The Gilded Ones

Deka, 16, is terrified and anxiously awaiting the blood ritual that will decide whether or not she is accepted into her community. Deka, who already stands out from the others due to her unusual sense, begs for red blood in order to feel like she belongs.

However, Deka's blood becomes gold on the day of the ceremony—the colour of impurity—and she knows that she will suffer a fate worse than death.

Then an enigmatic lady approaches her, offering her the option to either fight for the emperor in an army of girls who are exactly like her, or leave the hamlet and accept her destiny. Their name means "near-immortals with rare gifts," or "alaki." And they alone are capable of neutralising the biggest danger facing the empire.

Deka makes the decision to leave the only life she has ever known, knowing the risks that lay ahead but yet wanting acceptance. But she will find the enormous walled city full of surprises when she travels to the capital to prepare for the greatest war of her life. Nobody, not even Deka, is exactly who or what they appear to be.