Book Review: The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski

The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkoski
My rating: 4 of 5 stars

The Winner’s Crime by Marie Rutkoski is the second book in the Winner’s Trilogy, and this one was much, much better than the first one. This one has more political intrigue, more action, a tiny bit more romance, and also, betrayal.

Let’s start off with the upcoming royal wedding between Kestrel and the Emperor’s son, Verex. It was supposed to be a happy time in Kestrel’s life-she’s getting married, she’s about to become Empress of Valoria…but instead, Kestrel turned into a spy for the Herrani people, secretly using Moths to tell Tensen information about things and also sneaking around in a maid’s outfit. When the Emperor learned about what Kestrel did though, thanks to her father finding Tensen, reading the letter and then killing him (and also because he’s in the Emperor’s back pocket). Thus her confession was rewarded-with her going to the camps to work, while the Emperor fabricated some story about her and his son eloped and moved to the south, but she got sick and died.

WTF.

In the words of Ser Clegane, “FUCK THE KING.” In this case-FUCK THE EMPEROR.

Over on Arin’s side of the world, he went to Dacra to try and get an alliance with the queen, even though he got caught and had to be a prisoner in Dacra. But before all that, he was trying to be a leader for his people-making sure they were alright, they had some food and also do everything the Emperor wants him to do (which, may I reiterate, is bullshit). Then one day he was invited to the Empire for a ball for Kestrel and Verex…in which he kissed Kestrel behind the curtains and tried to get her to confess, I think. But it didn't work, and then he got cut by Kestrel’s original dagger, so now he has a scar on the side of his face.

Oof.

Then he left to go to Dacra, where he became a prisoner to the Dacran royal family, doing everything he can to get the alliance-following the brother around and doing all the queen’s dirty work, learning the language fast, even making out with the queen and nearly sleeping with her, only to realize that he loved Kestrel and went back to the Empire to tell her.

Everything went to hell after that, and now our lovers are torn apart. Now I wonder what’s going to happen next because now I wanna know.

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