REVIEW – THE WINNER’S CRIME by Marie Rutkoski

Posted March 20, 2015 by Emma in Blog / 21 Comments

The Winner’s Crime (The Winner’s Trilogy #2)
by Marie Rutkoski
Publisher – Bloomsbury Children’s Books
Release Date – March 12th 2015
Buy – Amazon | Book Depository 

Lady Kestrel’s engagement to Valoria’s crown prince calls for great celebration: balls and performances, fireworks and revelry. But to Kestrel it means a cage of her own making. Embedded in the imperial court as a spy, she lives and breathes deceit and cannot confide in the one person she really longs to trust …

While Arin fights to keep his country’s freedom from the hands of his enemy, he suspects that Kestrel knows more than she shows. As Kestrel comes closer to uncovering a shocking secret, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth.

Lies will come undone, and Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them in this second book in the breathtaking Winner’s trilogy.

Sadly, I hate to say this but I did DNF this book at 50%, so your probably wondering why would I review a DNF when I never have before. I loved the first book and the girls, Tanja and Glass and I were going to do a joint review and I wanted to add my opinion to the mix. I don’t know what it was about this book that so many people just loved, but I had some major issues and I think my lack of time to read, my slowness didn’t help either. I guess you could say that it suffered the middle book syndrome. Would it be weird if I said I still sort of need to know what happens in the third and final book…

1. Did you like the darker side of this story?
When I first began The Winner’s Crime I wasn’t all the keen on how the story turned around. Wouldn’t she had been safer with Arin?! I know it’s against all her ideals but to marry in order to save the war and then now she’s the Emperor’s lap dog, her father, the general fighting for him and marrying the Prince for the Emperor’s ideals. So if I’m honest it was the darker to the plotline and characters that lead me to DNF it at 50%.


2. Was the change in style of narration/writing a good choice?
No, not really. I found that it didn’t quite have that balance I was talking about in my previous review of The Winner’s Curse. I felt it didn’t flow properly and I think that it what let it down I think. The pace of the book slowed down dramatically which impacted me with my reading as I wasn’t engrossed in comparison to the previous book.

3. Our feelings about lack of romance.

There was nothing there that really continued my interest. Even when that tragic part happen to Arin, which I’m saying anything, because of spoilers, I thought, they might have let bygones be bygones. Kestrel is certainly one to play hard to get. But why won’t she give into her passions, her feelings. That was what was frustrating especially after what Arin said at the very end of The Winner’s Curse.

4. What do you think of Kestral’s character in this book in comparison to The Winner’s Curse?
She has only become a shell of what she used to be and that is what I enjoyed about her The Winner’s Curse. She had everything a strong, feral protagonist should have. In the sequel, she just lacked that passion in everything, her romance with Arin or the Prince, her ideals and beliefs changed, she had no drive towards them. I think everything in her character was slow, it didn’t match the character I loved.

5. Which book is your favourite cover? 
The Winner’s Curse
6. The Winner’s Curse or The Winner’s Crime?
The Winner’s Curse

Rating – 2

Don’t forget to check out Glass & Tanja’s review here.

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21 responses to “REVIEW – THE WINNER’S CRIME by Marie Rutkoski”

  2. Jenny

    I definitely think the direction this one takes in terms of the romance (or lack thereof) will cause me stress Emma, so I'm waiting until the third book comes out to give this a try. I'm hoping there's an HEA at the end of the series, and if that's the case, I'm much more willing to overlook any middle book issues that come up:) Sorry this just didn't work for you!

    • admin

      I think the lack of romance was a bit of a problem for me, I just felt it plodded along at such a slow pace I'm afraid. :/ Hope you have more luck that I did! 🙂

  3. Kindlemom

    Oh no! I am so sorry you didn't love this, that does make it hard to review and to finish, especially when you loved/liked the first book so much.
    I am sorry this wasn't a better sequel for you. I have yet to read it but I am hesitant to start it.

    • admin

      I was hesitant in the beginning with the series all along. I just wish it was better for the sequel for me to continue the series. Hope you enjoy still! 🙂

  5. Aimee (Deadly Darlings)

    So sorry you didn't like this, Emma. 🙁 I definitely enjoyed The Winner's Curse a lot more than this one, but I managed to still give this three stars. I liked that this was a bit darker, but I definitely agree that it was too slow and not too many things happened. I wasn't a big fan of the romance, either. 🙁

    Aimee @ Deadly Darlings

    • admin

      I know exactly what you mean. I wish sometimes that I could finish it but at the time it just wasn't doing itself any justice. I definitely enjoyed The Winner's Curse a lot more. 🙂

  6. Tanja - Tanychy

    Sorry for not posting our review girl. But Glass was sick and she couldn't manage to do her part. She will do it for the next week. Anyhow I totally agree with you and I see why you gave up. It wasn't half as good as previous book. Great review, Emma 🙂

    • admin

      Hey that's alright completely understandable. Hope she is alright now. 🙂 No it wasn't sadly. Glad you managed to finish it though. Thank you, Tanja! 🙂

  7. Anonymous

    I really wish you could have enjoyed this one Emma. I do love this series but i understand where your troubles with it stemmed from. i do hope your next read is more enjoyable! And hey! At least you gave this one a chance!
    lily @ Lilysbookblog

    • admin

      Me too. I lot more than I did! My next read was very much enjoyable thank you. I'm glad I did. But wished I could of finished it though.

  8. Lola Reviewer

    Oh nooooo. I actually liked this sequel. I mean, it is quite different from book one, so I can understand that some people might not enjoy it, but I loved how daker and less focused on the romance it was :)) Great review nonetheless!

    Lola at Hit or Miss Books

    • admin

      I definitely preferred the first book, I wished I could of enjoyed it a little more to actually finish it. Glad you enjoyed it more than me though. Thank you, Lola! 🙂

  9. Melliane

    Oh I'm sorry that you felt that way with this book. It's true that it's quite different but I loved it… emotionally draining I confess. I hope it will be better for you with the next one.

    • admin

      Me too. I know quite a lot of people enjoyed it and some didn't so I think it's definitely a hit or miss with this one. Me too. Glad you enjoyed it though. 🙂

  10. Jen Ryland

    Ha — love how you interview yourself!
    So I loved this but then lent my copy to a friend, who was all, "nothing happens and Arin got all weird." I could sort of see what she meant, but I didn't see it that way. That's what makes book discussions so fun, I think…
    Jen @ YA Romantics

    • admin

      I know! I think it's one book that people either love or hate, like me and you I guess and many others. 🙂

  11. Mariz Denver

    THE WINNER’S CRIME is amazingly amazing. Pick it up and prepare to pick up your heart, which will lay in smithereens soon after. Be warned, however, the ending is a level of torture I couldn’t handle. If you thought THE WINNER’S CURSE had a bitter end, just wait until you read this.

    Mariz
    iPhone Repair