Reviews with content warning for Genocide - The Gilded Ones

Before I even dig into my review of this book, I want to take a couple minutes to fawn over the cover. I absolutely love this cover – from the color scheme to the girl’s posture to the details and the style… this is one of the most striking and memorable covers I’ve seen in a while. It was designed by Johnny Tarajosu and if you haven’t seen his work, I highly recommend checking it out.

The Gilded Ones has been on my wishlist pretty much since the moment it was announced, and with that comes some pretty high expectations. After reading it, I have some mixed feelings.

The concept and the fantasy world behind The Gilded Ones is amazing. Deka is excited for the Ritual of Purity so she can finally wear a mask and join the ranks of women in society… assuming, of course, that she is not found impure. When her village is attacked and her blood runs gold, she is called “demon” and the Death Mandate is declared. It is only through good fortune that she is recruited for the emperor’s elite army to kill the deathshrieks that plague the kingdom.

I love the story of the alaki. Their mythology is fascinating and their abilities intriguing. I also like the individual stories of the girls who become Deka’s bloodsisters, though I wish the information was given to the reader less easily. And that’s my overall disappointment with The Gilded Ones. The beginning of the book was rich and complicated. It made me care about Deka and introduced the world a bit more gradually. Most the book offered Deka opportunities on a silver platter, rushed through training, and blossomed relationships with few to no complications on the journey. Deka did so much grow as a character as she instantly discovered something new after one interaction and changed her entire belief system, personality, or immediately mastered her abilities.

It’s a bit of a cruel thing to say, I suppose, but I wish Deka had struggled more. She has so little opposition and mastered her powers so quickly that her story becomes unsatisfying. The Gilded Ones had the foundation to be a unique and impressive fantasy epic – reminiscent of The Poppy War – but instead the story was rushed. There were two twists, but neither of them were shocking or impressive because by the time they unfurled it was like, “Of course this is a thing. Because why wouldn’t it be.”

Maybe it was just my high expectations casting a shadow on the story, but I just wish Forna had taken a bit more time to slowly unravel the threads of The Gilded Ones and empowered Deka to make her own way rather than laying out a red carpet for her after the introduction. It would be a much more interesting story, worthy of the world Forna created. If you’re looking for an easy read without a lot of particularly complicated battle scenes or two-sided friendship and a little (just a little) kissing then the things that bothered me about The Gilded Ones will probably not bother you. The concept is really good and it’s important to support Black authors, especially to show the industry that books about more than just Black pain and trauma will sell. For those reasons, if nothing else, I suggest you read it. Maybe you will love it!

Content Warnings

danni_chambers67's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful informative 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 characters were interesting and really well developed (most the time) for me. I found myself really caring for them and really wanting to see them through the book change and improve as people.

The world building was amazing I really believed the place and in the society. And thought, it had interesting themes in the world and in the book. The history of the world felt developed and easy to believe and understand. The writing style was amazing and helped me love the characters and the world.

I loved the inclusion. And the discussion of certain themes such as feminism, racism, there were several POC characters, and LGBT+ characters. The was a lot of diversity in the book.

My only complaint and why it is not five stars is too do with the ending and revelations.

I thought some actions of characters which we were told where cunning seemed stupid and not thought through this meant I was pulled out of the story and broke some of the themes for me. Also some actions where justified which I felt couldn't be or needed more explanation in order for these to be justified. Again pulling me from the story and characters. I do feel this will be built on in the next book which is what I am hoping for

Overall, I loved the book and the themes. I would really recommend and really think it is worth a read.

Content Warnings

readingbetweenthenotes's review against another edition

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adventurous 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

4.0

Content Warnings

bybookandbone's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional hopeful inspiring mysterious 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? It's complicated

5.0

Wow, this book.
I think this may be the best young adult novel that I have read. It's certainly my new favourite YA.

The subject matter presented in The Gilded Ones is both generally more grave and also treated with the respect it deserves. I was immediately drawn to Deka and her initial want to fit into the extreme patriarchal society she was born into. It broke my heart to see what she was willing to accept because it's what she is taught. Its also horribly realistic in that regard.
I love how the author manages to depict a new fantasy world without being overly descriptive. Just a perfect amount of imagery for this story.

Truly, I could gush about so many aspects of this book but I'd end up spoiling it. One tiny spoiler incoming because I loved it so much

there is a really chaste romance in The Gilded Ones. I normally hate romances in YA because their so dramatic and sometimes I feel like a creep because I'm an adult. I don't want to read about teens lusting after each other. However, in this incidence. It actually feels like a real teenage romance, especially in a chaste society. I loved it.

Anyway that's enough gushing.
I will say that any reader should heed the content warnings. There is a lot of violence, particularly against women.

Content Warnings

plumpaperbacks's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional 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? It's complicated

5.0

I went into The Gilded Ones expecting a fun fantasy story, and was surprised not only by its heavier themes but also by just how good it was from the very beginning.

This is one of the most unique, immersive stories I’ve read in some time. Forna created a brilliantly intricate world that, despite a few basic similarities to other fictional worlds, is overall unlike any I’ve read about before. The mythology is so vivid it nearly seems real, the creatures and setting so impressively creative, yet none of it is confusing or difficult to understand.

Forna outdid herself writing a complex, diverse and lovable cast of characters. Deka is a protagonist I rooted for as soon as I met her, and it took very little time for me to be equally charmed by her friends, Britta, Belcalis, and Adwapa. These girls have endured so many hardships and gotten stronger because of them, without losing their vulnerability or the best parts of their personalities. Not only were they all great on their own, but their friendship was phenomenal and so heartwarming. One of the best girl squads I’ve ever read about, undeniably.

I would say the romance was one of the best parts, but honestly, every part of this book could be described the same way. The romance is subtle until the final third of the book, when it becomes clear that Deka and Keita have feelings for each other that go beyond friendship. Their slow-burn romance is memorable because it’s written differently than those in so many other books. It’s focused not on passion and lust but a deep connection between two people, a tender, unwavering affection. I love them so much, more than I can express.

Although the ending was emotional in numerous ways, it wasn’t a cliffhanger, and I appreciate that very much. Even without one, I’m extremely eager for the second book. I’ll be eagerly awaiting any scrap of news I can find.

All in all, I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It’s spectacular in every aspect, and the fact that it’s Forna’s debut novel is mind-blowing. I can definitely see the Deathless trilogy becoming an all-time favorite, since the first book is already there. Highly, highly recommended for those who can handle the content.

Representation

Black protagonist
side characters of color (includes Black rep)
sapphic side characters
minor sapphic side romance (f/f)

Content Warnings

kbergsten's review against another edition

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adventurous dark emotional mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

Content Warnings

jem_andtonic's review against another edition

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adventurous dark 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? It's complicated

4.0

Content Warnings

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