alyram4's review against another edition
3.0
3.25/5 stars
So I just wanna start off by saying that this is a good book. It's more so my overall feelings at the end and how much I actually enjoyed reading it. The writing and worldbuilding are definitely well done, but it's not my personal taste. The story is quite fast paced, and it throws you in after just 3 chapters. A lot starts happening at once, and it can be hard to keep up with all of it at times. However, the characters themselves make up for it. I grew to really enjoy Deka, although there were times where I felt some things were so far out of left field for her character. As mentioned before, it's definitely a good start to the series and overall plot. I personally just had different reading preferences than what this gave me.
So I just wanna start off by saying that this is a good book. It's more so my overall feelings at the end and how much I actually enjoyed reading it. The writing and worldbuilding are definitely well done, but it's not my personal taste. The story is quite fast paced, and it throws you in after just 3 chapters. A lot starts happening at once, and it can be hard to keep up with all of it at times. However, the characters themselves make up for it. I grew to really enjoy Deka, although there were times where I felt some things were so far out of left field for her character. As mentioned before, it's definitely a good start to the series and overall plot. I personally just had different reading preferences than what this gave me.
cloreadsbooks1364's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
5.0
grandiose_r's review against another edition
Felt very very tropey and too simplified: the religious scripture dictating that woman serve man, the mean pretty rich girl, the self-hatred of being brown in an all-white community, the sole "ugly" friend. Also applies the racialized fantasy geography coding: the white Northerners, the Asian Easterners, Black Southeners and brown Westerners.
These things might be subverted later on, but all these things in the beginning just weren't to my taste. Would've loved a deeper, more nuanced portrayal and examination of racist patriarchal structures
These things might be subverted later on, but all these things in the beginning just weren't to my taste. Would've loved a deeper, more nuanced portrayal and examination of racist patriarchal structures
rae_bookmarkchronicles's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
I am so pleasantly surprised at how much I enjoyed this. It is very dark and takes a brutal turn in chapter two but I loved all of the twists and turns. I cannot wait to read the next one!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Torture, Sexism, and Death
theawkwardbooknerd's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
loofyj's review against another edition
4.0
I loved this! Such a richly-imagined world, with some INSANELY fast-paced action, not to mention well-developed characters and relationships! And not to be dramatic, but I would die for Britta
bopip's review against another edition
4.0
I liked this book!
It's a (hateful) patriarchal world, with a lot of restrictions for the women through religion. Yes, it seems realistic. The tortures those special girls endure are terrible, but it's not a pessimistic book, but a joyful one. It mixes a lot of fantastic characteristics: religion, warrior women, demons, and it has a hint of "that's not what it seems".
Although my theories were true (yeah, I always think about why this or that happens), there was a lot I didn't expect. And I liked that. If you don't want to read the whole series, I think this book has a nice ending with all the misteries solved.
It's a (hateful) patriarchal world, with a lot of restrictions for the women through religion. Yes, it seems realistic. The tortures those special girls endure are terrible, but it's not a pessimistic book, but a joyful one. It mixes a lot of fantastic characteristics: religion, warrior women, demons, and it has a hint of "that's not what it seems".
Although my theories were true (yeah, I always think about why this or that happens), there was a lot I didn't expect. And I liked that. If you don't want to read the whole series, I think this book has a nice ending with all the misteries solved.
kodkod's review against another edition
2.0
I liked parts of this but there are some glaring world-building flaws and plot holes. There's also a lot of time jumps so some of the character development feels inorganic and overly convenient.
raebrock's review against another edition
5.0
Wow, wow, wow! When I say I could not put this book down, I mean since the very first chapter I was completely engrossed and it never went away. There is so much important subject matter to unpack. Racism, and sexism were at the forefront, although homophobia was also briefly addressed. The use of religion as a weapon of oppression was particularly striking. The characters were fantastic, and the bonds between them developed beautifully. This book weaves fantasy with dystopia in a way that makes it feel real, especially for anyone who’s ever been told they are ‘less than’ simply because of who they are. I can’t wait to read the sequel. I cannot give The Gilded Ones enough stars so I guess 5 will have to do.
Thank you NetGalley, Namina Forna, and publishers for the ARC. I am so incredibly impressed and highly recommend The Gilded Ones.
Thank you NetGalley, Namina Forna, and publishers for the ARC. I am so incredibly impressed and highly recommend The Gilded Ones.