Hear Our Voices: 15 Golden Thoughts
What a honor it is to be a part of The Gilded Ones Virtual Book Tour with “Hear Our Voices Book Tours”. As with any book, one must take time to truly sift through each of their thoughts to savor what they digested. The Gilded Ones is the first fantasy novel in Namina Forna’s Deathless series which was released this February. This was my first (and definitely not the last) fantasy novel that I have read, and it’s even more rewarding because it was written by a Black woman.
The Gilded Ones is a story about a teenage girl named Deka who has done everything she can in her 16 years of living to remain pure. As she approaches the Ritual of Purity bleeding ceremony to officially become a part of her village, she can finally feel like she belongs in Irfut— as long as her blood does not bleed gold. On this day she is confronted by deathshrieks which forces her to demonstrate a power that she didn’t know she possessed, let alone know how to properly use. After being pulled away from her father to face a punishment much greater than death, Deka meets a mysterious woman who presents her with an opportunity that is wrapped in hope and acceptance. Deka is left to choose between submitting to a fatal death or fighting amongst other girls who are just like her to protect their kingdom. As Deka goes through this journey, she discovers more about her kingdom and herself than she could have ever predicted.
After I completed the novel and the way that moments would pop up in my mind at random times, I decided to rate the novel four stars. As a part of the virtual book tour, I was tasked with narrowing down the thousands of thoughts I had while reading to a golden fifteen. This was tough to do, especially while trying to limit the spoilers for future readers, but here they are:
As a Black American, I’m left with mixed emotions while going on this journey with Deka to discover her roots.
This feeling stems from not being able to trace back my own roots and how much power there really is in knowing where you originate from. Deka is on a journey that isn’t necessarily beautiful, but it is rewarding to say the least. Black Americans struggle with finding the strongest connection to our ancestors because it was stripped away from us. So while reading there were moments where we, as the readers, could rejoice on her behalf as she finds a sense of connection.
It was heartbreaking to see how easy it was for Deka’s father to abandon her after the Ritual of Purity Ceremony.
Every child needs their parents and being that Deka lost her mom, losing her father felt so brutal because he abandoned her by choice. One can only hope that their parents will fight tooth and nail for them, but for Deka she was left all alone with a sense of ease. That was a tough pill to swallow.
The Ritual of Purity is simply a masquerade to legitimize the mass murder of young girls throughout the One Kingdom.
This ritual created an avenue to defile young girls until their bodies displayed little to no strength, and straddled death’s grips. These were mortals acting out of greed and fear who excused their own raunchy behavior based on the “Infinite Wisdom”. It was disgusting to say the least. (TW: rape, abuse, murder, sexual assault.)
If gold is invaluable, why are those who bleed gold automatically deemed demonic/impure?!
I didn't understand the contradiction in their actions until I got closer to the end of the book. How can you steal from those you find worthless unless they are indeed worthy?
Witnessing Deka constantly praying to Oymoto/Infinite Father after being labeled a descendant of “demons” was sad AF.
*deep sigh. Deka stuck close to all she knew in hopes of being saved.
There is something weird about the emperor turning young girls into soldiers as a means of seeking refuge.
Like explain to me how women are only worthwhile when it comes to being used as shields for cowardly men. (This is displayed by the village people shortly after Deka arrives to a new village.)
I love Britta!! But there is a balance for Deka to have Britta and Belcalis close to her.
Sisterhood and friendship is so important for all women, especially during primitive years. I love how Namina showcases the development of connection through the three girls.
Femininity is seen as subservient throughout the entire One Kingdom. Even with the girls becoming soldiers, they still try to exemplify dainty behavior in hopes of finding a husband.
Many of the alaki girls were still trying to prove their purity, even after being deemed as impure. The girls had to commit to 20 years as soldiers, so realistically, they would never see marriage or the creation of their own family.
Are Deka’s parents not her real parents or does she have a sibling out there somewhere?
Like what is going on with Deka and where she originates from. Lol, I thought I had an idea but I was way off.
I know the story isn’t about romance, but I’m dying to see how the relationship between Deka and Keita will develop throughout the series.
I mean love is necessary and it’s always so cute to see budding romance. Deka has a strong sense of self, as does Keita, which gives me the idea that their relationship isn’t going to be the typical “I only find my power in you” charade.
The most disturbing part about history is that you have to rely on the retelling from other people. It’s easy to showcase good things as bad when it threatens your rise to power.
This applies to the real world, too. We are passed down so many re-tellings of what has happened in history and unfortunately the “truth” becomes saturated with lies.
TOXIC MASCULINITY is running rampant through these pages. Even when a man is presenting himself as stronger, he is undoubtedly weak.
Do I need to say more?! This is the feminist attack of toxic masculinity that the fantasy world needed to see!
I feel like Gazal is extremely bitter about Deka’s powers and we will see the way that creates animosity between the two of them in the next novel.
Of course there is animosity amongst young girls, especially when nothing around them makes sense. I hope this turns into some sort of allyship rather than enemies.
Deka becomes more confident as she discovers who she is. I could recognize in the way she began to speak to those around her.
Even when others try to convince her that outside of being a soldier she is worthless, Deka holds on to her power which is admirable. Deka senses a strength within herself that others try to convince her can lead to danger if she shares it. There was a moment where Deka says something that stood out to me; “No matter my origins, there is worth in who I am.”
I can read this all over again and definitely pick up new details without feeling like the story or Deka’s journey has been spoiled.
