The YA Dystopian Book Club discussion

Our July BOTM is The Winner's Curse!

This thread is for general discussion. Please be sure to mark all spoilers by using [spoiler] before the text and [/spoiler] after the text, replacing the []s with <>s.

Enjoy!

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


Wow. Different book altogether than what I'm used to reading. But I loved it!
Kestrel, the main character, is frustrating at times, as she is stubborn, but that is how she is raised. Reminds me of the main character of Marie Lu's book Legend: always calculating, fighting her feelings to do the "right" thing....but you know that she loves Arin, the antagonist and the love interest all in one. As soon as I finished the book, with an obvious cliff-hanger, I was anxious to start reading book two, though I have other books that I've got due back to the library shortly. Once I found the second book, The Winner's Crime, I started reading right away. I had to know if Kestrel and Arin end up realizing their feelings for each other and stop fighting them. It makes sense: she is Valorian, the conquering people over the Herrani, Arin's people. And when the Herrani fight back, she gets a taste of what his people have dealt with once conquered and forced into slavery. It's a beautifully conceived concept, and though I don't post spoilers, I see promise and another favorite series already developing for me. I am disappointed that after book two I will have to wait a year for book three, but I had to do it with the Lunar Chronicles, so I guess I will survive.
A great read for lovers of dystopian fiction, but with a more medieval feel than futuristic. And not quite fantasy because of the lack of magic. Just a good story, and one I recommend. And just an FYI: the book is beautiful with the raglan pages and stunning cover art.



View all my reviews

I'm on chapter 18 (view spoiler)[ Can I just say what a tool Ari is i was actually tearing up because who is he to take away her love for Enai!!! To actually say she never loved her and was only forced too!!! I kinda hate him right now!! (hide spoiler)]

Finished!!! I rated this 4*

(view spoiler)[ I loved all the action and that they were both so torn with the situation change!! My favorite however, was that it was the best kind of cliffhanger.....leaves you wanting more with out wanting to throw your tablet across the room!!! (hide spoiler)]

I am currently reading this book and I love it! It's so good. I only started to read it last night and I'm already half way through.

It was a very fast read!! One of those ...hmm...do I sleep....or finish the story...kind!!! Lol!!

But I'll warn you both now: the second book, The Winner's Crime, will have you wanting to ring Kestrel's neck. I'm dying to read the last one to see what happens!!

Just started it last night! I like it but don't love it (yet!).

Jessica wrote: "Just started it last night! I like it but don't love it (yet!)."

It's a slow start. I think it gets going after awhile. But it may not be for everyone. I personally liked it. I hope you end up liking it, too. :)

I just read and I couldn't help comparing the two the whole time!! But I still really enjoyed this one!!

Is that book any good? I've never seen that one before...would you recommend it?

Definitely!!! I loved it because it was Dual POV, which is my favorite!! Both characters have completely different storylines......until they don't!!

Ok, I'm going to add it to my list.
Thanks for the recommendation!!

Finished it last night. I liked it, it was an easy read. Similar to the books I've been reading recently. The Orphan Queen, An Ember in the Ashes, Red Queen

Laura (acquariusgb) wrote: "Finished it last night. I liked it, it was an easy read. Similar to the books I've been reading recently. The Orphan Queen, An Ember in the Ashes, [book:Red Queen|17..."

If you have a chance, read the next one, and tell me if you want to strangle Kestrel like I did. I hope I don't feel alone in that sentiment. :)

Laura (acquariusgb) wrote: "Finished it last night. I liked it, it was an easy read. Similar to the books I've been reading recently. The Orphan Queen, An Ember in the Ashes, Red Queen

I have read all of these except the Orphan Queen which I wanted to read next.....is that very similar..because three of these in a row might be a little much for me....

I finished a few days ago. I too thought it was a slow start, especially trying to organize who was Valorian, who wasn't, and other war logistics. (Did anyone else find that confusing at first?) Luckily I'm not one that gives up on a book easily and quickly found I couldn't put it down. I stayed up way too late reading the ending only to be upset by Kestrel's choices.

I can't wait to read the second book; I'm waiting for it on inter-library loan. Someone mentioned we'd have to wait a year for the third book; does that mean it's not been released yet?

@Jen the last one doesn't come out until March of 2016!!!

I kinda love her choice....because she made the hard one....I don't think there was a good or bad....but (view spoiler)[ I love that she choose her people over her love...and in the end she still saved him and his people. I can't wait for the next.....and I wonder if the Prince will be anything we have to worry about ....you know, love triangle, or if he will just be angry he is being forced to marry too!! (hide spoiler)]

I finished it a couple days ago and I ended up really liking it!! I feel like it really started getting good around halfway through when all the interesting stuff started happening.
And Vega_girl, I totally agree (view spoiler)[as much as I love Arin, I'm glad that she choose her people over him in the end, even though it was painful. And yet she still found a way to save him. (hide spoiler)]
I'm about halfway through the second book and I'm really liking it too. I can't believe I have to wait so long for the next book though! :(

But Jessica, doesn't Kestrel drive you insane in this book?

Not really. I mean, yes, of course, because UGH! but with all the stuff going on, I think her actions were pretty understandable.

I think I understand her actions, yes, but that boy will only take so much abuse! :)

Vega_girl wrote: "Laura (acquariusgb) wrote: "Finished it last night. I liked it, it was an easy read. Similar to the books I've been reading recently. The Orphan Queen, [book:An Ember in the Ashes|2..."

It is kind of similar. Or maybe it's because I've read them one after the other. I really loved The Orphan Queen. I suggest you wait a bit before reading it so you can really appreciate it

Thanks so much!!! I was actually going to start today, but I will hold off. I really want to enjoy it...

@ Vega_girl; I know what you mean about Kestrel making the hard choices, and I absolutely think she made the selfless, respectable decisions. There's just always that small part of me that waits for love to win out in the end, cue fairy-tale ending! That said, I would hate most books if they did, but I can't help the lover in me...

I finished Book #2 today and, although I thought it was dragged out a tad too much at times, I couldn't put it down b/c I HAD to know what happens. I can NOT believe the way it was ended and can not fathom where Book #3 will go with this story! (view spoiler)[ P.S. What's up with her dad?!?! (hide spoiler)]

I hope Kestrel gets her act together in Book 3 before she loses Arin forever....I would only put up with so much if I were in that position!