Book Review: The Winners Curse

Synopsis From Goodreads :

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. 

Review

Sigh... Where do I began my sermon on how amazing I thought this book was?

I have a theory. A theory I hope offends no one. It's the writing more than the story. The talent of the author to capture you with prose and beautiful depictions and this incredible world that the most amazing characters reside. That is the key ingredient to an amazing book. Or maybe this dystopia, other world genre is just my favorite.

Either way, the Winners Curse was it.

It was everything.

It gave me life.

Kestral, daughter of the general is a privileged little know it all. But she's slick and she's independent minded.

She's accidentally bought a slave, but she's too proud to ever admit it wasn't her own choice. After weeks of denial, she makes the new slave her escort.

Arin may have had the title slave, but he was too smart and too bold. Kestral recognized that and a mutual respect grew between the two. It progressed into love. Until Arin did something (can't ruin it) he pretty much couldn't come back from.

This book held my full attention straight through. Even the slow parts weren't boring

I rooted for them, and their individual goals.

I was left salivating for more.

I thoroughly enjoyed this book and would suggest it to all dystopia readers.

Read Review of The Winners Kiss