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challenging
dark
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I'm just going to discuss spoilers throughout. So no warning, this review is chaulk full of spoilers.
My actual rating is somewhere in between a 3.5 to 4.0, a 3.75 perhaps?
I enjoyed the Winner's Curse and the Winner's Crime, and to say that I didn't enjoy the Winner's Kiss would be a lie. It would be accurate to say that I simply didn't enjoy it as much. That's not to say that this wasn't a good book, it clearly is, which is why I rated up. It's that it did not affect me on a personal level.
There are two ways I judge books, one is quality and the other is a personal thing, did the book suck me in, did I really care about the characters? When I was younger the second thing was very easy to achieve. Now it's way harder. It's a good thing on my wallet because I tend to buy a lot less books, but a bad thing for my reading habits because I tend to reread what I already love rather than explore new books.
It took me along time to finish reading this. Partially I blame that on school coming to a close and then just getting busy with other things, but the rest can be put on the shoulders of I simply did not care as much as I wanted to. In the Winner's Curse I cared about Kestrel and then I cared about Arin in the Winner's Crime, then came the Winner's Kiss and I walked away feeling apathetic.
It's hard to say that I disagree with Marie Rutkoski's plot decisions in this book, I do, but it's because they're not bad ones. It's not like Breaking Dawn, where Stephanie Meyer's plot choices were so ridiculous it's almost impossible to wrap your head around. Rutkoski makes some sound somewhat understandable decisions. Despite that, I simply didn't not like them.
I hated when Peeta had his memories twisted in Mockingjay, and to a lesser degree I did not like Kestrel losing her memories in this book. Perhaps it was because I had gotten upset on Arin's behalf in the last book, and I had hoped that Arin would be able to demonstrate some self-righteousness, but alas he couldn't because Kestrel does not remember what she did. I also had a problem with Arin and the God of Death plotline. I may not be nuanced enough to grasp it, but to me it served no purpose.
These are the two things that hampered me throughout my reading of this book. Despite them, it's a good finish to a good series. While it probably won't be lining my shelves any time soon, I don't regret reading it. Rutkoski did some solid writing and Kestrel and Arin are fantastic characters, especially Kestrel. I do hope to read more from her in the future.
My actual rating is somewhere in between a 3.5 to 4.0, a 3.75 perhaps?
I enjoyed the Winner's Curse and the Winner's Crime, and to say that I didn't enjoy the Winner's Kiss would be a lie. It would be accurate to say that I simply didn't enjoy it as much. That's not to say that this wasn't a good book, it clearly is, which is why I rated up. It's that it did not affect me on a personal level.
There are two ways I judge books, one is quality and the other is a personal thing, did the book suck me in, did I really care about the characters? When I was younger the second thing was very easy to achieve. Now it's way harder. It's a good thing on my wallet because I tend to buy a lot less books, but a bad thing for my reading habits because I tend to reread what I already love rather than explore new books.
It took me along time to finish reading this. Partially I blame that on school coming to a close and then just getting busy with other things, but the rest can be put on the shoulders of I simply did not care as much as I wanted to. In the Winner's Curse I cared about Kestrel and then I cared about Arin in the Winner's Crime, then came the Winner's Kiss and I walked away feeling apathetic.
It's hard to say that I disagree with Marie Rutkoski's plot decisions in this book, I do, but it's because they're not bad ones. It's not like Breaking Dawn, where Stephanie Meyer's plot choices were so ridiculous it's almost impossible to wrap your head around. Rutkoski makes some sound somewhat understandable decisions. Despite that, I simply didn't not like them.
I hated when Peeta had his memories twisted in Mockingjay, and to a lesser degree I did not like Kestrel losing her memories in this book. Perhaps it was because I had gotten upset on Arin's behalf in the last book, and I had hoped that Arin would be able to demonstrate some self-righteousness, but alas he couldn't because Kestrel does not remember what she did. I also had a problem with Arin and the God of Death plotline. I may not be nuanced enough to grasp it, but to me it served no purpose.
These are the two things that hampered me throughout my reading of this book. Despite them, it's a good finish to a good series. While it probably won't be lining my shelves any time soon, I don't regret reading it. Rutkoski did some solid writing and Kestrel and Arin are fantastic characters, especially Kestrel. I do hope to read more from her in the future.
It was Pretty good. I have always found myself admiring Kestrels battle strategy and plans. One goes round in circles thinking how would I get out of this and every time the characters surprise. It was painful to read at times when they were both thinking these things and kept being unable to express themselves which made the other hate them.
4.5 stars!
finally gathered up the courage to read the finale to this series.
the second book ended in such an abrupt way but this was just so progressive and always moving which was enjoyable!
love kestrel's toughness. her persistence. her strategies. kestrel and arin's relationship over everything they've been through. i love kestrel.
this series is just so dear to me and the conclusion was not disappointing. love!
finally gathered up the courage to read the finale to this series.
the second book ended in such an abrupt way but this was just so progressive and always moving which was enjoyable!
love kestrel's toughness. her persistence. her strategies. kestrel and arin's relationship over everything they've been through. i love kestrel.
this series is just so dear to me and the conclusion was not disappointing. love!
This book was harder for me than the other two in the series. I would almost give it a 3.5 Stars if I could.
It’s not that I didn’t like it but there was just so much war and that is just not my favorite subject. I don’t mind the war being a part of the story but it felt drawn out to me and I didn’t fly through this book like I did with the other two.
I did really enjoy the development of Kestrel and Arin’s relationship and loved that we got to see more of Roshar.
The ending was quite satisfying even if there were a few things that weren’t quite wrapped up with as much detail as I would have liked.
Recommend: 16 and up; lots of war, death, descriptive battle scenes, etc; b/b relationship; there is finally a sex scene but it is delicately written; lots of interesting scheming/strategizing; interesting topics on mercy and forgiveness; also as darIng escape!
It’s not that I didn’t like it but there was just so much war and that is just not my favorite subject. I don’t mind the war being a part of the story but it felt drawn out to me and I didn’t fly through this book like I did with the other two.
I did really enjoy the development of Kestrel and Arin’s relationship and loved that we got to see more of Roshar.
The ending was quite satisfying even if there were a few things that weren’t quite wrapped up with as much detail as I would have liked.
Recommend: 16 and up; lots of war, death, descriptive battle scenes, etc; b/b relationship; there is finally a sex scene but it is delicately written; lots of interesting scheming/strategizing; interesting topics on mercy and forgiveness; also as darIng escape!
This book was okay.
I have spent almost a month in this culture-enriching world, with these beautiful characters, in a somewhat expected slow-moving plot, in an ending that was satisfying but left a lot to be desired.
The characters. Kestrel is so strong. Honestly, I'm so tired of the strong female trope just like I'm tired of a lot of other tropes. But when they're done in a way that stands out, I love it. And Kestrel was that stand-out. She cannot fight. She likes dresses and had to adjust to not being pampered at the beginning of the book. But she's resourceful, calculating, strategic, and will absolutely beat your butt at any board game you pick. But most of all, she's strong all with having a heart, and acting like an actual female young adult would in her situation.
Arin. My boy. I'm so glad we delved into him more here, even though I was kind of scared by what I saw from him. Killing without hesitation. Um...I understand he's a bit (a lot) angry from being an enslaved orphan who witnessed the persecution of his people.
But dag. He went full "Kill Bill" on people. But at least its understandable. I loved seeing the inner-struggle he had with himself, and the flawed yet beautiful way he viewed his feelings for Kestrel. Also, him comparing himself with the general was something I couldn't understand at first. I thought it was weird. But then I understood. The general has Kestrel's love, while Arin, at first, doesn't. The general is a strong, heartless, leader-something Arin had been secretly admiring and desiring for as he assumed a kind of authority over Herran and his people. The boy was really going down a dark path.
There weren't really many side characters making an important appearance here. We had Roshar, who I absolutely loved. He's like the Kenji of this series. Vertex, Rishi, the general, the emperor-they are all people who effect the main characters and are talked about, but don't make too many appearances in this book.
Because Kestrel and Arin apart is torture, when they are together...
I have spent almost a month in this culture-enriching world, with these beautiful characters, in a somewhat expected slow-moving plot, in an ending that was satisfying but left a lot to be desired.
The characters. Kestrel is so strong. Honestly, I'm so tired of the strong female trope just like I'm tired of a lot of other tropes. But when they're done in a way that stands out, I love it. And Kestrel was that stand-out. She cannot fight. She likes dresses and had to adjust to not being pampered at the beginning of the book. But she's resourceful, calculating, strategic, and will absolutely beat your butt at any board game you pick. But most of all, she's strong all with having a heart, and acting like an actual female young adult would in her situation.
Arin. My boy. I'm so glad we delved into him more here, even though I was kind of scared by what I saw from him. Killing without hesitation. Um...I understand he's a bit (a lot) angry from being an enslaved orphan who witnessed the persecution of his people.
But dag. He went full "Kill Bill" on people. But at least its understandable. I loved seeing the inner-struggle he had with himself, and the flawed yet beautiful way he viewed his feelings for Kestrel. Also, him comparing himself with the general was something I couldn't understand at first. I thought it was weird. But then I understood. The general has Kestrel's love, while Arin, at first, doesn't. The general is a strong, heartless, leader-something Arin had been secretly admiring and desiring for as he assumed a kind of authority over Herran and his people. The boy was really going down a dark path.
There weren't really many side characters making an important appearance here. We had Roshar, who I absolutely loved. He's like the Kenji of this series. Vertex, Rishi, the general, the emperor-they are all people who effect the main characters and are talked about, but don't make too many appearances in this book.
Because Kestrel and Arin apart is torture, when they are together...
I see now, as I have just reread this book, that I have never left a few lines here. I love this book so much, it's one of my all time favorites. I can't describe my love for this book, this whole trilogy, so I won't. Just know that you should read this trilogy, you won't regret it.
adventurous
dark
emotional
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I have loved every bit of this series from the start. Marie Rutkoski has woven a tale so mesmerizing and captivating that I could not put this book down once I picked it up.
Kestrel made me hold me breath at every turn. You could feel the anguish, the hurt and the wicked intelligence in her and it made me anticipate her every move. She is one of my favorite main characters. This series has grown a lot from the very light feel of the first book and it has picked up pace, and with it, grabs your feelings and takes them for a pretty brutal spin. Honestly, I was afraid someone I loved dearly was going to die in every battle scene. The writing was both heart wrenching and left me with dread at the same time.
This was an amazing finale. Kestrel, Arin, Roshar. They all show you how you can put away your anger, your vengeance, for something better.
Kestrel made me hold me breath at every turn. You could feel the anguish, the hurt and the wicked intelligence in her and it made me anticipate her every move. She is one of my favorite main characters. This series has grown a lot from the very light feel of the first book and it has picked up pace, and with it, grabs your feelings and takes them for a pretty brutal spin. Honestly, I was afraid someone I loved dearly was going to die in every battle scene. The writing was both heart wrenching and left me with dread at the same time.
This was an amazing finale. Kestrel, Arin, Roshar. They all show you how you can put away your anger, your vengeance, for something better.