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Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski

12/23/2015

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Date Read: November 9, 2015
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Check it out for yourself at BN.Com!

Heart-bReakingly Wonderful!

           This is easily the best book I've read in YEARS, and it took me completely by surprise. It took me a bit to get caught up in it, but I'd reached the end of the book well before I'd realized I was addicted. I went out and bought the sequel right away and read that one in a single sitting. It's absolutely enthralling.
            The setting is a wonderful rendering of the traditional High-Fantasy vaguely medieval world with a fresh twist mixed in that's reminiscent of the Roman Empire. There's not much in it that's truly Fantastical, so I wouldn't classify it as 'Fantasy' per-se, but the world is developed with every bit of the detail expected of a fantasy world. The political atmosphere of the reality the characters in habit is intricate and believable, utterly gut-wrenching for its impact on the main characters. Both sides of the story are well developed and relatable and you find yourself torn between sides.
           What really got me is the relationship between the two main characters. It's a romance novel in many ways, and it has the best relationship development I've ever seen, especially in YA Fiction. The narrative is in 3rd person and switches POVs between Kestrel and Arin to give a delightfully nuanced understanding of the situation; both of the developing relationship and of the obstacles keeping the lovers apart.

             It's an absolutely FANTASTIC read.
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    Categories

    All
    A+ ASTYLE Top Pick
    Author: Jen Calonita
    Author: Marie Rutkoski
    Author: Sabaa Tahir
    Author: Sarah J. Maas
    Category: Adventure
    Category: Romance
    Focus: Boarding School
    Focus: Competition
    Focus: Empire & Imperial Occupation
    Focus: Espionage & Spycraft
    Focus: Political Drama
    Focus: Slavery
    Focus: Star-Crossed Lovers
    Focus: Wealthy Non-Royal
    Series Status: Book 1
    Series Status: Book 2
    Setting: Fairy Tale
    Setting: Medieval Esque
    Setting: Militant Society
    Setting: Roman Esque
    Theme: Freedom
    Theme: Love
    Theme: Loyalty
    Theme: Right & Wrong
    Type: Kids Lit Fiction Series
    Type: YA Fiction Series

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