Review: The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski
I really enjoyed The Winner’s Curse, by Marie Rutkoski. A delicate, intricately woven tale, The Winner’s Curse is a unique, unforgettable story and a great first installment in what looks to be a stellar trilogy.
The Quick Catch-Up: Kestrel is the daughter of the famed Valorian, General Trajan. When Kestrel impulsively buys Arin, a Herrani slave, she gets more than she bargained for. Slowly Arin begins to win over Kestrel’s heart and mind, but his and Kestrels budding relationship has serious repercussions that could change the balance of power in the empire forever…
The Winner’s Curse is much more than a simple romance. Filled with political drama, slow burning tension, a thoughtful plot, and believable characters, The Winner’s Curse wows all around.
Rutkoski builds a complex world, filled with layered characters. I love how the characters interact against the backdrop of a world filled with intrigue and deception, illustrating their multifaceted nature. Kestrel is headstrong, smart, and clever and Arin witty, strong, and determined. Rutkoski expertly tells their stories, lacing them together in a complicated tale.
Also–those twists! Rutkoski takes chances in storytelling that not many authors would! Those risks definitely pay off in the end, helping to cultivate the experience of a richly complex world.
The Bottom Line: The Winner’s Curse was a definitely a wonderful read and one I’d certainly recommend! Buy it, get it, you won’t regret it!
