The Gilded Ones

Honestly so so interesting. At first, it was hard to understand some of the terms as I did not speak that particular language, but once I got into it, that was cleared up, it was fine. I absolutely loved the patriarchy fighting, fantasy and female power in this book, and it was this book that really got me into the fantasy genre since. The characters were perfectly developed, and the enemies to lovers trope for the main character was amazing too. All side characters were also carefully thought out, and each had their own important role throughout the book regardless of their appearances. Incredibly engaging, with a wide range of diverse and interesting people involved in the plot. The resolution at the end provided such a catharsis to any confusion or insecurity at earlier point in this novel, and I think the author did a great job of simultaneously creating an engaging read, but with an air of defiance, stubbornness and completely valid unapologetic tone throughout. Would recommend for feminists, romance-fantasy lovers and those interested in an alternative religious structures in a supernatural world....

Deka lives in a patriarchal society where women are controlled and used by those who pretend to protect them. For those like Deka, there is no protection. Her only chance is to go south and train to be a soldier, to fight to protect those who would see her dead, or worse. It can be quite gruesome in places, especially for YA, with some scenes of what can only be called torture.

I thought this was a strong debut, with some fresh ideas. The hints at what is really going on are revealed slowly, enough to guess before it’s revealed but not so much that’s it’s obvious from the start.

Deka believes herself a demon when she bleeds gold. She is a pious young woman, who has had no reason to doubt the teachings of the elders. Good women know their place and serve their men. Her father looks upon her with horror after the ceremony. She is ready to welcome her death, thinking it is the way she can redeem herself in the eyes of god. But death doesn’t come so easily to her kind, and there are plenty ready to exploit her, at the same time as hating her very existence.

I loved Ixa, did anyone else imagine him as Toothless from How to Train Your Dragon? As a shape-shifting creature he wasn’t a dragon, but he was very cat-like, and could fly.

Rather than replicating history, the North is the part of the continent that has been colonised, with the pale skinned Northerners resentful of their Southern colonisers. Yet for the impure girls, their race makes little difference. Deka befriends other “Gilded Ones” from all corners of their world, some treated better than others by their families. It is still a story of intolerance, hatred and fear.