February 13, 2014

Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Hardcover, 368 pages
Expected publication: March 4th 2014 by Farrar Straus Giroux

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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 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.







Okay, so I have a confession to make. I actually read this book August of 2013. For a while there I put off writing my review because I wanted to post it closer to publication. Then it was that I just did not know how to tell you all how much I love this story and how bad I want the entire world to read it and rave about it as much as I do.

WARNING: This review will probably jump a lot, and make absolutely no sense. I just feel so passionate about this book that I have so much to say.

Let’s begin with world building

I absolutely loved how easy everything weaved together. From page one until the very end it all just made sense. It fit together perfectly. The world is nothing you’ve read before.

The main characters Kestrel & Arin

I absolutely loved Kestrel. We're always talking about how we love kick-ass females in books and how we need more of them. Well, look no further. She was smart, brave, and fearless, all the while wearing her dresses and carrying herself like a lady. Her father trained her well.

Arin, Arin, Arin… where do I start? Everything about him is a mystery. Even the little conversations that he shares with Kestrel are so mysterious. I wanted to get to know him. I needed to get to know him.

The Romance

The romance takes a back burner more than half of the book. It’s not at all the main focus of the story and I am one hundred percent okay with that. I loved that the author gives readers the chance to get a feel for her characters and the world she has created. I read so much romance, but I can honestly say that my favorite type of romance in a novel is like the one in The Winner’s Curse. It’s the one that slowly develops and takes you by surprise filling you with so many different emotions making you blush and say “AWE” out loud. I love it!

Twist and Turns

Plenty. You will not be bored.

Action

HECK YEAH! It’s lacking NOTHING!

Sequel

Another HECK YEAH! I cannot get enough of Kestrel and her world. I want more!

Some of my favorite quotes…

Quote #1: “You are terrifying. Gods help me if I cross you, Kestrel.”

Quote #2: “The God of lies must love you, you see things so clearly.”


THIS IS A MUST READ! I cannot wait to own an actual finished copy and have the beauty in my collection of books.


BOOK TRAILER:




You can read the first 5 chapters HERE.










5 comments:

  1. Awesome review! This is one of the book I'm most anticipating this year and your review just amps my excitement! :)
    Thank you for sharing xoxox

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  2. Great review and this book was amazing :) waits for the next book

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  3. YAY! I wanted to read this because of that gorgeous cover, and now (after this review) I REALLY want to read this! :D

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  4. This sounds like it has a perfect balance of everything - and I love those quotes!!

    Thank you for such a lovely review!! :)

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  5. I borrowed an ARC of this book from someone and have been on the fence on if I wanted to read it that much! I trust your reviews and your opinion on books and so far you have not steered me in the wrong direction so I will have to pick this up and read it!!

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