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A review by cath_reads_books
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
adventurous
challenging
emotional
inspiring
reflective
sad
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? No
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
2.25
I wanted to like this book; unfortunately it was not meant to be.
The world building leaves a lot to be desired. I found myself constantly confused when new terms or creatures were introduced. This continued throughout the book and new creatures were even introduced in the last 30 pages, in a way that makes it seem as if you should have understood what they were the entire time.
The concepts of oppression, misogyny, and colorism are heavy throughout the novel, which is what originally drew me to it. The characters and relationships in the novel, unfortunately, are not developed enough to do these concepts justice. Each character seemed extremely one-dimensional, as if they were only there as plot devices. There’s a forced almost-romance.The main character has an epiphany near the end of the novel that is not at all in line with her thinking or development throughout the book. Loyalty is given and friendships are formed without any shared experience to base them on. The lack of character development contributed to the hollowing-out of important concepts, resulting in this feeling like a book without purpose.
There’s also a LOT of plot holes. Why are women not allowed to touch sharp objects if their monthly menses can reveal impurity just as clearly as a cut? Why are girls impure from their first period if menstruation is supposed to start the process of the blood becoming impure, not finish it?How did Umu fake her death so convincingly? She is said to be truly “gone”, but if all alaki come back as deathshrieks, why didn’t she? How did Fatu escape imprisonment and then convince her same captors, who KNEW she was dangerous and not to be trusted, to put her back in a position of power where she could overthrow them? The list goes on.
Overall, not impressed with this book. Kinda shocked it’s been made into a series when it absolutely didn’t have to be. Will not be reading the others.
The world building leaves a lot to be desired. I found myself constantly confused when new terms or creatures were introduced. This continued throughout the book and new creatures were even introduced in the last 30 pages, in a way that makes it seem as if you should have understood what they were the entire time.
The concepts of oppression, misogyny, and colorism are heavy throughout the novel, which is what originally drew me to it. The characters and relationships in the novel, unfortunately, are not developed enough to do these concepts justice. Each character seemed extremely one-dimensional, as if they were only there as plot devices. There’s a forced almost-romance.
There’s also a LOT of plot holes. Why are women not allowed to touch sharp objects if their monthly menses can reveal impurity just as clearly as a cut? Why are girls impure from their first period if menstruation is supposed to start the process of the blood becoming impure, not finish it?
Overall, not impressed with this book. Kinda shocked it’s been made into a series when it absolutely didn’t have to be. Will not be reading the others.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Xenophobia, Torture, and Death
Moderate: War, Violence, and Blood
Minor: Forced institutionalization