tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-72928100498694738282024-03-13T10:48:30.630-07:00Zlog TestAriella Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772910740352122680noreply@blogger.comBlogger2125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7292810049869473828.post-54235379224636406032014-03-07T15:55:00.001-08:002014-03-07T15:55:50.560-08:00{Review} The Winner's Curse - Marie Rutkoski<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069030-the-winner-s-curse?ac=1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="370" src="https://d202m5krfqbpi5.cloudfront.net/books/1377023523l/16069030.jpg" /></a></div>
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<b><a href="https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/16069030-the-winner-s-curse?ac=1">The Winner's Curse</a> by Marie Rutkoski</b><br />
<b>Genre: YA Fantasy</b><br />
<b>Release Date: Mar 4 / 2014</b><br />
<b>Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux</b><br />
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<i>Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.</i></div>
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As a general’s daughter in a vast empire that revels in war and enslaves those it conquers, seventeen-year-old Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. But Kestrel has other intentions.</div>
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One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in a young slave up for auction. Arin’s eyes seem to defy everything and everyone. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him—with unexpected consequences. It’s not long before she has to hide her growing love for Arin.</div>
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But he, too, has a secret, and Kestrel quickly learns that the price she paid for a fellow human is much higher than she ever could have imagined.</div>
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Set in a richly imagined new world, The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski is a story of deadly games where everything is at stake, and the gamble is whether you will keep your head or lose your heart.</div>
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*A copy was provided by the publisher for review*</div>
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Thank you so much to Raincoast Books and Macmillan!</div>
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<i>The Winner's Curse</i> is one of the best fantasy novels I've read in a while. Set in the war between the Valorians and Herrani people, the main character becomes part of a rebellion unknowingly. </div>
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The pacing of the story is fast and that makes me what to keep reading until I finish the whole thing. Kestrel is a good narrator. She's naturally an analytic person and as a result, we get to see everything in a strategic way. I find that refreshing compared to other hot tempered kickass heroines. With Kestrel, we get to fully explore the world of the Valorians and Herrani. We get to see everything between slave auctions, slave works, war meetings, rebellion break-outs. I was sucked up by this enchanting world and its deep history. </div>
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Other than the plot and pacing, the characters and the love story was the best. As I said before, Kestrel thinks a bit differently than most heroines. I really like her analytic view of things, and she has a really distinctive and strong voice. Arin, the love interest, was a slave. He still held his head high in defiance and never bend easily to anyone's will. He's exceptionally good at everything he shouldn't be good at. I find his rebellious streak very appealing and I think he's a very suitable person to lead the rebellion. He's hard-working and isn't afraid to speak the truths to Kestrel.</div>
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Something extra I found interesting was the Bite and Sting game. It seems like some form of mahjong or poker in their world. The most threatening and relationship-developing conversations were passed while playing this game. I don't really understand the rules but it's a great side thing I thought I'd mention.</div>
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<i>The Winner's Curse </i>is definitely one of the best fantasy novel in 2014 so far. Even though I went in with super high expectations, I was disappointed. Instead, I was blown away by the alluring world of the Valorians and Herrani. The plot, characters, and romance were all spot-on and I'd recommend this book to all readers. You shouldn't be turned away by the hype; this one is a must-read!</div>
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Ariella Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772910740352122680noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7292810049869473828.post-79994556490063739782013-04-29T16:12:00.003-07:002014-01-07T17:07:27.295-08:00{Review} With All My Soul - Rachel Vincent<br />
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<b><a href="http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13508069-with-all-my-soul?ac=1" target="_blank">With All My Soul</a> by Rachel Vincent</b><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Series: Soul Screamers #7</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Release Date: 03/26/213</b></span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><b>Publisher: HarlequinTeen</b></span><br />
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">What does it mean when your school is voted the most dangerous in America? It's time to kick some hellion butt... After not really surviving her junior year (does "undead" count as survival?), Kaylee Cavanaugh has vowed to take back her school from the hellions causing all the trouble. She's going to find a way to turn the incarnations of Avarice, Envy and Vanity against one another in order to protect her friends and finish this war, once and forever. But then she meets Wrath and understands that she's closer to the edge than she's ever been. And when one more person close to her is taken, Kaylee realizes she can't save everyone she loves without risking everything she has....</span></blockquote>
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<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">So I've always heard that the Soul Screamers is a must-read series but I never picked it up though I don't why I didn't because IT IS FLIPPIN' AWESOME! I seriously blew through all seven books in one week (that's good because I don't know what would happen if I had to wait for the last book to come out). Reading the series from start to end without waiting seem to make me sad now that the series is over. But that's okay! 'Cause we're here to talk about the awesome-ness that is With All My Soul. (I'll be talking about this book but also the series in general)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">My favorite part about this book/series? The characters. Definitely the characters. All of them are so well-written and three dimensional, and surprisingly enough, I actually like all of them! (even the evil ones) Kaylee, though stubborn and smart, doesn't make dumbass decisions like some other heroines. Her greatest flaw/quality is perhaps loyalty to her friends. That gets her into a lot of trouble but creates really great friendship among the gang. Tod, my favorite reaper doesn't actually become the love interest until the middle of the series (if I remember correctly). Tod is always there to peep/stalk someone and he's always the funny and humourous one. I will not go on about how great Tod is just because we'd be here for a while if I did that. Other notable characters were Nash and Sabine, etc. I mentally yelled at Nash a lot throughout the book but now I do kinda like him. Sabine is my favorite nightmare and that is all I have to say about her.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The plan on beating Avari was so smart! I respect Kaylee, for thinking of that. It is one hell of a plan! I won't go into detail and spoil for you guys. But, BRAVA KAYLEE WOOHOO. Proud of ya, girl.</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">The ending of this series was definitely satisfying for me. Though it is sad for me to see them go, I think it tied a nice end to this series. I will always keep them (especially Tod) in my heart forever. It ended nicely and still gave you room to think beyond the end :3</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">I have nothing negative about this book/series. Just praises! (Though there were a few times I was a bit upset/broken over the romance)</span><br />
<span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;"><br /></span><span style="font-family: Verdana, sans-serif;">If you haven't read it yet (which is probably only a few people), you need to go out there and read it! You won't regret it! Well-written and satisfying, With All My Soul is the last book that ended the whole series with one big BAM. </span><br />
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Ariella Leehttp://www.blogger.com/profile/13772910740352122680noreply@blogger.com1