The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1) in The Reader's Lounge

Mar 29, 2014 Glass rated it really liked it

Shelves: girl-power, buddy-read-with-tanja-and-emma

Review posted at Ja čitam, a ti?

Tanja: At last! You've all heard and probably read this book by now but as you can see it took us some time to finally follow your steps. But here we are now. You know how they say, better late than never. Glass, would you like to start our discussion?

Glass: I have to admit that I got scared after reading few negative reviews last year, but also because of all hype that followed The Winner's Curse, so I decided to leave it on my TBR pile for a little bit longer. I ...more

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Mar 03, 2014 Jasprit rated it really liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: ya, romance, fantasy, read-in-2014

“My Soul is yours”... “You know that it is”

After reading several glowing reviews for this book I was expecting to read a gorgeous story, normally when I have high expectations going into a book, the book never usually lives up to them. So I was glad for once that The Winner’s Curse delivered everything I was hoping and so much more.

Rutkoski really outdone herself in creating such a complex and elegant world in The Winner’s Curse, there was enough detail to make this world truly believable, but “My Soul is yours”... “You know that it is”

After reading several glowing reviews for this book I was expecting to read a gorgeous story, normally when I have high expectations going into a book, the book never usually lives up to them. So I was glad for once that The Winner’s Curse delivered everything I was hoping and so much more.

Rutkoski really outdone herself in creating such a complex and elegant world in The Winner’s Curse, there was enough detail to make this world truly believable, but also not so much to overwhelm you with too much detail. We are first introduced to our two main characters Arin and Kestrel at an auction. Arin is the slave up for action and Kestrel not intending to make a purchase ends up leaving with a slave worth more than the money in her purse. Not that money is an issue, being the General Trajan’s daughter. But Arin is a blacksmith (rare to find these days) so she knows despite her outrageous bid, her father shouldn’t be too displeased with her buy. With this significant divide (Arin being the slave and Kestrel his owner, you would think that this would be reason enough for these two characters to loathe one another, but Arin was a Herrani and Kestrel a Valorian and the bad history could be dated back to ages ago. The last war had given the Valorian control, but the grudge between the two had not been easily forgotten. However this is one of the reasons that I adored Kestrel, despite being the general’s daughter, she wasn’t quick to take her place that was required by her (be married or join the military) she was never a good fighter, she knew the stuff she needed if anything ever happened, but she preferred playing her piano and underneath her beauty she really was an intelligent individual. Intelligent that she didn’t make judgements about Arin, or even listen to the gossip, that was going on about her.

The interactions between Arin and Kestrel were slow but steady going, but I truly appreciated the way Rutkoski weaved their relationship into the story. Both Arin and Kestrel weren’t immediately trustworthy with each other and their feelings didn’t appear immediately, but appeared to bloom slowly like a flower until it was tugging at my heart strings. But for some reason at the beginning I wasn’t a huge fan of this relationship, this may have been largely because I sort of viewed Arin as a boy, he was two years older than Kestrel, but some of his actions hadn’t really had me convinced that he was mature enough. I don’t even think that is the right word. But after one of the major things that happened halfway through which forced Arin to behave differently, this character which came through some may not have liked, but I liked the growth that he went through. For me he truly went on and became the man I was hoping he would be from the beginning.

The Winner’s Curse overall was a gorgeous read, but I much preferred the second half, there was more chaos, destruction, secrets, heartbreak and scheming going on. Rutkoski really knew how to mix this up really well, despite so much going on, I found myself fully invested in this story. Also like Kestrel I found myself torn about how I wanted things to go, it was so hard with some of the decisions she had to make (at points she reminded me of Celaena and what she had to deal with in Crown of Midnight). There was also lot of heart crushing in the second half, but this did definitely help me form a strong emotional attachment with the characters. Overall The Winner’s Curse was an absolutely gorgeous read, Rutkoski covered so many different elements that it’s a sure book that would appeal to all kinds of readers. I will be eagerly awaiting the next book and what Rutkoski will put us through next.

This review can be found on The Readers Den ...more

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Aug 28, 2013 Pili rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

The Winner's Curse was another one of those hype books that turned right for me, as These Broken Stars was. I had read so many fantastic reviews for this one from fellow book lovers and bloggers that I trust that I knew I was going to like it, but there's always that little voice in the back of your head going "what if I you expect so much of this book that it can't live to those kind of expectations".

Well, thankfully it did! I loved this book to pieces, even if it was a big rollercoaster of emo The Winner's Curse was another one of those hype books that turned right for me, as These Broken Stars was. I had read so many fantastic reviews for this one from fellow book lovers and bloggers that I trust that I knew I was going to like it, but there's always that little voice in the back of your head going "what if I you expect so much of this book that it can't live to those kind of expectations".

Well, thankfully it did! I loved this book to pieces, even if it was a big rollercoaster of emotions and it broke my heart more than once! I loved the writing, the characters, the world and loved & hated the romance. I will try to keep my review as spoiler free as possible, but be warned that from now on I might or might not comment on things some of you rather not know about the book.

If I had to define the genre for The Winner's Curse I'd say is fantasy with historical fiction touches. As a history buff and lover of all things Ancient Greece and Rome, I felt that there were so many bits and pieces that reminded me of them, and those made me love the story and world building even more! Conquest, Empire, assimilation of conquered lands customs & gods, military progress, slaves... everything seemed familiar, but it is weaved in a way that creates its own world. i was very much fascinated with the world building, full of details but that never stumped the plot narrative.

As for the plot, it progresses in a way that gives us loads of world building and character growth and progression, without never really losing sight of the main plot point. At first you might not suspect what's going on, but early on you can see hints and begin to wonder how there was no more suspicion when events started piling up, but it can be atributed to the winner's mentality, thinking that you've broken the conquered thoroughly.

Krestel is a fantastic character, and has become one of my favourite heroines. She lives a life of privilegue but still is a nonconformist. She keeps trying to be true to herself and tries very hard to find a way to be herself without disappointing her only family, her father. But when your father is a Valorian general and national hero, there are very many expectations on you, and those don't sit well with Krestel. She doesn't want a military career, she loves her music and she wants to be able to choose her own destiny. She's got a sharp mind, very strategic and she also has a big sense of loyalty for family and friends. Seeing her being challenged by Arin on some of her convictions and abilities and grow stronger for it was great.

Arin, oh dear. Arin is a complex character. A slave that has never forgotten who he was before the war and that has not sat and accepted his fate, not without fighting. He has a mission but he doesn't expect getting some of his preconceptions shaken up, and he really doesn't foresee respecting and caring for a Valorian. His choices become even tougher then, but he was a fantastic character through and through.

The romance, ah the romance! For a self-declared not-a-big-fan-of-romance this one totally captured my heart! I will not say much about it except that it's fantastic, subtle, intense and very much heartbreaking!

This was one fantastic book, has become one of my absolute favourites of the year and I'm dying to get my hands on the sequel! Very much deserved 5 stars!! ...more

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Jul 24, 2014 Emma rated it really liked it · review of another edition

I remember reading my first review of this on what was once Realm of Fiction and I couldn't wait to read it. So I waited along with Glass and Tanja, let the hype pass, so I read it last month. Whilst I was a slow reader with this, it didn't disappoint.

A lady in a society is destined to either fight in the army or become married at the age of seventeen. However, Kestrel, a daughter of the general doesn't want to be anything like that, she wants to play and write music through her piano, fall in I remember reading my first review of this on what was once Realm of Fiction and I couldn't wait to read it. So I waited along with Glass and Tanja, let the hype pass, so I read it last month. Whilst I was a slow reader with this, it didn't disappoint.

A lady in a society is destined to either fight in the army or become married at the age of seventeen. However, Kestrel, a daughter of the general doesn't want to be anything like that, she wants to play and write music through her piano, fall in love like any lady can. One day in an auction market she finds herself stunned and shocked in place by bidding on a slave named Arin, with those penetrating grey eyes and he can sing. But he conveniently was placed in the most powerful household in the empire...I think not. But it could be pure chance against the Gods. The plotline for me was a refreshing and intriguing twist to most fantasy books I've read. The mystery of the book really begun from the beauty that is the cover. It's what mislead me from the beginning in a good and surprising way.

Historical YA fiction isn't a genre I'm usually a kin to reading but if it's anything like Throne of Glass series (which I need to catch up on) and the Grisha series, which I too did buddy read with Glass and Tanja, see the similar novels. lol. Then I'm sold. The writing from page 1 is just sensational, it was written with ease and so easy to connect with. The images, castles, gowns, swirling in your head. Although, you know when you have certain fantasy or historical books, with page after page of description, that bores me. A balance is what you need in a YA and if it's done right it's done too perfection. What I enjoyed the most was how my feelings for the book and the characters intensified throughout.

In every book should be a leading character, combining that with a strong female character and you've got a bestselling hit. Kestrel is that leading lady, everything surrounds her rather than everything consuming her. She is in charge of the book and dominates it. When she want's to have her way, she isn't afraid of getting, which I connected to most about her. However, I felt that romantically I rather liked Ronan, he seemed to genuinely like her, they grew up together and his sister is Kestrel's best friend/sister. What could be better? Now Arin, although he seem's like a big hit with everyone, I found I was drawn to him in the first part, then it dwindled in the second. I guess we'll have to see where it goes in The Winner's Crime!

The Winner's Curse, is a sensational start to what I hope to be a promising series. Filled with mystery, beauty and strong herions, this is a brilliant novel from a debut writer.

Rating - 4.5

This review can also be found on my blog ...more

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