The Gilded Ones: Powerful, Tragic, and Heart-Wrenching

“‘As I always suspected,’ a faraway voice says. When I look up, Elder Durkas is looming over me. His expression is dark with satisfaction. ‘She’s impure,’ he declares. That’s the last thing I hear before I die.” (Forna, page 25)

In Namina Forna’s The Gilded Ones, this chilling proclamation sets the tone for an enthralling tale of suffering, power, and redemption. The first installment in Namina Forna’s Deathless series follows sixteen-year-old Deka as she awaits the blood ceremony that will determine her future. She knows that if her blood runs red, her village will deem her worthy. But if her blood runs gold, she knows she’ll face a punishment worse than death. On the day of the ceremony, everything goes wrong, resulting in the villagers discovering her cursed blood. Immediately, the Elders brand her impure and submit her to a series of brutal tortures called the Death Mandate. Her only respite is when a strange woman arrives and offers her to come serve the emperor in the fight against deathshrieks. These are monstrous, demonic creatures that prey on humans. Lured with the promise that she’ll receive absolution, Deka accepts and leaves everything she’s known for a new and uncertain future. 

The Gilded Ones is set in the kingdom of Otera. Deka lives in the Northern Provinces, in a small village called Irfut. All provinces have their own cultures, but they all believe in the god Oyomo. There are sets of rules everywhere called the Infinite Wisdoms that each person must follow–especially girls. Twice a year, priests perform the blood ceremony, where girls aged 16 have to prove they are pure-blooded (meaning that they have red blood). After that, women have to wear half-masks, as a way to not offend Oyomo and show him their piety. Referring to a scripture from the Infinite Wisdoms, Deka says, “We recite it whenever we enter a temple—a constant reminder that women were created to be helpmeets to men, subservient to their desires and commands” (Forna, page 4). I couldn’t help but scoff and frown at that.

As I continued reading, I discovered that there were many other ridiculous rules restricting women. Despite the disconcerting depiction of these gender-based constraints, Forna’s creative world-building is admirable.

Deka is what the Oterans call an alaki. It’s said that alaki are descendants of the Gilded Ones, ferocious creatures that once roamed the Earth and devoured children. Alaki have gold blood—called the cursed gold by many—and are faster, stronger, and almost immortal. They have what’s called near-deaths. That means they can die but unless it’s their final death, they’ll revive after going through what’s known as the gilded sleep. After accepting her offer, the strange woman sends Deka to a notorious alaki training ground, the Warthu Bera. There, she and the other alaki are paired with their uruni, their male brothers-in-arms. Alaki are pushed to the extremes to become the best soldiers. After all, they are the ones that will kill deathshrieks.

There is an incredible amount of character development in The Gilded Ones. Britta is Deka’s first friend and is sent to the same training ground as her. She is kindness, steadfastness, and friendship incorporated in one person. Britta is always present for others, a shoulder to cry on during hard times, and a cheerful personality with no bounds. Despite initial rejection, Deka discovers Britta’s pain and gradually opens up, leading to a sister-like bond. Belcalis is cynical, closed off, and expects the worst of everyone. I found that annoying at first, but was sorry to learn it was because of her past traumatic experiences. Deka understands Belcalis more than anyone else. They both went through immeasurable pain through the Death Mandate, which is why she trusts and forgives her pessimism. Asha and Adwapa are twins with deadly talents who adjust to the Warthu Bera’s training quicker than all other alaki.

My favorite part of The Gilded Ones is when Deka realizes that her uruni, Keita, loves her. With all the pain and betrayal that Deka faced, it was challenging for her to trust others and let herself get attached.

Faced with the constant fear that those she cared about would leave her in the end, Deka often felt lonely. It is sad to see how Deka is even more distrustful towards men. It’s understandable though, because her own father and previous love interest both betrayed her. Yet, Keita, her uruni, is unlike anything she expected. He cares for her and is always there to watch her back. At the highest peak of danger for Deka, Keita doesn’t run away; instead he risks his life for her. Their evolving relationship becomes a heartwarming beacon in a dark narrative, culminating in a mutual and beautiful love amid peril.

The Gilded Ones is the type of novel to keep you on the edge of your seat. Full of suspense and intrigue, Namina Forna’s book is nothing less than exceptional. The Gilded Ones gives insight on the struggles of trying to fit in, especially in a society that is always turning you away. This novel captured my heart from the first page to the last and is definitely one of the greatest reads of my life.