The Gilded Ones

1

Today is the Ritual of Purity. 

The thought nervously circles in my head as I hurry toward the barn, gathering my cloak to ward off the cold. It s early morning, and the sun hasn t yet begun its climb above the snow-dusted trees encircling our small farmhouse. Shadows gather in the darkness, crowding the weak pool of light cast by my lamp. An ominous tingling builds under my skin. It s almost as if there s something there, at the edge of my vision. . . . 

It s just nerves, I tell myself. I ve felt the tingling many times before and never once seen anything strange. 

The barn door is open when I arrive, a lantern hung at the post. Father is already inside, spreading hay. He s a frail figure in the darkness, his tall body sunken into itself. Just three months ago, he was hearty and robust, his blond hair untouched by gray. Then the red pox came, sickening him and Mother. Now he s stooped and faded, with the rheumy eyes and wispy hair of someone decades older. 

You re already awake, he says softly, gray eyes flitting over me. 

I couldn t sleep any longer, I reply, grabbing a milk pail and heading toward Norla, our largest cow.

I m supposed to be resting in isolation, like all the other girls preparing for the Ritual, but there s too much work to do around the farm and not enough hands. There hasn t been since Mother died three months ago. The thought brings tears to my eyes, and I blink them away.

Father forks more hay into the stalls. Blessings to he who waketh to witness the glory of the Infinite Father, he grunts, quoting from the Infinite Wisdoms. So, are you prepared for today?

I nod. Yes, I am.

Later this afternoon, Elder Durkas will test me and all the other sixteen-year-old girls during the Ritual of Purity. Once we re proven pure, we ll officially belong here in the village. I ll finally be a woman--eligible to marry, have a family of my

Namina Forna is the New York Times bestselling author of The Gilded Ones series. She has a MFA in film and TV production from USC School of Cinematic Arts and a BA from Spelman College. Namina now works as a screenwriter in LA and loves telling stories with fierce female leads. Visit her on twitter at @NaminaForna and on Instagram at @namina.forna.

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

"Perfect for those who fell in love with Black Panther and will leave all holding their breath until the very end." Ebony

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