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The Winner's Curse
The Winner's Trilogy (Related to this series)
- Author
- Marie Rutkoski
- Narrator
- Alexandra Boulton
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Publish Date
- 18 June 2026
- Run Time
- 10 hours 21 minutes
- Format
- Audiobook
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Relationship stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Warfare, battles, armed forces, Slavery, enslaved persons and abolition of slavery, Fantasy romance / Romantic fantasy
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What to expect
THE FIRST BOOK IN THE HEART-STOPPING WINNER’S TRILOGY: an irresistible story of forbidden romance and class warfare
‘Every line in The Winner's Curse is beautifully written. The story is masterfully plotted. The characters' dilemmas fascinated me and tore at my heart… I loved it. I want more.’ Kristin Cashore, author of the Graceling Realm books
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, Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. Kestrel has other ideas.
One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in Arin, a young slave up for auction. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - and for a sensational price that sets the society gossips talking. 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 him is much higher than she ever could have imagined.
The first novel in a stunning trilogy, The Winner’s Curse is a story of romance, rumours and rebellion, where dirty secrets and careless alliances can be deadly – and everything is at stake.
Critics Review
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Every line in The Winner's Curse is beautifully written. The story is masterfully plotted. The characters' dilemmas fascinated me and tore at my heart. This book gave me a rare and special reading experience: I never knew what was going to happen next. I loved it. I want more.
Kristin Cashore, NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Graceling Realm books
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Like any epic page-turner worth its salt, Rutkoski’s richly imagined world is full of dynamic repartee, gruesome battle scenes, and shifting alliances. A high-stakes cliffhanger will leave readers eagerly awaiting the next book
Publishers Weekly, starred review
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Rich characterization, exquisite world building and rock-solid storytelling make this a fantasy of unusual intelligence and depth . . . Breathtaking, tragic and true
Kirkus, starred review
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A forbidden romance. The romance is heartstoppingly lovely and admittedly steamy . . . but the raising of stakes and the reluctance of the couple to give up their respective cause, even as they confess their love for each other, lends their relationship a complexity not often seen in the genre . . . A last-minute compromise between the lovers secures a sequel, and fans of Kristin Cashore and Robin Lefevers will be pleased to have a new romance to follow
BCCB, starred review
See more reviews See fewer reviews
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Faultlessly written, home to a rich cast of mesmerising characters, and possesses just the right amount of intrigue, romance and emotion to make the story one that leaves an impression. My mind is still reeling from those final few pages
Realm of Fiction
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Rich with detail, tension, and true feeling — and that goes for both the plot, and the characters. Everything about it is just incredible
There Were Books Involved
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Full of high society balls, lies and deceit, stolen moments in secret places, as well as being absolutely beautifully written, The Winner’s Curse is a brilliant first book in a new trilogy that everyone should read!
Swept Away by Books
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The hype is right – The Winner's Curse is a beautiful, heartbreaking must-read
Icey Books
User Reviews
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Details
- Author
- Marie Rutkoski
- Narrator
- Alexandra Boulton
- Duration
- 10 hours 21 minutes
- Release Date
- 18 June 2026
- ISBN
- 9781037202124
- Format
- Audiobook
- Publisher
- Bloomsbury Publishing
- Genre
- Children’s / Teenage fiction: Fantasy romance, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Relationship stories, Children’s / Teenage fiction: Action and adventure stories, Children’s / Teenage general interest: Warfare, battles, armed forces, Slavery, enslaved persons and abolition of slavery, Fantasy romance / Romantic fantasy
Synopsis
Bloomsbury presents The Winner’s Curse by Marie Rutkoski read by Alexandra BoultonTHE FIRST BOOK IN THE HEART-STOPPING WINNER’S TRILOGY: an irresistible story of forbidden romance and class warfare‘Every line in The Winner's Curse is beautifully written. The story is masterfully plotted. The characters' dilemmas fascinated me and tore at my heart… I loved it. I want more.’ Kristin Cashore, author of the Graceling Realm booksWinning 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, Kestrel has two choices: she can join the military or get married. Kestrel has other ideas.One day, she is startled to find a kindred spirit in Arin, a young slave up for auction. Following her instinct, Kestrel buys him - and for a sensational price that sets the society gossips talking. 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 him is much higher than she ever could have imagined. The first novel in a stunning trilogy, The Winner’s Curse is a story of romance, rumours and rebellion, where dirty secrets and careless alliances can be deadly – and everything is at stake.
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