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A review by bybookandbone
The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna
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.
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
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
Graphic: Blood, Emotional abuse, Genocide, Misogyny, Physical abuse, and Violence
Moderate: Confinement