7.14k reviews for:

The Gilded Ones

Namina Forna

3.99 AVERAGE

surgicalsummer's review against another edition

5.0

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finally some YA fantasy realness!

evelyn_n_alfred's review against another edition

4.0

adventurous 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

tirilkn's review against another edition

4.0

medium-paced

jasminewton23's review against another edition

4.0

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This was really good. The magic system was super cool, and I appreciated how it intertwined with its themes of misogyny and how it talked about systemic forces that keep perpetuating it, specifically religion. Really cool, but surprisingly gory

lisasleseliebe's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging hopeful inspiring mysterious tense slow-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: Complicated

princezzbookie's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous challenging inspiring medium-paced

Plot or Character Driven: Plot

Strong character development: Yes

Loveable characters: Yes

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In the beginning I didn't think I would enjoy this book as much as I have enjoyed other fantasy books. However as I became more immersed in the story, I started putting two and two together and I knew something wasn't quite adding up. We are introduced to the alaki, they bleed gold and are considered monsters. We go on a journey to discover who the Gilded ones are and what's their purpose. We also meet the deathstreiks on the battlefield. I will definitely continue this series. 

brynnas_books's review against another edition

5.0

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the chokehold this book had on me. all the characters and the worldbuilding and just... i have no words. it had me hooked and i didn't go to sleep til i finished it. i also enjoyed the commentary on how religion is often twisted to subjugate women. can't wait to read book two omg.

allie_h's review against another edition

2.0

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I was disappointed to realize that I just didn't like this book that much. Deka, the main character, is underdeveloped and it's just not clear who she is. The other big thing that bothered me is that the society is abusive to women, and while the book definitely condemns this, the male characters in the book yell words like 'bitch' and 'whore' at Deka and her warrior women...it just didn't sit right. Maybe it felt too connected to reality and brought me away from the world in which this story takes place.

mjs_busyreading's review against another edition

5.0

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

pagesandplannersabroad's review against another edition

5.0

adventurous dark emotional fast-paced