‘The Gilded Ones’ by Namina Forna Book Review

Description Of Publisher

The story begins with Deka, a sixteen-year-old girl who faces intense fear and anticipation as the time for the blood ceremony approaches in “The Gilded Ones”. This ritual will decide whether she will be accepted as a member of her village. Deka, who has always felt different from others, possesses an unnatural intuition that makes her even more of an outcast. She hopes and prays for red blood to finally feel like she belongs.

Her journey becomes one of self-discovery and the struggle to determine her place in a world that sees her as an outsider. The themes of identity, belonging, and acceptance play an important role. As Deka seeks to become something more than just what others expect her to be. All while facing the difficult challenges that lie ahead.

Deka’s journey in The Gilded Ones is a powerful one, filled with intense dangers and complex choices. On the day of her ceremony, Deka’s blood runs gold, signaling her impurity, a mark that will change the course of her life. Faced with the consequence of death, a mysterious woman appears, offering her a choice: remain in her village and accept a grim fate, or leave and fight as part of an army of girls who, like her, are near-immortals with rare gifts. These alaki are the only ones who can prevent the empire’s greatest threat from destroying everything. The stakes are high, and Deka’s decision was far from easy.

As she sets out on her journey, Deka leaves behind everything she’s ever known. Her path leads her to the capital, where she will train for the most crucial battle of her life. Along the way, she uncovers surprises about the walled city, its true nature, and even herself. In a world where nothing and no one is quite what they seem.

Deka must confront her deepest fears, accept her fate, and rise to become the hero the world needs. The story is not just about fighting. It’s also about acceptance and discovering one’s true power in a world that is constantly changing. It is through her eyes that we see the struggle for identity and the courage it requires to make difficult decisions in the face of uncertainty, and through her eyes.

My Thoughts on the Book

The first time picked up The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna. I was immediately struck by the gorgeous cover—seriously, it’s freakin’ beautiful. I cannot stop myself to read this YA fantasy novel. But as I began reading, I realized something surprising: it was a slow read for me. I normally click with this genre. But this one didn’t grab me as I expected. Still, I couldn’t help but admire the vivid imagery and the feminist themes that ran through the story. The novel highlights powerful ideas of friendship and sisterhood, which were some of the elements I loved the most.

Another standout aspect of the book was the shapeshifting cat that Deka owns. Honestly, I’d love to have one as a pet, and I need one ASAP! Even though the pace didn’t work for me, the overall focus on these relationships and magical elements kept me engaged. Wow, I may not have connected right away, but there’s so much depth to the story that still makes it worth the read.

The Story: A Struggle for Identity and Power

In The Gilded Ones, young women are born with extraordinary powers that make them outcast by society. These young girls are then forced to fight terrifying monsters in a country where the army holds all the power. As they struggle with their new roles, the world-building sometimes feels overwhelming, creating a sense of confusion. Despite this, there’s still much to appreciate, especially for fans of fantasy. Though the dialogue might come across as a little stilted, the narrative offers a lot to delve into, making it a worthwhile read for those drawn to tales of resilience and strength.

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I'm a reader, writer, editor, and founder of this blog bookstagrammer (let's connect! ), Scorpio, Halloween-lover, dog owner, mom, horror fan, romance fan, and movie Lover. Because I used to work as a book-related writer, I thought I'd start a blog to share any/all book-related thoughts and opinions. The blog.

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