The Winner’s Crime (Winner’s Trilogy #2) by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner’s Crime (Winner’s Trilogy #2)  by Marie Rutkoski

Release Date: March 3, 2015

Publisher: Farrar Straus And Giroux

Age Group: Young Adult

Pages: 416

Summary: Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.

The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement…if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.

As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

My Thoughts:  I really loved The Winner’s Curse so I was happy to be able to read The Winner’s Crime!

We are back with Arin and Kestrel. WOW, both of them still have so many priorities they must take care of and they still want each other but can’t be together. Arin has his people to run, and Kestrel is engaged to someone else. She is also forced into a lot of decisions she’d rather not make.

I just love the setting of this series. There is always something going on and I feel like a lot happens even though sometimes it feels slow. I love being able to witness Kestrel and Arin’s actions. I like seeing her dress as a maid to give information or Arin going after what he wants.

I felt like The Winner’s Crime was another complex book for me to really write about. I want to tell you everything that happens but I feel like every little thing is a big spoiler and I want you to experience everything on your own. Feelings, thoughts, actions.

I also liked seeing Jess and her brother again. I just can’t believe that happened!  I also liked seeing all the new characters from Arin’s friend to Kestrel’s dressmaker. Well, some of them aren’t exactly new but they were reintroduced and I liked spending time with everyone.  I also loved the idea of “the moth.”

I loved the scene where Kestrel was at the ball and Arin walked in. I loved her helping her fiance during the game, but I also loved how much tension there was with Arin.

I want to go on and on about this one but I just can’t. I want you to experience it yourself without telling you what happens. I feel like I will give too much away too fast. So much happens. Kestrel has to deal with her fiance’s father, Arin’s stubbornness, War, and so much more.

I also want to point out that ending about killed me. Another ending where I feel like I must have the next book now! And its not even released yet! I’m dying over here. I wanted to cry again. I need to know what happens.

Overall:  Loved it! I just adore this series so much! I get sucked so deep into it and don’t look at the clock for hours. I lose track of time completely! I adore Kestrel and Arin so much!

Cover:  Love it! I think I did like the dress and colors on the Winner’s Curse a bit more but this one is real pretty too!

What I’d Give It: