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The Winner's Curse (The Winner's Trilogy, #1)

Marie Rutkoski

Start date: November 1, 2015

Finish date: November 30, 2015

Discussion: Series

Why we're reading this: Won the poll for the series BOTM
[close] Won the poll for the series BOTM

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Series

* Continuing Series- Nightbane
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last updated Aug 12, 2025 07:32AM

* New Series- The Princess Trials
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last updated Aug 27, 2025 04:41PM

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What Members Thought

Jan 29, 2014 Stephanie rated it it was amazing

Shelves: high-fantasy, favorites, 2014

I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given or offered to change or effect this review.

If you're a fan of all things scheming, yes this is the book for you. If you love a great high fantasy, this the book for you. If you like great books in general, this is the book for you.

Kestrel must choose to marry or enlist as a soldier by her twentieth birthday. She knows she would like to marry at some point but hates the constraints I received this book from the publisher via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review. No compensation was given or offered to change or effect this review.

If you're a fan of all things scheming, yes this is the book for you. If you love a great high fantasy, this the book for you. If you like great books in general, this is the book for you.

Kestrel must choose to marry or enlist as a soldier by her twentieth birthday. She knows she would like to marry at some point but hates the constraints society puts on her if she chooses that path. She'll have more independence as a soldier, but there's the small fact that she can't fight worth beans. On the other hand, Kestrel's scheming and stratagem is some of the best out there. She's not someone I would want to get on my bad side.

I would just like to first say that one of the reasons I love high fantasy is because it's usually written in third person and it's written really well that way. The Winner's Curse's world is well-constructed and filled with just about every type of character. There's the despicable guy everyone wants the main character to punch (or worse), the smart best friend who comes off as rather simple, the young bachelor whose compliments are more sincere than they seem, the tough but caring father, the motherly figure, the young fragile girl, and the very stubborn but very handsome guy who we all know belongs with the main character. Yup, the cast is full and ready to go.

The Winner's Curse had me hooked from page one. I could very clearly visualize the setting and I could tell that, even if I didn't, Miss Rutkoski knew all about her world and was just waiting for the right moment to reveal parts of its history. In the mean time, she showed us the games of Valorian high society, their gossiping ways, and the ripple effects of Kestrel's actions within it.

As I said before, the writing was fantastic. I had no problems connecting with the characters or falling deep into the story. I was immersed in Kestrel's world and it was such a pleasure to spend time there.

Kestrel herself is the schemer who sometimes wishes she couldn't scheme, yet who takes pride in the fact that she can outsmart most people. Kestrel is three dimensional and oh so intelligent. Her father conquered a whole country and she's in competition with him, trying to scheme her way out of his schemes. Yeah. Can I say the word scheme again?

Arin was perfect. He's a slave, so of course he'd be angry with Kestrel at first. Then he starts opening up and I was sitting there thinking, more, give me more. Arin isn't just a simple slave though, he's a blacksmith and his scheming's have no problem competing with Kestrel's. Oh yes, we have yet another one of those. Even with his anger though, Arin doesn't wish to slaughter Valorian society. At his heart, he's a very noble guy.

The love story was fantastic. Miss Rutkoski didn't rush anything. She let their relationship as master and slave develop and snowball until their first kiss. Arin would do anything for Kestrel and proves it. But Kestrel has a lot more going on than just being in love with Arin. Things are complicated. In the end though, she proves what we all know. But what that is I won't say because that's complicated too.

The plot was well-thought-out and perfectly executive. Who doesn't like a good rebellion? I did seem some things coming but that didn't make it all any less enjoyable. I'm just glad Cheat got what he deserved. And Irex.

The Winner's Curse is the high fantasy I have been craving. It didn't disappoint (not that I thought it would; I was 100% sure it wouldn't). It's been one of my top anticipated novels of 2014 for a reason. ...more

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Feb 25, 2014 Melissa rated it it was amazing

The story follows two characters from completely different backgrounds. One, Kestrel, is from a conquering nation who has enslaved the people where she resides. The other is Arin who is a member of the enslaved. An impossible romance develops and one where I couldn't see working, but wanted it to work so badly throughout the story. You just want to know if a love with people of unequal status could eventually fall in love.

You are drawn into the story from the start through Kestrel and it doesn't ...more

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Jul 07, 2014 Danielle rated it liked it · review of another edition

Shelves: 2014-read, ya-books, 2014-july-read, ya-books-read-in-2014

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here. I wasn't as gaga about this book like some people have been and giving this book such rave reviews, which made me want to read this book in the first place, but sadly I wasn't wowed by it. I didn't love it, but I didn't hate it either I just thought it was okay. I liked certain parts of the book (aka the love story aspect more on that below). I think partly to blame of why this book fell short of my expectations was because my expectations were so high of this book especially from the synopsis o ...more

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Jan 21, 2014 Alexa rated it really liked it

Shelves: arc, young-adult, 2014-reads

My mini-review can also be found on my blog Collections.

4.5 stars

I didn't know what to expect from The Winner's Curse. It wasn't originally on my radar, and I only became curious about it once I started to notice all the great reviews it was receiving. After getting the chance to read it myself, I can understand why so many are praising this book.

Kestrel, a high-class Valorian and the general's daughter, and Arin, a Herrani slave purchased by Kestrel at an auction, were the main characters. They ...more

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