Reviews

Pojedynek by Marie Rutkoski

gigamight's review against another edition

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4.0

3.5 stars

Everything about this book is beautiful. The writing and the spectacularly weaved characters are what drew me in the first place. Even though the first book is more character driven with less political intrigue, I still found myself wanting to finish the series. The first 50% of the book doesn't have much else other than the "slow burn" romance between Arin and Kestral. And the last half has the political drama I was promised.

Despite of being a little slow, I enjoyed this a lot. And also the plot redeems itself in the next books, so i do recommend.

kitabit's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

justjeanettelee's review against another edition

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3.0

"You don't, Kestrel, even though the god of lies loves you." (Oooh I see what the author did there)

I didn't enjoy this book as much as I thought I would. I came to this predominately through recommendations and reading reviews. However, I'm only mildly disappointed. It was an interesting tale, with a good story, above par world building and character development, and beautiful writing, but "The Winner's Curse" wasn't all that I thought it would be.

Many have said that the trilogy gets better, and I'm giving that a chance. I'll continue on with the series, in the hopes that Kestrel becomes the badass strategist and character Rutkoski has set her up to be.

kim_j_dare's review against another edition

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4.0

Beautiful writing, exceptional world building, an original spin on the whole "are the girl and the boy going to get together" question-- because there are some serious roadblocks in their way. Kestrel and Arin are multi-dimensional and flawed, and I can't wait to see how the story of their relationship and their respective societies-- the Valorians and the Herrani-- plays out in [b:The Winner's Crime|20443207|The Winner's Crime (The Winner's Trilogy, #2)|Marie Rutkoski|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1411741455s/20443207.jpg|31174003] and The Winner's Prize. Fans of [a:Kristin Cashore|1373880|Kristin Cashore|https://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1273894652p2/1373880.jpg]'s [b:Graceling|3236307|Graceling (Graceling Realm, #1)|Kristin Cashore|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1331548394s/3236307.jpg|3270810] series will eat this up.

twinklstarcandy's review against another edition

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adventurous tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Plot
  • Strong character development? No
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

Okay very easy read and felt old style in a good way, i hope the final book ending is so good i have so much hope

book_craze22's review against another edition

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adventurous emotional fast-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? Yes
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hsecen's review against another edition

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3.0

I decided to give this series a reread after so many years to see how it holds up. I will say the whole empire ruling over slaves plot isn't great. In the current climate, it was difficult for me to feel really sympathy for the Valorians, though at the same time, they definitely aren't painted in a wonderful light anyway. I could see the potential in Arin and Kestrel's relationship. I remember reading this years ago and thinking their romance was so wonderful - this reread I could see it starting to blossom before the climax but I never got the sense that they had the deeper attachment that was later implied. Reading about the military and political strategy was really interesting but required a bit of digesting to truly understand.

louetceslivres's review against another edition

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4.0

4.5⭐️

this book is simply incredible!!
the incredible characters!
the political plots!

melissa_bookworm's review against another edition

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4.0

This book grew on me as a read it. The culture within the story reminds me of the Jane Austen era, as the rules of propriety are quite apparent as well as the class structure.

There are two races in this story, the Herran and the Valorians. The Valorians are militant people, and the young Valorians must choose before they are 18 to either join the military or marry. 10 years ago, the Valorians conquered and enslaved the Herrani people. Kestral, the protagonist, was quite young at the time. Her father is a general in the Valorian army and after the Herran War he mother passed away from illness. Kestral is quite headstrong and does not want to join the military or marry, must to her fathers distress. One day, Kestral goes to a market & is a spectator at a slave auction. One young man catches her eye as the auctioneer reveals that he is a singer, music is close to Kestral's heart. She decides to purchase the slave and over time grows close to him. Little does she know that she may have brought down the winner's curse on herself as the tables turn.

I found the book quite interesting. It was definitely thrilling towards the end, I can't wait to see what Rutkoski does in the next installment of the Winner's Triology

bookdust's review against another edition

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4.0

My heart is heavy at this book's end. This story is so tragic and the writing SO elegant. It truly embodies the concept of the "winner's curse." What a read. I CANNOT wait to read its sequel. I know it's only going to give me more heartache, but I'm prepared.