The Gilded Ones

"This is a dark, powerful story of female empowerment that I had been very eager to read and I was not disappointed. 16 year old Deka’s world falls apart when on the day of the blood ceremony her blood runs gold, the colour of impurity, rather than red. Already an outsider all her life because of her mother’s origin, Deka has always only wanted to belong. But a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to the brutal fate of an outcast, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. Deka chooses the army of alaki – near-immortals with rare powers. And together with new friends and allies Deka joins the fight to stop the empire’s greatest threat. Namina Forna sends Deka on an epic journey of sisterhood, self-discovery and struggle against a deeply patriarchal and oppressive society. The world is skilfully crafted, the enemy is ghastly and spine-chilling and Namina masterfully builds up a mystery around these evil creatures, which unfolds towards the end, keeping you glued to the pages. The story is at times traumatic and violent which was sometimes quite shocking. But it is a moving read that leaves a powerful, lasting impression."