The Sirenic Codex: the winner's curse

Showing posts with label the winner's curse. Show all posts

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love...

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.

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.

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.

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.

My Review

Author: Marie Rutkoski

Pages: 355

Publication Date: March 4 2014

Source: Library

We were not meant to be. I adore this cover fiercely, but the contents of the story just never sat well with me.

First, I don't particularly like any of the characters. Kestrel plays piano, cares for music, and buys Arin on a whim. She's spirited, argues with her father about joining the military, and is very crafty. And yet I never liked the way the world bent down to Kestrel. Okay, she's strategic, but she is also someone with very little training. Later on, she also does something I can't reconcile whatsoever.

Arin also didn't interest me. Not for a single second was I surprised about his storyline, and it's not something I wanted to see. It's the easy way out. It avoids the messes of the relationship that this story needed to deal with better.

Mostly, the massive power imbalances. Arin is Kestrel's slave. His very existence depends on her. No matter how much you like someone, you're not free to really be honest with someone and have a real relationship if that person has that kind of power over you. A romance between Arin and Kestrel is something that, if it did happen, needed to delve into those psychological issues more than it did. This is more than forbidden romance, two lovers from the wrong sides of the track. I didn't like their relationship in any part of this story.

There's also the way the story stretches my believability. The main characters are so special and talented. So special. Anyway, there is fighting, questions of duty, and the really fascinating colonial aspects as the Valorians have pretty much stolen everything the Herrani have and even live in the former's homes. Yuck.

Still, I don't think this story is for me. The romance isn't working, and it's so central to the story that I can't just suck it up and ignore it.

-P.E.

A discussion between P.E. and Mari.

OMG The Sirenic Codex is officially one! It's been a long process, and it's crazy to see our baby growing up. Mari and I started this blog last year, almost on a whim. It was something we talked about for a while, and it wasn't until we decided to close our previous blogs and move on that the process sped up. Throughout the year, there were some mishaps, but I think we're both extremely happy with how the blog has done through it first year.

So Mari, what has been the highlight of blogging for this past year?

That's an easy one. It's our amazing followship. The TSC doesn't have a huge following but the people we have are the best kind of book friends. We enjoy reading everyone's comments and replying to each and every one of them. You guys are so appreciated and we couldn't have done it without you. Some one once said comments are better than cookies and the comments on the TSC are definitely better.

I'm pretty sure I said that. Funny, because I'm eating cookies right now! Beyond the readers, whom I adore obviously, my highlight has been being very proud of some of my work. I like writing, and I feel like this year especially, I worked hard to try to write posts worth reading. I'm nowhere near where I want to be, but there are some reviews and discussion posts that I'm extremely proud of.

Definitely, I'm very happy with how far the blog has come and all the work we've put into it. I've enjoyed doing the cover wars meme which was my favourite from your old blog. Also, I love being able to do these conversation type discussion posts. I also believe that I've one some of my best work on this blog. Here are some of my favourites:

There is much to be proud of. All these posts made me smile whilst writing and I enjoy reading them, I hope everyone else did too. How about you? What are your favourites?

Obviously, the best has yet to come, but my favourites include

Yeah, we had a great run. I think we've done great so far. So great, and a lot of it has to do with our readers. So, for TSC's first birthday, we will be hosting a giveaway. And not just any giveaway: we will be giving away one of our favourite books.

P.E.'s Choice

I'm giving away Red Rising by Pierce Brown. Red Rising is one of my favourite books ever, and I adore everything about the book. It has an epic story and plot, and you can read my insanely gushy review of it here.

Mari's Choice

I'll be giving away one of my favourite books of this year and a Cover Wars favourite: The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski. I absolutely loved this book and you an read more in my review.

Terms and Conditions

If you're a minor, have your parent's permission.
There will be two winners. The first winner will be contacted first, and will have their choice of book. The second winner gets the other book.
This giveaway is international as long as The Book Depository ships to you. However, The Sirenic Codex reserves the right to get you your brand new book from the most cost efficient source possible (Barnes & Noble, we could buy and mail it, or use another site).
The information you provide will only be used for the purposes of this giveaway.
We can't control shipping/handling and won't be liable for any damage your book might incur. If it gets lost, due to monetary restrictions we will be unable to send you another one.
Finally, this giveaway is meant for the people that have been supporting The Sirenic Codex for the past year. You all mean a lot to us, and we hope you enjoy your prizes.

Thank you so much for everything! Enjoy!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

Author: Marie Rutkoski
Date of Publication: March 4, 2014
Pages: 355
Source: Library

Winning what you want may cost you everything you love.

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. 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. 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.

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.

GOODREADS

Review:

This whole book is one beautifully formulated and devious game; a Winner’s Curse.

Themes are an integral part of all stories, but it is not often that they are done well, though most are on par. The Winner’s Curse took this to another level. The theme was the story, it was a web woven into the plot and the web grew larger and more clear as the book advanced.

Marie Rutkoski has created a vivid and contagious new world in this book. It’s a familiar world, one of conquests, hierarchies, and societal gatherings. It is a world very close to what ours has been like in the past millennium.

The focal point of the world however, was the history between the Valarians, Herrani, and the rest of the known world. I was fascinated to read about the people and their contrasting outlooks on life and each other. This was made more interesting due to our main characters who came from diverging factions: one, a Valarian highborn, and the other a conquered Herrani slave.

Kestrel, our protagonist, was a treat. She was so intelligent and quick-witted, nothing like the high society ladies she associated with, though there weren't many.

I especially appreciated her courage to stand up for herself. In her society, a woman has two options, marry or enlist and as the daughter of the decorated General Trajan, she knows what is expected of her. However, she can’t help but wonder why there can’t be a third or even fourth option. I related to this because we all have expectations placed upon us in life and there are times when we wonder if there are other possibilities.

The only shortcoming occurred in the second half of the book, when I felt Kestrel loitered in her indecisiveness. She lost me for a bit, I wasn’t sure what she was thinking despite being in her head the whole time.

Arin was the perfect match for Kestrel’s genius. Both characters are keen and perceptive. He managed to match her when other men couldn't, despite his inferior rank. The struggle to maintain a friendship despite society's perceptions and their own inner misgivings and mistrust was another interesting twist.

The bulk of the book is set in Herran, the conquered city that used to be a centre of arts, now subdued and run by the militaristic Valarians with its citizens enslaved. Conquest has been a constant occurrence in history and its results are what we continue to live with today. The Winner’s Curse, explored this at a more intimate level.

Overall, Marie Rutkoski has presented us with an absurdly well thought-out and exceptionally executed book. It is a story that discusses more than one can see on the surface. It features intelligent characters, mind games and a lot of strategizing. I definitely recommend it to those looking for a fruitful and interesting experience.

“The Winner’s Curse is when you come out on top of the bid, but only by paying a steep price.”

-MARI

Cover Wars is a weekly showdown of two beautiful covers. The winner, as voted by you, goes on to face a new cover, and wins bragging rights. This is basically a fun way to discuss what we like in covers.

Once again The Winner's Curse has prevailed leaving its competitor in the dust. But will it continue to stay in the voters' favour? This week, The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski is up against Dissonance by Erica O'Rourke.

We have two very interesting covers. First, there is the champion from the past two weeks, The Winner's Curse. Everyone loves the romantic atmosphere and the great feature with the hand curled around the R. Dissonance also brings lots of romance, but with a very different, cooler colour scheme. Dissonance has a very dreamy aura which contrasts with the clarity of The Winner's Curse.

They're both beautiful, but ultimately, only one will win. Cast your vote now and let the Cover Wars begin!

Vote now for your favourite!

Cover Wars is a weekly showdown of two beautiful covers. The winner, as voted by you, goes on to face a new cover, and wins bragging rights. This is basically a fun way to discuss what we like in covers.
Last week there was an extremely tight battle between Flights and Chimes and Mysterious Times and The Winner's Curse. Both covers spent some time in the lead, but ultimately, The Winner's Curse was victorious. This week, The Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski has a new challenge: Perfect Ruin by Lauren DeStefano.

Both covers are highly dramatic with dark covers. Perfect Ruin is a little more detailed, but it draws you in to that gorgeous title font. The Winner's Curse also has some cool font effects with the cover girl delicately holding on to the 'r'. Both covers are beautiful, but only one cover will win.

Which cover do you prefer? Which cover should win Cover Wars? You have a week to vote, starting... now!

The Sirenic Codex

Review: The Winner's Curse

My Review

-P.E.