Review: The Winner's Curse and The Winner's Crime by Marie Rutkowski

The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski

Series: The Winner's Trilogy (#1)

Released: March 4th, 2014

Pages: 355

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4 / 5

Link: Goodreads

In a world where the empire Valoria enslaves everyone in the countries which they conquer, this book is written from two perspectives.

Kestrel is the daughter of the empire's General and lives with her father on the conquered peninsula Herran. Kestrels father wants her to enlist in the military and beeing 17 she has two choices, to join the military or get married and support the empire with new children. But Kestrel who is quite a strategist and has a handfull of admirers doesn't want to pick any of those both options.

One day while walking through the city with her best friend, the girls happen to stop at the slave auction. Altough Kestrel is not the biggest fan of how the empire deals with the people of their conquered lands, she can't take her eyes of the first slave Arin who's eyes seem to defy everyone and everything. Kestrel follows her instinct as she can find a little of herself in Arin's look and buys him.

Now that their fates are intertwined Arin works as a blacksmith in Kestrels household. But both of them quickly realise that there is much more to the other and who he/she pretends to be. Every medal has two sides and Arin carrys a big secret which is about to Change everything.

“Arin smiled. It was a true smile, which let her know that all the others he had given her were not.” 

I really enjoyed this book and I think our two main characters are very unique.
Kestrel is such a strong minded person, clever and talanted you just have to like her. 
Even if you first don't know if Arin is a nice guy or not, his dedication is admirable.
This was a very good kick off for an action packed series, full of intrigues, lies and double games. 
Fast paced you fly through the book which makes it the perfect read for a rainy day or a long flight - you will forget your uncomfortable seat in no time. ;)
If you like YA fantasy, a lot of backstabbing and no love triangle at it's finest, go buy this book! ;D

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Just skip the next part of this joint Review if you haven't read the first book yet because it's going to be a little spoilery ;) Let's face it, what a shocker there - huh!? ;D
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Review: An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

An Ember In The Ashes by Sabaa Tahir

Series: An Ember In The Ashes (#1)

Released: April 28th, 2015

Pages:446 Pages

Source: Purchased

Rating: 4.5 / 5

Link: Goodreads

Inspired by ancient Rome and written from two perspectives this story follows our two main characters - Laia and Elias.

Laia is a Scholar and lives with her grandparents and her older brother in the Martial Empire, which not so long ago overtook her country. The Empire is ruthless, defiance is met with death. If you don't vow to the Emperor you risk execution and destruction.

When Laias brother gets arrested and her grandparents killed, she is forced to make a decision. She seeks out the rebels. For there help to free her brother Laia has to risk her life spying for them as a slave in within the Empire's greatest military academy.

Elias is the school's finest soldier, but secretly he wants nothing more than to be free and escape the tyranny. 

When both of them realize that their fates are entwined, they learn that their choices can change everything.

“This life is not always what we think it will be,” Cain says. “You are an ember in the ashes, Elias Veturius. You will spark and burn, ravage and destroy. You cannot change it. You cannot stop it.”

I'm glad that this is officially no longer a 'stand alone', this book just screams MORE. 
This debut novel is really well and fast paced written, you could finish it in one sitting, if there wasn't the problem of sleep and grumpiness from hungry bellies...

I enjoyed Elias chapters a little more because you could almost feel his struggle for yourself. Also they were a little more action packed and had more darker insights in the world building.

Laia goes through a major development as a character which I appreciated a lot, as I found her a little bit frustrating at the beginning. I just like my female main characters to be as kick-ass as their male comrades ;).

Keenan wasn't my cup of tea and I think he needn't to be a love interest, but maybe with the next book there is more to it...
I loved the creepy, supernatural mystery parts - Cain - and can't wait to find out what's going to happen next!

Overall, this was an awesome read and I really recommend this book, especially if you are looking for something a little bit darker in YA!

Cheers,
Katha