The Winner's Kiss

A lifetime’s worth of devoted soap opera viewing has made me the perfect reader for this trilogy, not in the sense that this is particularly over the top, it isn’t really (soaps often aren’t that way either), it’s just that I think in large part because of soap operas, my favorite kind of love stories are the epic, tortured types. I like love stories with chemistry that crackles even though (maybe even especially because) the couple have sworn off one another, love stories with so much pushing and pulling, so many starts and stops, so many seemingly insurmountable obstacles in the way that if they ever do finally get together their happiness will feel good and truly earned. Kestrel and Arin are the very definition of that kind show more of love story.

While obviously I love that romance is such a huge part of these books, it speaks to the trilogy’s greater depths that my enjoyment level never dipped even in sections where Kestrel and Arin are apart, they’re just as interesting on their own and with other characters as they are together.

Arin’s friendship with Roshar never ceases to entertain, particularly whenever Roshar needles Arin, yet their sincere moments, their sincere concern for one another is equally compelling.

Though really, in this final book of the trilogy, nothing, not even the romance, was more compelling to me than Kestrel’s tattered relationship with her father (their shared scenes are few here but powerful) and her harrowing time in the work camp thanks to him. The work camp happens early on in the story and given that Kestrel’s mind has always been my favorite thing about her, seeing her continue to fight, continue to try to scheme her way out of the situation even as that beautiful mind of hers deteriorates, it’s riveting. show less

Note: There will necessarily be some spoilers for Books One and Two of this series.

The Winner’s Kiss concludes a very good YA fantasy trilogy that began with The Winner’s Curse and continued with The Winner’s Crime.

In The Winner's Curse, we met seventeen-year-old Kestrel (who turns eighteen in Book Two), the daughter of single parent General Trajan, the highest ranking general of the Valorian Empire, ruling over the lands taken ten years previously from the Herrani. The Herrani now serve as “slaves” to the Valorians, but the slavery is depicted as more of indentured servitude. Kestrel has been brought up with the help of a Herrani woman, and so is more compassionate than other Valorians towards Herranis, and more conflicted show more about the whole slavery system. Nevertheless, she doesn’t question it too much; it is the world into which she has been born.

At a slave auction, Kestrel impulsively purchased a rebellious and handsome boy of 19 named Arin, but (of course) Kestrel and Arin fell in love, with portentous complications. Arin is working to help the Herranis bring about the destruction of the Valorians, and Kestrel, who would do anything for Arin, begins helping him as a spy (unknown even to Arin) named “The Moth.” Unfortunately, her father discovers her treason, and sends her to her probable death as a prisoner in the sulfur mines.

In order to keep prisoners working hard as well as compliant, they are drugged morning and night. In time, Kestrel forgets who she is and who everyone is in her life.

Some Spoilers Ahead: Skip to Evaluation to Avoid Spoilers (Note: The ending is not revealed):

Arin finally hears the truth about what happened to Kestrel (her father put out word that she had died of a disease) and rescues her. But she doesn’t even recognize Arin. With the help of Arin’s cousin Sarsine, Kestrel gradually regains her memories, except for how she felt about Arin, something she actively resists remembering. What her father did to her has affected her deeply: how could feel love again for someone without being broken by it?

They have bigger concerns as well. Now there is a war against the Valorians, and Kestrel uses all the skills her father taught her to help Arin defeat them. She feels guilty for it, and Arin points out she had no choice but to choose a side - her father, or herself. Kestrel said “I want better choices.” And Arin replied: “Then we must make a world that has them.” They all also have to figure out how to get to a place of forgiveness, especially Kestrel.

As Arin and Kestrel, along with the lovable Prince Roshar, fight the numerous and better-equipped Valorians, it is truly not clear if any or all of them will survive.

Evaluation: This is a series that will have you feeling sad when it ends. The characters are so complex and appealing that it is hard to let them go. The romance aspect is very well done; it is slow in developing and fraught with both doubt and yearning. The book also has surprising elements of diversity that are well-integrated into the story in a way that mirrors real life. The author takes the classic elements of fairy tales and fantasies and subverts them a bit, but still gives us a prince and a heroine worth swooning over. I know many readers, especially adult readers, avoid the plethora of YA fantasy trilogies that seem to flood the market, but this is definitely one worth reading. show less

1000 stars out of 5

So that's why it hurts so much. I'm in love.



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Buddy read with my fearless girls - Nastassja and Katerina - who never got tired of reminding me that feeling that much about the book is ok.)
This is us, processing

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I’m sitting here, trying to write a review and having troubles finding the right words. Actually, there're no words to express what I feel about the book and I doubt I’ll be able to find at least several decent ones to describe Marie’s masterpiece of a book. What is more, I would rather not at all. But, well, I am in a major need of emotional relief and hope these notes will help.

I’m not sure whether it’s a good start, show more but I should say that reading the Winner’s Kiss was painful. I decided against rereading the previous installments before starting this one and, honestly, remembered only the core events, while everything else was rather cloudy. And I was ok with it, thinking it’ll keep me from re-attaching to Arin and Kestrel and frustrating over their star-crossed lovers thing too much. But as soon as I read the first couple of pages I knew this would be a tormenting read, which probably won’t end well. And so I suffered and bled, wondering whether death of every character in the series can be fathomed as "beautiful ending" everyone was talking about. Nearly 500 pages of painful waiting.

The ending was beautiful indeed, as was everything. So let me talk about aesthetical, semantical and artistical perfection of Marie’s writing. It is rare for me, but I read every sentence - never skipping, never bored. I was fascinated by everything from metaphorical stories about gods to absolutely down-to-earth battle plans. The change of POVs, the paste, the plotting - beyond expectations. And the way she writes, it’s so smooth and flowing, but at the same time very clear-cut and almost tangible. The words aren’t written. They are drawn, embroidered, forged into a rich, colorful, imaginative narration, where layers of what you see are weaved upon layers of what it really means and vividly colored strokes of what characters say are concealing the much older patterns of what they are hiding.

Never have I experienced such a deep, true understanding of characters. Where it’s usually a rather straight "was-is" transformation Marie offers a complex, multi-dimensional, multi-conditional journey of character development, bringing up every little detail, every single memory and dream that make Arin and Kestrel the way they are at the end. Pain of being betrayed vs guilt of being the one who betrayed, longing to please your dad/god vs wish to please your heart, need to trust your friend vs habit of trusting no one, remembering who you were vs feeling who you are now etc. Gradually, piece by piece, these doubts and desires form the book’s characters, shaping them into flawed, dear to your heart, perfectly real people. And not only Arin and Kestrel - Roshar, Trajan, Risha, Verex, the emperor, all of them were given enough time and consideration to feel real, believable.

Every time I think about the ways the Winner’s Kiss is so special and dear to me I can't avoid thinking about how pure it is. Pure in the meaning of being free of everything superficial, false and useless. In being honest about such complex things as love, relationship, forgiveness etc. In offering closure, bringing almost every relationship, story or idea to it’s intended end (or beginning) - I am particularly impressed by how it ended up with Kestrel and her father. In creating decent, honorable characters - both protagonists and antagonists (OK, except for the emperor - he is pure evil). Also, I can’t believe I'm saying that, but pure in saving Arin and Kestrel for each other…the first sex scene was worth every grey hair I got while reading the book.
And, finally, pure in how it ended. I am absolutely satisfied. Still crying, but satisfied.

So, painful, perfect, pure. Not much but not bad either, these are my best words for describing the Winner’s Kiss - a glorious ending to a fascinating series. Arin and Kestrel, you'll always have place in my heart, love you unconditionally. Marie, please write something as great soon, I beg you.

UPD

This series withdrawal will definitely take some time. I hurt so much. And envy those who haven’t read the book yet. And seriously consider naming my future kids Arin, Kestrel and Roshar. Or one - ArKeRosh. This could work, right? RIGHT?
UPD2
Is there some kind of god of neverending series that I can pray to?



Initial review
10... 100... 1000... stars out of 5
For killing me softly, saving me suddenly and then torturing me over and over again. And bestowing such a beautiful ending.
Review to come soon. show less

“Arin. I've wanted to do this for a long time."
Her words silenced him, steadied him.
Anticipation lifted within her like the fragrance of a garden under the rain. She sat at the piano, touching the keys. "Ready?"
He smiled. "Play.”

This was the best possible conclusion to the series there could have been!!! There was so much heartache throughout this book that I wasn't sure I wanted to survive. But it was so comforting to read this end to everything that Arin and Kestrel had to deal with in the last three books.

“I want better choices."
"Then we must make a world that has them.”

The character arc for both Arin and Kestrel was amazing. All the characters are so deep and well thought out, that it is just so fun to read about them and show more figure out what they will do based on how they think and the like (I sound like Kestrel right now). I also loved how both Kestrel and Arin had someone that helped them, someone who spoke to them in memories and thoughts that helped them with surviving the crazy world they'd been thrust into.

“She felt far away and horribly grounded at the same time, like her heart had been torn from her body and lost, and she didn’t know whether she was her heart or her body.”

I do wish that more time was spent on Verex. I was dying to get to know him better, but he was barely in the story, and when he was there, I got the impression that he was just an extra character that wasn't necessary for the plot, just there because people would expect him to show up at some point. And Risha too. In the last book, she was the prisoner girl, a courtier raised as a hostage, and suddenly she went a complete 180 and... was only there for a few minutes. Literally, she disappeared. After a certain point (in which she was becoming a very intriguing character that I wanted to get to know better), she just stepped back and didn't say another word.

Now, I must mention my absolute favorite character: ROSHAR!

“I have a confession,” he said. “Sometimes I offend on purpose. It’s like my smile.”
“That’s not an apology.”
“Princes don’t apologize.”

He's what I call a "Jace character," meaning that he constantly makes arrogant comments about his own abilities, and also says snide things about everyone else around him.

“When Roshar saw her ripped, one-legged trousers and Arin at her side as they stood outside the prince’s tent, his eyes glinted with mirth and Kestrel felt quite sure that the prince was going to say it was about time Arin tore her clothes off. Then Roshar might comment coyly on Arin’s inability to reach a full conclusion (Only one trouser leg? she imagined Roshar saying. How lazy of you, Arin), or on the quaint quality of Arin’s modesty (What a little lamb you are). Perhaps he’d offer condolences to Kestrel on the partial death of her trousers. He’d ask whether she’d gotten injured on purpose.”

Roshar, according to Arin (and this is true, otherwise I wouldn't repeat it), says many things to keep people underestimating his true abilities, because they are so irritated by his snark. Truly a brilliant plan, if you think about it. If everyone thinks you're a simpering jerk, then no one will expect you to chop off their head in a battle like they would expect someone like Arin (dark, brooding, scarred, dying for revenge).

“Please understand. When I look at you as if you’re crazy, it’s not that I judge you for your insanity.”

When you first meet Roshar, in The Winner's Crime, he seems extremely shallow, and often says things that are kind of pointless. But he is probably one of the most (Arin wins this battle, followed closely by Verex, otherwise he would be the most) caring person in the series. He hides his feelings behind banter, and as Kestrel says, he "says a lot without meaning anything."

“Arms folded across his chest, Arin walked to the end of the pier. “Did you have to bring the tiger?”
“I kept him hungry during the journey here, just for you,” Roshar said. “Go give him a nice snuggle, won’t you? He’s come all this way to see you. The least you could do is give him one of your arms to eat. Too much? What about a hand? At least some fingers. Arin, where’s your hospitality?”

I could gush about Roshar all day. But, he is not the main point of the story (novella about him, please?!). The war, the betrayal, mending of broken hearts, broken trust, truth and lies, The Winner's Kiss, like I said before, was perfect for the ending of the series (still wanting a novella about Roshar, though...).

"Gods, Roshar, shut up.” show less

(I finished this book/wrote a review months ago and apparently just completely blanked on posting it?)

Finishing a truly great series is both immensely satisfying and a little bit devastating, particularly when it's a series that obsesses me for the better part of a week. The first book of The Winner's Curse was a story of uprising, the second of political cunning, the third of war and reconciliation.

"Sometimes she wished she could eat herself. She'd swallow everything--her soiled blue dress, the shackles on her wrists, her puffy face. If she could eat herself up, there'd be no trace left of her or the mistakes she had made."

Liberated from the work camp, Kestrel's mind is in shambles and her own past a mystery as she convalesces in show more Arin's reclaimed ancestral home. However, war between the Valorian empire and the newly liberated Herrani is quickly escalating. Everything hangs in the balance as the Herrani fight to maintain their freedom while Arin and Kestrel consider their own uncertain future as they progress across the battlefield. I loved finally getting to see Kestrel in her element. While shying from combat, she is a master war strategist, but haunted by her father's lessons and his betrayal as she works to outmaneuver him.

"War wasn't a game, but she wanted badly to make her father know how it felt to lose."

This book is as much about Kestrel as it is Arin and, I think, the most introspective of the trio. They essentially have to rebuild their entire relationship as Kestrel tries to reconcile her two selves and Arin struggles to master himself to allow her the trust and self-government she so desperately needs. My love for these two is staggering, particularly as they limp towards each other in this installment after all they have suffered. Rutkoski's triumphant finish to an exquisite series. show less

The heartstopping end to The Winner's Trilogy starts with Kestrel trying to figure a way out of prison due to her betrayal being discovered and swiftly punished by her father. Arin is gunning for war after ensuring the aid of the Dacran queen. Kestrel tries to escape a few times, but after harsh punishment and being subject to various drugs, she loses the will to fight and starts to forget who she even is. Arin focuses on simply not feeling and throwing himself in the war to cope. The Dacrans and Herrans are clearly outnumbered, outgunned, and out maneuvered plus his Moth spy has disappeared. Will Kestrel and Arin ever see each other again? Can the Herrans and Dacran cooperate and overthrow the Valerians?

The Winner's Trilogy is epic show more fantasy at its best, addictive and masterfully written. Although there isn't any magic to speak of, the world is completely realized with the different people's customs, attitudes, and norms. This book in particular is a wonderful mix of romance, political intrigue, and war without having one aspect take up too much of the plot. One of my pet peeves with young adult fiction is how the angsty romance takes up so much of the plot when earth shattering things are usually happening all around. There's a place for everything in The Winner's Kiss and nothing is forgotten. The romance has the usual miscommunications and pride of the respective people involved which is expected because it builds tension. However, Kestrel and Arin finally level with each other and get all of their feelings out with real conversations instead of half truths and misunderstandings. The political intrigue is the smallest part in this novel because Kestrel is no longer at court, but it's mainly present when Dacran royalty is involved. The war depicted here isn't glorious and honorable. It's bloody, messy, dirty, and horrific. Kestrel finally directly involves herself with the war and is forced to take lives to save her own and get her hands dirty instead of orchestrating everything from safety. All aspects of the book were filled with just enough forward momentum, tension, and drama.

The characters of The Winner's Trilogy are really what kept me reading, especially Kestrel, Arin, and Roshar. Every character is dynamic and interesting to read, even the ones I loved to hate. Kestrel is no longer surrounded by riches. She starts out trapped in a prison built to create mindless slaves through drugs. After months of fighting to escape and being punished, she succumbs to the oblivion of the drugs and forgets literally everything about herself. Once Arin saves her, she has no idea who he is or even who she is, having to relearn and remember everything. The person who comes out the other side isn't exactly like the old Kestrel, but someone new who has to get to know Arin again (plus everyone else in her life) instead of just fall into his arms. She has to discover who she is and reconcile everyone else's account of her with her own slowly trickling in memories, many of which are repressed. I like that Kestrel had to come to terms with her own lies and other undesirable things she did in order to do what she thought was best. Her complex relationship with her father also plays a large role because so much of herself was shaped around waiting for him and hungering for his approval. She has to find who she is separate from him and from Arin before she makes any definite decisions on what to do.

Arin is also changed after Kestrel so soundly rejected him in the last book. His anger and sorrow are closer to the surface as he tries to throw himself into battle to forget. Through new Kestrel, his softer side emerges more and more, but he is no less ferocious in battle. He has to let Kestrel go a little bit and stop being so controlling because she's a force to reckoned with and will make her own decisions despite his. They became a great team as the battles went on and got to know a different side of each other this way. Arin's friendship with Roshar also develops and becomes almost like a brotherhood instead. The two have such silly banter because Arin tries to be serious all the time, but Roshar insists on making jokes at every turn, no matter how dour the situation. The mutilated prince has lots of layers underneath his jokes and it becomes clear that he actually cares for Arin and Kestrel, who he gets to know throughout the novel. The ending particularly showed the depths of his devotion even if that act in itself is told in a hilarious way. Without Roshar, the book would have been much too dramatic. He succeeds in lightening the mood (even if he may be infuriating) and coming up with schemes that don't always align with his allies. Roshar is a memorable trickster character with his own agendas, but a heart of gold.

If I had my way, I would have read The Winner's Kiss in one sitting. Alas, things like sleep and work got in the way. I loved the entire series and I couldn't ask for a better ending to this series. I eagerly await for what Marie Rutkoski writes next, whether future books exist in this same universe or not. I always lose myself in her masterful writing with its twists and turns that I can never predict. show less

This book wasn’t perfect, but it was perfect for me.


There were so many things that I loved.

First, as with the previous books, the hauntingly beautiful prose left me giddy and tingling. Rutkoski conveys her characters’ anguish and their hope in fine, detailed brushstrokes of language. Her phrasing is unique without being showy, her choice of imagery almost perfectly balanced with the actions of individual characters. Speaking of, Kestrel’s character arc was wonderfully structured. I was a little skeptical, at first, with the amnesia plotline (because AMNESIA, REALLY), but with Rutkoski at the helm I needn’t have worried! Kestrel’s loss of memory was achingly captured. It was a great way to bring new depth and growth to a show more character that I once thought of as “aloof”. It challenged Kestrel’s — and thereby our — perceptions of herself, which complicated her relationships with others. I particularly loved Kestrel’s careful, bruising understanding of her dynamic with her father, and I loved watching her work through and learn from it from a different place. And, just as importantly, it knitted her relationship with Arin out of more solid, brighter thread. This, in turn, gave Arin and Kestrel’s star-crossed romance a heartwrenchingly satisfying ending. I loved how Kestrel and Arin, through misspoken words and cut-off conversations, arrive, with painful, awkward honesty, to the conclusion that they can — and should — always meet each other as equals. It’s a wonderfully open, mature way to sweeten the romance between two fierce and complex characters.

But no, it wasn’t entirely perfect.

There were a few plot points that were rushed through and blown past in service of character growth. Again, this was fine for me, since I place much more emphasis on character development than plot in my own writing and reading. But some might question just how easy it was for Arin to arrive at the tundra and rescue Kestrel within the span of barely 12 hours or so, when Kestrel had plotted for days and had failed disastrously. (And it didn’t entirely sit right with me that Kestrel ultimately needed Arin to come save her.) Some may not entirely love Kestrel’s struggle with amnesia, as it somewhat erases her struggles in the past few books (her deteriorated relationship with Jess, for example). And some will find the ending to be squished together and rushed, making the whole climax feel like a long, light breeze, rather than a savage storm. The back and forth between Kestrel’s climax and Arin’s, in particular, was hard for me to follow, and made me feel a bit light-headed when everything was over.

And yet, when it was over, I was left with that queer ache that comes with feeling extremely satisfied, and wishing I was not done. All said, this is a lush, romantic conclusion to a richly imagined trilogy. A triumphant story about the enduring power of faith and love. ★★★★☆. show less