Deka has become even more terrified of the Ritual since her mother’s death 3 months earlier her father is the last family member she has left.

If a girl’s blood runs red, then she is declared a woman and becomes a member of the village they reside in. She is 16 years-old and is about to undergo the “Ritual of Purity,” a rite to see if a female’s blood runs red or gold. The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna is the latest book to tackle how the “adult world” influences the youth negatively and why certain societal practices continue to exist through posterity. There are several examples of books written for adults that should NOT be read by younger readers- The Nevernight Chronicle by Jay Kristoff-but, there are several young adult books containing numerous adult themes that should be read both by adolescents and by adults as well. You know many of those books were written for adults, right? And yet, many adolescents have at least 1 book from school that they remembered reading, and some even enjoyed the story. For example, consider which books you had to read in secondary school for your literature class. Readers have become familiar with genre-blending-the blending of at least 2 distinguished genres and/or subgenres within a book or a book series-but, every now and then there are books which are “crossovers” for the audience.

He invites you to join it and protect our beloved Otera from those that would oppose her will,” ( 3). Emperor Gezo has decided to create an army of your kind. Be advised.Ĭonfusion lines my face, and I frown at her. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be-not even Deka herself.TRIGGER WARNING: This book contains elements of rape, misogyny, familicide, dismemberment, human trafficking, and violence against females. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat. They are called alaki-near-immortals with rare gifts. Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.īut on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity-and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death. Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village.

The gilded ones 3