“Arin pulled her onto his lap. He held her shaking form, tucked his face into the crook of her cold neck as she sobbed against him. He murmured that he loved her more than he could say. He promised that he would always choose her first.” – The Winners Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
The Winner’s Kiss is the best and the most emotional book in the series, so prepare your tissues before starting to read it! I was an emotional mess after The Winner’s Crime and I thought that The Winner’s Kiss can’t make my situation any worse, however, I was very wrong (as usual).
Some kisses come at a price.
Let me tell you what this book did to my heart:
It took my heart gently from my chest, patted it, then threw it to a wall, said sorry and put a band-aid on it, after that, it shattered it, burned it down to ashes and finally dabbled it to the sea.
Now that I finished the series, I can finally say that Kestrel is in my list of top 3 favourite protagonists. She was everything that I’ve wanted in this book and series. Her intelligence will always impress and influence me. She was so far one of the strongest characters I’ve ever read of.
Arin was as good as Kestrel. I loved his character even more after finishing the book. Both Kestrel and Arin are so lucky to have each other after what they’ve been through.
Roshar is friend goals. I loved his character, his humor and his friendship with Arin. I loved how he used sarcasm even in the worst of times and how he cared for the people who he loves and did everything for them.
“Arin pulled her onto his lap. He held her shaking form, tucked his face into the crook of her cold neck as she sobbed against him. He murmured that he loved her more than he could say. He promised that he would always choose her first.”
Oh, and he and tiger Arin are definitely relationship goals.
Verex was another precious cinnamon roll. I am very glad that how we saw more of him in this book. He finally had the happy ending he deserved.
As for Kestrel’s father, I don’t know what to say or think. I still don’t understand his motives in The Winner’s Crime and The Winner’s Kiss, I honestly have no idea how I’d react if what happened to Kestrel happened to me.
“She would never give him her dagger. “I tried so hard to live in your world,” she told him. “Now it’s your turn to live in mine.”
I hope he and Kestrel will find their peace in their situation as time goes on.
I don’t know what I’ll do with my life anymore, I am so attached to these characters and to this world…
I feel so sad and I feel like I’ll cry even if I got the ending that I wanted. I just don’t want this to be over. Thank you Marie Rutkoski for giving me the opportunity to read about awesome characters like Kestrel and Arin, I’ll never forget their journey.
If you haven’t read this book or this series still… what exactly are you doing with your life? Stop whatever you’re doing and read them ASAP!