Wednesday 4 February 2015

Waiting on Wednesday: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

Waiting On Wednesday is a weekly event hosted By Jill at Breaking the Spine that spotlights upcoming releases that we're eagerly longing for and anticipating.

Author: The talented Marie Rutkoski
Date of Publication: 12th March 2015 (just around a month away!)

I read Winner's Curse (the first book of the series) during summer and I absolutely loved it! I was absorbed by it completely because it was everything I had craved for in a book. It had romance, historical drama (a rivalry between two nations, slavery and conspiracies) and fantasy all strategically and wonderfully mixed up into one YA novel- what's better than that? 

I came across so many books which had insta-love (ewwww...) which was so annoying because it results in a frustrating lack of substance to such raw and supposedly beautiful feelings. But in Winner's Curse there was a slow-burning romance which was filled with forbidden love and so much conflict- even as a reader I felt shattered and emotional. The characters go through this perfectly paced transition from strangers, to reluctant friends to two people who are in love and scared by the big, bad and beautiful love. However this story was not consumed by love and just from the blurb you can tell the sequel will be focused on action and character development rather than dismissing everything else (including difficult topics such as slavery and duty) for love.

Arin held so much within himself- slowly the weary layers hiding the true Arin were unravelled so that the reader learnt more and more about him- about his passion and courage. While Kestrel was so intelligent and just had this spark in her eyes. I want to know how they grow as characters when the people around them, setting and decisions change.

The second book will probably focus more on the theme of sacrifice which I know Marie Rutkoski will explore in a tragically haunting way.

Also on goodreads a huge amount of people who have gotten arc's seem to adore this book-- possibly more than the first one which must make this fantastic! The last book ended on a cliffhanger that left me wanting more so here I am waiting and waiting for it;)


Thanks for reading:)


18 comments:

  1. I still haven't read the first book but I have and will eventually lol

    Here's my WoW

    Xoxo. Alexis @ Lexi Swoons

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    1. Haha! Well as you can probably guess I definitely recommend it:)
      Your WoW sounds amazing!

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  2. Yay for slow building romances Maya! That was a highlight for me in the first one too, and I'm absolutely terrified things aren't going to go well in that department in this second book. *bites nails* Still, I can't wait to get my hands on this:)

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    1. Yay times two!;) I know exactly what you mean Jenny!- Sequels always make me so excited and nervous because I desperately want them to be as amazing as the first book! Fingers crossed for the romance to be as wonderful as in the first book:) I can't wait for this to come out too- it feels like it has been ages:( Thanks for reading my post!

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  3. I finally got a copy of the first one, now need to read it! I'm going to try to read it in February as the pink on the cover fits in with Valentine's day theme.
    Check out my WOW

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    1. I hope you love the first one as much as I did:) That sounds like a great plan! A romance novel is perfect for the month with the day of love in it;) And isn't the cover gorgeous?:D
      Thanks for reading!

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  4. Oo. Your blog is so new and cute! I followed, hehe.

    I LOVED The Winner's Curse, for all the reasons you stated. Fantasy, Romance, Historical Fiction...::sigh::

    The characterizations in the novel were just brilliant.

    Ugh, the third book will totally be "tragically haunting". I'm already anticipating all the angst. Can't wait until it comes out!!! Great WoW (& Review).

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    1. Haha! I'm such a newbie;) Thank you so much for following!:D
      It was such a stand-out book! It's just the perfect mix of everything good in those genres:)
      Agreed! I liked how complex and unique the characters were. I've never read a book with an Arin or Kestrel in it:P I mean even their names are super original!
      I can't wait for the second and third book! Who doesn't love some angst and forbidden love?;)
      Thank you!!

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  5. Yes I am so excited to start this one! Everyone seems to be loving it so far

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    1. Hopefully you'll like it too:D I love that feeling when you just know you're going to fall in love with a book:)
      Thanks for reading my post and commenting Melanie!

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  6. I can't wait to read this one, too, Maya! I loved The Winner's Curse, and I thought it was a well conceptualized fantasy series. I hope you'll enjoy this one!

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    1. I just wish the release date would come already!;) Exactly!- the Winner's Curse was so well-thought-out and memorable and introduced me to the wonderful genre of fantasy:) I hope you love Winner's Crime too! Thank you so much for stopping by Joy!

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  7. I have heard so many good things about Winner's Curse, but it was one of those books I just never had the chance to pick up. This cover of the second book looks gorgeous though and the plot sounds so intense I know I won't be able to resist the series for much longer. The combination of romance, historical fiction, and fantasy sound perfect. Also, thank you so much for stopping by my blog! I'm glad you like the title and that I've found another Gatsby fan :)

    xoxo,
    Jenni
    thebeautifullittlefools.blogspot.com

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    1. Going in I had heard so many great things about it too- to be honest I was a bit nervous to read it because I didn't want to be disappointed but luckily I definitely wasn't!:)
      The covers of these books are beautiful! And it's nice when the quality of a book matches the beauty of its cover;)
      I couldn't think of a more enticing combo myself!
      Love your blog! As soon as I saw the title of your blog I knew I had to check it out!:P It's always wonderful to meet someone who loves a book you love too! Gatsby is the kind of book that never gets old:)
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  8. This is the first I've heard of this author and books. Sounds like a good read. Hope you enjoy it! And thanks for coming by my WoW.

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    1. It's definitely a good read!:) Thank you- I hope I enjoy it too;) Your WoW Basset is so cute! I guess we both can't resist books with danger in them:P
      Thanks for stopping by!

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  9. I still need to read The Winners Curse! I love these covers. Great pick!

    Teresa @ Readers Live A Thousand Lives

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    1. I hope you love it when you read it! The covers fit the series so well- they're full of magic, rebellion and beauty:)
      Thanks for stopping by Teresa!

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