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A review by kjanie
The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
5.0
RE-READ: May 2018
4.5/5 stars
I forgot how much I loved this book! This was one of the first books that really got me hooked on reading, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. That doesn't mean I wasn't worried when I did this re-read, because I was so scared that it wouldn't live up to my memory of it. I'm so glad that I loved this book just as much this time and was just as invested in the story. Kestrel is still my favourite heroine of all time, even though she's strong to a fault. I just think she is so intelligent, cunning and unbelievably strong, even if that means I want to shake her sometimes. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still so addicted to this book and my heart was still racing like crazy, as if this was the first time I read it. All of the scenes with Kestrel and Arin just brought all the emotions that I have for them flooding back. It was intense.
Kestrel is a general’s daughter living in a nation that they conquered and will aim to keep at all cost. As a Valorian women, she has two choices: join the military or get married, but Kestrel doesn't want either, Ketsrel want to play music. Her passion for music is the reason why she bought a Herrani slave, Arin, at the slave auctions. She was told that he could sing, but when she brought him back to their estate she found that she quickly became friends with Arin. Despite her growing love for Arin, she has no ideas of the secrets that he harbours. In reality, Arin is apart of the Herrani uprising, tasked to watch over Kestrel and the general, in order to be ready to strike an any moment.
I love Kestrel so much and I reckon I always will. She is by far my favourite female heroine, regardless of her flaws. Kestrel is the definition of a strong female lead in my mind. Unlike many YA fantasy heroines, she is not physically strong or capable of great fighting, but instead it his her strength of mind and unbelievable wit that makes her so compelling. Her scheming and tactics were fantastic to read, and I know from experience that she only gets better as the series goes on. She can seemingly get herself out of any situation through her intelligence alone. She is also a very determined character which I admire greatly. It's her pride, however, that seems to be her downfall and her unwillingness to communicate with others. I think her flaws only make me appreciative her more, because she is more realistic in her imperfections. If you're looking for a powerful, inspiring female character in a fantasy, I would definitely recommend this book.
I feel like I can't even begin to explain how much I love Arin and Kestrel together. Much like Kestrel, Arin is unbelievably strong and smart. Even though he is her slave, he won't back down from his opinion or his beliefs. What I loved most is that the romance wasn't cliche or cheesy at all. There was no over-the-top falling in love or love at first sight, but instead it was complex and very bittersweet. Neither of them wanted to love the other, but it seemed like they couldn't help it. I absolutely adored the scenes in which they were together, especially in the first half of the book, because I could see how perfect they were for each other. We do get some very sweet moments, but a lot of it was bitter. Both Arin and Kestrel are prideful and from warring nations, neither of them willing to give up their lives for each other. That's why their romance brought me so much pain.
No joke, even now as I'm writing this review I feel my gut clenching because I am so invested in their romance. This is an aspect of the book that I couldn't get enough of, even though this was my second time reading it. To be honest, this book just brought me a lot of intense emotions. I was so captivated by the plot and the characters, so I was just so conflicted throughout the book. This time reading it, I was also influenced by what happens in later books so I felt even more emotionally anguished because I knew what was to come. I know that I love this book so much because of these crazy feelings that it makes me experience. The was never a dull moment when I was reading or when I think back to it.
I also really loved the setting of this book. I love historical books and I enjoy fantasy, so this historical fantasy setting was obviously perfect. I found the politics and drama between the high society immensely entreating, as I do with books from the eighteenth century and earlier. I especially loved reading about Kestrel navigating herself around the societal rules and the acceptable ways to behave, particularly through her subtle defiances. I also liked reading about the difference between the Herrani and the Valorian. The Valorian were a military people who were prideful, strong and determined. The Herrani focused more on the trade, beauty and song, but were equally strong in spirit. I found the world of this book immensely interesting, even though the characters and relationships are the major driving force of the story.
August 2014:
This is an absolutely amazing story, to all the haters: ARE WE READING THE SAME BOOK? This is one amazing book, I can't wait to read the next one
4.5/5 stars
“The Winner’s Curse is when you come out on top of the bid, but only by paying a steep price.”
I forgot how much I loved this book! This was one of the first books that really got me hooked on reading, so it will always hold a special place in my heart. That doesn't mean I wasn't worried when I did this re-read, because I was so scared that it wouldn't live up to my memory of it. I'm so glad that I loved this book just as much this time and was just as invested in the story. Kestrel is still my favourite heroine of all time, even though she's strong to a fault. I just think she is so intelligent, cunning and unbelievably strong, even if that means I want to shake her sometimes. Even though I knew what was going to happen, I was still so addicted to this book and my heart was still racing like crazy, as if this was the first time I read it. All of the scenes with Kestrel and Arin just brought all the emotions that I have for them flooding back. It was intense.
Kestrel is a general’s daughter living in a nation that they conquered and will aim to keep at all cost. As a Valorian women, she has two choices: join the military or get married, but Kestrel doesn't want either, Ketsrel want to play music. Her passion for music is the reason why she bought a Herrani slave, Arin, at the slave auctions. She was told that he could sing, but when she brought him back to their estate she found that she quickly became friends with Arin. Despite her growing love for Arin, she has no ideas of the secrets that he harbours. In reality, Arin is apart of the Herrani uprising, tasked to watch over Kestrel and the general, in order to be ready to strike an any moment.
“Then she reminded herself bitterly that this was what curiosity had bought her: fifty keystones for a singer who refused to sing, a friend who wasn’t her friend, someone who was hers and yet would never be hers.”
I love Kestrel so much and I reckon I always will. She is by far my favourite female heroine, regardless of her flaws. Kestrel is the definition of a strong female lead in my mind. Unlike many YA fantasy heroines, she is not physically strong or capable of great fighting, but instead it his her strength of mind and unbelievable wit that makes her so compelling. Her scheming and tactics were fantastic to read, and I know from experience that she only gets better as the series goes on. She can seemingly get herself out of any situation through her intelligence alone. She is also a very determined character which I admire greatly. It's her pride, however, that seems to be her downfall and her unwillingness to communicate with others. I think her flaws only make me appreciative her more, because she is more realistic in her imperfections. If you're looking for a powerful, inspiring female character in a fantasy, I would definitely recommend this book.
I feel like I can't even begin to explain how much I love Arin and Kestrel together. Much like Kestrel, Arin is unbelievably strong and smart. Even though he is her slave, he won't back down from his opinion or his beliefs. What I loved most is that the romance wasn't cliche or cheesy at all. There was no over-the-top falling in love or love at first sight, but instead it was complex and very bittersweet. Neither of them wanted to love the other, but it seemed like they couldn't help it. I absolutely adored the scenes in which they were together, especially in the first half of the book, because I could see how perfect they were for each other. We do get some very sweet moments, but a lot of it was bitter. Both Arin and Kestrel are prideful and from warring nations, neither of them willing to give up their lives for each other. That's why their romance brought me so much pain.
No joke, even now as I'm writing this review I feel my gut clenching because I am so invested in their romance. This is an aspect of the book that I couldn't get enough of, even though this was my second time reading it. To be honest, this book just brought me a lot of intense emotions. I was so captivated by the plot and the characters, so I was just so conflicted throughout the book. This time reading it, I was also influenced by what happens in later books so I felt even more emotionally anguished because I knew what was to come. I know that I love this book so much because of these crazy feelings that it makes me experience. The was never a dull moment when I was reading or when I think back to it.
I also really loved the setting of this book. I love historical books and I enjoy fantasy, so this historical fantasy setting was obviously perfect. I found the politics and drama between the high society immensely entreating, as I do with books from the eighteenth century and earlier. I especially loved reading about Kestrel navigating herself around the societal rules and the acceptable ways to behave, particularly through her subtle defiances. I also liked reading about the difference between the Herrani and the Valorian. The Valorian were a military people who were prideful, strong and determined. The Herrani focused more on the trade, beauty and song, but were equally strong in spirit. I found the world of this book immensely interesting, even though the characters and relationships are the major driving force of the story.
"My soul is yours. You know that it is."
August 2014:
This is an absolutely amazing story, to all the haters: ARE WE READING THE SAME BOOK? This is one amazing book, I can't wait to read the next one