2.18k reviews for:

O Beijo do Vencedor

Marie Rutkoski

4.18 AVERAGE


Such a grand conclusion to a grand trilogy. One of the best trilogy for sure.

I adore how every character in here just seems to be morally gray in terms of their beliefs and characteristics. They all have their own motives that resonates with their characters from the start of these trilogy until the end. It's beautiful in a way that my heart rip apart that I'm leaving them all.

We get to see Arin being the best war leader ever?! The writings about war just shook me to the core. I love love love the fights that he leads and his smart brain. Wow, he's definitely death. I kinda have some guess that he wouldn't kill the general which dun dun I don't know but I'm glad he did what he did. The last war act of him is so full of thoughtfulness and heroic and strong and courageous and there's no words to describe Arin of Herran fully.

Don't get me started on Kestrel! She is such a queen in her own way. Her conflicts is a thing where I know most of us can relate to. The yearning of her father's love clashes with her own is close to our hearts because we could see the struggles that she had to endure. Definitely one of my favourite female character.

The side characters makes up this story too. It wouldn't be the same without any of them, especially Roshar. I do love his weird and self proclaimed antics. They all were top notch in the way where they all have a place in the story.

truly love :
• Kestrel
• Arin, although he's a bit whiny on the side when it comes to Kestrel but eh-
• the amazing storyline
• the gorgeous writing
• Arin & Kestrel love
• the political aspect
• the bond between a daughter and her father
• the forgiveness and strength in war for both sides
• the friendship
• grey eyes heheh
• heartbroken and betrayal

I'm smiling as I wrote this to say that this trilogy is a gift for the literary world. Please, don't hesitate to read it. It would change your life.

A great end to the series. Made me cry in several places. The ending (mostly) concluded in a satisfactory manner, and I was so happy I read this series. Thumbs up!

This was such a very good series conclusion for me. [a:Marie Rutkoski|1238111|Marie Rutkoski|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1393378883p2/1238111.jpg] really did a good job on this one.

Let me discuss the ways I would look at a series conclusion:

1. Character Development. - Did the characters grow/change/evolved towards the series?

Kestrel and Arin has both gone through so much and it was very evident in the way they looked at things during this last book. Kestrel has to overcome her father issues and is now bolder and stronger than before. She, at some point, also came to terms with her feelings and opened up more with Arin. During the first two books, it was always Arin who was vocal/showy with affections, so it was really satisfying that Kestrel was now reciprocating. On Arin's end - he who kept believing he is blessed by the god of death and is on a killing spree. But towards the end, he chose forgiveness and redemption, rather than revenge. At some point, he lost that guilt when killing, so it was really impressive how he behaved towards the end.

2. How the villain met his doom. - A good story needs a good villain, and the way the protagonists triumph over the villain must be epic. We all know our heroes will win in the end, it's thrilling to see how they do.

There is a fantastic chapter where Rutkoski's talent in storytelling really shone. The 'final battle' was written in dual POV as Kestrel and Arin both fought their own enemies. It was fantastic. That chapter kept me on the edge. SO GOOD.
SpoilerGambling and poison -- how very Kestrel


3. Closure - There must be a finality; questions must be answered; quests must be done.

I was truly rooting for Arin and Kestrel in the end, just living in peace and away from all the politics. But alas, we didn't get that. I still think that the ending was really good. I was smiling all throughout those last pages, and my heart is just happy and giddy. And it was super nice to see Arin and Kestrel going back to basics at the end. Like they can be happy and in love, and life is simple. And I think not everyone will agree with me, but I find the ending with the general very fitting.
SpoilerFor the general to lose his arm, means he won't be able to fight anymore. And he had to live with the guilt of everything he has done. Death would have been the easier route - but it's not what he deserved. But whether him and Kestrel reconciles, Rutkoski leaves it up to our imagination.


I think the only criticism I have is that the minor characters didn't get to shine that much: Risha, Verex, Sarsine and even the Queen. I guess the major focus is just on Kestrel and Arin. Nevertheless, I loved it - the mind games, the strategy, the drama, the friendship, and the love.

I definitely recommend this series. READ THIS ALL OF YOU!!!!!

4.5 Chef’s Kiss stars

Who was I kidding? I totally finished the pack of chips. Okay to get that random reference, please see my review of book two. Basically I dove straight into this book after the last one because holy cliffhanger, Batman! Anyway, last books in series can be tricky because they have the potential to make or break the entire thing, and so I was understandably apprehensive. Happy to report that I was extremely satisfied with what I found. Both the romance and the action reached a crescendo in this installment and I was here for it.

We are so used to seeing physically formidable heroines in YA fantasy, but I cannot stress enough how wonderful it is to see someone like Kestrel who relies primarily on her smarts and her strategic brain to win her battles, her mind her sharpest weapon. Even after all the horrors she had to face. It also helps that she won’t hesitate to make some hard choices along the way. It’s even more heartening to see her grow and learn accountability along the way, and to see that she truly understands the weight and consequences of her choices. It’s also nice to see our boy Arin get with the program, even if he’s still a sweet little Simp sometimes. His devotion to Kestrel gets me all melty when I think of it. As fascinating as they both are, Roshar might be the most interesting, and possibly my favorite character of the last two books, his layers many and inviting you to dig further. Also he’s gosh darn funny.

You can tell that a lot of research that went into this book, with the tense and complex war maneuvers the author describes in detail, as well as the implications of each strategy. Her writing is beautiful, even as she’s describing war and pain and injuries and the heavy cost of it all. Most of the book is some form of war and battle, but it neither felt slow nor rushed, and the conclusion felt satisfyingly tied up.

4,5 ⭐️

3.7 stars
This book was intense, but I expected more romance than there actually was.
Despite this, I really liked it but it was difficult to me to get through it.
There is a lot of war strategy and I love how Kestrel always helped Arin without him knowing.

Abbandonato al 53% perché forse quello che mi piaceva di più della trilogia era Gheppio. Kestrel in questo libro non è più sé stessa, e sebbene ci siano delle buone ragioni e dopo gli avvenimenti non sarebbe credibile il contrario, questo non ha tolto che per me non ci fosse più motivo di continuare. Capisco che sia un mio problema, ma la storia senza Kesterel (com'era nei precedenti libri) per me perde molto del suo fascino e impoverisce tutto il resto
adventurous challenging emotional inspiring tense fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Yes
Diverse cast of characters: Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes

Meh. It was okay. A bit too much war/strategy for me but I'm happy with how it ended.
adventurous dark medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: Plot
Diverse cast of characters: Yes