Book Review | The Gilded Ones

Title: Gilded Ones
Author: Namina Forna
Published: 4th February 2021
Publisher: Usborne
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Series: Deathless #1

Rating: 3.5/5 stars

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire’s greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she’s ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself. -Storygraph

Huge thank you to NetGalley and Usborne Publishing for approving me for an eARC of The Gilded Ones to review.

This was one of my most anticipated releases of 2021, as mentioned in my post and I jumped at the chance to read it early! It has been on my Wishlist since it was first announced, and I was so so excited for it.

I’m sad to say that this book didn’t live up to my expectations. Perhaps I went in with too high hopes, and it just couldn’t reach them. A novel about an army of female warriors descended from demons just sounded too good!!

This novel is inspired by African mythology and I really enjoyed this aspect of the novel. I love that more YA fantasy is appearing in the bookshops which is inspired by other cultures, and this book is an excellent addition to the YA shelves!

I enjoyed this exploration of mythology and I also enjoyed the studies of religion in relation to the girls and how they were treated. But I really needed more of the world and the world-building to fully appreciate it. I know there’s a sequel but I needed to know more!

I think my least favourite aspect of the novel is a fairly rushed romance between two main characters. This really irritated me! Our main character barely knows the boy, yet after two interactions they are falling head over heels. It just felt much to rushed for me! It drew my attention away from the main narrative and actually lessened the intensity and power of the storyline.

Overall I liked The Gilded Ones, it kept my attention and it mentioned some interesting themes. Sadly it just didn’t live up to the hype I had for it, and I didn’t love it.

Buy from Waterstones here (affiliate link)