Title: The Gilded Ones
Author: Namina Forna
Publisher: Ember
Publish Date: May 1, 2020
Genre: Young Adult, Fantasy
Pages: 432
Format: Paperback

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.

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This debut novel was an entertaining story about a girl whose blood causes her to be ostracized by her community and sent to become a warrior for the emperor. The feeling I got from this was that it definitely felt like a debut, with some instances of slowness, fast-paced bits, and some plot holes that I felt weren’t fleshed out fully, but it was overall a good book that had me intrigued enough to want to continue to read the next book.

Deka’s a girl of golden blood, one in which causes her to not be able to die – no matter how hard others try to kill her. I thought that she was done well in that she was scared and innocent at the beginning, showing just how separated from the situation she would be dragged into. As time progressed, she grew stronger physically and mentally, allowing her to become a warrior like she was expected to be. I felt that she had a lot to gain and learn during her time in training, and sometimes I felt that the plot didn’t allow for us as the reader to really see her full potential.

Many of the other female character did a great job of being there for her, whether forced or naturally, and I loved being able to see that sisterhood and friendship blossom. One thing that I did think was rushed and almost out of no where was the small romance subplot. It didn’t necessarily feel forced, but there was no real time with Deka and her love interest, so it felt kind of rushed. There was a lot more telling than showing around these parts of the narrative, but I hope that it’ll be more fleshed out as the story continues.

The world in which Forna writes feels rich and large, as though there are many more secrets that lie ahead than just what we’re reading about. I did appreciate that aspect as I was reading. There’s more than meets the eye when it comes to the world, and what the emperor wants to do in it. As well as the gods.

I think this book would be good for someone looking to start in YA fantasy, or someone looking for a fast-paced read. I’ll continue on to the next book in the new year, and look forward to seeing what’s in store!

★★★.5☆☆ (3.5)