From goodreads:
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.
Review…
I love this book.
I might be obsessed.
While I was disappointed in the lack of fantasy, the writing and the story itself make up for it tenfold. Seriously.
You’ve read the blurb.
You have an idea what this is about.
Yes, two countries at war and I mean that in the past and present tense. Enter: the Valorians and the Herrani.
“Happiness depends on being free, Kestrel’s father often said, and freedom depends on being courageous.”
Kestrel who happens to be the General’s daughter and Valorian, becomes friends with Arin, a Herrani slave after she aquired him at the auction. Becoming friends might be a strong statement to make but that’s what it evolves to, eventually.
Our fearless heroine is probably one of my favorites that I’ve encountered so far. She’s all about embracing her feminine side but her strength is being a strategist and HO BOY does that talent ever come in handy during war time.
“Arin smiled. It was a true smile, which let her know that all the others he had given her were not.”
Arin is just brilliant. He keeps his eye on the prize even though it feels like a betrayal, it isn’t. At least that’s not the way I perceived it to be. There’s more to Arin than being a slave and slowly but surely those details are revealed.
This is how a forbidden romance should be written. There’s no insta-love and it all started over a game of cards. There’s not even a mention of how handsome he is or how stunning she is, nothing. Feelings are developed over time and through secrets that are shared. And that, boys and girls felt incredibly genuine.
Marie Rutkoski has delivered a beautifully written story about a Valorian and Herrani that despite all odds, fall in love. *dreamy sigh*
Oh and I should mention, the ending is gut-wrenching.
“I agree,” Arin said, “under one condition. You mentioned emissaries. There will be one emissary from the empire. It will be you.”
You might want to hold out reading this book until The Winner’s Crime (The Winner’s Trilogy, #2) is released on 3/5/2015. Just sayin’. 
Hi! I saw that you stopped by my blog, so I had to come over here and visit you! You’re blog is lovely! *follows* I’m so glad you loved The Winner’s Curse. As you saw from my review, I didn’t love it as much — I had reservations — but I am so. excited. for book two. Just SO EXCITED! I mean, I feel like the ending of the Winner’s Curse was the best part. You’re just left completely wanting more. The wait is agonizing!
Ellen B recently posted…2014 End of Year Book Survey
Hi Ellen! YOUR blog is beautiful!!! *follows back* ♥
But yes, I kinda went bananas over this book. I even ordered a physical copy for my collection. *shrugs* Book 2 is gonna be wicked good, I just know it. That ending gutted me. GUTTED. ME. I will have to patiently or not so patiently wait until March 2015!
Here’s to new book friends… *raises coffee mug*
PS: your bio moved me *big hug*
I’m planning on buying a physical copy of The Winner’s Curse as well! And I’ll be buying The Winner’s Curse as well.
Thanks for the kind words about my about me section! I decided to write a personal one on a whim, and it really gratifying when I hear back from people about it.
Here’s to a new blogging friendship! *clink*
Ellen B recently posted…The Diviners Review
This sounds pretty great! I think I’ll be adding this to my TBR and waiting until book two
It’s fantastic! Brittany…you will love it and it’s smart to wait until March because it’ll be easier on your heart! *wink*
Yay!! So glad to hear you loved this one!! It’s been on my TBR list for awhile – it sounded really cool! I think I will wait til the 2nd one comes out since the ending sounds like a gut-wrenching cliffhanger!! Awesome review!!
Thanks Tricia! ♥ I actually thought this series was complete when I one-clicked and when I went to purchase the second book…I almost had heart failure! *bangs head on desk* UGH…oh well, at least I have March to look forward to! *snickers* Next time I should do better research!
Well I appreciate the heads up & will wait for the 2nd!!
Marking this one down! It sounds awesome! A well done, slow building romance is hard to come by.
Julie Johnson recently posted…FuturePrimitive: Shadow Show Bathing Grains Jar
Julie…it’s so good! Just keep in mind, it’s light on the fantasy but the journey of their relationship is absolutely fabulous! ♥
Ahh I\m so happy to hear that you liked this one! I remember being a bit skeptical of it before I read it (because of all the hype) but I was completely addicted. I lloved the slow burn romance and just the characters themselves. I do wish there were more fantasy elements but I think TWC really left a lot of room for those to be explored in later books. Lovely review Cristina
Thank you Lily! ♥
I agree with you totally about the element of fantasy being explored in the next two books. It has to or they wouldn’t label that way, right? *shrugs*
And yes, that story is so addictive and I’m dying for the second book. DYING.
OMG I am dying to read this one and I just picked it up on sale so I need to put everything else aside and start it! Glad you loved it
Becca you will LOVE this!!! It was so addictive and all the characters were so compelling. Simply put, it’s fantastic!
I seriously need to make time for this. I’ve had it sitting on my shelf for so long!! Since I have trouble with fantasy sometimes I’m hesitant to start them sometimes…but this one DEFINITELY is worth a try.
Great review!
Lisa @ Lost in Literature recently posted…Audiobook review: Four Seconds to Lose by KA Tucker
Since you read more contemporary and this is labeled as fantasy….you will still enjoy it because that element is totally missing, that’s why I couldn’t give it five stars. And the forbidden romance alone is just PERFECT!
Did someone say forbidden love? I LOVE it when forbidden love in written well. Gah! I’m such a junkie! It makes me so excited that you’re obsessed!!!
Megan @ Reading Books Like a Boss recently posted…Book Review â The Immortal Crown by Richelle Mead
Meg…it’s subtle and simply wonderful. You will totally feel it once you start reading it and don’t even get me started on the ending. So worth it!!! ♥