In the world of Otera, every girl is bled at sixteen to see what color their blood is. But when Deka’s blood runs gold, her entire world changes in a heartbeat. Reviled in the village and held captive by the village elders, Deka is trapped. When a stranger comes to the village, she makes an offer: leave and fight for the emperor or stay and die. Choosing life, Deka is taken to the capital and meets girls with the same gold blood. However, nothing is quite as it seems in the capital. When Deka realizes she has unusual powers, she must decide who to trust as she seeks answers.

I absolutely devoured the Gilded Ones!! Deka and her story grabbed hold and didn’t let go until the final pages. With strong themes of sisterhood, Deka’s exploration into her mysterious powers was spell-binding. I loved how while there was romance, there was also such a strong focus on sisterhood and friendship. One of the main battles in this book is against the misogynistic attitudes of the men in the kingdom. Forna handles this so well, critiquing and examining sexism, racism, religion, and more.

While Deka shines incredibly bright on her own, I also loved her friends and animal companion. This story was fun, refreshing, and I can’t wait to see what happens next. I would highly recommend The Gilded Ones to anyone looking for an exhilarating and inclusive adventure! 

Thank you so much to Namina Forna, Delacorte Press and Netgalley for a free ARC in exchange for an honest review.