Books: The Gilded Ones ~ Namina Forna

 

 

Title:The Gilded Ones
Author: Namina Forna
Publisher: Usborne Exclusive Fairyloot Edition
Publishing date: June 2020
Number of pages: 412 p.
Series: Deathless #1
Age Category: Young Adult 
Other Books In This Series (currently):
Not yet announced

About The Gilded Ones

Are we girls or are we demons?
Are we going to die or are we going to survive?
Deka fears the blood ceremony that will determine whether she can become a member of her village.
If she bleeds red, she will belong. But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold - the colour of impurity, of a demon.
She has become what she has feared all her live. A mysterious woman can take her away, to join the an army. An purpose after becoming the unthinkable.

My thoughts on The Gilded Ones

After the first chapter, I didn't know what I was suppose to think, I wasn't sure where the story was going and here is an unpopular opinion I thought it was a little too obvious black girl in a white town being shunned. I wasn't sure that if the book turned out to be solely focused on this if I would have continued. I promise you the story takes on a whole different turn and I love that the author has chosen to pick a divers cast of chacters representing people from all corners of Otera.

After the first chapter, the story got really really dark, I was surprised at how dark it was. And I loved the book for it, I think it gave the reader perspective and explains a lot of the choice Deka will make during this story. Through out the story we she how Deka is process the trauma she has been through and she here grow as a character. There is a lot of character development, which makes this a character driven story. Seeing the world through Deka's eyes, whe get to see a lot of world building, we also she the hatred towards the Alakai, the religion printed on everybodies brain. I really hate the world Deka lives in, the religion in this world is brainwashing the people.

The elders bring out buckets, gold lust in their eyes.

I love the character White Hands, the mystery about her, the small hints she drops, which Deka can't seem to figure out. What is her end game, I have wondered this from the beginning and I tell you, I was really suprised about how the story unfolded. I think that from the large cast of side characters White Hands is one of my favorites, very unique, very strategic, and full of secrets.

Then we have not yet talked about Britta, she is descriped as someone from Scandinavia but in my head she has an Scottish accent. Britta is a likeable character from the beginning, even a little bubbly, which might seem odd in this cruel world. She is so much fun, but she has depth to her as well, she also has scars..

Going back to Deka, I really enjoyed her character, I understand the decicions she makes, all but one. When they are on a raid they enter an old underground temple, with a lake in it. From the waters comes a creature, which bites Deka. Instead of getting rid of the creature she decides to keep it. I don't understand why, and I thought is was a very naive choice. In the end the creature does proof it's loyaly.

In this world there are a lot of creatures that are unique, I haven't heard of any of them, the creature that Deka found in that temple is called Ixa, and it is some kind of shapeshifting being. Very interesting, it enjoys the form of a cat but can also turn in to some big ass lizzard/dragon? like creature. Very cool!

The final battle was really something, oh by the way you will get a proper battle, I promise, we are right there on the battle field slaying deathshrieks. It all is very well written. I think this book is a great introduction to the world Otera and I want more of it! Like right now! I know this is suppose to be a series, but a title for the second book is yet to be announced, I will be keeping an eye out for it!

Conlcusions

This book is an action packed, character driven story, set into a new world, we explore to the eyes of Deka. I love our main character, the worldbuilding, and the wide cast of side characters. This book is very well written and therefore I am giving it 5 stars!

Swinging Saturdays #91: We heart radio

Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

Al we hear radio ga ga.. . Do you enjoy listening to the radio? Or is radio out of date and are you listening on your devices only? I must admit, I don't listen radio often, a simple reason for this is that there is always too much talking and not enough music, so I enjoy listening to my own music. I know it is sad but when you only listen radio when in the car, and that radio only gives you talking radio dj's or the news bulletin then you get annoyed. 

Artists disagree with me of course and some have written songs about radio. So here some well deserved radio support for you! I hope you will enjoy.

Queen ~ Radio GaGa

Let's start with the obvious and the best of the best, a song everybody knows. Because all we hear is radio ga ga, radio gu gu. And Radio we stil love you.. lol Need I say more? I can go on a rant if you wish.. But I rather you listen to Radio Ga Ga.

Manu Chao ~ Me Gustas Tu

Maybe this one is less obvious, but in the intro and outro it sounds like the radio dj is doing an introduction whatever he is saying. It is like some dj's do when you have a long introduction, or tell a story, until the moment the artist starts singing.
The live version of this song is very different, but I must say I enjoyed this so much that I decided that I would use it.

Blue October ~ Italian Radio

So apparently this is one of those songs, that is one of my favorites, but does not have any proper live performances for you to watch, there is not even a music video, oh well, you will have to just close your eyes and listen to it. It is very special to me, always puts a smile on my face. I had tickets to see them live, but my ex last minute decided that he did not want to go. There was know one who wanted to come, because I was the only one that knew the band. I wish I could tell my past self that it would have been fine to go alone. I am a different person now, now when know one wants to join me, I still go.

Biffy Clyro ~ Spanish Radio

Well look at that, we also have Spanish Radio! Can someone just write a song called "dutch radio"? That would be perfect and I will add it to the list I promise! Yeah I know this song but honestly not my favorite, but hey, very fitting with todays theme right? I am more an Mountains, Black Chandelier, Opposites kind of fan.

Queen Of The Stoneage ~ No One Knows

Oh goddamn it is so freaking good. The guitar, the noise, the amazing fans. Maybe this should go on my, want to watch list for after all this fucking shit is over. I am sick and tired of COVID, I miss going to concerts, restaurants or just simplely go for a drink somewhere, or stores that are open. I think a lot of people are feeling the same by now.

Any music for radio lovers missing? 
Let me know in the comments!

Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 

Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 

I would love to hear what kind of music you like!

TBR Update

Hi everyone, 

So a little while ago I posted my physical TBR for this year. Consisting of 25 books I would like to read during 2021. Hopefully it will be a better reading year than 2020. I have found that I know have some more time to read, and I am currently reading 2 books. You can find my TBR post here. 

Currently reading

I am currently re-reading Crown of Midnight by Sarah J. Maas. The second book in the Throne of Glass series. I am re-reading this because I actually don't remember any of the details, from this one, now that I am re-reading I am rembering some. I forgot about the magical door knob called Mort, I still enjoy this side character, eventhough he only has the role of messenger. The other reason I am re-visting this book is that I would like to continue the series, Heir of Fire is on my reading list for this year. By re-reading Crown of Midnight I hope to get back into the story and feel the urge to continue onwards with Heir of Fire. One can only hope! 

I am also reading Scythe, the boyfriend has been urging me to read this, he already finished the trilogy in record time I might add. And I am now starting with the first book, because he really enjoyed these books but can't talk about them because spoilers. So I decided when I finished The Gilded Ones I would continue with Scythe, just so we can discuss it.  By the way, the first 100 pages I was really struggling to get into the book, I like the world building, but I think I needed to get into the writing style, also I haven't read any science fiction for a while, so maybe I needed to get used to that as well.

Books I finished

I finished my first book of my TBR! 

I am really proud at myself because, 1 I finished something, and 2 it was on my TBR! I am usually the kind of person who says at the beginning of the year, I am going to read these books, and then abandon the TBR and read something random. So I am glad I already managed to finish a book in about a month, so I am all for it, it generally takes me a long time to finish anything so I am glad I managed this. 

The book I read during January is The Gilded Ones, which came out in February, and I own a beautiful Fairyloot paperback with beautiful green edges and a lot of gold.The book was amazing! I really loved it, the story is so unique I have not read anything like it. I can't wait for the second on to come out! I hope to have a review up for it somewhere this month. It is going to be a 5 star read for me. 

Swinging Saturdays #90 : Tram Sessions

Swinging saturdays is a musical meme hosted by Ice Cold Passion, to share our passion for music. The goal is to make a top 5 (or Top 10) for whatever genre or artist you like or get creative and share a theme based music top 5. For example a bookish soundtrack, funny songs, song to listen to on a rainy day top 5.

So today we are doing Tram Sessions, I have come across these videos many times, mainly because I was looking for live video's of the Pierce Brothers. I thought this is a fun channel, I like the concept of playing on a tram. You can see it move and sometimes the artist playing need to keep themselves upright when taking a turn. Today I show you some of the videos, these will all be artists you might know as they have had international succes. 

Let's go for a ride on the Melbourn tram!

DeWolff ~ Don't Go Up In The Sky

So I had actually planned Will and the People, but for some reason I could not find the video anymore. So I started to search for something I know and found this, I was not even aware that they did this. Interesting to hear this song in this version.

Xavier Rudd ~ Follow The Sun

This song reminds me of summer, I very much enjoy it, I think it got famous here in the Netherlands because it was part of a commercial.

Passenger ~ Heart's On Fire

He only had one hit here in the Netherlands, then he dissapeared. Is he still making music? Yes it turns out, he just released a new album. I will give it a listen soon, I am curious if he changed from what he made back then. I hope you enjoy Heart's On Fire.

Vance Joy ~ Riptide

I know I have used this song on so many an occasion, also got famous due to a commercial, it is still very good. And very addictive.

Pierce Brothers ~ The Tallest Teepee In Town

We are ending this top 5 with my favorite Aussies Pierce Brothers, Jack and Patrick. I love their music, and the energy they bring to the stage is amazing. I hope you enjoy this last song, if you ever have the pleasure, go see them live, it will be worth it!

Have you watch any of the Tram Sessions? Anything I missed I should watch?
Let me know in the comments!

Want to host Swing Saturdays next week? 

Send me an email: icecoldpassions@gmail.com. 

I would love to hear what kind of music you like!