BOOK REVIEW: THE WINNER'S CRIME BY MARIE RUTKOSKI

does "of course" even sound like a string of real words anymore

SPOILERS DON'T READ:
okay but what if the general sold out his daughter to the emperor in an attempt to show his allegiance to the emperor and valoria but really he's gonna help kestrel get out of the labor camp because he truly cares for his daughter more than he cares about whether she loves the wrong boy because honestly WHAT KIND OF FATHER DOES THAT????

FIND ME ELSEWHERE:
email: thebookbasement[at]yahoo[dot]com
instagram: @bookishsophia

[sydbugnano]

When Kestrel was writing the letter, I was so happy. Like yes, Arin is going to understand now! But when Tensen didn't give Arin the letter... Everything inside of me deflated.

[hopeortego]

I agree with you. The second book wasn't as good as the first. I also expected the Prince to play a bigger role, but I just ended up finding his character very lack luster. Yes, your word frustrating is perfection. I really wanted Kestrel and Arin to find a way to work together. But instead I felt like there were just too many lies and mind games being played. I really love Arin's character. It was sad to see him have to go through everything he went through because I loved him so much.

[pierablackthorn]

Wow so that ending ruined me as a human. Wasn't overly in love with them in book one but by the end of this book I just wanted them together! WHY DO PEOPLE SUCK AT  COMMUNICATION SO MUCH

[lotusfarmer]

I absolutely love watching your reviews because I completely relate 100%! I love this series and I can't wait for the third book to come out! 

[AnItalianKnitter]

I'm getting ready to start The Winner's Kiss, and I'm watching your video to refresh my memory. I'm so excited now!

[krys]

I cannot handle the wait for this third book. Literally, because of you convincing me to read the first book - I loved it. Then I told the school librarian about it. Then we looked up the second book. Then she ordered it in for me so I could read it asap. Then I finished it and bought my own copy. Seriously Sophia, WHAT HAVE YOU DONE TO ME?

[CoolLot]

omg, just finished the book last night and girl, everything you said was on point!!!🙌 this is a really good series, can't wait to get the winner's kiss.

[Ashter]

Everything you said I was saying YEES! We really don't know what Marie will do with the characters and where the plot will go, it can go anywhere. This book was painful and she definitely twisted my emotions. I love the characters and it's hurts to read them go through so much & kestrel basically has no one to turn to.
Another cliffhanger, another year to wait. I'm excited but scared for the last book please let them be happy

[Lukesimmer]

thank you so much Marie Rutkoski for ripping out my heart and ripping it into tiny little peices and sticking it back togther and shoving it back into my chest. u better revitalize me in book 3. cause im actually dying.

[BookBFF]

The Winner's Crime managed to avoid 2nd book syndrome which I SUPER appreciated. I think The Winner's Curse was a BIT better too but I *loved* them both!!! I think there was a bit too much star crossed lovers thing going.. but it PAID OFF AT THE END *sobs*

How are we supposed to wait a YEAR????

-Lindsay

[SophiesSeries]

Such a good review! The ending of this book absolutely KILLED ME! 

[trulymadlyloveFF]

For a spy master, Tensen is really REALLY reckless and stupid. I'm so mad at him, I don't even sad when he got what he deserved. I just scream at my book "I TOLD YOU SO!" =___=

Now if you'll excuse me, I need to go back to my cave of desperation, waiting for the third book to come.

[samilily]

Omg just finished this today! Loved it

[Justin-jqzg]

please please please let kestrel and arin finally be together

[nyksreads]

I completely agree with everything that you said... the angst nearly killed me. When I realized that the miscommunication would not be resolved, I just wanted to finish the book because it caused me physical pain. 
(the first book was perfection. this one was heartbreak.)
also, just a friendly tip.. rutkoski refers to arin as "ah-rin" (:

[bente]

YES thank you! You have put my thought about this book into words, it's absolutely amazing but I also like the first one better. Maybe it was because it was so frustrating for me to read that there were dozens of opportunities for him to find out but it never happened and now my heart aches and I have to wait another year for him to find out.

[paigest.laurent]

So I just finished The Winner's Crime. Pretty sure I'm dead. 

[Bibliosaurusrex]

Oh my goodness i LOVED the Winner's Curse and I'm so excited to read The Winner's Crime :D

[AlexLovesTH]

I hate when two main characters have so many unnecessary misunderstandings between them. That being said, I didn't feel it was unnecessary this time. I think a lot of this book was about seeing Kestrel's loyalty to Valoria dwindle down to nothing. Since Jess and her father disowned her she has no reason left to side with her country.

I'm really nervous that The Winner's Kiss is referring to the kiss of death . . . Even if it does it with a not so happy ending, I just want a few moments of happiness for Kestrel and Arin TOGETHER. I HAVE HOPE. Sigh, I went back to that scene were Kestrel falls asleep in the grass with the puppy just to cheer myself up. Well, the wait until the next one is gonna suck

[mehak]

I am basically book hungover after this book 😭