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 has 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'll keep your head or lose your heart
Hey, YA, want to get some other covers besides girls in fancy dresses? No? Okay then.
Besides the typical girl-in-a-prom-dress cover, I really liked this book. (Note: the font and the fact that Kestrel has a dagger make this cover not-the-worst but it would be nice if there could be a bit more variety in our YA cover.)
I've loved fantasy since I was a kid, and this had the added bonus of having a society a la Spartacus or Gladiator (meaning Romanesque). And of course the ruling society is oppressive to those they've conquered, so rebellion is afoot.
All in all, exactly my kind of novel, so I cruised through this one.
Characters: I really liked the characters here and how they grew as the story progressed. Arin and Kestrel especially had to face what their relationship meant when they were from two very opposing cultures. This was well done and neither of them got easy solutions to their questions. I mean, how can you fall in love with someone who literally owned you? And how can you love someone dedicated to destroying your society?
The side characters were also compelling and I would love to have Jess as a best friend. Yay for realistic relationships!
Plot: Cruel ruling class, rebellion, love; what's not to like? I wouldn't say there were any major twists here, but this is part of a trilogy so the end definitely leaves room for future conflict. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book.
Overall: For me, this was a super enjoyable read. The writing was beautiful and the characters were interesting and likable. Waiting for the library to get me the second book because I needed it yesterday. (Actually like two weeks ago when I read this book, but who is keeping track?)
I've only knocked down a star because Arin, you need to act like a slave. Dude, I know that it is absolutely horrible but if you don't act someone is going to get suspicious of you. There were a few other things that seemed a tad far-fetched.
4/5
Hey, YA, want to get some other covers besides girls in fancy dresses? No? Okay then.
Besides the typical girl-in-a-prom-dress cover, I really liked this book. (Note: the font and the fact that Kestrel has a dagger make this cover not-the-worst but it would be nice if there could be a bit more variety in our YA cover.)
I've loved fantasy since I was a kid, and this had the added bonus of having a society a la Spartacus or Gladiator (meaning Romanesque). And of course the ruling society is oppressive to those they've conquered, so rebellion is afoot.
All in all, exactly my kind of novel, so I cruised through this one.
Characters: I really liked the characters here and how they grew as the story progressed. Arin and Kestrel especially had to face what their relationship meant when they were from two very opposing cultures. This was well done and neither of them got easy solutions to their questions. I mean, how can you fall in love with someone who literally owned you? And how can you love someone dedicated to destroying your society?
The side characters were also compelling and I would love to have Jess as a best friend. Yay for realistic relationships!
Plot: Cruel ruling class, rebellion, love; what's not to like? I wouldn't say there were any major twists here, but this is part of a trilogy so the end definitely leaves room for future conflict. I can't wait to get my hands on the second book.
Overall: For me, this was a super enjoyable read. The writing was beautiful and the characters were interesting and likable. Waiting for the library to get me the second book because I needed it yesterday. (Actually like two weeks ago when I read this book, but who is keeping track?)
I've only knocked down a star because Arin, you need to act like a slave. Dude, I know that it is absolutely horrible but if you don't act someone is going to get suspicious of you. There were a few other things that seemed a tad far-fetched.
4/5
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