YA Buddy Readers' Corner ♥ discussion

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.

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Owllet, Helen and I will be reading this triology from April 15th on.
Everyone, feel free to join us!

I'm about to start soon with Winner's Curse.

I only read 2 chapters (really liking it so far) bc my sis came for a visit.
I'll do a blog post and after that I'm off to reading!

I finally got a copy so I will be starting tonight.

Okay I got through Chapter 9 today and comments so far:

Right off the bat in chapter 1 I noticed (view spoiler)[ this thought Kestrel has right before she bids on the slave: "The stony set of the slave's shoulders reminded her of herself, when her father demanded something that she couldn't give." So what, she bid on him because he reminds her of herself? Narcissist much? (hide spoiler)]
Reading on to Chapter 9 though (view spoiler)[ my opinion of Kestrel changed because she honestly considers she might be wrong when prompted by Arin about the whole "god of lies" issue. I think that's a pretty clear sign that she's not self-centered and can pocket some criticism. So far I like Kestrel.

As for Arin... he is both the bravest and luckiest bastard around. Bravest because he's constantly doing things that could land him a serious ass-whooping from a slaveholder (refusing to sing, skipping curfew, pretending not to understand Valorian, challenging Kestrel etc); luckiest because he happens to get bought by the one person in the city who won't deliver him said ass-whooping, namely Kestrel.
I just realized I called a slave "lucky" - disregard that, those words don't work well together. (hide spoiler)]

Any thoughts?

Helen wrote: "Okay I got through Chapter 9 today and comments so far:

Right off the bat in chapter 1 I noticed [spoilers removed]
Reading on to Chapter 9 though my opinion of Kestrel changed because she honest..."

OmG, you're so right about Arin

I'll be joining you guys for the next book in the series ;) Did a BR for this. But it was in the another thread.

Helen wrote: "Okay I got through Chapter 9 today and comments so far:

Right off the bat in chapter 1 I noticed [spoilers removed]
Reading on to Chapter 9 though my opinion of Kestrel changed because she honest..."

(view spoiler)[Like what you said about Kestrel. Shes not like most. Shes tough. Plus Arin is my book boyfriend. Yup. (hide spoiler)]

That's cool, Masoodah, that you'll be joining us!

I haven't read anything today yet but I came home recently and I'm about to make myself a coffee and just read for the rest of the day... :)

@Irena

Coffee and Books. Whats not to love?

I'm at Chapter 14 right now. (view spoiler)[ Kestrel is already pursuing Arin, even if she doesn't consciously realize it lol! And subtlety is really not her strong suit - asking for his opinions all the time, inviting him to her rooms, asking for him as an escort...
And when Kestrel got worried Arin might misunderstand the exchange between her and Irex!!! I was like "damn girl you're already that into him??"

Honestly though seems like they're perfect for each other so I'm not even mad. (hide spoiler)]

I ended up not reading today. My social life won over my reading.
However, I plan to spend tomorrow only reading so I hope I ' ll catch up.

Irena wrote: "My social life won over my reading."
I don't know that feeling lol.

I made it to Chapter 20 but I'm annoyed (view spoiler)[ because Arin always finds a reason to be mad at everyone. Kestrel protects him from consequences of HIS mistake by challenging Irex to a duel, and somehow he's still pissed at her! And he said himself earlier he's be mad at Kestrel if she did cry about Enia's death, and equally mad if she didn't. Boy needs to CALM DOWN. (hide spoiler)]

Helen wrote: " Irena wrote: "My social life won over my reading."
I don't know that feeling lol.

I made it to Chapter 20 but I'm annoyed [spoilers removed]"

I agree with you! (view spoiler)[Arin is one angry guy.
He is angry at the whole world because his life turned out to be as it is.
Ican't blame him for that, though.

I think the scene where Arin shaked Kestrel and told her Enai didn't love her was really good. (hide spoiler)]

This book is getting better and better!

Finished chapter 21 and I have some problems with this book.

(view spoiler)[ I really don't like why would they fight to death.
Why would they kill one of their kind, especially a potential warrior.
I get that they would fight each other, but why to death??
That does not have a logic to me.
And the fact that it is a legal thing has even less logic. (hide spoiler)]

chapter 22: Kestrel and I are sisters by injury.

Really? How so?

I had knee dislocation two times in my life: once when I was playing volleyball and second (which was like hers with blood inside and swallowed) when a drunk driver hit me with his car.

Finished chapter 31

I really don't know (view spoiler)[ who's side to take. It's like they're both wrong and both right.

And I don't know what to think about this "love possibility."

It is one complicated situation. (hide spoiler)]

I finished it!!
all in all, I am satisfied with the book.

It was less about love and more about politics.

Tbh, after finishing it I still have no idea who's side to choose and have no idea where the story will go from now.

I plan to start Winner's Crime tomorrow.

It was a cliffhanger of an ending werent it?? ;) I'll join you for the next book tommorow hopefully ;)

yes, it was a cliffhanger, but the one I like to call the good cliffhanger: you are curious to see where the story's gonna go, but you are not dying to know.
You know what I mean?

I'm looking forward to read it together tomorrow ! :)

I'm not quite done yet (on Chapter 33) but I'm so conflicted! (view spoiler)[ On the one hand I love Kestrel and I want her to escape and take revenge on Arin and generally kick ass. But on the other hand, the Herrani revolution is totally justified and if I didn't know it through Kestrel's perspective I would obviously side with Arin's cause.... *sigh* this is difficult. So I can't decide whether or not I want Arin's mountain pass attack plan to work. Basically I have the same problem as you Irena. (hide spoiler)]
I'll finish the book today - I'm on it!

Yes, this is really a type of book to just read and see what will happened.

There's no clear side to root for.

Irena wrote: "Yes, this is really a type of book to just read and see what will happened.

There's no clear side to root for."

Actually I just finished and ended up rooting for Kestrel after all. (view spoiler)[ Maybe this is me projecting my pride onto Kestrel, but I felt like she was betraying herself by letting herself fall for Arin again in his house. Call me evil - I see that the Herrani revolution cause is justified - but I just can't root for them like I rooted for Kestrel and her people.
Still poor Arin, rejected like that :( (hide spoiler)]

Can't wait to meet the emperor's son in the Winner's Crime. I'm starting it today.

Cool. I can't wait to meet him too.

I have another book I'm reading today so that's why I'm starting tomorrow, but I'm sure I'll catch up.

I'm halfway through the Winner's Crime now, back on Team Herran for now haha. I'll stop for now so that I'm not too far ahead of you.

ohh, you read pretty fast! That's awesome!
I still read that other book but will finish it tonight so I hope I'll read The Winner's Crime pretty fast too.

I'm starting The Winner's Crime only now.
It is already evening here but I hope to read as much as I can.

Finished chapter 3

This book is so violent!
Too violent to be categorised as children's fiction, if you ask me!

Finished chapter 7:
(view spoiler)[ I wonder if she's gonna cancel the wedding... (hide spoiler)]

Irena wrote: "Finished chapter 7:
[spoilers removed]"

If that happened (view spoiler)[that would make me sad because I actually feel for the emperor's son, he's a nice guy! His only fault is being raised in a household that doesn't do "nice". (hide spoiler)]

Helen wrote: "Irena wrote: "Finished chapter 7:
[spoilers removed]"

If that happened [spoilers removed]"

I like him too. I'm at cnapter 12 now and I hope we'll get to see more of him.

What chapter are you on?

The way Arin's voice is described makes me think of one of my favorite singers, especially whenever Kestrel plays the duet that's meant for his voice I think of this:
Casadh an Tsugain

Once Kestrel called Arin's accent almost "growling" in the Winner's Curse, I started imaging Herrani as a throaty language like Gaelic in the song above.

Irena wrote: "What chapter are you on?"

Actually I finished just now, I was in a rush because I have 3 buddy reads to start tomorrow! But take your time and I'll comment once you get further in the book.

Helen wrote: "The way Arin's voice is described makes me think of one of my favorite singers, especially whenever Kestrel plays the duet that's meant for his voice I think of this:
Casadh an Tsugain

Once Kestre..."

Ohh, I have never before heard of this artist or song.

Helen wrote: "Irena wrote: "What chapter are you on?"

Actually I finished just now, I was in a rush because I have 3 buddy reads to start tomorrow! But take your time and I'll comment once you get further in th..."

I get you complitely. I have two of them with you I think (The Glittering Court and The Raven boys).

I'll just finish this one forst and then start with the Glittering Court.

I'm not sure if I'll be able to start The Ravsn Cycle on time though, because I think it would mayve be better for me to just finish this series first.

I tought I'll be able to read more these days but I am still lacking...

Finished chapter 21
(view spoiler)[ I wonder if we'll get to see east and where's the story gonna go from now. (hide spoiler)]

Finally wrote a review for the Winner's Curse:
Winner's Curse Review
Have you written one yet? I'll do the Winner's Crime review next.

Once you get to Chapter 36 I just remembered (view spoiler)[ there is this great part where Arin kills a tiger but he ends up rowing the tiger's cub home on a little boat. I immediately thought of Life of Pi haha! I wonder if the author meant that to be an easter egg for her readers. (hide spoiler)]
Closer to the end of the book (view spoiler)[ Kestrel writes Arin a long letter detailing all the reasons why Arin has misunderstood her and why she couldn't correct him in the music room. This really reminded me of Mr Darcy's letter in Pride and Prejudice. Lol Marie Rutkoski be stealin! (hide spoiler)]

I am on chapter 35 now.

No, I stll haven't reviewed The Winner's Crime. I'll probably do it soon though.

Helen 2.0 wrote: "Finally wrote a review for the Winner's Curse:
Winner's Curse Review
Have you written one yet? I'll do the Winner's Crime review next.

Once you get to Chapter 36 I just remembered [spoilers remove..."

I am actually reading Pride and prejudice right now so I didn't come to the letter part yet!

(view spoiler)[Ohh that tiger Arin is so cute, I like him more then the real Arin.

But really, when she was writing that letter I immediately knew it will come in wrong's hands. (hide spoiler)]

Anyway, I finished it. It was better then the first book, if you ask me.

I'm thinking about reading The Winner's Kiss over weekend.

I have to read the Glittering Court today, but the truth is, I need a little break from fantasy so I'll read something contemporary instead.

@Irena That's weird I actually liked the first one MUCH better. I gave the first one 5 stars and the second one 2 lol. But I have high hopes for the third one anyway.
Wasn't Masoodah supposed to join us for the Winner's Crime? I just now remembered she said something along those lines.
Winner's Kiss over the weekend sounds good. I'm super swamped right now too.

Yes, she said she would join but maybe she couldn't or maybe she also got cought up with other buddy reads.

I realized that for the rest of the month I only have fantasy buddy reads and it became overwhelming to be honest, that's why I read on my own today, some chick lit, just to take a pause from fanasy.

Makes sense. I'm reading Orange Is the New Black and the Handmaids Tale on the side so those two are keeping me sane :)

Sorry guys! I really wanted to join you guys but I've been reading books for a lot of challenges and I should have said 'maybe' for this one. I just saw it and cause I wanted to the read the next book O thought I'll join but didnt end up doing soo. So many books so little time

Masoodah wrote: "Sorry guys! I really wanted to join you guys but I've been reading books for a lot of challenges and I should have said 'maybe' for this one. I just saw it and cause I wanted to the read the next b..."

It is okay Masoodah, really!
I get you 100%.
I am also lacking when it comes to buddy reads. No matter how hard I try, I just can't manage to participate in all the ones I want to.

Hello guys, have you started Winner's Kiss yet?

Was thinking of starting today or tomorrow.

I planned to but I am really struggling with reading for the last two days and it reflects...
I am really sorry. I wanted to read this with you this weekend but I can't even finish books I already started. and they are interesting, it's just me.

@Irena no pressure! Join when you can :)