The Situation: The day has come for the Ritual of Purity, and 16 year-old Deka is a little worried. She, along with all of the other of-age girls, must prove to the rest of their community that her blood is pure. All she can do is pray to Oyomo, the god of her world, that her blood will run as it should, instead of gold like an impure one. Red blood means she can return to the life she knows, one day marry, and raise a family of her own. But gold blood most likely means exile, or perhaps death. She is already seen as an outsider thanks to the dark skin that makes her look more like a Southerner, despite having lived in the Northern Province of Otera her whole life. Many already suspect that she is too different, and unfortunately for Deka, their suspicions are correct. Before the priest can even cut her to reveal her blood, Deka's village is attacked, and it is her use of a previously unknown ability that betrays her as what she really is.
The Problem: Deka's gold blood has removed her from her father, her few friends, and her village. It is only due to the kindness, and impeccable timing, of a strange woman known only as White Hands, that she is able to escape whatever cruel fate her village had in store for her. Instead, Deka is now headed to the Warthu Bera in Hemaira, where she will train as a warrior. All her life she was told that those whose blood runs golds had no future. But in Hemaira, they are trained as the best and greatest defenders against Deathshrieks, creatures that occasionally leave their nests to attack humans, and often capture young girls and women. If what happened during the Ritual of Purity is any indication, Deka may be even more useful than her new leaders know. More useful than even she knows. And in the coming months, not only will she learn more about who and what she is, but also what she can do, and the true history behind the ones who bleed gold.
Genre, Themes, History: This is a fantasy young-adult novel set in and around the land of Otera, which is Deka's home. It has been the long-held belief of its people that women have one role, and that is essentially to serve in the home and support men. At least, that is the belief of those who believe in Oyomo. This is what Deka has been raised to believe, along with the idea that girls with gold blood are abominations, demons, unnatural beings that must be harshly dealt with. The long and rich history of Deka's world, as well as how it has handled people like her, is slowly revealed as the story goes. As some questions are answered, more spring up, effectively keeping her in a state of relative confusion, as even those who clearly have the answers are not willing to give them to her. This would lead to significant feelings of loneliness and isolation if not for the friends she is able to make during her strange journey, friends that vow to never leave her side, despite their own misgivings regarding who she is and what she can do.
My Verdict: I remember when it was announced that this book was not going to come out on its original publication date, which I believe was summer 2020. So readers were made to wait until February 2021, and for many, the wait will be worth it. Forna has created an impressive and colorful world with an incredibly rich and intricate history. Lovers of fantasy will certainly enjoy being able to dive right into this one and explore a place that is probably nothing like one they have read about before. And the women, who have been raised to believe they are not worth much, even without cursed gold blood, are strong and formidable, as well as fiercely loyal to each other. With all of that being said, I am not sure the series is for me. Most of this is due to my lack of affinity for fantasy novels, and has nothing to do with Forna's writing. She has certainly crafted a well thought-out world with wonderful characters. They simply are not to my interests.
Favorite Moment: Throughout the book, White Hands is revealed to be even more than what she seems, and from her first mention, she seemed like someone not worth messing with. But every other time she shows up in the story, the reader learns something else about her that completely changes the game.
Favorite Character: I would have to choose between either White Hands, or Deka's best friend Britta. White Hands is almost a constant mystery to everyone, and certainly to Deka. Britta is pretty much as she seems: a strong and loyal friend who would do anything for those she loves.
Recommended Reading: One fantasy series I have decided to follow-through with is Tomi Adeyemi's Legacy of Orisha series, the first of which was Children of Blood and Bone.
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