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betweentheshelves's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
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? It's complicated
3.5
After starting to free the goddesses and discovering her true identity, Deka is tasked with ensuring the rest of them are free. But the task proves difficult when everyone thinks you’re a monster and a war rages on in your country. Being named a traitor to your nation makes everything more dangerous, even as you’re trying to save them.
However, as Deka releases the other goddesses, she starts seeing strange symbols everywhere. Symbols that repel her powers and make her lose all of her senses. Deka knows that there is a dark force is out there, threatening the mere existence of humanity. And her powers grow stronger, it will be up to Deka and her army to stop it to save humanity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte for an advanced copy of this to review! The Gilded Ones was one of my favorite fantasy books from last year, and with that ending, I was excited for the sequel. I loved the way Forna expands the world in this book, even adding more diversity in the characters and some interesting plot twists.
Picking up six months after the first book, this book doesn’t waste any time jumping into the action. Forna is also a master at crafting worlds. There’s so much detail that went into creating this world and mythology and I was really impressed. Where sometimes description can weigh down a fantasy novel, Forna does it in a way that helps in moving the plotline forward.
Unfortunately, I do think this book falls prey to second book syndrome. While I appreciated the world building, the pacing felt off at times. After the first scene, the beginning feels a little slow. I also am not sure that this necessarily needed to be a trilogy? I actually didn’t even realize that it was going to be until I got to the end of the book.
Will I read the third book when it comes out? With that ending, probably! Even if I just stick around to see how these characters will evolve in the future, because I am hooked.
------
I think this falls victim to second book syndrome, a little. It felt a little long at times, and the pacing was sometimes off. But I did like how it expanded the world from the original novel. Stay tuned for a full review to come!
However, as Deka releases the other goddesses, she starts seeing strange symbols everywhere. Symbols that repel her powers and make her lose all of her senses. Deka knows that there is a dark force is out there, threatening the mere existence of humanity. And her powers grow stronger, it will be up to Deka and her army to stop it to save humanity.
Thanks to NetGalley and Delacorte for an advanced copy of this to review! The Gilded Ones was one of my favorite fantasy books from last year, and with that ending, I was excited for the sequel. I loved the way Forna expands the world in this book, even adding more diversity in the characters and some interesting plot twists.
Picking up six months after the first book, this book doesn’t waste any time jumping into the action. Forna is also a master at crafting worlds. There’s so much detail that went into creating this world and mythology and I was really impressed. Where sometimes description can weigh down a fantasy novel, Forna does it in a way that helps in moving the plotline forward.
Unfortunately, I do think this book falls prey to second book syndrome. While I appreciated the world building, the pacing felt off at times. After the first scene, the beginning feels a little slow. I also am not sure that this necessarily needed to be a trilogy? I actually didn’t even realize that it was going to be until I got to the end of the book.
Will I read the third book when it comes out? With that ending, probably! Even if I just stick around to see how these characters will evolve in the future, because I am hooked.
------
I think this falls victim to second book syndrome, a little. It felt a little long at times, and the pacing was sometimes off. But I did like how it expanded the world from the original novel. Stay tuned for a full review to come!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence, Death, and Homophobia
Moderate: Sexual violence
elizajaquays's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.5
The Gilded Ones was one of my top five reads of 2021, so I was so excited to receive an ARC through NetGalley from Delacorte Press. Thank you so much for the opportunity! I rate it 4.5 out of 5 stars.
We are immediately thrust into action with Deka dealing with the aftermath of what happens when you depose an Emperor but are powerless to enact immediate change. Much like in The Gilded Ones, the book does not shy away from graphic descriptions of war—both for those in the army and the civilian bystanders. They may have overthrown a corrupt emperor, but the world is still not a safe place for women.
What I love most about Deka’s story is that every turn, she is constantly rediscovering what it means to be the Nuru to the Goddesses and that we are learning right alongside her. If there is information that we as readers don’t have, it is because Deka also doesn’t have that information (and is most likely doing her best to uncover it). We are right there with her, struggling to determine who is trustworthy and what the cost will be if she trusts the wrong person. Well, that might be my second favorite thing about this book. What I truly love most about her story is her ride or die friendships that she’s built. It’s truly a story of found family who would do anythign to protect each other. There is no mountain too high, no army too large.
The thing that drew me out of the story the most was some of the repeated phrases and scenes, to the point where I was flipping back to make sure I didn’t lose my place and reread a scene. There were subtle differences between them and it was rarely anything over a few lines at a time, but it was definitely a bit jarring and felt like it was a heavy-handed way to say “hey this bit is important.” The only other issue I had with it was that most of the advertising I’d come across didn’t specify that this was a middle book and even when searching, I only found a couple of references mentioning that this was a planned trilogy. I think if I had engaged with it knowing it was not the final book in the series I would have enjoyed it more.
But I still had an excellent time reading it and am so excited for the next book in the series!
We are immediately thrust into action with Deka dealing with the aftermath of what happens when you depose an Emperor but are powerless to enact immediate change. Much like in The Gilded Ones, the book does not shy away from graphic descriptions of war—both for those in the army and the civilian bystanders. They may have overthrown a corrupt emperor, but the world is still not a safe place for women.
What I love most about Deka’s story is that every turn, she is constantly rediscovering what it means to be the Nuru to the Goddesses and that we are learning right alongside her. If there is information that we as readers don’t have, it is because Deka also doesn’t have that information (and is most likely doing her best to uncover it). We are right there with her, struggling to determine who is trustworthy and what the cost will be if she trusts the wrong person. Well, that might be my second favorite thing about this book. What I truly love most about her story is her ride or die friendships that she’s built. It’s truly a story of found family who would do anythign to protect each other. There is no mountain too high, no army too large.
The thing that drew me out of the story the most was some of the repeated phrases and scenes, to the point where I was flipping back to make sure I didn’t lose my place and reread a scene. There were subtle differences between them and it was rarely anything over a few lines at a time, but it was definitely a bit jarring and felt like it was a heavy-handed way to say “hey this bit is important.” The only other issue I had with it was that most of the advertising I’d come across didn’t specify that this was a middle book and even when searching, I only found a couple of references mentioning that this was a planned trilogy. I think if I had engaged with it knowing it was not the final book in the series I would have enjoyed it more.
But I still had an excellent time reading it and am so excited for the next book in the series!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Religious bigotry, Death of parent, Homophobia, Injury/Injury detail, Sexism, Blood, Misogyny, Murder, Violence, War, and Death
easyqueenie's review
adventurous
dark
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: Sexual violence
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