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4.18 AVERAGE
4.18 AVERAGE
I give it a 4.75 only because when I was reading, it gave me the same feeling as watching Deathly Hallows Part 1.
It was jam packed with much needed exposition and has shown some action (though not too much, which I enjoyed because it organically fit to who Kestrel was) but, like DH1, was filled with boring traveling.
((You all know what I’m talking about, that movie was 70% camping and Ron acting silly))
But I love the characters and the complexities of Kestrel and her mind. UGH HER MIND. I was terrified when her memory and intelligence was threatened at the beginning oh lord. Most of all, I love Arin. He breaks most, if not all, of society’s gender roles. He’s open and vulnerable and uses his big heart and love for Kestrel as a strength instead of a weakness.
I loved everything about this book and series. She will be missed. 🖤
It was jam packed with much needed exposition and has shown some action (though not too much, which I enjoyed because it organically fit to who Kestrel was) but, like DH1, was filled with boring traveling.
((You all know what I’m talking about, that movie was 70% camping and Ron acting silly))
But I love the characters and the complexities of Kestrel and her mind. UGH HER MIND. I was terrified when her memory and intelligence was threatened at the beginning oh lord. Most of all, I love Arin. He breaks most, if not all, of society’s gender roles. He’s open and vulnerable and uses his big heart and love for Kestrel as a strength instead of a weakness.
I loved everything about this book and series. She will be missed. 🖤
I'll begrudgingly give this final installment a firm 3 stars, maybe 3.5 if I'm feeling generous. The romance in this series continued to be so painful. These two people do not communicate well and should not be together in my opinion. You're telling me you can travel together for multiple days and refuse to say a single meaningful word to each other, but you're okay with snuggling up at night no problem?? That's not a romantic fantasy, that's annoying. I understand there are layers of trauma involved here, but since they never really talk about any of it, how am I supposed to accept their forthcoming happy-ever-after? I actually don't mind both characters individually, and I truly wanted to root for their relationship, but it was just not for me.
The main saving grace of this book was the war. To her credit, the author does not shy away from violence, even if I wish the stakes were a little higher at times. Roshar added a much needed third voice, and his quips brought some levity to both Arin and Kestrels whiny pining. Some of the broader political maneuvers didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but its YA and I'm definitely overthinking it.
I will probably hold on to these stunning special editions for much longer than I should, but I am not as attached to them as I hoped to be. If I get struck by a particularly strong book-buying urge, an un-haul is not out of the question.
The main saving grace of this book was the war. To her credit, the author does not shy away from violence, even if I wish the stakes were a little higher at times. Roshar added a much needed third voice, and his quips brought some levity to both Arin and Kestrels whiny pining. Some of the broader political maneuvers didn't make a whole lot of sense to me, but its YA and I'm definitely overthinking it.
I will probably hold on to these stunning special editions for much longer than I should, but I am not as attached to them as I hoped to be. If I get struck by a particularly strong book-buying urge, an un-haul is not out of the question.
Oh hmmm.... It took me a while to read this and I can't tell if I wasn't that into it or if it's just the reading slump I seem to be in.
I liked it, I really did. I adore these characters and the writing is so beautiful, but I wasn't absolutely hooked. We'll blame my reading slump.
I liked it, I really did. I adore these characters and the writing is so beautiful, but I wasn't absolutely hooked. We'll blame my reading slump.
"Arin’s god slapped him across the face. Pay attention, death demanded. Arin did, and after that, no one could touch him.”
I held off on reading the final installment of The Winner's Trilogy b/c I wanted to save it for my vacation. I'm so glad I did b/c I was able to devour it.
"She felt far away and horribly grounded at the same time, like her heart had been torn from her body and lost, and she didn’t know whether she was her heart or her body.”
This was an emotional roller coaster ride and I was having heartburn every other page, but it was so worth it. My only call-out would be that I wanted more closure with a certain family member and I'm not sure it's possible but I would have liked one. Oh...I wanted more on the God of Death. There's so much I can say about him but I can't, too spoilery.
Love me some Kestrel and Arin.
♥
I held off on reading the final installment of The Winner's Trilogy b/c I wanted to save it for my vacation. I'm so glad I did b/c I was able to devour it.
"She felt far away and horribly grounded at the same time, like her heart had been torn from her body and lost, and she didn’t know whether she was her heart or her body.”
This was an emotional roller coaster ride and I was having heartburn every other page, but it was so worth it. My only call-out would be that I wanted more closure with a certain family member and I'm not sure it's possible but I would have liked one. Oh...I wanted more on the God of Death. There's so much I can say about him but I can't, too spoilery.
Love me some Kestrel and Arin.
♥
(4.5)
This book was way better than the first two. Sad to see everything end but this was a great ending to a good trilogy.
This book was way better than the first two. Sad to see everything end but this was a great ending to a good trilogy.
Beautiful, awesome, dynamic, action-packed, full of feelings and twists. Just really, really good. Rutkoski ended it in a way that all readers will be satisfied! SO GOOD!!
Really liked this series. I liked how the first one was a bit of a romance/low stakes, second book elevated to political intrigue and bigger stakes, and this one was a war book with high stakes. Felt very satisfying to have it build up and I was very happy with the ending.
I like the second book more. I didn't like the foreshadowing in the end when the two were playing cards.
The only reason this isn't five stars is because of how heavy the romance was. Other than that, I loved this series.
As you well know by now if you follow my reviews, you know that I am not the biggest romance fan. My friend told me to listen to this series though, and she hadn't let me down thus far so I gave them a shot. I loved them and I would listen to them again.
Kestrel is at a slave-camp. A prison-camp. Whatever you want to call it. She's in trouble and she is being brainwashed. They drug them there, get them addicted to the things they put in their food and drugs. They work them until they are too tired to pick up the tools to do the camp's trade. She doesn't remember who she is or what her purpose is.
Arin is done. Kestrel made a fool out of him. No matter how much his heart hurts, he knows her words ring true. He gave her so many chances to tell him what her game was and she made it clear there was no game and all she wants is power. He has a country to help run. An army to unite. And a people to free.
Marie Rutkoski has made a trilogy of poems. This whole thing is one very melancholy, heart-wrenching, beautiful story about a slave and his master trying to set the world right again. Trying to prove to the world they are equals and that their love is real. Going against kingdom, honor and family to set things straight for the world that they want, no NEED, to live in.
They don't just scheme against their countries though, the scheme against each other. There is a web of lies coming from both of their own hands that they are not sure they can get away from. They are not sure they can come back to each other.
Kestrel's father betrayed her for her country.
Arin's heart betrayed his mind.
There is just so much.. betrayal, scheming and death in this book that you kind of forget that it is 80% romance. When the romance parts show their head, it is pure beauty. Like she sewed these sentences together that you just find yourself falling in love with the words inside their minds for one another more than the character themselves.
There is also strong female friendship too. Sarsine and Kestrel slowly but surely become friends after Kestrel loses her only female friend Jessica. I love books that show how important friendship is, especially between girls. You always need someone who has your back.
I absolutely loved this book. It wasn't just because someone has a pet tiger either, though that did help bring tears of laughter in my eyes. The prince, Roshar, probably ended up being my favorite part of this book. He was shameless and sarcastic and wonderful and I wish we could have a spin off of his adventures.
In conclusion, the audio book, narrated by Justine Eyre (★ ★ ★ ★ ★) is how I would advise someone who isn't full-heartedly into romances to read it. You kind of get the feel of everything better and you don't find yourself wanting to flip through the pages to where the action is. I actually enjoyed some of the romantic thoughts in their head this way.
I'm not going to say anything more about this. I feel like it is a must-be-read to understand. So that means you should just go read the series.
As you well know by now if you follow my reviews, you know that I am not the biggest romance fan. My friend told me to listen to this series though, and she hadn't let me down thus far so I gave them a shot. I loved them and I would listen to them again.
Kestrel is at a slave-camp. A prison-camp. Whatever you want to call it. She's in trouble and she is being brainwashed. They drug them there, get them addicted to the things they put in their food and drugs. They work them until they are too tired to pick up the tools to do the camp's trade. She doesn't remember who she is or what her purpose is.
Arin is done. Kestrel made a fool out of him. No matter how much his heart hurts, he knows her words ring true. He gave her so many chances to tell him what her game was and she made it clear there was no game and all she wants is power. He has a country to help run. An army to unite. And a people to free.
Marie Rutkoski has made a trilogy of poems. This whole thing is one very melancholy, heart-wrenching, beautiful story about a slave and his master trying to set the world right again. Trying to prove to the world they are equals and that their love is real. Going against kingdom, honor and family to set things straight for the world that they want, no NEED, to live in.
They don't just scheme against their countries though, the scheme against each other. There is a web of lies coming from both of their own hands that they are not sure they can get away from. They are not sure they can come back to each other.
Kestrel's father betrayed her for her country.
Arin's heart betrayed his mind.
There is just so much.. betrayal, scheming and death in this book that you kind of forget that it is 80% romance. When the romance parts show their head, it is pure beauty. Like she sewed these sentences together that you just find yourself falling in love with the words inside their minds for one another more than the character themselves.
There is also strong female friendship too. Sarsine and Kestrel slowly but surely become friends after Kestrel loses her only female friend Jessica. I love books that show how important friendship is, especially between girls. You always need someone who has your back.
I absolutely loved this book. It wasn't just because someone has a pet tiger either, though that did help bring tears of laughter in my eyes. The prince, Roshar, probably ended up being my favorite part of this book. He was shameless and sarcastic and wonderful and I wish we could have a spin off of his adventures.
In conclusion, the audio book, narrated by Justine Eyre (★ ★ ★ ★ ★) is how I would advise someone who isn't full-heartedly into romances to read it. You kind of get the feel of everything better and you don't find yourself wanting to flip through the pages to where the action is. I actually enjoyed some of the romantic thoughts in their head this way.
I'm not going to say anything more about this. I feel like it is a must-be-read to understand. So that means you should just go read the series.