Goodreads Synopsis: Some kisses come at a price.War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it with untrustworthy new allies and the empire as his enemy. Though he has convinced himself that he no longer loves Kestrel, Arin hasn’t forgotten her, or how she became exactly the kind of person he has always despised. She cared more for the empire than she did for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she did for him.
At least, that’s what he thinks.
In the frozen north, Kestrel is a prisoner in a brutal work camp. As she searches desperately for a way to escape, she wishes Arin could know what she sacrificed for him. She wishes she could make the empire pay for what they’ve done to her.
But no one gets what they want just by wishing.
As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover that the world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and they are caught in between. With so much to lose, can anybody really win?
My Thoughts:
- This was a decent ending to the series. I didn't love it as much as the first book, but I was good with how things wrapped up.
- Because of what Kestrel endured in prison, her character really changed. I didn't like the new/broken Kestrel. I liked strategically minded Kestrel better.
- Arin seemed a bit broken as well, and he wasn't as clear minded.
- One of the things I loved about the series was the tension between Kestrel and Arin, and I didn't get that as much in this book. The cleverness and meeting of the minds wasn't as prominent.
- Arin hearing a voice in his head was weird. I didn't like it.
- I liked the battle scenes, and I wish there had been more. A lot of the book happened while traveling or in camp. I wish there had been more action.
- Just like with the previous books, my heart broke for Kestrel and Arin. They have endured so much, and I understand that it has taken its toll on them physically and mentally.
- I really liked Roshar's character. I didn't know whether to like him or hate him. He was a fun character, and I liked his interactions with Arin.
- Overall, I liked this book. It was a fitting ending to the trilogy. I just didn't feel strong emotions like I did reading the first two, but I did read this right after having a baby.
- Because of what Kestrel endured in prison, her character really changed. I didn't like the new/broken Kestrel. I liked strategically minded Kestrel better.
- Arin seemed a bit broken as well, and he wasn't as clear minded.
- One of the things I loved about the series was the tension between Kestrel and Arin, and I didn't get that as much in this book. The cleverness and meeting of the minds wasn't as prominent.
- Arin hearing a voice in his head was weird. I didn't like it.
- I liked the battle scenes, and I wish there had been more. A lot of the book happened while traveling or in camp. I wish there had been more action.
- Just like with the previous books, my heart broke for Kestrel and Arin. They have endured so much, and I understand that it has taken its toll on them physically and mentally.
- I really liked Roshar's character. I didn't know whether to like him or hate him. He was a fun character, and I liked his interactions with Arin.
- Overall, I liked this book. It was a fitting ending to the trilogy. I just didn't feel strong emotions like I did reading the first two, but I did read this right after having a baby.
Previous books in The Winner's Trilogy
(cover is linked)
I just finished this one recently, and totally agree with you. There was a lot to like, but Kestrel and Arin had changed a lot, and I missed Kestrel's strong, strategic mind. (But Roshar was cool.)
ReplyDeleteI don't like what I'm hearing about the ending of this series. I haven't even started it yet but the weak ending worries me.
ReplyDeleteI've been contemplating reading this series. I'm pretty sure I have book one on my kindle, so hopefully someday soon!
ReplyDelete