416 p.
Publisher: Farrar Straus Giroux
Published: 3/3/15
Source: Library
Book two of the dazzling Winner's Trilogy is a fight to the death as Kestrel risks betrayal of country for love.
The engagement of Lady Kestrel to Valoria’s crown prince means one celebration after another. 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... if she could only trust him. Yet can she even trust herself? For—unknown to Arin—Kestrel is becoming a skilled practitioner of deceit: an anonymous spy passing information to Herran, and close to uncovering a shocking secret.
As Arin enlists dangerous allies in the struggle to keep his country’s freedom, he can’t fight the suspicion that Kestrel knows more than she shows. In the end, it might not be a dagger in the dark that cuts him open, but the truth. And when that happens, Kestrel and Arin learn just how much their crimes will cost them.My thoughts:
Finally got to get into this book! I've been wanting to read it for a while and made time to read the series. So, I'm reading the book really getting into it... the ending comes and although it feels like a complete book, there is a sort of cliffie ending to it. No probs. The library has the next book... THAT WAS ALREADY CHECKED OUT! Oh person who has this book... you are killing me!
As for this book... we start right after the first book ended. It didn't take me long to get back into this world and this world is filled with intrigue and the King seems to be the one with all the knowledge playing all his subjects like puppets. You never wanted a king to fail more! And as cunning as Kestrel is, her heart is what makes her a good heroine. You feel for her even when what she does paves the proverbial road to hell. Every. Time. Ugh. It's frustrating, but in the way it is supposed to be and you crave an HEA even more by the end of this book. So, that is why the person who has this book is KILLNG ME by getting to read it first. :)
I give this book 4 stars. It is a good follow up but will break your heart repeatedly. So make sure you have the next book handy to read it quickly after. :) I recommend it to those that enjoy fantasy.
I'll be reading these too now that all of them are out. I heard about the dreadful cliffhanger and I didn't want to wait in agony. I'm glad you enjoyed it. Hopefully the evil borrower will return the 3rd one soon.
ReplyDeleteI'm on the waiting list! :D
DeleteBah. I need to continue this series. I do believe I have all three, but it's fantasy, yanno? I have a hard time getting into them.
ReplyDeleteI had no problems here, but then I do like fantasy. :) You might enjoy the drama of the romance.
DeleteI really do have plans to finish this trilogy this summer! So glad this was a good one despite the cliffhanger.
ReplyDeleteOh I think you'll enjoy... even though I haven't read the 3rd... yet! :)
DeleteThis series kiiiiiiled me! It was the perfect kind of angst though. It is frustrating at times but it all makes sense and there's a pay off to make it all worth it.
ReplyDeleteKaren @For What It's Worth
I don't like angst, but I'm enjoying this one. Go figure. LOL Can't wait for the 3rd!
DeleteI'm so glad you enjoyed this one! I think this book is the most painful but I am SO EXCITED for you to read The Winner's Kiss because it's SO GOOD! I wish I could read it again for the first time! Lovely review, Melissa!
ReplyDeleteMUST. READ. :) Oh you are making me want it more.
DeleteSounds like a good binge!
ReplyDeleteIf the library had it I would read it
ReplyDeleteOh I hope the library gets it. Can you recommend books?
DeleteThis I plan to read like seriously. from the covers I thought it'll be like The Selection, so glad it's not!
ReplyDeleteI haven't read that one but they don't sound the same.
DeleteI am delighted to hear this was a strong middle book. I started book one, but set it aside, I may go back and try again :)
ReplyDeleteOh make sure you have the third! :D
DeleteI'm going to pick up the first book soon!
ReplyDeleteYou might want to make sure you have all of them at once. :)
DeleteAhhhh on the wait at the library. Read faster, person! Read faster! lol Awesome this one was such a good follow up. I still have book one on the list.
ReplyDeleteUGH. I know! :D
DeleteIts so frustrating when this happens and especially when you have been waiting a while for the book to be published to begin with.
ReplyDeleteLoving the sound of Kestrel, this sounds like a good read.
So true. I think you might like this one Tracy!
DeleteAh yes this one broke my heart as well. Book 3 was really great! You'll see.
ReplyDeleteRepeatedly! :p Cannot wait for 3!!
DeleteI still need to read this too Melissa! I read the first one and loved it, but i knew I would want to wait until the 3rd book is out so I could binge read them both. Can't wait for your thoughts on the last one!
ReplyDeleteNo you haven't??? Oh Jenny, I KNOW you'll love this one.
DeleteFor some reason I just haven't gotten to this series yet although I have book 1 sitting on my shelf!
ReplyDeleteOh I hope you enjoy it as much as I have and hopefully will... :D
DeleteHmm. Sounds like a great series if it's killing you that bad to get the next books. lol. Lovely cover too.
ReplyDeleteMel, this is a series you would really like.
DeleteThis is another series I need to start! I'm glad you were able to pick it up and continue with it even though it's been a while since you read the first book.
ReplyDeleteI got back to the world easier than I thought I would!
DeleteI can't wait to give this one a try. I keep hearing such good things. I really hope to like it just as much as everyone else.
ReplyDeleteI didn't expect to like it as much as I have loved it! :)
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