The Winner's Crime

By: Marie Rutkoski

Narrated by: Justine Eyre

Length: 10 hrs

Publisher's summary

Following your heart can be a crime.

A royal wedding is what most girls dream about. It means one celebration after another: balls, fireworks, and revelry until dawn. But to Kestrel it means living in a cage of her own making. As the wedding approaches, she aches to tell Arin the truth about her engagement: that she agreed to marry the crown prince in exchange for Arin's freedom. But can Kestrel trust Arin? Can she even trust herself? For Kestrel is becoming very good at deception. She's working as a spy in the court. If caught, she'll be exposed as a traitor to her country. Yet she can't help searching for a way to change her ruthless world...and she is close to uncovering a shocking secret.

This dazzling follow-up to The Winner's Curse reveals the high price of dangerous lies and untrustworthy alliances. The truth will come out, and when it does, Kestrel and Arin will learn just how much their crimes will cost them.

©2015 Marie Rutkoski (P)2015 Listening Library

A mediocre continuation of the first book.

Would you try another book from Marie Rutkoski and/or Justine Eyre?

Yes I would. They have creative ideas, this book just wasn't executed as well as the first book. The first book of the series, while fast moving with and slightly unbelievable with the love between the hero and heroine, has a certain captivation to it. But this book drags on much slower. There needed to be development of other characters along the way, most of the book is in the heroine's head and still some of the actions don't make sense. But the ending is actually very good! And worth the wait through the rest of the book.

Don't bother buying until book 3.

This book was written with the sole purpose of making it so you have to buy the third book. I hate when novels are cut off right in the middle of the story. I don't mind cliff hangers of some sort, but this ended so abruptly with more loose ends then I can count. It was extremely frustrating. The back and forth between the two main characters became very predictable and quite annoying. Two full books of the back and forth and I am completely over it. It's such a shame because this series has some real potential. Even the first half of this book was okay. By the time I got to the end I was fast forwarding just to get through it. It became painful to listen to. Maybe if I had waited until the 3rd book came out and listened to them together it wouldn't be so bad, but after the same repeating pattern of the characters and the terrible ending, I'm not wasting anymore time or money.

My name a Borat and I like a make narrator, yes.

What did you like best about The Winner's Crime? What did you like least?

Story is good. Narrator sounds like Borat.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Winner's Crime?

When the narrator decided she wanted to be Borat.

Would you be willing to try another one of Justine Eyre’s performances?

NEVER

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Yes.

Any additional comments?

Please, God, make the lady Borat stop talking.

Characters grow up in 2nd book

I read a few reviews that were disappointed with this book so I almost skipped it. I'm so glad that I didn't. The main characters make mistakes and try to do what is right and loose people they love... Marie Rutoski uses the second book to enrich the characters of this story. They are real and relatable. Don't expect a happy fairy tale in this book and you will enjoy it.

As long as listeners recognize that this is the second act in a 3 act story and expect challenges to intensify.... They will like it. This book made me like the series so much more.

I admit that I did listen to the narrative at 1.5 speed bc I'm anxious for the third book.

Loved Justine Eyre's performance.

Basic plot was so annoying

The entire book revolved around the two main characters not sitting down and having an honest conversation, leading to the infamous and terrible plotline that is the hurt and misunderstanding stemming from unnecessary dishonesty. In the last chapter when the main female character tries to open up, it is of course, too late. I have high hopes for the last book, because the first one was excellent and truly, the author MUST make the final book interesting because she exhausted all prolonging themes in this second novel. That said I would still buy the book, if only to be up to par on the third book.

A sequel that's even better than book 1?

If there's one thing I love in my books, it's political intrigue, and this series is full of it! It's very reminiscent of the Folk of the Air series in that way. There were so many twists and turns and new characters to love! And that ending had me immediately reaching for book 3!

Amazing story!

I loved this book. I think the performer does an excellent job in portraying each character. The politics and the plot were also amazing. I'm rooting so hard for Arin and Kestrel.
edit: just finished listening to it again after a year! damn this book is intense.prepare yourself for so much tension and anxiety!

I can’t stop.

I originally was going to read because I’m not a fan of the narrator but I can’t. I’m loving it.

Narrator was fine,story was not

While I enjoyed the first book this book was not as enjoyable. The back and forth and the disappointing ending left me unhappy and unwilling to finish the series. This narrator was great, nothing against her!

Amazing!!

Absolutely best second book ever! This story id just perfect! Can't wait to start the third book