The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski:ARC Review *Spoilers

Plot Summary: 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

As part of this book group I am in, I have access to many ARCs (Advanced Reader's Copies) of books. This is the first one that I have gone through so far and I loved it. First of all, let me just have little word about the cover and the book design because it is amazing! The cover is gorgeous, though I must say a bit cliche with the romance novel theme. That fact that it is printed horizontally just gives it enough uniqueness to make it special. I must also have a moment to relish the exquisiteness of that dress that girl is wearing. That color (a roseish hue) is simply ravishing.

When I first picked up The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski and I saw on its little summary on the back that it was a slave romance I was a bit tentative. I really wanted to like the book but was scared that it would be just a ball of cheese. After going through the intensive English class I have been taking this semester everything I read I analyze and I was just crossing my fingers that this book would be good enough that I wouldn't get distracted by its possible crappiness and start analyzing it for faults. I was very lucky and this didn't happen. This book turned out to be absolutely great to read. I tore through it within 4 hours of receiving it and had a blissful mental break from reality.

The main character, Kestral, was very human and stuck strong to her beliefs which I really enjoyed. There are so many books out there today that have such enticing cover flaps of strong female characters, but once you start reading you end up seeing another "Bella" (Twilight reference guys; I tend to make those). Yes, she did fall in love, yet she didn't let that love stand in the way of her duty and honor embedded deep into her from her customs. At the end, her decision wrapped up both her feelings of her people and those of her love, Arin. This character's steadiness is what makes her so wonderful in my eyes. She didn't loose herself in her journey yet she embraced the new. She rebelled even as she loved the enemy.

The plot of this book in comparison was not steady at all- which was great! When I first began to read this book I felt like I could already picture the road The Winner's Curse's plot was going to carve. Boy was I wrong. There were satisfying twists in every corner that I never expected and I liked that. I'm the type of person that usually never begins a book without reading/knowing the ending first. These twists gave me very pleasant surprises.

Of course, I have to also remark on the relationship between Kestral and Arin, our two starstruck lovers. I like them both a lot, which is pretty rare to come out of my mouth/fingers? :) Arin's character was more emotional than Kestral's, in my opinion. He seemed to feel more and was more willing to act in the name of faith or love. Kestral was the live-by-the-book, logical one. I feel this is usually switched in young adult romance novels so this was refreshing to find. These two characters weave together seamlessly to form a sappy perfection which makes me all warm and happy a mist all the stress I am suffering through from the joys of homework. Of course in the next book (*spoilers) there will be an introduction of a new character that could possibly tear these two starstruck lovers apart (think Gale- Hunger Games). I am crossing my fingers and praying this doesn't happen. I just love these two characters together too much.

After finishing this book I was really sad that I couldn't get my hands on the next book immediately. What makes it hurt even more is that it hasn't even been published yet/ released to the public. Oh the pains of reading an ARC and loving it. And to add another layer of icing to the cake, the book ends on a cliff hanger. Please. No. My heart cannot take such pain at this moment. I am really exited for this book to be published so that everyone can be exposed to the wonderfulness of this book. It makes for a great, light-hearted read to relieve yourself of the everyday stress. It isn't too deep, too sappy, or too boring. It is just perfect and the title connects with the book in just the most delicate way that will kill you emotionally.

I have never read anything else by Marie Rutkoski but I will probably check out more of her books after being exposed to such a great read. Next book, just please come out already. I'm on my knees.

March 4th, 2014 is the expected release date. Make sure to check it out and get your hands on a copy!