Review: The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1)
The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1)
By Namina Forna
Published By: Usborne Publishing
Publication Date: February 9, 2021
Date Read: August 2, 2021
Genre: YA – Fantasy
Source: Bought
Format: Paperback
Pages: 432
From Goodreads:
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.
“Alaki do not yield. You conquer or you die.”
WOW! I literally have no words to explain just how amazing this book is. The Gilded Ones has been sat on my shelf for around year and I am now kicking myself for not picking this one up sooner. Right from the very first page, I was completely obsessed with this incredible book. I cannot rave about it enough. Every single page was phenomenal and I couldn’t stop reading. This book is just stunning.
The Gilded Ones is a horrifyingly realistic fantasy tale about girls who are given a blood rite when they are of age. They are tested to see if their blood is ‘pure’. And if they’re impure… well that means they are a demon and must be dealt with! This is the debut novel by Namina Forna and oh my god… I am completely blown away! If this is how good her very first novel is, I can’t wait to see what she is going to do in the future. Namina has a serious way with words. They grab you right from the very first page and do not let you go! I raced through this book. It’s been years since I’ve managed to read a book this fast. I sat and devoured half of this book in one sitting. I am completely and utterly obsessed with this incredible series.
I seriously love every single thing about this book. The setting, the politics of the world, the intrigue, the magical beings and the gorgeous slow burn romance. Everything was just perfect. If I was to describe all of the things that make a perfect book to me… it is this! Everything in this book was just utter perfection! If you want a book that will take you away into its world and make you forget everything about your real life, then look no further… that is this book! It’s seriously been so long since I’ve been stuck into a book so much. And now I’m still thinking about it dying to get my hands on the second book. I was completely blown away!
The Gilded Ones was utter brilliance. It is a stunning fantasy with feminism at its core. Imagine an all female Black Panther and that is what you are getting with this book. I cannot put into words my utter love of this book. I already just want to pick it up and read it all over again. This is absolutely one of my favourite books of the year so far. It’s just utterly phenomenal. And now, I will end this incredibly fangirly review with this: READ IT! READ IT! READ IT! You will not be disappointed!
“Nothing will change how I feel about you, Deka… I know you’re not a monster.”
K-Books
I’m Kayleigh, a teacher and blogger who is obsessed with all things bookish. I love reading YA books of all genres and I am happiest when sharing my love and passion for books.