Parents' Guide to

The Gilded Ones, Book 1

By Barbara Saunders, Common Sense Media Reviewer

age 12+

Teen girl quests for true identity in captivating fantasy.

Book Namina Forna Fantasy 2021
The Gilded Ones Poster Image

A Lot or a Little?

What you will—and won't—find in this book.

Community Reviews

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age 13+

Based on 1 parent review

kris456
kris456 Parent of 12-year-old
October 14, 2022
age 13+
This novel is excellent! It explores important topics, such as isolation, patriarchy, identity. There are some violent scenes, but certainly appropriate for this age level. My 12-year-old enjoyed it and we had excellent discussions around important themes.

This title has:

Educational value
Great role models
See all 1 parent review

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?

Our review:
Parents say (1 ):
Kids say (16 ):

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

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