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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
A rousing and satisfying end to the trilogy. Leaves enough strands untied that it feels real and not too pat. But at the same time important strands are tied and it is so great. I was even interested in the war stuff which I usually want to just skip over. Kestrel and Arin and Roshar are such a cool characters. Especially Roshar was a fun one to get to know in this book. Great series!
I think this was a great conclusion to the series, but it was a bit too dragged out for me. I was very impatient for things to come to a head in the war. I also don't know if the memory loss aspect was something that I appreciate as needing to happen or just another obstacle to creating tension in the relationship. I did like the character growth that most all of the main characters went through in this book. Overall, I liked this and the series as a whole. This book was probably my favorite in the series, which is refreshing, as I tend to not enjoy series conclusions.
The Winner’s Kiss is a wonderful end to the trilogy! There were constant twists, some that I guessed and some that took me completely by surprise. Exactly as a book should! The love story is beautiful even within a gruesome and realistic war story. I highly recommend this trilogy!
4.5
This is the third and final book in the Winner's Curse Trilogy, so lots of spoilers ahead, obviously.
First, I have to say something. When I first saw the cover of the first book, I assumed it was some kind of Gilded Age gambling book. I ignored it, until a friend I trust told me the books were really good. When I saw the final cover (and even title) I was sad because they give you absolutely NO sense of how awesomely intricate and dark these books are. It looks like it would be trashy and dumb.
It's not.
As punishment for treason, Kestrel is taken to a workcamp on a tundra wasteland and Arin is left to prepare for battle against the empire. Her heart broken, questioning every choice she's ever made, Kestrel knows she must escape but even if she does - what then? She's given away Arin's trust and because of the path she chose, there is no one else left to mourn her. The lull between battles is only the deep breath before all-out war and even if Kestrel survives, is there any way for Arin's counrtry to still exist when east and west collide on its beautiful shore?
I drank this in one greedy gulp. While sometimes dragging out a romantic conciliation bothers me, this felt really right - with two very broken people trying to sort through the damage and find where to find kernels of truth and feeling that will last. I believed it. The romance is heady and lovely. This is a battle-heavy book and during the final battle, in particular, I actually found myself with a hand-over-mouth-tears-in-the-eyes moment. I tend to skim over that stuff a bit but this had some powerful moments about choice and the-greater-good and things-worth-dying-for. I liked the secondary characters in this installment, they provided some comic relief as well as some needed compassion in a book that is heavy with grief and death.
I am so glad I waited until all the books were out so I could just read all three in a rush - as one long story, the trilogy flows really well and with an ending that settled just right.
This is the third and final book in the Winner's Curse Trilogy, so lots of spoilers ahead, obviously.
First, I have to say something. When I first saw the cover of the first book, I assumed it was some kind of Gilded Age gambling book. I ignored it, until a friend I trust told me the books were really good. When I saw the final cover (and even title) I was sad because they give you absolutely NO sense of how awesomely intricate and dark these books are. It looks like it would be trashy and dumb.
It's not.
As punishment for treason, Kestrel is taken to a workcamp on a tundra wasteland and Arin is left to prepare for battle against the empire. Her heart broken, questioning every choice she's ever made, Kestrel knows she must escape but even if she does - what then? She's given away Arin's trust and because of the path she chose, there is no one else left to mourn her. The lull between battles is only the deep breath before all-out war and even if Kestrel survives, is there any way for Arin's counrtry to still exist when east and west collide on its beautiful shore?
I drank this in one greedy gulp. While sometimes dragging out a romantic conciliation bothers me, this felt really right - with two very broken people trying to sort through the damage and find where to find kernels of truth and feeling that will last. I believed it. The romance is heady and lovely. This is a battle-heavy book and during the final battle, in particular, I actually found myself with a hand-over-mouth-tears-in-the-eyes moment. I tend to skim over that stuff a bit but this had some powerful moments about choice and the-greater-good and things-worth-dying-for. I liked the secondary characters in this installment, they provided some comic relief as well as some needed compassion in a book that is heavy with grief and death.
I am so glad I waited until all the books were out so I could just read all three in a rush - as one long story, the trilogy flows really well and with an ending that settled just right.
Perfect. One of the best endings to a series I have ever read. I have adored The Winner's Trilogy series from the very beginning. This is a series of books that just wrings the emotions right out of me ... from horrified anxiety to blistering anger to heartwarming joy to everything in between. But the reality is that there really has not been much joy in this series. There have been a few moments of peace and hope that last a tiny moment before being overtaken by the utter hopelessness and danger of the world in which Kestrel and Arin reside. With Kestrel leaving the last book in chains on her way to doom and despair in the northern mines and Arin sailing for Herran believing her to be a cold and manipulative liar, things were not going to be easy at the beginning of this novel.
And they weren't. Poor, poor Kestrel. What a terrible situation, and oh how it made me hate her father! So. So. Much. What an awful man! The strong, intelligent Kestrel of the first two books of this series is rapidly broken until she becomes just a shell of the woman she had been. This is the beginning tragedy of this story, but from this tragedy comes the story that follows ... a story of perseverance and determination mixed in with some good old fashioned daring and intrigue. If there was ever any doubt about the depth of Arin's love for Kestrel, that disappears pretty quickly n this story. He is absolutely AMAZING. Finally, after two books of disappointment and despair when it comes to the love between this unlikely pair, the payoff moments arrive. They are WONDERFUL! Beautiful. Well deserved. .... and not mushy at all. There is just enough difficulty thrown into this relationship to keep it somewhat realistic. Arin and Kestrel are carrying loads of baggage ... especially Kestrel. They are not simply going to be able to run off into the sunset together and have all of their problems disappear. The pacing of this relationship was practically perfect. I loved it. But as much as I loved the romantic side of this story, this was much more than a romance. This was a story of people trying to find peace after years of hardship and struggles. I especially loved the theme of forgiveness and revenge woven throughout this story. I loved that everyone isn't just given a free pass for their atrocities. The story of Kestrel, Arin, and the General was the best! I thought it played out perfectly. And Roshar ... LOVED him!!!! What a great addition to this story!
I highly recommend this story for those who prefer action and adventure with their romance. For those who love depth and solid themes of justice, redemption, and what it means to truly be free, this is the story for you. I LOVED it! Five huge stars! I'll be reading this series again someday.
And they weren't. Poor, poor Kestrel. What a terrible situation, and oh how it made me hate her father! So. So. Much. What an awful man! The strong, intelligent Kestrel of the first two books of this series is rapidly broken until she becomes just a shell of the woman she had been. This is the beginning tragedy of this story, but from this tragedy comes the story that follows ... a story of perseverance and determination mixed in with some good old fashioned daring and intrigue. If there was ever any doubt about the depth of Arin's love for Kestrel, that disappears pretty quickly n this story. He is absolutely AMAZING. Finally, after two books of disappointment and despair when it comes to the love between this unlikely pair, the payoff moments arrive. They are WONDERFUL! Beautiful. Well deserved. .... and not mushy at all. There is just enough difficulty thrown into this relationship to keep it somewhat realistic. Arin and Kestrel are carrying loads of baggage ... especially Kestrel. They are not simply going to be able to run off into the sunset together and have all of their problems disappear. The pacing of this relationship was practically perfect. I loved it. But as much as I loved the romantic side of this story, this was much more than a romance. This was a story of people trying to find peace after years of hardship and struggles. I especially loved the theme of forgiveness and revenge woven throughout this story. I loved that everyone isn't just given a free pass for their atrocities. The story of Kestrel, Arin, and the General was the best! I thought it played out perfectly. And Roshar ... LOVED him!!!! What a great addition to this story!
I highly recommend this story for those who prefer action and adventure with their romance. For those who love depth and solid themes of justice, redemption, and what it means to truly be free, this is the story for you. I LOVED it! Five huge stars! I'll be reading this series again someday.
adventurous
dark
emotional
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
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
I LOVED this trilogy. From the start, this story draws you in, grabs you and doesn't let go until the end. The characters are like family by the end. Arin is the boyfriend I would love to have!! This is a must read!!