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3.99 AVERAGE
3.99 AVERAGE
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
sad
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
A great feminist read about suppression and abuse / misuse of women and them finding their power wrapped in an engaging YA fantasy.
This was such an original story! A little bit odd at some points and also had a few things that seemed like a subtle slam on Christianity, but overall it was entertaining and enjoyable.
adventurous
challenging
emotional
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-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:
Yes
Content Warnings
Graphic: Body horror, Death, Gore, Misogyny, Sexism, Violence, Blood, Grief, Murder
Moderate: Rape, Sexual assault, Sexual violence
The Gilded Ones, by Namina Forna, drops the reader into fully realized fantasy world where the only goal of young women is to be proven "pure" during a ceremony where they are bled. If their blood runs red, they are pure and ready for marriage. However, if they bleed gold, they are immediately shunned and killed.
Deka has felt like an outside in her entire life, and she prays that she will bleed red. But Deka bleeds gold, and is immediately shunned by her father and best friend while she is dragged to her death. What she didn't know is that she would be tortured and bled over and over so the town elders could sell her blood. When a strange woman appears offering Deka a new life fighting for the Emperor, Deka accepts and begins her new life as an alaki.
Throughout the story, mysteries are uncovered and Deka begins to learn how to use her newfound power. Things are not as they seem, and Deka and her friends race against the clock to discover the truth.
I was immediately drawn into Deka's world and was intrigued by the twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the sequel!
Deka has felt like an outside in her entire life, and she prays that she will bleed red. But Deka bleeds gold, and is immediately shunned by her father and best friend while she is dragged to her death. What she didn't know is that she would be tortured and bled over and over so the town elders could sell her blood. When a strange woman appears offering Deka a new life fighting for the Emperor, Deka accepts and begins her new life as an alaki.
Throughout the story, mysteries are uncovered and Deka begins to learn how to use her newfound power. Things are not as they seem, and Deka and her friends race against the clock to discover the truth.
I was immediately drawn into Deka's world and was intrigued by the twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the sequel!
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
sad
tense
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:
Yes
medium-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:
Yes
adventurous
dark
hopeful
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I did not like the main character very much at first. How she kept to her faith that felt so flawed to me. But as the book progressed, she changed her innocence maintained but she started to see the flaws as the world in this book was build bigger. But her change and the hopeful ending made it an enjoyable read.