A review by saluki
The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski

5.0

War preparations and strategy to defeat the Valorian general are ongoing and unsettling for Arin as his hatred is shadowed by the fact he's Kestrel's father. But then, Kestrel has betrayed Arin and is to marry an enemy prince. Obstacles seem insurmountable as Kestral and Arin struggle to get back to some semblance of their past lives but will the gods allow them to carve a changed and better future for both themselves and the Herrani and Dacran people?

Dacran ally prince Roshar's conversation and observations appear unreliable yet truthful at the same time. Kestrel caught Roshar's sliding gaze. Pensive. Murky. A strange mixture of satisfaction and displeasure. Prince Roshar's witty remarks and appearance of lazy arrogance offer the most humour in the novel and he became a favourite character for me, not only for the humour but also for being a contrast to Arin's intensity and Kestrel's determination.

I felt fully immersed in this world and cared or feared about the development of these characters during their setbacks and their predicaments on bloody battlegrounds. The book cover is gorgeous but misleading because Kestrel isn't at court in all her finery... far from it. She certainly learns how her father's enemies are punished and those dire circumstances were unexpected too.

Kestrel and Arin have painful journeys and both suffer psychological and physical trauma. After betrayals and much bloodshed the conclusion to this trilogy was beyond satisfying. One of my favourite young adult reads so far this year!