Review: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Oh. I just read this stunning book. And my heart is dying. I'm not sure how to begin talking about it. It was perfection. But it also made me so angry at times and my god. It is the most heartbreaking. But I actually really loved that evil ending for Kestrel. It was pretty amazing. And I'm so curious about it.

I would recommend that everyone re-read book one before reading The Winner's Crime. Because reading these two books right after each other was the best thing. How to talk about this one, though. Sigh. First, the writing is all kinds of stunning. I adore Marie. Her writing is perfection. There is so much love.

I'm so glad that this book is also told from the point of view of Kestrel and Arin. Because I still adore them both to pieces. I must be honest, though, I liked Kestrel's view the most in this book, because Arin was so angry at times. Sigh. But I still love him the most. Probably. Kestrel is pretty amazing, though :) We see a little bit more of Kestrel's dad in this one. And I do love reading about him. But damn it. What he did at the end of the book was not okay. It wasn't okay at all. He better fix it in book three. Sigh. Because I love how much Kestrel loves him. And I need him to prove that he loves her as well. More than he loves his honor and pride. Hmph. But I still like him. And I'm glad we got to read more about him. Well, for the most part :)

I won't be sharing spoilers about what happens in this book. Well, I'll try my best not to. I want to share all the details. Sigh. But I shall not :D Instead I will just tell you all how much I adored this book. How much it broke my heart. I didn't expect it to be so sad. I didn't expect Arin to be so dumb at times. Hmph. But he is also all kinds of amazing at the same time. Just wishing he was better at getting things. Sigh. But I do adore him. And I loved reading from his view. He did some amazing things.

There is so much going on with Kestrel. With her living at the palace. With her getting married. There is a ball. And it broke my heart. Sigh. Kestrel is just.. so unhappy about things. And my heart broke for her at all times. I just wanted her to be happy. Wanted a way out for her. Which I sort of got at the ending. But not in the way I was expecting. Meep! Yet so exciting too. Anyway. Lots is going on with her. And I loved reading all the things. It is all very exciting and depressing and just the very best. So much love.

There is a whole bunch of new characters in this book. I wouldn't be able to talk about them all. Some I really loved reading about. Others I could have been without. Hmph. There is a lot more of the emperor, shudders. He is all kinds of creepy. Disliked him so much. But his son, Kestrel's fiance, was actually all kinds of awesome. I adored Verex. Think he and Kestrel can be amazing friends. Because he is very kind and gentle. Nothing romantic, not at all, but still. He was an pretty awesome character to read about.

There is also this old man named Tensen. Whom I couldn't decide if I liked or not. I wish he had done what Kestrel asked of him. Sigh. That bothered me and broke my heart. But I still enjoyed reading about him. Then there is Roshar; whom I actually really loved. He is sarcastic and a bit mean. I adored him. I hated his twin sister, though. And that one scene really bothered me. There better not be anything like it in book three. It would hurt me too much. But still. Roshar was an interesting person to learn more of.

Then there was more of Jess and Ronan. Which I had wished for. I take my wish back, though. Sniffs. It bothered me a lot how they treated Kestrel in this book. But I also understood how hurt they were. But still. It did break my heart and I don't like my heart broken. Sigh. But it was also so well written. Just wishing there had been more of them, as there wasn't much at all. And I do adore Jess. Despite her being a bit cold and mean. I really hope there will be more of Jess and Kestrel in book three. Please.

The Winner's Crime is a stunning book. It is full of heartbreak and gorgeous moments. I loved this book to pieces. Sure, it made me angry at times, but it also made me so happy, because I loved it a whole lot. But for the most time this book broke my heart. There is so much death. But it was Arin's anger that bothered me the most. How he isn't able to see things clearly. How he doesn't seem to fight for his feelings. I wanted him to. I will be so disappointed in him if he doesn't do it early in book three. Hmph.

Huge thank you to Ksenia at Macmillan Kids for inviting me to read this gorgeous book via Netgalley. <3 And huge thank you to Bloomsbury Kids UK for approving my Netgalley request as well :) I cannot wait to own the gorgeous UK paperback edition; where the dress is a stunning red. I can't wait to own all the copies of this book. But damn. I would do anything for a print ARC of The Winner's Crime. ANYTHING. Please let me know if you would like to trade or anything at all. <3 I'm dying for it. Now, go order this.

The Winner's Curse. The Winner's Crime. Marie Rutkoski. The Book Depository. UK.

Review of The Winner's Curse. Book Recommendation. Bridge of Snow. The Shadow Society.
Cover Reveal for The Winner's Crime. New blog post for The Winner's Curse.

Update: Newer and better review of the book can be found here.