Actual rating: 4.5 
 Holy. Hell. The Winner's Crime was exhausting to read, but in the best way possible. It's a heartbreaking continuation of Kestrel and Arin's story, where every choice is an impossible one, taking another piece of their sanity each time. 
 This sequel was even better than the first. It focused more on their epic romance (or perhaps impossibility of it) and how interwoven it is with the fates of their nations. I want so badly for Kestrel and Arin to have some kind of happy ending because Jesus, this hurts to read. 
 I waited way too long to read this series and I'm so happy that the final book is coming out next month because it would be completely torturous to have to wait a whole year.