Marie Rutkoski - The Winner's Curse

Published : 2014

368 Pages

Reading time : 17 - 19 April 2020

Rating : 5/5

As s person who usually read romance young adults novel, I guess this is my first book which have political conflict in it. My friend recommended this book because she knew who much I love angst, WHICH IS have so much in this book!

As you can see, this is my very first time writing book review, and I hope you enjoy this!

Marie Rutkoski's Winner's Trilogy is about Kestrel and Arin bearing a forbidden love and it's not (only) because their status, but because of their different race. Not to mention, Kestrel's father was a general who managed to took down Arin's country (can I call it that?) and slaving them. It's basically an enemies to lovers story, BUT it's not that simple.

Let me start with the writing. Before reading this series, I always think political and war kind of novel is not my cup of tea. BUT GOD!! the writing was that good!! I'm not being dramatic, but I usually give the first 100 pages or about 20% of the book to give it a chance and yet this book managed to grip me from the very first chapter. The words were so beautiful and it will paint the picture perfectly in your mind (at least for me!). You can feel the characters' feeling in their words and I can't even start who much I love they way Rutkoski wrote about what's in their mind through third point of view.

In the first book, you'll get to know how Kestrel's relationship with her father, friends and not to mention, Arin. Kestrel was a Valorian while Arin was a Herrani, and actually her slave. From the start, we'll get a picture of how perfect Kestrel is, being rich, beautiful, talented in so many things. Indeed, she's the very picture of a perfect character which so far I always despise of. Yet, why do I come to love her very much?

You see, Kestrel was not your ordinary perfect character. Rutkoski stated her weakness from the start, that she's not good in combat even though she's a daughter of a general. She's more of a strategist type and very good at it. Being not good in combat despite her father wish for her to join the military, left her a choice of getting married instead when she come of age. She's strong and well so good at masking her feelings but as you must know, she's not that strong inside and the only person who saw that side of her are the only ones she loved. I believe her weakness is not only that, but let's move on.

Arin, despite being a slave won't let himself being stepped on. His behavior managed to caught Kestrel's attention and took interest in him further. From the very first time Kestrel saw him at the slave market, something drawn her to him, but only until the auctioneer told the audiences that he can sing, Kestrel decided to buy him. That's the start of their story.

As the story goes, you'll see how Kestrel slowly giving in to her heart as well as Arin. And really, you'll be falling into deepest angst! well, it was the deepest for me, giving my whole body ached just by reading the lines, but anyway. You'll see how deep their feelings are for each other yet they are thorn apart of their feelings and the loyalty to their own kind. And you'll be left in wonder if they'll really make it to the last page of the book.

Spoiler: they won't, in this book. But what's the pleasure of ending a book series without a cliff-hanger?

For me, the thing I loved so much about this book is beside the words (because it was so beautiful oh my God!) as my friend said, it is well balanced between heavy romance, plot, characters and not to mention the political conflict and war. It's like you'll get everything. Plus, Rustoski will keep you on the edge the entire book.

Also, for me the world building is so good that you'll really get the image of it!

If you're looking for an angst book that'll make you shiver so hard, I guess this might be what you're looking for.