The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski
The Winner's Curse is a YA fantasy/alternate history novel that features a romance between a privileged girl and her slave. Both protagonists are from warring nations and the series features a lot of political intrigue. I rated it 4/5 stars.
What is The Winner's Curse about?
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.
On to the review...
Woah. This novel is really, really good.
Kestrel is now one of my favorite YA protagonists. She's a weak fighter but a master manipulator who wields secrets, femininity, and military tactics to her advantage. And yet she's a kind person at heart who hates having to use others as pawns.
This is unlike other YA novels I've read. It's slow-paced, distant, and reads like a historical novel at times. But unlike other authors who try to write intelligent characters and fall flat on their face with failure, Rutkoski actually knows her stuff. This reminded me a bit of The Poppy War with how detailed the war strategies are. The in-person combat is a bit dry, but the focus is more on chessmasters than soldiers on the front.
Unfortunately, I'm only rating it 4 stars because I felt like something was missing in the romance between Kestrel and Arin. Objectively speaking, it makes so much sense, and I adored the tension between them once the second half hit. But I don't know if it's the distance of the narration or the lack of relationship exploration, because I wasn't gripped by it. Still, I appreciated it for what it brought to the plot.
Lastly, some might be hesitant because this contains a slavery romance. But Rutkoski handles it amazingly. This is what Ash Princess should have been, Christ. There is no torture porn. There is dignity to both sides. The Herrani slaves are not powerless "savages". They are two brutal empires who have fought and conquered each other in the cruelty of war.
If you prefer the average, fast-paced, swoony YA fantasy then you might not like this. But if you want something unique, intelligent, and full of court intrigue—then I highly recommend reading The Winner's Curse!
Kestrel is now one of my favorite YA protagonists. She's a weak fighter but a master manipulator who wields secrets, femininity, and military tactics to her advantage. And yet she's a kind person at heart who hates having to use others as pawns.
This is unlike other YA novels I've read. It's slow-paced, distant, and reads like a historical novel at times. But unlike other authors who try to write intelligent characters and fall flat on their face with failure, Rutkoski actually knows her stuff. This reminded me a bit of The Poppy War with how detailed the war strategies are. The in-person combat is a bit dry, but the focus is more on chessmasters than soldiers on the front.
Unfortunately, I'm only rating it 4 stars because I felt like something was missing in the romance between Kestrel and Arin. Objectively speaking, it makes so much sense, and I adored the tension between them once the second half hit. But I don't know if it's the distance of the narration or the lack of relationship exploration, because I wasn't gripped by it. Still, I appreciated it for what it brought to the plot.
Lastly, some might be hesitant because this contains a slavery romance. But Rutkoski handles it amazingly. This is what Ash Princess should have been, Christ. There is no torture porn. There is dignity to both sides. The Herrani slaves are not powerless "savages". They are two brutal empires who have fought and conquered each other in the cruelty of war.
If you prefer the average, fast-paced, swoony YA fantasy then you might not like this. But if you want something unique, intelligent, and full of court intrigue—then I highly recommend reading The Winner's Curse!
