Spoiler for The Winner's Curse 
 Synopsis 
 Kestrel successfully bargained for the freedom of the Herrani people. It cost her her freedom, but Arin and his people were spared the wrath of the Valorian army. As the betrothed of the Imperial heir, Kestrel is thrown into a whole new world of political intrigue and danger. Her loyalties will be tested as she aches to tell Arin the truth of why she chose to marry. Meanwhile, Arin hardly recognizes the person that Kestrel has become. He hopes that there is something more to her actions, but he is driven to make dangerous allies to keep his country's newly found freedom. 
 Thoughts 
 The Winner's Curse was one of my favorite reads last year and I've been waiting with much anticipation for the second book. Given the ending of the first book, I was expecting an emotional roller coaster and I was not wrong. 
 So much inner turmoil and political intrigue and heart break and danger. AHHHH. I might be slightly twisted given how much I loved it. It's a slow burn book. There are massive things happening in their world (espionage, war, violent conquest), but it's the small inner working of the relationships that make up the bulk of the story. They have a rawness and a realness that intrigue and devastate. Kestrel continues to be a brutal player in the political world, but she's in a whole new league and mistakes are made. The stakes of Kestrel and Arin's forbidden love have also risen in this book and it hurts my heart. And that ending! Guys, that ending. I'm not ok.