Shon Review: The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1) by Marie Rutkoski

Title / Author: The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1) by Marie Rutkoski
Published March 4th 2014 by Farrar, Straus and Giroux (BYR)
Page: 355
Genres: Fantasy, Young Adult, Romance, Dystopia, Historical Fiction
Source: Bought - Book Outlet
Rating: 5 stars

Synopsis

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. 

THE PLOT...

Kestrel (a general's daughter) buys a slave one day on a whim while out shopping with her best friend, and everything kind of goes downhill from there. Arin (the slave) is part of a rebellion that is trying to start a revolution. Kestrel slowly develops a bond with Arin, but she has no idea that she has been played and that Arin and his group of rebels planned everything.

And the ending. O! M! G!

My Thoughts...

5 STARS!!!!

I LOVE THIS BOOK!!!

What I really like about Kestrel's character was that she has a mind for the military and political maneuverings. She was cunning and brave, even though she was not good with hand-to-hand combat and other forms of fighting. She was not soft, but she was kindhearted to those she care about.

The world building, I don't like book that waste so much time describing the world the book is set in, but the world building in this books was done so beautifully. That it did not take away from the story.

The writing is beautiful, Marie Rutkoski is a master storyteller.

Let take a moment to talk about how beautiful the cover of this book is. It was the cover of this book that made me buy this book. I'm so happy I did.

I highly recommend this book.