The Winners Curse is a book written by Marie Rutkoski. It is a young adult fantasy novel that explores themes of power, politics, and love. The story is set in a fictional world where two nations, Valoria and Herran, are on the brink of war. The main character, Kestrel, is the daughter of a Valorian general and finds herself caught between her loyalty to her father and her growing feelings for a Herrani slave named Arin. Kestrel is a skilled strategist and has always been expected to follow in her father's footsteps and join the Valorian military. However, she has never felt a true passion for fighting and is more interested in music and the piano.
So much happens in this novel, I was overwhelmed. As the world is such a mix of 18th century, and futuristic culture, it’s simple to understand. Not a lot of world building needs to occur. This book is more about relationships and the social implications. If you like period dramas, then this is for you. But, if you also like fast paced novels, then ‘The Winner’s Curse’ doesn’t fail to impress.
There s a lot of dramatic irony when it comes to Arin, who s been specifically placed in Kestrel s household as a traitor, to gain information needed for a rebellion. The Winner s Curse by Marie Rutkoski Also by this author The Winner s Crime The Winner s Trilogy, 2 , The Winner s Kiss The Winner s Trilogy, 3 Series The Winner s Trilogy 1 Also in this series The Winner s Crime The Winner s Trilogy, 2 Published by Macmillan on March 4, 2014 Genres Dystopian, Fantasy Magic, Love Romance, Politics Government Pages 355 Format Paperback Source Purchased Goodreads.
However, she has never felt a true passion for fighting and is more interested in music and the piano. When she attends a slave auction, she impulsively buys Arin, not realizing how much her life will be changed by this decision. As Kestrel and Arin spend more time together, their relationship becomes increasingly complicated.
The winners curde book
The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
Genre: Fantasy, Historical, Romance
Published by: Bloomsbury
Pages: 359
Format: E-Book
Rating: ★★★★
Series: The Winner’s Crime (#2)
Where to Find: Goodreads | Amazon
First of all, the cover is beautiful. Whoever designed it deserves a medal. This book has been sat on my Kindle bookshelf for a while, and since it’s 2015, I thought I’d clear out my shelves and start reading books I bought six months ago. When I clicked on to ‘The Winner’s Curse’, I had no idea what to expect. What I got was an odd mixture of fantasy and historical fiction.
‘The Winner’s Curse’ is about a girl called Kestrel, who is the daughter of a general. In the first chapter, she buys a slave for a lot of money. (The way the girls dress and the whole slavery thing led me to believe this was 18th century fiction, expect the currency is ‘keystones’, hence fantasy.) It doesn’t take long for you to realise that Kestrel is going to fall in love with the slave, called Arin. But of course, that’s socially unacceptable.
Women must marry at the age of 20, or enlist in the army, so this world is not entirely patriarchal. It was definitely an odd blend of ideas, but it certainly was original. Kestrel doesn’t want to marry, or be part of the army, she wants to play the piano. But ‘the arts’ are reserved for slaves.
Because the book is told from a third person perspective, we get to read about both Kestrel and Arin. There’s a lot of dramatic irony when it comes to Arin, who’s been specifically placed in Kestrel’s household as a traitor, to gain information needed for a rebellion. The reader knows this, but Kestrel doesn’t, which leads to some tension.
Although Kestrel is interested in music, this doesn’t mean this isn’t capable on the battlefield. She offers to duel a man for the life of her slave and comes out with a victory, because of her cunning. Generally, Kestrel is a very strong character who is easy to sympathise with and read about.
The romance between the two is stunted by their social position, however, after 60% of the novel has progressed, the tables turn. Kestrel gets to experience what life as a slave is like (although I won’t tell you why, because…spoilers.)
So much happens in this novel, I was overwhelmed. As the world is such a mix of 18th century, and futuristic culture, it’s simple to understand. Not a lot of world building needs to occur. This book is more about relationships and the social implications. If you like period dramas, then this is for you. But, if you also like fast paced novels, then ‘The Winner’s Curse’ doesn’t fail to impress.
What I liked so much about this book is how much the title is relevant. With some YA books, you wonder how abstract the title is and what it means, but ‘The Winner’s Curse’ is explained within the first chapter.
Overall, I’d give this book 4 stars because I was very impressed with the plot, how quick it was to read and how well developed the characters were. The was an excellent debut to a trilogy, and I am in possession of ‘The Winner’s Crime’, the sequel, so stay turned to see if this trilogy continues a steak of goodness.
Arin, who has firsthand experience with Valoria's oppressive rule, despises Kestrel initially. However, as they get to know each other, they begin to develop feelings that defy the barriers of their social classes and the volatile political landscape. The novel delves into themes of power and privilege, exploring the question of whether love can truly transcend societal constraints. It examines the concept of the "winner's curse" - the idea that the winner of a negotiation or auction may often end up paying too high a price, leading to regret and dissatisfaction. Kestrel and Arin find themselves entangled in a web of political intrigue and must make difficult choices that could determine the fate of their nations. Overall, The Winners Curse is a gripping and thought-provoking novel that blends romance, fantasy, and politics. It tackles themes of love, power, and sacrifice, making it a compelling read for young adult readers and fans of the fantasy genre..
Reviews for "Discussing the Controversial Elements of "The Winners Curse"
- John - 1 star - I really did not enjoy reading "The Winners Curse". The plot was slow and predictable, making it difficult to stay engaged. The characters lacked depth and I couldn't connect with any of them. The writing style was also not to my liking, as it felt plain and uninspired. Overall, I found this book to be a disappointment and would not recommend it to others.
- Sarah - 2 stars - "The Winners Curse" was an average read for me. While the concept of the story had potential, the execution fell flat. The pacing was inconsistent, with parts that dragged on unnecessarily while other important moments were rushed through. The romance felt forced and lacked chemistry, making it hard to root for the characters. The world-building was also underdeveloped, leaving many unanswered questions. Overall, I was not impressed with this book and wouldn't consider reading the rest of the series.
- Emily - 2.5 stars - I had high hopes for "The Winners Curse", but unfortunately, it didn't live up to my expectations. The writing style was overly simplistic, making it difficult to get fully invested in the story. The characters felt one-dimensional and their actions at times didn't make much sense. The romance also felt forced and lacked depth. While there were some interesting plot twists, they were not enough to salvage the overall reading experience. I wouldn't recommend this book to anyone looking for a gripping and well-developed story.