#TheWinnersTrilogy Read-along & GIVEAWAY (Week 3)

Hey friends! Today, we kick off the third week of the Read-along for The Winner's Curse! YAY! (If you have no idea what I'm talking about, check out this post for all the deets and a super epic giveaway, which is also posted at the bottom of this post too!) I'll be discussing the ONLY  chapters 21-30 of The Winner's Curse, and my thoughts. If you haven't started reading with us yet, don't worry! There's still plenty of time to catch up, so pick up your copy of The Winner's Curse and start devouring Kestrel and Arin's story!

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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 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.

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Favorite quote(s) from Chapters 21-30:
"Arin, who had set hooks into her heart and drawn her to him so that she wouldn't see anything but his eyes."
"When she saw the opportunity to flee, she would take it. She would bring the hounds of the empire howling down on this city." Dear The Winner's Curse (Part 3),
I was a good girl and waited to read the next set of chapters of you for a few days. It was a killer, but I did it. That just shows how addicting you are. I'm rereading you...I already know what happens, and yet, I can't stand not reading you all at once. I'm nearly as addicted to you as I am to Netflix right now, and that is saying quite a bit coming from the person who is binge watching a billion shows at the moment.
These ten chapters of yours were a doozy! Your author, Marie Rutkoski, definitely upped the ante tenfold, and it was as if with every chapter, I was even more on the edge of my seat. I already loved Kestrel's cunningly smart moves in her life and while she was playing Bite & Sting, but watching them unfold in a different way with Irex, Arin, Cheat,  & many more, I just couldn't contain my excitement. We see our beloved characters go through a lot of trials and tribulations this week. Kestrel finally meets Irex for the dual, and outsmarts the heck out of him. Arin has a little meeting with the Commander, who warns him to stay away from Kestrel or he will tear him limb from limb. But that threat doesn't scare Kestrel, because she can't stay away from the beautiful slave. Well, I mean, she did wait about a month, because she was injured and could barely walk, but still. We end up finding out a little bit more of Arin's treachery and what his fellow slaves are planning for the night of Firstwinter, and Arin insists on accompanying Kestrel. Turns out the revolution is going down on this night, but after a quick proposal from Ronan (ew), Kestrel high tails it away from the ball before all the craziness happens. Then, we come upon one of the most glorious moments. Arin & Kestrel....alone....in a carriage.....their faces are being kissed.....le sigh. But then it's all ruined from explosions, and poison, and Kestrel finding out about Arin's betrayal. The next thing you know, Kestrel is Arin's 'slave' and the story has taken a full circle.
I really hated having to stop reading....again. We always stop at a part that is getting really good! But I think this has been my favorite part of you so far, The Winner's Curse. We found out so much more about our characters. We come to adore Arin just a little bit more, and love Kestrel's mischievous nature even more. I wish I could think ahead and plan like Kestrel does. She always pulling one over on someone. I'm also pretty sure I busted out laughing at her reaction to having to get wine & pour it for Cheat. If the whole steamy part of you didn't happen in this section, then that would definitely be my favorite part. Although, my heart broke for poor Kestrel when she found out about Arin and his nefarious plans. They are absolutely perfect for each other, and then.......that happens. Grr. Looking forward to shattering my heart even more next week while reading you, The Winner's Curse, because even though it will still hurt, I'll not-so-secretly love it.
Day-dreaming about that carriage ride,
Becca

As promised, here's that EPIC giveaway that was promised! Huge thanks to Good Choice Reading for putting together this read-along, and Macmillan for offering up all these goodies!

a Rafflecopter giveaway Don't forget to check out what all the other participating blogs had to say about this week's chapters!

Good Choice Reading

Shortie Says...

ReadingTeen

Once Upon A Twilight

I *HEART* BIG BOOKS

Vi3tBabe Reviews

Pivot Book Reviews

A Little Bit of R&R

Jenuine Cupcakes

Ravenous Reader

Are you reading along with us? Planning on starting? What did you think of Chapters 21-30? Let's discuss!