"Catch up now before Forna's planned trilogy is turned into the next major movie franchise."--E! Online

"The second installment in Namina Forma's West African-inspired fantasy series, this follow-up to The Gilded Ones doubles down on what made its predecessor so good: The rich, thoroughly lived-in world building full of details that are so unlike almost everything else in this genre space."--Paste

★ "This book shimmers like gold. Add it to your library shelves to dazzle voracious readers."--School Library Journal, starred review

Praise for The Gilded Ones

"Namina Forna could be the Toni Morrison of YA fantasy." --Refinery 29

"Fans of Children of Blood and Bone, Mulan, and the Dora Milaje from Black Panther are going to adore this one." --BuzzFeed

"The girls are powerful, the danger is real, and the characters are engaging and diverse. Forna has accomplished something really special here, equal parts subversive and fun." --Tor

"Namina Forna introduces readers to an intricate, West African-inspired fantasy world."--POPSUGAR

"Total book candy for fans of Tomi Ayedemi's Children of Blood and Bone." --PureWow

"A dark feminist tale spun with blood and gold, The Gilded Ones lifts the veil of violent patriarchy and burns the idea of purity to the ground. Must read!" --Dhonielle Clayton, New York Times Bestselling author of The Belles

"Haunting, brutal, and oh-so-relevant. This book will suck you into a world where girls bleed gold, magic fills the air, and the real monsters hide behind words instead of claws." --Roseanne A. Brown, New York Times bestselling author of A Song of Wraiths and Ruin

"An enthralling debut. The Gilded Ones redefines sisterhood and is sure to leave readers both inspired and ultimately hopeful." --Stephanie Garber, #1 New York Times bestselling author of Caraval

"The Gilded Ones is a fierce, unflinching fantasy that marks Forna as a debut to watch." --Kiersten White, New York Times bestselling author of And I Darken

"Phenomenal and extraordinary! Forna's breathtaking use of language depicts a thrilling journey through an epic world, rife with danger and deception, as an obedient girl survives the patriarchy and becomes a warrior. Unquestionably, the best fantasy of 2021." --Kim Johnson, author of This is My America

"An epic new fantasy with heart-stopping stakes and a fierce, persevering hero, The Gilded Ones is a dazzling and powerful debut." --Elizabeth Lim, bestselling author of Spin the Dawn

"A poignant examination of patriarchal oppression that ensnares its reader and doesn't let go. With a compelling main character and fresh magic system, it takes you on a journey of self-discovery through a fantastically built world with a burning mystery at its heart." --Kalyn Josephson, author of The Storm Crow

"While elements of action and social justice are strong, there is also mystery . . . readers will find themselves awestruck with satisfying revelation, leaving both a clean ending and desire for more."
--Booklist, starred review