The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna 2 Books Collection Set - Young Adult - Paperback

Titles in This Set
The Gilded Ones
The Merciless Ones

Details
Condition: Brand New
Format: Paperback
Publisher: Ember
Age Range: Ages 12-18 (Grades 7-12)

Overview
This two-book paperback set collects the first two installments of Namina Forna's West African-inspired young adult fantasy series, following Deka, a girl whose gold blood marks her as impure in a rigidly patriarchal society. In The Gilded Ones, Deka is forced from her village and joins an army of girls like her, uncovering deadly secrets about her power and her world. The Merciless Ones, an instant New York Times bestseller, continues the story as war engulfs Otera and Deka must decide how far she'll go to save it. Together, these books deliver fierce heroines and high-stakes rebellion.

About the Books
Namina Forna's Gilded Ones series opens with a brutal premise: in the empire of Otera, girls undergo a blood ceremony at sixteen, and any whose blood runs gold instead of red is declared impure and sentenced to death. When Deka's blood runs gold, she is spared only to be conscripted into an army of girls exactly like her, trained as warriors to fight monstrous deathshrieks. The Gilded Ones follows Deka's transformation from a frightened outsider into someone who questions everything she's been taught about purity, gender, and power, uncovering truths that could topple Otera's religious order. The Merciless Ones picks up as the empire fractures under the weight of war and a dangerous new threat emerges. Alliances shift, old enemies become uneasy allies, and Deka's abilities continue to grow, forcing her to reckon with what kind of leader she wants to become. Both novels combine fast-paced action with a thoughtful look at oppression, found family, and the cost of defiance, set against a richly imagined backdrop rarely seen in mainstream fantasy.

Key Benefits

• Collects the first two books in Namina Forna's acclaimed Gilded Ones series in one paperback set
• Features Deka, a fierce and complex heroine navigating identity, power, and rebellion
• Includes The Merciless Ones, an instant New York Times bestseller
• Rich West African-inspired world-building rarely seen in mainstream YA fantasy
• Perfect gift for teen and young adult fantasy readers who love strong heroines
• Great addition to a classroom library, home shelf, or summer reading stack

Book-by-Book Guide
The Gilded Ones — Sixteen-year-old Deka is condemned when her blood runs gold, and she must survive an army built from girls just like her.
The Merciless Ones — With war spreading across Otera, Deka's growing powers and shifting loyalties are tested as she fights to save an empire that once tried to destroy her.

About the Author
Namina Forna is a Sierra Leonean American author and screenwriter born in Freetown, Sierra Leone, before moving to the United States as a child. She studied at Spelman College and earned an MFA in screenwriting from the USC School of Cinematic Arts. Drawing on West African history and mythology, Forna created the Gilded Ones series, which became an instant bestseller and has been praised for its bold reimagining of feminist fantasy. She lives in Los Angeles, where she continues to write for both page and screen.

Why You'll Love This Collection
Perfect for teens who love fierce heroines and richly built worlds, this set makes a fantastic birthday gift, holiday present, or summer reading pick. Fans of immersive, character-driven fantasy will race through Deka's journey from outcast to warrior across both installments.

Please Note: This is the UK edition with the ISBN as listed; the cover may vary slightly from the image shown.