I Can't Wait for... The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna (Can't-Wait Wednesday/Waiting on Wednesday) #CWW #WOW #YALit #FantasyBooks @DelacortePress

Can't-Wait Wednesday is a weekly meme hosted here, at Wishful Endings, to spotlight and discuss the books we're excited about that we have yet to read. Generally they're books that have yet to be released. It's based on Waiting on Wednesday, hosted by the fabulous Jill at Breaking the Spine. If you're continuing with WOW, feel free to link those up as well! Find out more here.

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This book caught my eye the first time I saw the cover. I love how ethnic it looks with the colors, hair and face paint. Then I read the blurb and I was sold! I've been waiting for this one for a bit and am very excited for it to come up on my reading schedule soon! It's my pick this week...

The Gilded Ones

(Deathless #1)

By Namina Forna

YA Fantasy

Hardcover, Paperback, Audiobook & ebook, 432 Pages

February 9, 2021 by Delacorte

Summary

The start of a bold and immersive West African-inspired, feminist fantasy series for fans of Children of Blood and Bone and Black Panther. In this world, girls are outcasts by blood and warriors by choice.

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.

But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity--and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.

Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki--near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.

Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be--not even Deka herself. 

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Will you be reading this one?