco que la autora iba escribiendo las cosas según se le ocurrían de forma caótica, y los “plot twists” se me han hecho un poco un sinsentido. Hay partes que se me ha hecho largo, y que sentía que la protagonista evolucionaba un poco sin sentido y de una página a otra.
Otra cosa que no me ha convencido es que se me hacía una escritura demasiado young adult (para mi) pero s la vez muy violenta y con escenas desagradables, y no me encajaban mucho ambas cosas. Había partes que se me hacía interesante por ver cómo seguía la historia pero no mucho más. Algo de lo que si no he disfrutado es que se me hacía muy predecible constantemente, te dejaba cosas caer que a l siguiente página pasaban y me hacía la lectura algo tediosa.
Dicho esto, hay partes que he disfrutado, sobre todo del final, y quizás me lea la segunda parte cuando la saquen, pero no es un libro que me ha marcado, aunque sí entretenido (a partes). Las escenas de lucha y de entrenamiento si me gustaban, y el mundo también, aunque siento que tenía ciertos plot holes por esto que digo de que era un poco caótico. Aún así, valoro y aprecio la inclusión de los personajes, que eran muy diversos y de una forma no forzada. Otra cosa que me ha gustado eran ciertas escenas y sobre todo como muestra una realidad de las mujeres que sigue siendo cierta para algunas, y lo ha sido siempre en el pasado. Te da ciertas enseñanzas que está bien leer y trasmitir, aunque sea un libro de fantasía.
Content warnings: torture, murder, blood/gore, rape (mention)
The Gilded Ones has one of the most stunning covers of the year, and after reading it, I think it’s going to be one of the biggest YA fantasy books of the year! It’s a very fast paced, action heavy fantasy with some really excellent worldbuilding and a fascinating patriarchal society built on a religion. I do think the pace was at times detrimental, but this was still a very fun read and it was great to see some grimdark fantasy make the move to YA!
The Gilded Ones opens brutally: Deka is going through a rite of passage that will prove whether she is a pure woman, or if she is a demon. When her blood runs gold, she is proven to be demon and tortured by those she once called friends. Until, rescue comes from the most unlikely of places: the emperor, who wishes her to fight for his army. What follows is a bloody and brutal journey as Deka is trained to fight deathshrieks, unnatural creatures who are viciously murdering hoards of people across the empire. But not everything is quite as it seems, and the more Deka trains and her demon powers grow, the less convinced she is that she’s even a demon.
The worldbuilding is one of the best things about this book. Forna has built this West African inspired society, a place where religion has built a society based on the suffering of women for the will of men. The religion and history of the nation, the history of The Gilded Ones, demons who terrorised the nation before they were imprisoned, and the whole process of women forced to go through the violent rite of passage to prove they are not demon, are all detailed excellently. There is such a sense of history that really put fear behind the power of men. The way Forna writes about the way women have been trained to fear themselves, to fear their power, and to make themselves small for the sake of men, was absolutely brilliant and the parallels to our world were so clearly rendered.
I also thought the plot was absolutely fantastic. The way the mystery of the deathshrieks, the alaki and the Gilded Ones play out was so interesting. I absolutely sped through the book whenever I picked it up because the mystery really drives you forward, it’s so fast paced. There are lots of unexpected twists to the story that I really enjoyed because I was always kept on my toes!
In saying that, the speed of the book is also often it’s downfall. There are so many times, particularly the more emotional behaviours, decisions, feelings etc, that just happen far too fast and it really dragged me out of the story. From how quickly Deka seemed to get over the horrific torture she goes through, to the romance that kinda hits you out of nowhere with almost no time on page with the two characters together, it’s just very jarring in what is an otherwise pretty excellent YA. There’s also a couple of rather annoying plotholes that I couldn’t stop thinking about – where did the awful sense of fear and control at the barracks disappear to after the first scene? I mean, for example, Deka is even allowed to keep a pet?! In the place where they flay you if you don’t kill enough deathshrieks?! It doesn’t really make a lot of sense.
(Please note the next para has minor spoilers.)
The plot between White Hands and the emperor also really annoyed me. How the fuck does White Hands have so much power if the emperor knows exactly who she is? Why would he trust her? It makes absolutely no sense.
(Spoilers over!)
But despite these issues, I think teens are going to absolutely love this book. It has such an impactful and interesting plot that you can get over the few issues with it. It was a very enjoyable read and I’ll definitely pick up the sequel when released!
The Gilded Ones has one of the most stunning covers of the year, and after reading it, I think it’s going to be one of the biggest YA fantasy books of the year! It’s a very fast paced, action heavy fantasy with some really excellent worldbuilding and a fascinating patriarchal society built on a religion. I do think the pace was at times detrimental, but this was still a very fun read and it was great to see some grimdark fantasy make the move to YA!
The Gilded Ones opens brutally: Deka is going through a rite of passage that will prove whether she is a pure woman, or if she is a demon. When her blood runs gold, she is proven to be demon and tortured by those she once called friends. Until, rescue comes from the most unlikely of places: the emperor, who wishes her to fight for his army. What follows is a bloody and brutal journey as Deka is trained to fight deathshrieks, unnatural creatures who are viciously murdering hoards of people across the empire. But not everything is quite as it seems, and the more Deka trains and her demon powers grow, the less convinced she is that she’s even a demon.
The worldbuilding is one of the best things about this book. Forna has built this West African inspired society, a place where religion has built a society based on the suffering of women for the will of men. The religion and history of the nation, the history of The Gilded Ones, demons who terrorised the nation before they were imprisoned, and the whole process of women forced to go through the violent rite of passage to prove they are not demon, are all detailed excellently. There is such a sense of history that really put fear behind the power of men. The way Forna writes about the way women have been trained to fear themselves, to fear their power, and to make themselves small for the sake of men, was absolutely brilliant and the parallels to our world were so clearly rendered.
I also thought the plot was absolutely fantastic. The way the mystery of the deathshrieks, the alaki and the Gilded Ones play out was so interesting. I absolutely sped through the book whenever I picked it up because the mystery really drives you forward, it’s so fast paced. There are lots of unexpected twists to the story that I really enjoyed because I was always kept on my toes!
In saying that, the speed of the book is also often it’s downfall. There are so many times, particularly the more emotional behaviours, decisions, feelings etc, that just happen far too fast and it really dragged me out of the story. From how quickly Deka seemed to get over the horrific torture she goes through, to the romance that kinda hits you out of nowhere with almost no time on page with the two characters together, it’s just very jarring in what is an otherwise pretty excellent YA. There’s also a couple of rather annoying plotholes that I couldn’t stop thinking about – where did the awful sense of fear and control at the barracks disappear to after the first scene? I mean, for example, Deka is even allowed to keep a pet?! In the place where they flay you if you don’t kill enough deathshrieks?! It doesn’t really make a lot of sense.
(Please note the next para has minor spoilers.)
Spoiler
The plot between White Hands and the emperor also really annoyed me. How the fuck does White Hands have so much power if the emperor knows exactly who she is? Why would he trust her? It makes absolutely no sense.
(Spoilers over!)
But despite these issues, I think teens are going to absolutely love this book. It has such an impactful and interesting plot that you can get over the few issues with it. It was a very enjoyable read and I’ll definitely pick up the sequel when released!