10% off all books and free delivery over £40
Buy from our bookstore and 25% of the cover price will be given to a school of your choice to buy more books. *15% of eBooks.

The Gilded Ones

"An exploration of what it is to be feminist in a deeply patriarchal kingdom"

View All Editions

£8.99 £8.09

In Stock. Same day dispatch on orders before 3pm.

Add To Wishlist
Write A Review Read An Extract

LoveReading Says

LoveReading Says

Forna has taken her own experiences of sexism and racism that she experienced as a woman from Sierra Leone living in the US on which to base this novel. This has created a powerful depiction of the oppression and cruelty meted out to women who are different from a society’s accepted roles.

 

Set in the patriarchal fantasy world of Otera, this is based in an ancient kingdom, where a woman’s worth is only as good as her proven purity. This purity is proven by the woman being made to bleed – in a brutal ceremony when they reach the age of 16.   When Deka bleeds gold this is deemed the colour of impurity, and she is declared a demon. Not only is she thrust out of the home and society she has known since birth, but she is also subjected to unspeakable acts of brutality and violence by the ruling priesthood.  

 

The fact Deka does not die from all the brutality gives one hope she is different and may have some role in the future of Otera.  This proves so – Deka is rescued and taken to a training ground for women where she finds a friendship and sisterhood amongst others also found to be impure. As they train the ‘impure’ girls are paired with soldiers from the Imperial jatu fighting force – and some form deep and lasting friendships with their partners.  The characters here are hugely diverse with Black, Asian and Brown main, and minor characters, with a recognition of diverse sexuality too.  

 

The power of this novel is in the strong, horrifying but ultimately hopeful end of this story. There is much violence – in both punitive killing and re-killings of demons by the priests, but also in the violent backstories of some of the girls (including an instance of rape.) The book explores themes of feminist possibility whilst being based in a fantasy world taking inspiration from ancient West African culture.  

 

A powerful read, not for the faint-hearted but very definitely giving hope for the future, showing that there is a place to be whatever you wish to be – homemaker or fighter. This is a strong start to what promises to be a trilogy. 

Tricia Adams

Books of the Month

Find This Book In

Primary Genre Young Adult Fiction
Other Genres:
Recommendations:

About

Press Reviews

Author

You Might Also Like...

Clockwork Prince

Cassandra Clare

Paperback

Temporarily Out Of Stock

£8.09 £8.99

Ruthless Vows

Rebecca Ross

Hardback

In Stock

£13.49 £14.99

Clockwork Angel

Cassandra Clare

Paperback

In Stock

£8.09 £8.99

The Dagger and the Flame

Catherine Doyle

Hardback

In Stock

£15.29 £16.99

Deeplight

Frances Hardinge

Paperback

In Stock

£8.99 £9.99