[Review] The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

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Title: The Winner's Curse

Author: Marie Rutkoski (Twitter, Facebook, Website)

Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux, imprint of MacMillian 

Genre: Young Adult - Romance, Fantasy

Release Date: March 4, 2014

Format: Personal Purchase

Synopsis via Goodreads:

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. 

There's so much about this book that is good and generates lots of feels! I really don't want to go into too many details because I'm so tempted to de-brief and release some spoilers.

Things that were great... the world building. This world is not set in a specific time period and does not operate in the "real world". The care Rutkoski puts into building up a world with customs, traditions and various languages is intentional and done with precise care. There's are several scenes where the narration describes hidden nooks and crannies within the society where you can visualize the layout of a house, town, etc. The author's notes do reveal that inspiration is drawn from the periods of Rome and Grecian empires. You can see this in the availability of technology, currency/trade and clothing. 

The characters are pretty awesome too! From swoon-worthy to creepy they're all in there... 

Kestrel is a strong girl having been raised by her father and a slave caretaker. However, privileged life has left her without basic knowledge such as how to do laundry or sew. What she lacks in blue-collar skills she makes up for in brains, specifically war strategy and gambling, and musicianship. She's firm, strong-willed, but not careless. Measuring every move she makes, she's aware of the consequences and weighs the outcomes. Kestrel is a feminist protagonist dispelling the stereotypes of reckless decision making, stubbornness, and a romantic lush. She knows what is expected of her, how to barter and when to play the right card..err...tile.

Arin is handsome, deliberate and basically has all the feels for Kestrel. I think it's funny that the synopsis places Kestrel as the dominate "liker", I definitely think Arin is more obvious in his affections. Arin is also a master in game playing. The beginnings of the "relationship" are more quid pro quo then slave-to-master in nature. Trading a win for a secret and then transitioning into larger odds the camaraderie develops over time. Yay, no instant love! But, plenty of ahh's, ooo's and swoons. 

The secondary characters are likable and equally hate-able. Particularly the auctioneer. *shudders* I felt like he was trying to sell me a 1976 Pinto with no A/C in Texas. Creeper! I'm naming him the character I love to hate. Favorite secondary characters would be Ronin, who tries hard to win the affections of Kestrel, and Irex, Kestrel's gambling buddy who hates to lose. 

About 2/3 through the book I really felt like the storyline was a mix between Disney's Beauty and the Beast and Pocahontas. However, I can't go into why that is so without giving too much away. The pacing is a bit choppy which periods of movement and then lulls. I expect this in book one of a series since so much is put into the world building, so its worth it to me. Overall, due to the game playing nature of the lead characters the story keeps you on your toes because you never know what truth will be revealed next. And is it the truth? 

Last but not least, the writing is quote worthy. I think I highlighted more quotes than I ever have before. I also enjoyed a straight narrative versus a point-of-view book. I feel like POV is the trend in YA series and I'm always left wanting more. I need a three-dimensional story versus waiting for a novella to pop up after the fact. 

4.5 Stars: Read it! Love it! Share it!