Blog Tour: The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3) by Marie Rutkoski

Title: The Winner's Kiss (The Winner's Trilogy #3)
Author: Marie Rutkoski
Pages: 352
Genre: Fantasy/YA
Publisher: Farrar Straus & Giroux/Raincoast Books
Release Date: March 29, 2016
Buy: Amazon| Chapters Indigo| Kobo| B&N
*Received for review by publisher*
eARC from Netgalley

Summary (Goodreads)
War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it, with the East as his ally and the empire as his enemy. He’s finally managed to dismiss the memory of Kestrel, even if he can’t quite forget her. Kestrel turned into someone he could no longer recognize: someone who cared more for the empire than for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she cared for him. At least, that’s what he thinks.

But far north lies a work camp where Kestrel is a prisoner. Can she manage to escape before she loses herself? As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover unexpected roles in battle, terrible secrets, and a fragile hope. The world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and Kestrel and Arin are caught between. In a game like this, can anybody really win?

Review: 

As many of you know, The Winner's Trilogy has been one of my favorite series since the very beginning. Even before the first book came out. Marie Rutkoski is a brilliant writer. I was so excited to be able to get an advance copy from Macmillan that I was beyond excited to be able to review it! When I finished the series it did not prepare for what I thought would happen but it was better. My heart felt way better after reading Kestrel and Arin's story.

I loved getting back into this world because after a year of waiting after The Winner's Crime, it was great to get into the story. It well worth the wait. From the very first pages until the very last page The Winner's Kiss will leave you breathless because it made me cry, laugh, jump for joy and also crave for more. Marie's writing was beautiful, exquisite and when she writes her characters and the relationships is amazing. It is very complex the world she has created and when you get to the end of the book you will be wanting more! The plot was excellent because it was always intriguing, detailed scenes and political strategies that were interesting. There was also Arin's cultural beliefs as well as Krestrel's disbelief was handled with respect and love. It came full circle with the entire series!

The final volume to this series begins with Krestrel as a prisoner and Arin believing she is the enemy but their reunion was nothing you will expect because they do go through obstacles and struggles throughout the book. But the romance between them was OMG, that is all I'm going to say because I love this couple since the beginning and rooting for them because their dialogue and tension is flawless. Their relationship felt real because they go through communication issues, accepting their faults with their strengths and have a growing trust between them. The war is still ongoing and you will not expect what is the end result until you get to the end.

Overall, The Winner's Kiss was a hit that I was very happy with it. I already need more Marie Rutkoski book already. I will be rereading this series for sure and I'm sad to see it ending but I look forward to what series she will come up with next!

5/5