The Gilded Ones

A dark feminist tale where one girl's blood color dictates her fate. Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in a patriarchal society that fears and oppresses women. Every girl must face a blood ceremony: bleed red and be considered pure; bleed gold and be deemed a demon, often killed on the spot. Deka, however, bleeds gold.

But Deka is not easily silenced. Her gold blood is a sign of power and near-immortality, a secret that makes her an anomaly even among the "demon girls" she is forced to join. Instead of death, she is offered a choice: join the Emperor's army and fight monstrous threats, or be destroyed. As Deka embraces her new identity as an Alaki, a near-immortal with exceptional gifts, she begins to uncover deep-seated truths about herself and the world around her. Nothing, not even Deka herself, is quite what it seems.

*The Gilded Ones* by Namina Forna is an action-packed high fantasy debut that explores themes of patriarchy, purity, and fierce female kinship. It promises a unique world-building experience where ancient rituals conceal immense, terrifying power. Why does Deka's blood run gold, and what is her true nature? What role will she play in the battle, and what truths will she discover about the goddesses she is tasked with freeing? This book is a must-read for fans of compelling YA fantasy with powerful female leads and unexpected plot twists.