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justjeanettelee's review against another edition
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.
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
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
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
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
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
4.0
4.5⭐️
this book is simply incredible!!
the incredible characters!
the political plots!
this book is simply incredible!!
the incredible characters!
the political plots!
melissa_bookworm's review against another edition
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
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
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.
justplainbecca's review against another edition
5.0
Book Riot Read Harder Challenge
Task 11: A YA Novel
Task 11: A YA Novel
amieib's review against another edition
4.0
I have been in a reading slump for MONTHS - it probably was the combination of starting school again and a new demanding job that made it impossible to concentrate on the book I was reading prior to this.
I decided to just go ahead and read this book because I saw that Illumicrate was making special editions of them and I had seen some positive reviews - I bought the book because I had heard that the series was severely underrated.
I read this book pretty much in three days which may not be impressive in general but certainly was for me who has spent the last three months reading the same page of a previous book over and over again or not reading at all.
This was such a quick enjoyable read. The world building was simple enough to follow and I am now fully invested in Kestrel and Arin's individual and joint endeavours. I also really liked what the side characters brought to the table - I'm not a fan of all of them but I do appreciate the dimensions they create.
I also need updates about Jess and Ronan - my new favourite book siblings! I am also desperate for Ronan and Kestrel to get some closure. Ronan has my heart and I want to see him happy, even if he might not end up with Kestrel.
This was easily a 3.5-4 star read for me and I am looking forward to completing the series.
I decided to just go ahead and read this book because I saw that Illumicrate was making special editions of them and I had seen some positive reviews - I bought the book because I had heard that the series was severely underrated.
I read this book pretty much in three days which may not be impressive in general but certainly was for me who has spent the last three months reading the same page of a previous book over and over again or not reading at all.
This was such a quick enjoyable read. The world building was simple enough to follow and I am now fully invested in Kestrel and Arin's individual and joint endeavours. I also really liked what the side characters brought to the table - I'm not a fan of all of them but I do appreciate the dimensions they create.
I also need updates about Jess and Ronan - my new favourite book siblings! I am also desperate for Ronan and Kestrel to get some closure. Ronan has my heart and I want to see him happy, even if he might not end up with Kestrel.
This was easily a 3.5-4 star read for me and I am looking forward to completing the series.