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The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy, #2)

Marie Rutkoski

Start date: August 1, 2016

Finish date: August 31, 2016

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the series in progress BOTM
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Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
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What Members Thought

Jun 22, 2014 Renuka rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites, young-adult, fantasy, adventure, romance, cliff-hangers, diff-pov, reviewed, what-just-happened, fav-couples

The Winner's Curse was one of my favorites novels of last year. The painful forbidden romance that arose between Kestrel and Arin was riveting, and the cliffhanger that the first book ended on was awful and brilliant.

HahahAHAHAHA. Silly past-me. I had no idea what book two was going to hold. It blew book one out of the water. This book was intense. The setting changed. The players changed. The game changed. And both Arin and Kestrel had to fight to adapt in their new environment.

The capitol is t The Winner's Curse was one of my favorites novels of last year. The painful forbidden romance that arose between Kestrel and Arin was riveting, and the cliffhanger that the first book ended on was awful and brilliant.

HahahAHAHAHA. Silly past-me. I had no idea what book two was going to hold. It blew book one out of the water. This book was intense. The setting changed. The players changed. The game changed. And both Arin and Kestrel had to fight to adapt in their new environment.

The capitol is the snake's nest and it was fascinating to see them trying to stay on top in their new situation. Kestrel is running a con, trying to juggle the emperor, her country, her father, and her love for Arin. Arin is struggling with dealing with Kestrel's engagement, and his new position as Governor of Herran. Neither of them can trust the other.

It gets better too, with the introduction of the Emperor. He is cold, calculating, shrewd, and manipulative. He is the perfect villain, and I have no doubt it will take both Arin and Kestrel to take him down. Except, with the way this book went, I am in severe doubt and pain.

The tension. The misunderstandings. It was incredible. The plot was breakneck, and although I still maintain that this book places a heavy emphasis on romance, it was woven into the other aspects. Forbidden romance is still one of my favorite things on this planet, and Kestrel and Arin embody it. They are absolutely doomed. Every second they spend together is full of unsaid things, and dramatic irony. The reader knows, but the stupid characters are too blind to see anything so we are left shouting in fear as terrible decisions unfold.

They are smart characters who make mistakes. They are flawed and too arrogant to see what is in front of them, but that is what made this book too good to put down. It was thrilling. I love both of their characters, and cannot wait to see what book three hold for them (I am sure it will be a lot of pain for both them and the reader).

The end was another cliffhanger. Marie Rutkoski seems to have mastered the art of creating tension in her writing, building it to a fever point, and then leaving the reader distressed and angry. I seriously do not think I will be able to wait a full year for the next book. I may, in fact, spontaneously combust. But if I survive to the next release date, needless to say, I will buy the book on the spot. ...more

6 likes · Like · see review

Apr 27, 2014 Desa rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: favorites, young-adult, romance, sci-fi-fantasy, series, english, read-in-2015, cover-lust, epic

I'm truly and utterly devastated. The Winner's Crime is a masterpiece but it' s also one of the most heartbreaking (and beautiful) books I've ever read and I need time to digest it all. ...more

5 likes · Like · see review

Apr 13, 2015 Lindsey Learn rated it it was amazing

Read my review of both books in this series on FickleLit.

The Winner’s Crime is not like its predecessor—it’s better. It’s much less romance and almost completely suspense and intrigue. The world and war broadens into new territories, and nothing is easy for Kestrel or Arin. It’s almost impossible to see a “happily-ever-after” for them. Between looming threats, secret identities, miscommunication, and their own pride, these two can’t catch a break. And although there is less romance, there is sti ...more

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May 11, 2014 Angie Taylor rated it it was amazing

(Oct. 2018) I think this book is so beautifully painful. The romantic, political, emotional, and familial tension throughout is a killer. One that I’ll return to again and again. Loved it!!

How can I hate something that I love so much!?!? That's what this book did to me! I hated it and loved it and then hated it again. Right now I'm so mad that I want to tear my hair out and cry big wracking sobs of sadness. Part of my soul was broken from reading this book. And I know it will only mend by readin ...more

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Mar 15, 2015 Ashley rated it it was amazing · review of another edition

Shelves: reread

Great second book. Gave me all the feels. I wanted to toss the book/ereader at the end in frustration but in a good way. Can't wait for book 3. ...more

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