The Gilded Ones

Name: The Gilded Ones
Rating: 4.551723957061768 (29 reviews)

Namina Forna

Feb 2021 · Usborne Publishing Ltd

4.6

29 reviews

Ebook

416

Pages

Eligible

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About this ebook

The must-read new bold and immersive West African-inspired fantasy series, as featured on Cosmo, Bustle and Book Riot. In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice, perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

"Namina Forna Could Be The Toni Morrison Of YA Fantasy." Refinery 29

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in Otera, a deeply patriarchal ancient kingdom, where a woman's worth is tied to her purity, and she must bleed to prove it. But when Deka bleeds gold - the colour of impurity, of a demon - she faces a consequence worse than death. She is saved by a mysterious woman who tells Deka of her true nature: she is an Alaki, a near-immortal with exceptional gifts. The stranger offers her a choice: fight for the Emperor, with others just like her, or be destroyed...

"An enthralling debut. The Gilded Ones redefines sisterhood and is sure to leave readers both inspired and ultimately hopeful." Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

"Haunting, brutal, and oh-so-relevant. This book will suck you into a world where girls bleed gold, magic fills the air, and the real monsters hide behind words instead of claws." Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

"The Gilded Ones is a fierce, unflinching fantasy that marks Forna as a debut to watch." Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of And I Darken

Ratings and reviews

4.6

29 reviews

Raymond Teodo

May 17, 2021

For me, it took an awfully long time for me to really get into the story and invest in the protagonist (almost 2/3 into the story!) The first few chapters had a lot of repetitive phrasing and less show, more tell, but then the writing style eventually picked up. I just wish the beginning was just as strongly written as the ending. Upon saying that though, the book takes a very unique look upon critiquing the patriarchal system. No other book on this theme/topic has been tackled in quite the same way. For that aspect alone, it was worth while reading. I hope the second installment is better.

1 person found this review helpful

Ida T.

August 18, 2022

very long introduction into the universe before any real action takes place, almost 150 pages out of 400. it's predictable, but overall enjoyable.

Gordon Thompson

February 28, 2021

warm, engaging, a lovely imagination, draws you in, strong feeling

4 people found this review helpful

About the author

Namina Forna is a young adult novelist based in Los Angeles, and the author of the epic fantasy YA novel The Gilded Ones. Originally from Sierra Leone, West Africa, she moved to the US when she was nine and has been traveling back and forth ever since. Namina loves building fantastical worlds and telling stories with fierce female leads.

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