Reviews

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

sillylittlefishey's review

2.0

Not as gripping as the first installment, but hopefully the third book will make up for it!

charloreadsbooks's review

adventurous mysterious tense slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? It's complicated
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.25

shaykelsey_98's review

5.0

4.5 stars
Unlike most people I preferred the first book to this one, purely because there was less romance and more heartbreak. Still an amazing book, and I think the 3rd might be the best of them all:)

lillyvaldimarsd's review against another edition

4.0

Even better than the first book. I felt that in this one we finally got to know the characters, they became three dimensional. I was extremely agitated at the fact that Kestrel and Arin couldn't divulge their secrets, it made the story all the more compelling. I'm hoping they find each other at the end. The politics and world building are exceptional. Rutkoski's writing is gripping, there is never a dull moment. That ending was brutal and it broke my heart. Kestrel's relationship with her father is tragic and I felt a great deal of sympathy towards her. I hope I find my closure in the next book.

waad2001's review

3.0

This could’ve soo easily been cut in half :(
I’m truly disappointed that it wasn’t as good as the first book, but nevertheless i will read the last book in the series for closure.

pkmnmasterlauren's review

adventurous challenging dark emotional inspiring sad tense medium-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

5.0

maiakunkel's review against another edition

adventurous dark emotional slow-paced

4.5

desertlover's review

4.0

There is a fine line between angst and banging your head against a brick wall. This book came much closer to the later than I wanted. The lies, mistakes, and twists are never ending for certain. Kestrel and Arin are so frustrating at times, but I never lost interest in the plight. Verex was an amazing and complex addition to the book as well. I thought it would be easy to hate him, but he was nothing I expected.

I can't wait to see how in all ends in the last installment.

Kestrel didn't understand how the truth could be so two-sided, like a coin. So precious--and ugly.

anastasiarozova's review against another edition

4.0

"It made him wonder which pain was greater: to give up something precious, or to see it taken away."

The second book was stronger than the first one, which is a good sign, 'cause sequels usually suffer the most.

Kestrel had to make some tough choices, sacrifice some people and suffer, suffer, suffer. From loving her country, from loosing people, from lying to herself.

Arin was also developed better in this one. He tried to help his people, at the same time grasping forhope of getting his beloved back. Angst. Love it.

I liked seeing their relationship develop without actually developing. Complicated. Just as I like it.

Vereks was a nice character surprisingly. I was sorry for him, especially considering who his father was.
The emperor was a complete bastard, but not stupid and not mustache-twirling. That's a breath of fresh air. I wonder what he's gonna do in the next book.

I think I didn't get enough of the East and I hope we get to see more in the next book, but I'm glad we have a new player in this grand scheme of things.

Honestly, I was just hoping for a good, but mediocre series, just something to take my mind off of things, but I genuinely enjoy reading it. Not giving it five stars only because I didn't fall head over heals with the characters and weren't very emotional reading the book. But not everything has to be super special, so it's fine.

I really enjoy this and will be continuing with the first book as soon as I receive my order.

zmuses's review

5.0

What did I just read?