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A review by august_ambrosia
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
lighthearted
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
eeeh. 3.5/5
i loved this book, i thought it had a lovely premise, well rounded and beautiful characters (and poc!! amazing!! - saying this as a poc) but i did not like the writing style. the pacing felt off and deka's internal monologue was.. childish? that's not the perfect word, but it works. she is 16, close to 17 by the end, but it felt more like she was 13. the characters deal with such tragedy, and it is phrased and written in a way that is supposed to make you flinch and feel sick. but deka.. hm. im not sure. forna finds ways to skip time that feels clunky and a little confusing, with descriptions not being overly great either. the final battle felt.. rushed? i was a little confused as to how all the alaki just turned to deka pretty much immediately.
i doubt i'll read the merciless ones, but i don't know for sure. i am overjoyed that books that depict poc in such a beautiful light exist, but maybe this is just meant for a younger audience to me.
i loved this book, i thought it had a lovely premise, well rounded and beautiful characters (and poc!! amazing!! - saying this as a poc) but i did not like the writing style. the pacing felt off and deka's internal monologue was.. childish? that's not the perfect word, but it works. she is 16, close to 17 by the end, but it felt more like she was 13. the characters deal with such tragedy, and it is phrased and written in a way that is supposed to make you flinch and feel sick. but deka.. hm. im not sure. forna finds ways to skip time that feels clunky and a little confusing, with descriptions not being overly great either. the final battle felt.. rushed? i was a little confused as to how all the alaki just turned to deka pretty much immediately.
i doubt i'll read the merciless ones, but i don't know for sure. i am overjoyed that books that depict poc in such a beautiful light exist, but maybe this is just meant for a younger audience to me.