
The Gilded Ones, Book 1
By Barbara Saunders,
Common Sense Media Reviewer
Common Sense Media Reviewers
Teen girl quests for true identity in captivating fantasy.
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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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