The Gilded Ones, Book 1
Parents say
Based on 1 review
Kids say
Based on 14 reviews
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A Lot or a Little?
The parents' guide to what's in this book.
What Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Namina Forna's The Gilded Ones is the first in a planned West Africa-inspired fantasy trilogy about a 16-year-old girl who's deemed "impure" in her in patriarchal society. While accepted members of her village bleed red, her blood runs gold, and she faces the possibility of being executed for this. So, when a strange woman invites her to go to the capitol and participate in the fight against nonhuman creatures, she agrees. There's a conversation among young people about their virginity, mentions of "feeling up" people, and instances of same-sex and opposite-sex couples sleeping together. Violent episodes are consistent with a fantasy novel set during a war. There's stabbing, beheading, shooting with arrows, and injury by throwing rocks. Some people and creatures come back to life after being killed through these methods.
What's the Story?
When THE GILDED ONES begins, 16-year-od Deka is preparing for the blood ceremony that will determine her future. If the blood is red, she will take her place as a member of her village. If it's gold, she'll be deemed "impure" and cast out, or possibly killed. Before the Ritual of Purity happens, the village is attacked by creatures called deathshrieks. In a skirmish with them, her blood runs gold. Faced with the possibility of execution, Deka accepts a strange woman's invitation to join an army of other impure girls, and leave her village for the capitol, where they will battle deathshrieks.
Is It Any Good?
Readers will recognize Deka's struggles and triumphs in this exciting fantasy about a brave teen girl fighting the patriarchy. The Gilded Ones, by first-time author Namina Forna, doesn't try to hide its feminist commentary about the fear of women's power, and the lengths a patriarchal society will go to quell it, from absurd rules to outright violence. Despite the righteous anger it contains, this book comforts more often than it shocks or riles. Deka is an innocent, filled with wonder as she puzzles together her history and finds her place in the world. She finds a mentor, friends, a sweetheart, a mind-blowing secret, and finally herself. Strengths of the text include gorgeous language and meticulous worldbuilding.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the theme of being an ally in The Gilded Ones. How do characters decide where their loyalties lie?
What is something that makes you feel different from other people?
Have you ever had to fight for something? What was it, and who did you fight?
Book Details
- Author: Namina Forna
- Genre: Fantasy
- Topics: Magic and Fantasy, Adventures, Great Girl Role Models
- Book type: Fiction
- Publisher: Delacorte Press
- Publication date: February 9, 2021
- Publisher's recommended age(s): 12 - 18
- Number of pages: 418
- Available on: Paperback, Nook, Audiobook (unabridged), Hardback, iBooks, Kindle
- Last updated: January 10, 2023
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