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A review by thekhw
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
5.0
I read the Gilded Ones sometime last year. This story follows Deka, a 16 year old anticipating the blood ceremony where she will find out if she will become a member of her community. If her blood runs red, she will be accepted. However, her blood runs gold and…she knows that will face horrific consequences because gold is the color of “impurity.”
Deka grows up and has to contend with living in a deeply patriarchal society that abuses and undervalues its women and girls. However, girls like Deka are recruited to serve in a special army to protect their empire from the “death shrieks,” monsters accused of trying to empire out. During this journey, Deka learns more about herself, including the fact that she’s an anomaly that holds more power than the girls surrounding her.
This was a really great story and I enjoyed the writing. It touches on some pretty deep issues like racism, xenophobia, misogyny, trauma, etc. However, there are also heartfelt moments that touch on sisterhood, alliances, self discovery, etc. The author also does well to go into detail to really paint a visual of the story.
The plot twist in the end was….something and it made me look forward to reading Book 2, The Merciless Ones.
Deka grows up and has to contend with living in a deeply patriarchal society that abuses and undervalues its women and girls. However, girls like Deka are recruited to serve in a special army to protect their empire from the “death shrieks,” monsters accused of trying to empire out. During this journey, Deka learns more about herself, including the fact that she’s an anomaly that holds more power than the girls surrounding her.
This was a really great story and I enjoyed the writing. It touches on some pretty deep issues like racism, xenophobia, misogyny, trauma, etc. However, there are also heartfelt moments that touch on sisterhood, alliances, self discovery, etc. The author also does well to go into detail to really paint a visual of the story.
The plot twist in the end was….something and it made me look forward to reading Book 2, The Merciless Ones.