The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy book #1) by Marie Rutkoski

  Title: The Winner's Curse

                                                             Author: Marie Rutkoski

                                                                    Published: March 4th 2014 by, Farrar Straus Giroux

                                                                    Series: The Winner's Trilogy book #1

                                                                     Genre: YA

                                                                     Stars: 4/5

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.

This book was kind of like a re-telling of Romeo and Juliet but with a lot of in between events that occurred within the book.  The main girl Kestrel is the daughter of a powerful General of the Valorian Empire, who has conquered the lands of the Herrani.  Whilst she has been brought up to train in basic military arts and self defence, her true passion lies in music.

Whilst in a market place, she bids for a slave called Arin.  However, Arin is a Herrani loyalist and plans to free his own people by infiltrating Kestrel’s home and obtaining knowledge that others would not know of.

Nevertheless, surprise, surprise, they fall in love. They’re both enemies and they both have individual goals and ambitions. The fate of Kestrel’s kingdom lies on her shoulders and the fate of Arin’s people and their freedom lie on his.  

Both characters were exceptionally written and created. Kestrel has a brilliant mind and Arin is a strong hero who stands for what he believes to be right, despite the obstacles that came his way.

Moreover, the writing itself is brilliant. Marie does the book justice for its storytelling. Her prose is beautifully written, capturing the war and battles, the secret love between the lovers and the family and friendships in between.

However, a criticism that I would say about the book is the character development for Kestrel half way through the book when she has found out Arin’s true identity and is held hostage. Her sudden turn of behaviour and what seems like a careless thought to her people was very quick. Her thought process only seemed to be thinking about Arin and how he betrayed her whilst it seemed like she did not even bat an eyelid to what was happening to her own people.