The Gilded Ones (Deathless #1) by Namina Forna -- Restarting November 20th 2024

[Dannii]

It was so incredible! I haven't felt this way about a new YA fantasy release for a little while!

[Maddie]

Neither! I wasn't even anticipating it so that's what was so good I think!

[Jenn]

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Date changed. Restarting March 14th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Maisha]

we're starting tommorow. Right?

[Mary]

I just got my copy, going to start it this evening :)

[As You Wish]

Hope you don't mind if I join you--my ebook just got delivered. :D

[Jenn]

Is anyone still doing this BR? I'm just starting it now :)

[As You Wish]

Jenn wrote: "Is anyone still doing this BR? I'm just starting it now :)"

Yes, I just really started it yesterday. I'm already antsy for where we go from here!

[As You Wish]

Chapter 3:

(view spoiler)[ Losing her dad’s love and support is the absolute worst part of this. Yes, the crises of faith/religion is also terrible, but losing the parent she has left is so heartbreaking. (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Chapter 4:

(view spoiler)[ The disparity between Britta’s family’s reaction and Deka’s village’s reaction really shows how different communities will handle the same event—the gambit from acceptance to outright fear and rejection and everything in between. I hope there’s a great friendship that develops between them. I want to see Deka have someone she can trust after the sense of betrayal from everyone in her own town. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

JBask wrote: "Chapter 3:

[spoilers removed]"

Her father's reaction broke my heart 😢

[Jenn]

Chapter 9: (view spoiler)[ interesting premise so far. I don't believe they are descendants of demons. I bet the empire is hiding something and I can't wait to find out what it is. Already loving the friendship between Britta and Deka (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Jenn wrote: "Chapter 9: [spoilers removed]"

Yes, I'm sure the empire is hiding something. No one knows anything about where the girls go after they're marked impure, or if they even survive it. Nothing fishy here, folks, keep pretending all is normal!

[As You Wish]

Chapter 9
(view spoiler)[ From the reaction of the mean matron in the bath house, I have a feeling we're going to find out eventually that Deka's mom was a retired Gilded One. I want Deka to make friends with the twins from the Southern tribe and find out more about her mom's family. Here's hoping. (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Chapter 27

(view spoiler)[ Okay, deathshrieks can talk?! I didn’t quite see that coming. A few chapters ago their circlets made me suspicious, but this is a whole new level. (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Chapter 33

(view spoiler)[ I love a good “I told you so” but it never rings as well when I tell an observer that I guessed an element of the book I’m reading. Buddy reads for the win. ;) DEKA’S MOM WAS AN ALAKI! Called it. So proud of myself right now. But I did not see White Gloves’ big reveal coming. You got me there, Namina Forna. (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 19: (view spoiler)[ I wonder who her father is. Obviously her mother was a warrior and I had a feeling she left because she was pregnant but I wonder who the father is. I'm glad we're finally getting more into Deka's abilities (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Chapter 26: (view spoiler)[ umm ok. I'm loving her new pet but am a little nervous about White Hands. She's obviously keeping something but while Deka thinks it's bad, I actually think she's trying to do something good. I could be wrong here. I am finding the story a little slow still and I don't think I'm connecting with it completely. But I definitely want to see where it goes (hide spoiler)]

[Jenn]

Finished: (view spoiler)[ the last few chapters were the best part of the book. Finding out Deka was the bridge between the races wasn't shocking, but I will say finding out the deathshrieks used to be the girls was. That was a nice twist. (hide spoiler)]

[As You Wish]

Jenn wrote: "Finished:"

Same! I did not see the connection between alaki and deathshrieks coming either. I like how it didn't end as a cliff hanger, either. She could easily write another book in this world, but she also tied up the loose ends well enough that there was satisfaction from reading the book on its own.

[Jenn]

@JBask It will be interesting to see what the next books in this series are about because I agree, this one ended on a good note. It was a satisfying ending.

[Sarah Elizabeth]

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Date changed. Restarting May 12th 2021. Happy Reading ☺

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[Mia]

Okay.. I'm gonna start today!

[Mia]

So.. due to festivities my current has frozen. I have only read 2 chapters. The concept of "purity ritual" reminds me a lot of Hunger Games. It's okay so far but nothing very impressive. Hope I could fasten up.

[phi]

Sorry, I was super busy these past few days but I'm starting it now!

[Mia]

Five Chapters in.. It's still building up, what I read till now is good. I don't trust White Hands very much but Britta sounds like someone who stick around in the series.. I hope.

[Mia]

xuan wrote: "Sorry, I was super busy these past few days but I'm starting it now!"

That's fine!

[Mia]

Read till Chapter 8. I must say she's nothing but darn luck till now. Nothing happened to surprise me.

[Mia]

I am almost halfway through the book and it's great. I suppose this book is all about Deka discovering herself? The "hard part" still hasn't come around

[Mia]

I have read 20 chapters.
I really really really wished there was no romance, but ofcourse.. what is YA fantasy anymore if there isn't some romance pinched in.

BIG EYE ROLLS ☹️

[Mia]

22 Chapters : I am getting annoyed now. I can't imagine the "deathshrieks" and exactly what they are. They are demons, acc. to the book, who shriek so loud to make the other person die on spot. And they eat humans.. both pure ones and impure. Why though? It's not once mentioned. Aside from the first description of them, which isn't even a full paragraph, I have no other means to imagine them.
And we are supposed to fight them.. which sounds hard. But really isn't. All you need is Deka to tell them, "honey.. don't." and that's it. You can cut them off while they sleep in Deka's wake. Till now.. I have got no answers as to why Deka can "really die" multiple times but never really die, What's this "golden door" she can escape to and what exactly is the process? Something like meditation?, Why can Deka sense deathshrieks – that really is a stupid uncreative name. I remember having a lot of questions while reading HP#1, but Harry was a 7 year old kid! And PJ#1 but it was one search away. Search up ancient mythology and you'll get the answers and anyway they explained everything before half the book was over. But this...
Maybe I am really impatient but give me something.. soon .

P.s. : The audiobook is annoying 😭😭

[phi]

Ch 15 (view spoiler)[ I really like Britta :) I hope she doesn't betray Deka or anything! And yes I agree there hasn't been anything that's been truly shocking yet. I hope that comes around soon

I also like that it touches on feminism a bit and breaking free from gender stereotypes (hide spoiler)]

[phi]

Mia wrote: "I have read 20 chapters.
I really really really wished there was no romance, but ofcourse.. what is YA fantasy anymore if there isn't some romance pinched in.

BIG EYE ROLLS ☹️"

(view spoiler)[ HAHAH im tired of this too.. it was kind of cute though (hide spoiler)]

[Mia]

https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Ending thoughts. Hope you guys have a better experience than me

[Krystal]

3%(view spoiler)[ Ohhh, so right from the start we choose racism.. (hide spoiler)]

[Lenni]

xuan wrote: (view spoiler)[ "Ch 15 I really like Britta :) I hope she doesn't betray Deka or anything! And yes I agree there hasn't been anything that's been truly shocking yet. I hope that comes around soon

I also like that..." (hide spoiler)]
In reference to chapter 15
(view spoiler)[ I have some suspicions about the deathshrieks based on chapter 15. They seemed kind of innocent... I get the feeling there's more to them than just monsters. (hide spoiler)]

[Lenni]

Krystal wrote: "3%[spoilers removed]"

(view spoiler)[ Not to mention the gender stereotypes and equality approach (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Lenni wrote: "Krystal wrote: "3%[spoilers removed]"

[spoilers removed]"

Yes! That too!

[Krystal]

22% (view spoiler)[ the matching part with the boys was pretty interesting. It's a different and unique idea to have a brother in arms and they will fight together. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Mia wrote: "Five Chapters in.. It's still building up, what I read till now is good. I don't trust White Hands very much but Britta sounds like someone who stick around in the series.. I hope."

I think White Hands will come into play later one, who knows. I think she feels sorry for the girls more than she lets on.

[Lenni]

What I don’t understand is why golden blood is impure, but gold is still beautiful and valuable outside of blood.

[Krystal]

44%(view spoiler)[ Oh wow, I'm definitely curious to see who her father is! (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Lenni wrote: "What I don’t understand is why golden blood is impure, but gold is still beautiful and valuable outside of blood."

This!!! Yes!!!!!! I think they just use it as an excuse. You're impure so we will call your blood impure even though we covet it.

[Krystal]

Mia wrote: "I am almost halfway through the book and it's great. I suppose this book is all about Deka discovering herself? The "hard part" still hasn't come around"

Not quite halfway but I agree with how good it is getting.

[Krystal]

75% (view spoiler)[ I figured these deathshriekers weren't as animalistic as they seemed. Still, why are they killing people? Also, I love Ixa! (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

85% (view spoiler)[ Oh wow. I thought it was humans being turned but the alaki being turned into them when they die their final death? (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Mia wrote: "I have read 20 chapters.
I really really really wished there was no romance, but ofcourse.. what is YA fantasy anymore if there isn't some romance pinched in.

BIG EYE ROLLS ☹️"

(view spoiler)[I definitely disagree on this one. I'm glad this romance is here because it's not entirely typical of YA. It's slow building, barely there actually. There are faults and both know such.

Haha I say this and then the next few pages its more lovey stuff. Still, I like this romance. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Finished. (view spoiler)[I think it ended well enough that the sequel will be warranted. The male strong ones was a surprise as well. Her 'creation' was a little strange, almost kind of thrown in there, but I wasn't too bothered. I really enjoyed this book and how different it was. (hide spoiler)]

[Krystal]

Mia wrote: "https://www.goodreads.com/review/show...


Ending thoughts. Hope you guys have a better experience than me"

Respectfully disagree with your review. I do agree that the ending was kind of just.. There.

[Lenni]

Krystal wrote: "Mia wrote: "I have read 20 chapters.
I really really really wished there was no romance, but ofcourse.. what is YA fantasy anymore if there isn't some romance pinched in.

BIG EYE ROLLS ☹️"

I defi..."

I'm with Krystal on this one!