Reviews

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna

demievrything's review against another edition

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? It's complicated

5.0

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Content Warnings

Moderate: Violence, Misogyny, Sexism, War, Torture, and Death

Minor: Racism, Sexual violence, Blood, Torture, Trafficking, Sexual harassment, and Sexual assault

ashction's review against another edition

5.0

WOW. I wasn't 100% sure I'd be into a book like this, but The Gilded Ones grabbed me from the get-go and I found it hard to put it down! If I had to comp it to a similar series, it reminds me a bit of Children of Blood and Bone. I think I enjoyed this much more, though. Namina Forna's writing is crisp and clear, and Deka's voice comes through with such strength and sincerity. There's a wonderful cast of characters at hand, mystery at the heart of the well-imagined fantasy, and also a clear and powerful message on how men SUCK. (That's a very loose understatement, sorry.) At the center of this debut is a wonderful exploration of the ways in which men, society, and religion seek to oppress women and turn them into something they're not. It's not a takedown of all men, but it is a takedown of the men who abuse and diminish women every single day. I'm so happy to see this novel exist, and actually very interested in seeing where the series goes from here. It ends in a way that could have easily been a good standalone, so I'd love to see where Namina Forna plans to take this next.

This one is absolutely a must read!

reportzzz's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark hopeful inspiring reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

5.0

owls_rainbow's review against another edition

dark emotional inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

4.0

kennyo's review against another edition

adventurous 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? No

3.5

thethingwithfeathers's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

4.25

Loved the concept/magic system. Love female friendships. Love girls with rage. Belcalis <3 

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Blood, Body horror, Injury/Injury detail, Death, Emotional abuse, Violence, Misogyny, War, and Torture

Moderate: Abandonment, Physical abuse, Child abuse, Murder, and Racism

Minor: Sexual assault, Sexual violence, Slavery, Animal cruelty, and Confinement

marvelqueen's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional

• Strong character development? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes

3.25

theloveshot_'s review against another edition

adventurous mysterious 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? No

3.5

foxtr0t_'s review against another edition

5.0

DANG. WOW. OMG.

cici1722's review against another edition

4.0

The cover drew me in! A black girl warrior ?! Hell yes sign me up. I’ve never been much of a fantasy lover but this did it for me. Possibly because it was YA so it wasn’t too fantastical. The plot was layered and the character development was interesting and exciting.