Book Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutk:

The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy#1)
by Marie Rutkoski
Release Date: March 4th, 2014
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
eBook, 355 pages
Content: YA Fantasy
Get a Copy:
      B&N | Amazon

Goodreads Summary: Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.
As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.

One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.

But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.

Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.

Cindy's Review:
At A Glance/The Cover:  
I first saw this book on the Goodreads new release list. I didn't really give the book a thought, but I decided to check it out. Then I saw all those fabulous fab fab reviews and I thought I gotta read this. I was reluctant at first considering that she falls in love with a slave. I mean, I have nothing against them but I was really wondering how they would have a future together.  
  
Oh they will. Trust me on that. That slave is no ordinary slave. Although he could be more perfect, I'll accept him the way he is.

Btw, magnificent cover. I really like this eye-catching dressy cover with huge words. :)

The Characters/My Opinions:
Arin - That's the slave. He's actually turns out to be pretty cool. Except I was annoyed of him at first. He became hotter....but I really don't know how to describe him. Because I ship him with Kestrel, not with me. So yeah. Krestel definitely finds him hot. 

The Valorians had conquered the Herrani natives and created a whole new system making the Herrani the slaves. Seems like something out of a history book, right? Definitely. And this is what I like about this book. Because it can happen. It might have happened. It could be Historical Fiction. It could be labeled as Fantasy or Medieval. In other words, this book seemed very possible in our history. And it's a super cute story. But at the same time, it's made up. Lovely.

Kestrel - A strong, smart girl. A pretty good protagonist. Able to fight. Able to win. Except she kind of concaved in the end when she started to fall for Arin. I wanted her to stand up for herself and do something but at the same time, their romance is super duper addicting. Kestrel is somewhat the middle person. And she's getting pulled in both ways. 

Instead of a love triangle, this story has two sides. The sides are enemies of each other. And you can see both side of the story. Our main characters lie right in the middle. Of course, they are supposed to be loyal to their own side, but when you fall in love with an enemy, it just isn't possible. 

This book was addicting. I couldn't stop reading it but I had to stop at some points. When school's over, I would literally go straight home and read it. And when I wake up in the mornings, while eating breakfast. And at night, after homework. But since I don't forever reading, I finished the book over the course of two days. It was great romance book. Not too mushy. And some adventure. 

I would love to see even more adventure in the next book. There isn't even a trace of the sequel online. BUT DEFINITELY WAITING FOR IT. Cuz that ending was kind of cliffhangingey. 

Overall Thoughts: 
What are you guys waiting for? If you have a love for: YA, Fantasy, Historical Fiction, Romance, Dystopian, Medieval....or whatever else, you've gotta try this. It's just so cute. I simply can't rave enough about it.

I even had a dream about the main character. ISH. WHICH IS KINDA CREEEPY. The guy in my dream was named Aaron. Except I actually do know him. Not like that though. 

The Rating: (1-10): 9.5~

Happy Reading~