The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski [Joint Review]

5 out of 5 Robots!

  

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
Series: The Winner's Trilogy #2
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release: March 3, 2015
Hardcover:  416 Pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
My Copy: Publisher
Reviewer: Julia and Shannon

Book Summary:

Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Julia and Shannon's Thoughts:
1. Sum up your feelings in a sentence or two. 

Julia: Wow. This book gave me so much anxiety! It is intense and perfect, one of the best I tead all year. 

Shannon: I agree!  This book was giving me panic attacks.  Kestrel is in such a tight spot and you know that s**t is going to hit the fan eventually.  I basically wanted to read while covering my eyes.

2. How does this sequel compare to the first book?  Was there anything you liked better?  Anything you liked less? 

Julia: I think both books are brilliantly written. If you loved the first, you will love the second. I liked that it had me on pins and needles the entire time... I didn't like anything less.

Shannon: I think this one moves a little more slowly and intricately than the first and there is less of an emphasis on the romance between Arin and Kestrel. But I didn't like it any less than the first!  As I mentioned, having read the first book, I was kind of expecting the other shoe to drop at some point so it was much of an anxiety-ridden read for me.  It was definitely a darker read than the first as well.

3. Arin and Kestrel have a hard time coming together in this book.  How did you feel about it? 

Julia: I didn't mind because it made sense for the story. It made my heart pound out of my chest when they were together!! Nerves!! I hope they find each other in book three.

Shannon: Arin and Kestrel have almost insurmountable obstacles to overcome and it really shows.  Kestrel is in such a tight bind and barely able to stay one step ahead of the sadistic emperor.  I desperately want them to be together, but I very much appreciate that Rutkoski doesn't make it easy.

4. Besides Arin and Kestrel, who are your favorite characters?  What do you like about them? 

Julia: I am very intrigued by Verex, I want to get to know him better. I also loved Arin's surprising new friend. He is funny and sharp and offered a lot to Arin's storyline.

Shannon: Verex, the emperor's son,  is a definite new favorite of mine. Even though he seems like a push over, I think there is a lot more to him than meets his eye.  I want him to an amazing ally for Kestrel.  I really enjoyed their scenes together. 

5. Without spoilers, how do you feel about the ending? 

Julia:  I loved it!!!!!!!!!! Ahhhh!!!! Cliff hanger. 

Shannon: Dude.  Like another certain author (ahem *Maas* ahem), after reading the first book's ending, I had a feeling that the ending was going to be a killer.  I did NOT see this ending coming through.  Holy.  

6. How many stars would you give this book?  Who would you recommend it to? Julia: Five stars. Anyone who enjoys young adult has to love these books!

Shannon: Five stars!  I think Maas fans would also really enjoy these books.  They remind me of each other:  blooming out of a romance-y fantasy into a full blown complicated plot complete with treason, murder, betrayal and secrets upon secrets.  

Books in the series:

1. Winner's Curse

2. Winner's Crime

3. Untitled #3 (publication unknown) 

Disclosure:  I reviewed a copy free from the publisher in exchange for an honest review.  All thoughts and opinions are my own.

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski [Review!]

5 out of 5 Robots!

  

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Series: Winner's Curse #1
Genre: YA Fantasy
Release: March 4, 2014
Hardcover: 355 Pages
Publisher: Farrar, Straus and Giroux
My Copy: Purchased
Reviewer: Shannon and Julia
Buy the Book: Amazon

Book Summary:

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love

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.

(Courtesy of the Publisher)

Shannon and Julia's Thoughts:

1. In one sentence, tell me what you think of this book.

Shannon: Wow.  It actually lived to expectations.

Julia: This is one of the most enthralling, riveting and delicious reads of 2014 so far!

 

2. Kestrel is a strong lead character, what did you think of her actions/reactions to the situations around her? 
Shannon: What I really liked about Kestrel is that she was not "kick ass" nor was she shallow or vapid.  She can admit her weaknesses.  But she is also incredibly smart, with an eye for strategy.  I thought her reactions were realistic, which I also loved.

Julia: Shannon hit the nail on the head. Her reactions were very pragmatic and were never predictable, yet made sense for her character. I love that she is witty and logical, that she is always thinking about her next "move." A heroine that isn't perfect and embraces their weaknesses and works with them is the best kind of heroine. 

3. Is there anything that shocked you about this book, or is there anything that sets it aside from other books in this genre? 
Shannon: Well, I was surprised at the turn the book takes half way through.  I wasn't expecting that.  I also thought the book would be way more focused the romance.  And while it is there...it is a major slow burn.  It even takes a backseat (appropriately so) when other more important events are happening.  And that shocked me, actually!  That's what sets it aside 

Julia: I expected this book to focus on the "forbidden love" of the main characters, but it didn't. I'm very thankful for that! I love when plot-action takes precedence over romance... and there is so much action. This is a total page turner and there is one event after the next to keep you on your toes. And the ending shocked me, didn't see that coming...
  

4. Who is your favorite character? Who is your least favorite character? (Why!)
Shannon: I loved Kestrel.  She's smart, determined, a little proud, but caring too.  I also loved Arin who is her match in every way.  My least favorite character was the slave auctioneer.  He was a total skeeve.

Julia: Kestrel is also my favorite character. She's just a very strong, likeable character. I honestly didn't like her father, the slave auctioneer and her best friend. They're all on the same level for me. They just all either made me roll my eyes or want to throat chop them. Though without a doubt, for obvious reasons, the slave auctioneer is the ultimate skeezeball for soooo many reasons- but every good plot needs a good villain. :)
  

5. Awesome plot or not? 
Shannon: I vote awesome.  I liked the war aspects quite a lot - especially once the ish hit the fan.  I liked that Rutkoski took her time building her plot and romance, but it didn't feel boring at all.  I liked that it took a different turn than I expected.  It could have been so stereotypical YA romance, but it wasn't.

Julia: So awesome. I finished this book a week ago and I'm STILL harping on the characters and absolutely antsy for the next book. Like Shannon said, Rutkoski really takes her time building a very vivid story, letting us get to know the characters and the universe they live in while propelling the story forward. I really felt every character's emotions and this plot just kept moving... I didn't want the story to end!

6. Any opinions on the budding romance? 
Shannon: Loved it!  As I mentioned, this romance is a delicious slow burn...as it should be!  Arin is Kestrel's slave and their feelings for each other are complicated...especially at the end of the book.  But they are so well matched, so watching them spar is pretty great.  I think another author could have spent all the time focusing on the "star crossed lovers" aspect, but I liked that while the romance was at the heart of the book, it wasn't the sole focus all the time.  It made me respect the romance all that much more when the characters were capable to caring about something besides each other.

Julia: There is so much tension and things left unsaid between Arin and Kestrel... it's like you're really thirsty and the water is RIGHT THERE OUT OF REACH! This woman knows how to tease her readers, haha. It is very sweet watching them evolve from acquaintances to best friends and then realizing their feelings for each other.

7. Last thoughts.

Shannon: I think everyone should give this book a try.  Now, I don't think everyone will love it.  It is admittedly, a bit slow and a bit of a character study at times.  The world building, while perfect for me (I like some, but not a lot of details...I prefer to get more of a "feeling" for the setting than the technical aspects), may frustrate some people.  But I think everyone should give it a read because they may love it as much as I did!

Julia: Read The Winner's Curse! It has a lot of heart, is beautifully written and the characters have wonderful chemistry. Everything Shannon said above!  

Read the first five chapters for free here 

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