Genre: Young adult/dystopyian/fantasy
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Rating: 5/5
Pages: 355
Summary: As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.
But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.
Review: I picked this book up based on the cover not going to lie (shouldn't be judging a book by its cover I know). It took me over a year too read this, I've had this on my shelf just because of its beautiful cover and I so wish I had read it sooner now! The story begins when Kestrel and her friend Jess go to the market where they happen to stumble upon a slave auction which Kestrel ends up bidding in, bidding for the slave Arin due to feeling sorry for him and for once wanting something that can be her possession. Even though she kind of forgets hes at the house to begin with until one day she seeks comfort and friendship in him even though its forbidden..
The romance was something I had never felt so connected too before and so many emotions were going on it was unreal. I loved it! I wanted more and more. Obviously Kestrel is of Valorian heritage who are in charge of the city that was once Herrani before they destroyed them and killed half of their people and made the rest into slaves, which is what Arin is, so of course we have a starcrossed lovers thing going on. It was a bit like Romeo and Juliet but set in a new world with war and politics going on. All the way through the book I just kept rooting for them so much. I look forward to the second one. (the ending your in for a big shocker)
The characters were well developed. I felt throughout the book we saw both Arin and Kestrel growing and becoming stronger characters towards the end. I loved how Kestrel wasn't a badass that kicked butt but was super clever instead and used her brains and strategies when it came to battles.
Overall I recommend this for everyone to read and if you do have this on your shelf please do not leave it for a year to read it, this book is so much more then you think its going to be. While there is a romance going on there is also a big war in the middle of it which just makes it that much more exciting. Whos side are you on Valorians or the Herranis?
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