The Gilded Ones

 

The Gilded Ones by Namina Forna YA

(from Amazon)

Sixteen-year-old Deka lives in fear and anticipation of the blood ceremony that will determine whether she will become a member of her village. Already different from everyone else because of her unnatural intuition, Deka prays for red blood so she can finally feel like she belongs.  But on the day of the ceremony, her blood runs gold, the color of impurity–and Deka knows she will face a consequence worse than death.  Then a mysterious woman comes to her with a choice: stay in the village and submit to her fate, or leave to fight for the emperor in an army of girls just like her. They are called alaki–near-immortals with rare gifts. And they are the only ones who can stop the empire's greatest threat.  Knowing the dangers that lie ahead yet yearning for acceptance, Deka decides to leave the only life she's ever known. But as she journeys to the capital to train for the biggest battle of her life, she will discover that the great walled city holds many surprises. Nothing and no one are quite what they seem to be–not even Deka herself.

(My Review)

In this fantasy novel, Deka is a gilded one, meaning that her blood runs gold, which a sign of impurity.  She is sent to train in army of girls like herself.  She soon learns more is not as it seems.  She soon learns secrets about herself, that explains why she has unnatural intuition.  I loved this kind of story where character discovers things about themselves.