Book Review: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Curse
The Winner's Trilogy #1
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Reading Level: Young Adult
Genre: Fantasy
Released: March 4th 2014
Review Source: Farrar Straus Giroux

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.

I must say I was very curious about The Winner’s Curse. A few of my friends were going on and on about this. As you know, I am a sucker when it comes to the cover and this one has a fantastic cover. So yes, I couldn’t wait to start this book. The craziness of how people loved this story made my expectations high. Unfortunately, it didn’t meet mines. I like the story but I didn’t go crazy over it.

The Winner’s Curse is about a girl named Kestrel. She knows what she wants and doesn’t let her father influence her decisions. I really liked this about her. She wanted to take action of her own destiny. Yet, at times I did not like her since she lets other people walk over her. Such a contradictory huh? One day, at an auction she had a connection with a slave and with that strong pull, she buys him. This is when the term winner’s curse comes to place. She purchased him at such high price that exceeded his value. Harsh but the truth. See, Arin is a spy and is seeking revenge against Kestrel’s people…

Overall, the story was okay for me. When I was done with the book I kept wondering if I read the same story as the others did. I honestly think the story drags at times, which was my biggest issue. Sure I liked some parts, such as the setting. As a fan of Reign, a CW show, I liked the fact that it took me back to the days when queens and kings rule. Since I have Reign as a background, I kind of knew what to picture, the land, the way people dress, which I found very entertaining. I was the director to my imagination while reading. Although it didn’t meet my HIGH expectations, I would like to see how the story proceeds.