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.
Top 5 Reasons You Should Pre-Order The WInner’s Curse
I'm not going to write my review yet - but here are my top 5 reasons why you should pre-order this book today.
1.) Winner's Curse deserves the hype.
I rarely, if ever, give into book hype these days. In fact, having 20 people tell me how amazing a book is, makes me NOT want to read it. I've been burned.
From the gorgeous publisher ARC & swag sent to bloggers to all the high praise I hear - this book and author deserve any and all hype. It's gooooood.
2.) The tension. THE TENSION.
There is action, there is romance but above all there is a delicious tension running throughout. What choices will the characters make? What will the consequences be? OMG THE TENSION.
3.) Black, white and shades of grey.
You think you know where you stand on something that happens on one page - but then rethink your position on the next. I LOVE that.
4.) The romance.
Now THIS is a forbidden romance. For about 100 reasons this shouldn't work out, but I still hope it does…but it might not. No insta-love but two VERY complex, evenly matched people in a battle for their autonomy and the future of their people. The stakes don't get higher than that. What will they choose? *bites nails*
5.) Kestrel.
This would actually be my #1 reason for loving this book so much. Kestrel is the best kind of book heroine. She's whip smart and observant but knows her limits. She makes mistakes, admits when she is wrong and learns from the experience. She's not super human or especially kick-ass but don't cross her. She has a tender heart but can be tough and calculating when she needs to be.
Kestrel has to make tough decisions over and over that have dire consequences for her and those she loves. And she does it.
It's only January but I already have my first 5 star read and can begin making the Best of 2014 book list thanks to Winner's Curse!
I've been seeing this book for quite a while now but I don't have plans in reading it. I saw a 'forbidden romance' and I think I'm done with that. So yeah, for me, no thanks.
ReplyDeleteBut this post made me re-consider the book. I checked it out again on Goodreads and also saw ratings and short reviews from the people I trust when it comes to books (though I know they barely know me). So now I have to try to contact the publisher if they still have ARCs for this! I hope I'm not too late. :O
Michelle, The Escapist.
I agree with you about "forbidden romances" but this was done in such a great way. These aren't two whiny, immature characters waffling back and forth. They are really mature - it's done well.
DeleteHope you like it. (& can get it lol)
Just finished this and IT WAS SO GOOD!!! *huggles book*
ReplyDeleteYeah - it was amazing. I had to stop my brain from trying to figure out what will happen in the next book. This one isn't even out yet. lol
DeleteNice. There really is a lot of hype surrounding this book, but it's great to hear it is well placed hype. It sounds awesome.
ReplyDeleteI hate book hype lol but it's justified in this case. IMO anyway.
DeleteYes it lived up to the hype and I loved the last line of the book :)
ReplyDeleteSo good!
DeleteOoohh...I can't wait to read this one...it's on my TBR for later in the month!
ReplyDeleteAwesome post. I love how you put it when you said shades of gray. I love that.
ReplyDeleteI loved it too. There's a LOT of gray area with this book. Good reasons for their actions but everything has a consequence.
DeleteI admit I do give into the hype, but it depends on WHO hypes it now. :) Certain bloggers I just trust. Yep, you are one of them. So hype it up... I need to put this on my wishlist. :)
ReplyDeleteSqueee Thank you!
DeleteHype! Hype! Hype-ity hype! lol
No love triangle? *fingers crossed*
ReplyDeleteNone yet. I fervently hope there won't be either. It's always possible in YA though lol
DeleteThank goodness! :D
DeleteThe blurb had me and then the points sold me
ReplyDeleteI know right?? Why don't they magically appear?? *pouts*
ReplyDeleteI love your excitement, Karen! I haven't heard of this before, but will take a closer look.
ReplyDeleteWow, you are very excited about this one. It doesn't sound like my usual read, but your reasons for loving it have me curious. I like that there isn't an insta-love, but a great romance, and that the MC is a realistic, yet strong heroine.
ReplyDelete1. IT DOES.
ReplyDelete2. IIII know!
3. You are absolutely right.
4. I'm so anxious. *bites nails*
5. She kicks ass.
I am SO excited that you ended up loving it. All the <3s to this book.
Wendy @ The Midnight Garden
Ha! I love when I get all ZOMG about a book. It's so rare.
DeleteGreat post. I really loved this from the very first page. I need to write my review....
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
I just finished this book yesterday, and it BLEW ME AWAY!! So freaking good!
ReplyDeleteI know! I love when I start off the year like this!
DeleteAwesome post :D Sigh. I really loved this book as well. <3 It was AWESOME :)
ReplyDeleteI'm so happy to hear that everyone else is loving it too.
DeleteI love that we both did one of these posts for this book! Yes to ALL that you said. Wasn't that arc they sent out GORGEOUS? Although I did have to hide the little cardboard dagger from my 6 year old because he would have made short work of it;)
ReplyDeleteYes to the tension. Yes to the edge of your seat action and suspense. YES TO THE ROMANCE (my GOD, will it work out?? I just don't know and it's killing me!) and yes to Kestrel being such a fabulous heroine. I can't wait for the world to read this book and fall for it like we did:)