2/5 Stars: ‘The Gilded Ones’ (Book #1 of ‘Deathless’) by Namina Forna.
→ Age Range: Young Adult.
→ Genre: Fantasy, Feminist Fiction.
→ Trigger Warnings: Abuse, Torture, Implied Rape.

In-depth Rating:
→ Plot: ★★
→ Character Development: ★
→ Setting: ★
→ Entertainment Level: ★★★
→ Writing: ★★★

General Comments: An adventurous and relevant fantasy that strives for gold but settles, in the end, for silver. There is celebration of diversity: differing body types, some peripheral queer representation, and ethnicity that roughly correlates with reality. The character development is superficial, unfurling rather quickly and disappointingly. The climax is hinted at throughout - leading to sadly petered out energy.

Favourite Quote: ‘Are we girls or are we demons? Are we going to die or are we going to survive?’.

Time Read: Six Days.
→ Audiobook: No.
→ Audiobook Narrator: -