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kodeboer's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.75
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual assault and Violence
melodys_library's review
3.0
A good debut! I’ll think about reading the second in the series...
Things I liked:
-GIRL TRIBE. No women on women hate - just solid friendships, standing by each other, lifting each other up
-The way the author reached teens via fantasy novel on such heavy topics like racism, xenophobia, feminism, fight the patriarchy! Wonderful.
-It’s the first book in a series, but it could be a standalone.
Things I didn’t like:
-Sudden transitions. There were moments where someone had an “aha moment,” and, I’d think ok, we’re doing this now then!
-The rushed “romance”.
-The teen dialogue. It just made me squirm.
-A lot of telling, not enough showing.
-No emotional connection to any characters.
Things I liked:
-GIRL TRIBE. No women on women hate - just solid friendships, standing by each other, lifting each other up
-The way the author reached teens via fantasy novel on such heavy topics like racism, xenophobia, feminism, fight the patriarchy! Wonderful.
-It’s the first book in a series, but it could be a standalone.
Things I didn’t like:
-Sudden transitions. There were moments where someone had an “aha moment,” and, I’d think ok, we’re doing this now then!
-The rushed “romance”.
-The teen dialogue. It just made me squirm.
-A lot of telling, not enough showing.
-No emotional connection to any characters.
3ffie's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
inspiring
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? It's complicated
5.0
katykelly's review
4.0
Fantastical, supernatural, feminist and intense.
4.5 stars.
There is messages about how women are treated in society woven straight through this novel. An extreme example based in fantasy, it will still hit home as readers see the imbalance and warped attitudes towards females from the very start.
But this is a fabulous fantasy. Starting in a small village, with an adolescent girl, Deka, anticipating the ceremony that will prove her a member of her people with the red blood she must show she possesses. Anything else... well, it doesn't bear thinking about.
Deka's ceremonial day does not bring her the normality and acceptance she craves, she finds herself in her worst nightmare as even her humanity is questioned, her differences exploited. Until a form of escape comes, but one that will bind her to a different life and path in order to be granted the freedom and forgiveness she seeks.
The story gives us scenes of training and bonding, a love story, female friendship, politics, and a mythology that explains the story and history of the young women Deka finds herself living amongst.
Deka herself is sympathetic, some scenes very graphic to observe, her strength and transformation nicely developed. There are other characters that are quite vividly portrayed and are visible on the page, girls with histories, boys with emotions.
I enjoyed Deka's story, the mythology element less so. I was reminded of the Chaos Walking trilogy a few times, with the antagonists' point of view clearly one we need to hear, along with Deka.
Loved the setting of this, with the fantasy element included. This would make a visibly spectacular film, with some great roles and themes.
Exciting and pacey fantasy in a less-familiar setting. One for ages 13 and above.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.
4.5 stars.
There is messages about how women are treated in society woven straight through this novel. An extreme example based in fantasy, it will still hit home as readers see the imbalance and warped attitudes towards females from the very start.
But this is a fabulous fantasy. Starting in a small village, with an adolescent girl, Deka, anticipating the ceremony that will prove her a member of her people with the red blood she must show she possesses. Anything else... well, it doesn't bear thinking about.
Deka's ceremonial day does not bring her the normality and acceptance she craves, she finds herself in her worst nightmare as even her humanity is questioned, her differences exploited. Until a form of escape comes, but one that will bind her to a different life and path in order to be granted the freedom and forgiveness she seeks.
The story gives us scenes of training and bonding, a love story, female friendship, politics, and a mythology that explains the story and history of the young women Deka finds herself living amongst.
Deka herself is sympathetic, some scenes very graphic to observe, her strength and transformation nicely developed. There are other characters that are quite vividly portrayed and are visible on the page, girls with histories, boys with emotions.
I enjoyed Deka's story, the mythology element less so. I was reminded of the Chaos Walking trilogy a few times, with the antagonists' point of view clearly one we need to hear, along with Deka.
Loved the setting of this, with the fantasy element included. This would make a visibly spectacular film, with some great roles and themes.
Exciting and pacey fantasy in a less-familiar setting. One for ages 13 and above.
With thanks to the publisher for providing a sample reading copy.
atvreads's review
4.0
The Gilded Ones is the feminist high fantasy we’ve been dreaming of since Tomi Adeyemi punched through the snow-capped peaks of fantasy publishing in 2018. Because of her work and many others, works like The Gilded Ones have a foundation to build and stretch and grow.
What’s it about?
-a horrific patriarchal world where the usual suspects reign: racism, classism, anti-blackness, misogyny, xenophobia, and girls are mutilated in a public “bleeding” ceremony in their 15th year
-this ritual is a public mutilation that the village “priests” perform by cutting the chests of the girls in front of everyone
-if the girls are “pure,” meaning their blood runs red, it’s open season for the males in town to begin practically bidding on the girls like a prize sow
-but, if a girl is deemed “impure,” she is... well, terrible terrible things happen to her (spoilers and triggers for trauma and graphic violence at this part)
-enter White Hands, Warthu Beru, the Jatu warriors, and the Alaki
Why you need to read this book:
Because of this quote right here, “are we girls or are we demons?”
What’s it about?
-a horrific patriarchal world where the usual suspects reign: racism, classism, anti-blackness, misogyny, xenophobia, and girls are mutilated in a public “bleeding” ceremony in their 15th year
-this ritual is a public mutilation that the village “priests” perform by cutting the chests of the girls in front of everyone
-if the girls are “pure,” meaning their blood runs red, it’s open season for the males in town to begin practically bidding on the girls like a prize sow
-but, if a girl is deemed “impure,” she is... well, terrible terrible things happen to her (spoilers and triggers for trauma and graphic violence at this part)
-enter White Hands, Warthu Beru, the Jatu warriors, and the Alaki
Why you need to read this book:
Because of this quote right here, “are we girls or are we demons?”
osbormad's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Blood
annniina98's review
3.0
I was left wanting more. There were so many time skips, that you really didn't see Deka's character arc, nor the relationships building. They learned things and became friends, but it wasn't shown as it was happening. It was just told that it had happened. That left me at an arms length from everything that happened in the book. I liked it, it just had potential to be better, with like 100 pages more of the book.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Torture, Physical abuse, Murder, Blood, Religious bigotry, Child death, Gore, and Sexism
Moderate: Body horror, Racism, Pedophilia, Kidnapping, Sexual assault, Sexual harassment, Rape, and Trafficking
Minor: Death of parent
kindrameda's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
4.25
amy_j18's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
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? No
4.0