The Gilded Ones (July 2021) Buddy Read Discussion - Bopeep & Katie, June, Emily, Abigail

[mina, Group/Buddy Reads Procrastinator]

Welcome to the The Gilded Ones Buddy Read Discussion thread! This thread officially opens on July 25th and anyone can join at any time. Please keep in mind that spoilers are allowed in this thread but only up to the group's current reading place. Do not spoil the book if you've read further than the group. Any extra days can be used to catch up!

Each day we will be reading by chapters or page numbers. Page numbers are an approximation based on the hardcover or paperback that is the default on Goodreads. The suggested Buddy Read discussion schedule is as follows:

Week of 07/25
July 25: 1-6

Week of 07/
July 26: 7-12
July 27: 13-18
July 28: 19-24
July 29: 25-30
July 30: 31-37

PARTICIPANTS
~ Bopeep
~ Katie
~ June
~ Emily
~ Abigail

[Bopeep]

Hello buddies!
Have you started reading?

I've read the first 6 chapters as planned, so...
(view spoiler)[Well I HATE that traditions for the girls that they can't bleed before the ceremony, and if their blood is gold kill them with different tortures? I'm so glad Deka left their village.

It's so early to say, but there's a lot of information and I still hate the culture on this world lol. But I like that all the areas have physical differences.

Though now it seems the other girls doesn't have Deka's and Britta's luck... :( I hope they really find a good family on the training.

Anyway, do you think that Deka's mother is dead? Or we will meet her later? Hmmm... (hide spoiler)]

[Tawallah]

I started way early as I was so excited to start this book. I have read 18 chapters so far and really love it. The beginning reminds me of (view spoiler)[Black Sun in terms of its graphic nature and some family dynamics. But then it more strays into the territory of Black Panther. (hide spoiler)]

@Bopeep- I had a lot of your initials thoughts. (view spoiler)[This is a patriarchal society in all its glory. But I really liked how the author included religion as a means to subjugate and the conflict that arises with Deka and the other girls.

And the answer to your question on her mother is not settled for me. (hide spoiler)]

[Katie]

I've started as well! I think I'm about 10 chapters in, so also reading ahead a bit, and I plan to read more today!

(view spoiler)[I was not expecting it to be as religious as it is! I knew going into it the blood testing ceremony was some sort of religious thing but I didn't expect it to be so intense, I suppose. I feel like this religion has origins in fearing the original Gilded Ones since they were all female, and that is why they are so restrictive towards women. They're afraid of the power women can hold.

I'm not sure if I believe her mother is dead, but I do think Deka's gold blood comes from her father's side, not her mother's. They mentioned early on that the last gold blooded woman in their village was her father's aunt (if I'm remembering correctly) and that's why the family was overly pious.

What is preventing this power from manifesting itself in men anyway? Why would gold blood only show up in women? (hide spoiler)]

I'm very excited to keep reading but I need to take a break to unpack a little bit (I moved early last week and graduated yesterday--yay!)

[Katie]

So I ended up finishing it because I was so hooked!

(view spoiler)[I definitely had an inkling that the deathshrieks were something more than they appeared, somehow related to the alaki. I'm glad I was right! I really liked how it ended and the hopeful turn it took. I was VERY SCARED for Britta for a moment there but she pulled through! (hide spoiler)]

Honestly, I'm a bit surprised this is part of a series. I think it would have worked perfectly as a standalone with the way things ended. However, I am excited to read the next book once it comes out next year!

[Abigail]

I'm somewhere in chapter 20. (view spoiler)[
It's absolutely wild that you can't bleed at all for an entire year. That sounds borderline impossible, but I see what they do to the women to make sure it works.

I'm thinking that Deka's mother really is dead, we just have a lot to learn about her. But I could be wildly wrong there. I did like finding out that she was a Shadow and I wonder where that's gonna go.

Whitehands ending up being one of the overseers/high nobility was amazing! She basically ended up assembling the Deka Protection Squad™ (hide spoiler)]

[Emily]

I've had the most stressful week ever - I've only had time to read one chapter (hence why I've been quiet). I'm hoping I can catch up as what I've read really intrigued me and I can't wait to read on

[Bopeep]

(I put all my thought there to avoid telling spoilers)

Chapter 19
(view spoiler)[One part I LOVED was the running scene. How at first they all were shocked and tired (it reminded me of myself on my first training lol) but then they felt so free!

Also the part when karmoka Huon slashed Adwapa's ear with a hairpin lol Badass.

Now Deka is training her ability but I don't know why she doesn't tell anyone? Or the others that know? Becaus eshe's too precious? Hmmm...

I have a lot of theories about the deathshriek. One is that they are transformed humans (like werewolves or so), and two they are the aliki after they die. Anyone's has any other theories about this? (hide spoiler)]

BTW This book reads so fast! I don't even have time to make my (usual) crazy theories before they talk about that matter.

Deka Protection Squad™ <-- I like this hahaha

[Bopeep]

Book finished~

(view spoiler)[MUAHAHAHAHA I knew it!! 8)
As I told you before, I knew the deathsrieks were linked to the alaki somehow, though I didn't know how.
White hands identity surprised me a lot~ I really knew she was trying to make a revolution, but I didn't know she was a direct descendant of the Gilded Ones :O

And I loved the part where our little gang started teasing each other about kisses and virginity hahaha (hide spoiler)]

[Tawallah]

Yes Bopeep, that last comment was so good. It made me smile as well and truly made this a feminist book.
The sequel is due for release soon. But I'm waiting on a subscription box I used to get the first one. Hope they get the African edition again. Not even sure where this next one will go.