Books by Namina Forna
The Merciless Ones
by Namina Forna
Want to start at the beginning of the series? The first book, The Gilded Ones, made our best books for teens 2021 list.
It was picked by Efua Traoré in our interview on the Best West African Fantasy Books for Teenagers.
The Gilded Ones (book 2). West African-inspired fantasy in which a young woman becomes a powerful warrior and fights against oppression. Age 13+
The Gilded Ones
by Namina Forna
Let’s get this out of the way first: this book is not for squeamish readers. It is violent. Now then, The Gilded Ones is a fabulous epic fantasy set in a West African-inspired world. When Deka turns sixteen, she has to prove her purity in a ritual. All she wants is to obey the Infinite wisdoms and start to wear a beautiful mask like other women in Otera. To her horror, when she is cut her blood runs not red but gold: she is a demon. Deka’s superpowers – strength, speed and a body that heals itself after injury – are not considered gifts in Otera’s extremely patriarchal society; her own father disowns her as a monster when she fails the purity test. Deka has the body of a warrior, but in her own mind can she overcome the emotional violence inflicted upon her and fight back? The Gilded Ones is the first book in a projected trilogy.
Interviews where books by Namina Forna were recommended
Best West African Fantasy Books for Teenagers, recommended by Efua Traoré
Fantasy inspired by West Africa is taking the literary scene for teens and young adults by storm. These books have strong world-building and all the usual fantasy ingredients. At the same time, drawing on rich seams of mythology and magical traditions such as juju, they bring something fresh to the genre. Author Efua Traoré talks us through her pick of West African fantasy novels for teenagers.
