The Gilded Ones
The start of a bold and immersive West African-inspired, feminist fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther. In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice.
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. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.
But 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.
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. They are called alaki - near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.
Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. 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. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be - not even Deka herself.
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Namina Forna
Namina Forna is a writer whose work pulses with the energy of her diverse cultural background and the rich stories that come with it. Born in Sierra Leone and raised in the United States, her perspective on the world is as layered as the tales she spins. Forna’s voice emerges as a unique force in young adult fantasy, weaving elements of African folklore and mythology into epic narratives that captivate readers with both their complexity and their emotional depth.
Her debut novel, The Gilded Ones, introduces readers to a society where women are revered for their strength and feared for their power, offering a compelling blend of adventure, rebellion, and identity. This book, and the series that follows, dives into themes of agency, self-discovery, and societal expectations, all set against a backdrop of rich, magical realism. Forna’s writing touches on the darker, more difficult realities of life, yet it's always filled with hope and the resilience of her protagonists.
Deathless
Deathless consists of three books — considered a complete series. The current recommended reading order for the series is provided below.
