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The Gilded Ones

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The Gilded Ones

By: Namina Forna
Narrated by: Shayna Small
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About this listen

A New York Times best seller.

The epic fantasy of 2021, as featured on Cosmo, Buzzfeed, BookRiot, and Refinery 29. In this West African-inspired world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice. Perfect for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther.

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in Otera, a deeply patriarchal ancient kingdom, where a woman's worth is tied to her purity, and she must bleed to prove it. But when Deka bleeds gold - the color of impurity, of a demon - she faces a consequence worse than death. She is saved by a mysterious woman who tells Deka of her true nature: She is an Alaki, a near-immortal with exceptional gifts. The stranger offers her a choice: Fight for the Emperor, with others just like her, or be destroyed....

©2020 Usborne Publishing Limited (P)2020 Usborne Publishing Limited Epic Fantasy Fantasy Fiction Literature & Fiction Multicultural Science Fiction & Fantasy

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Critic reviews

"Fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther are going to adore this one." (Buzzfeed)

"The Gilded Ones redefines sisterhood and is sure to leave readers both inspired and ultimately hopeful." (Stephanie Garber, New York Times best-selling author of Caraval)

"Debut author Namina Forna's created a fierce female protagonist you'll root for and a captivating world that feels so real you can step inside it." (Bookriot)
All stars
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Such a powerful story and performance. The story of Deka is painful, inspiring and awesome in every sense of the word. Already looking for the next part...

a true winner

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I probably expected something more suspenseful. however the first 3 chapters were very engaging, dramatic and set the story up.
After that I felt as though the fantasy war drama would start. so left it that. I think its a cracking storyline though, just not for me.

Great teen fantasy story

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I was kind of annoyed in the beginning because of all the rules imposed on the girls/ women lol but was happy at the end. Overall it’s such a good book. Listen to it

Captivating

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This was really inspiring and relatable for anyone growing up in a female body (and other oppressed groups) !

Really inspiring and relatable for women ❤️

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What a story , it was performed so well and I just couldn’t wait to keep hearing more and more . I was so disappointed with it finished. I am definitely getting the next book series right now 😭 I hope it is as good. Amazing work by Namina Forna. I totally recommend

Absolutely incredible

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The story is amazing, and engaging. I enjoy the narrators voice and ways of reading.... except for her way of giving everyone a heavy false accent. I guess it probably won't bother everyone... but if you're bothered by it; steer away from this particular audiobook version. It's a pity, because the book is otherwise well-read, in an engaging and exciting way.

It's a fifty-fifty for me

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What a breath of fresh air. Old story revisited in really interesting way.
Loved it

Very enjoyable

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I really enjoyed the story and the entire idea behind it. The only thing that let it down a little was some of the voices. I could occasionally hear the accents drifting between various Caribbean islands to west Africa. This however was a very minor point in what is a fun and engaging story.
Am now going to download the 2nd book and will read the 3rd once this is completed.

👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾👏🏾.

“Brilliant” story.

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as a teacher in a high school through lockdown, this book was on the Reading list for Year 9's, I loved it so much I brought it for my teenagers to read at home.

Great book

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controversial maybe but I absolutely loved this book sooooo very much. The only downside to the audio book was britta's accent. But where i would usually return an audio book for this reason, I enjoyed the story enough to tune it out. That accent aside the narrator is amazing!

Better than children of blood and bone

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