Marie Rutkoski - The Winner's Curse

“Best to recognize the things you can’t change, child.”

Part of the world has split into two groups. Valorian and Herrani. I'd like to ask at the beginning what on earth do people keep humans as slaves unless we have a time machine and traveled back in time? A bit out-of-fashion, don't you think? I hope we're better than that.
The same goes for the ladies' good reputation and need-of-escort. Guys are such cavemen. I am not surprised Kestrel throws her cap over the windmills and doesn't give a damn about conventions hanging over her head like a watery cloud. The fact of being the general's daughter inadvertently makes her number one target of malicious gossips. Especially after she takes a slave beside her as an around-the-clock escort for the pleasure of blabbering crones.

Note

I have read  Kestrel and Arin's chit-chat indifferently at first. I simply haven't felt the compulsory heat surrounding them. But as the story unfolds they are certainly warming up gradually to my great pleasure. ;)

"Always identify your opponent’s assets and weaknesses."

I slightly disdain Kestrel for being such a damsel-in-distress when it comes to hand-to-hand combat given the fact that she has learned fighting skills for her entire life. She didn't read the reference book of war before bedtime as a child, that's for sure. But.
She's more cunning and calculating than I have given credit for. Evidence speaks for itself as the duel till death went pretty well if not smoothly. Thanks to her ability of seeing through lies and making a good thing out of it practically she talked herself out of the hot mess she got into willingly. I'd like to think it was pure instinct to protect Arin who's become more than just her slave. She's prone to meddle in other people's business anyway...
But she have the wits to get out of trouble without lifting a hand. She must have got through life by the policy of more brain than brawn. So true. Smart girl.

Then, quietly, he said, “I could do it.”
“What?”
“I could braid your hair.”
“You?”
“Yes.”

When fate turns on its heels and smashes into Kestrel head-on, I must say she doesn't take it very well. I am wondering whether she's really a hothouse plant peaking out of her father's ironed slacks never once getting her hands dirty. It's okay making slaves work and their lives miserable. But the other way around? 'Good heavens no! I'm the moving spirit of society. Hands off!'
And that's the point when I had a change of heart. It's about life and death now and about changing the faulty system of hierarchy.

Naturally Kestrel is hurt and betrayed but she's yet denying the fact she would have done the same the other way round. As for Arin, it is out of his intention to fall in love with the enemy but he has after all (inevitably). Now it's his turn to save her from the vicious claws of the Herrani. He has left nothing but to do everything in his power to protect Kestrel and come to terms with her. He doesn't have an easy job, to say the least. It's like making a raging hurricane to stop wiping whole islands off the map. He put a quart into a pint pot.

My hear has broken into Peace's when Arin lets Kestrel go. Even if it means he's bringing an entire army on his head. I love about this guy that he always put Kestrel first. It's impossible not to fall for this guy. And I fell hard.

Then I'm being so overwhelmingly mad. Not only because did she sentence him to death but there's something wrong in the system obviously that she wants to restore. Does she not see that?

"Happiness depends on being free and freedom depends on being courageous."

P.S.
I love the conception of music-bringing-people-together. It also has a role of intensifying their attraction. And I would give anything if I could hear Arin singing...*daydreaming alert: star-gazing*

“My soul is yours,” he said. “You know that it is.”

After reading

I put on the warpaint. I braced myself for The Winner's Crime.
It's coming soon!

Rating

4 out of 5

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