The Winner's Crime is a captivating tale of rebellion, betrayal, war, and love. From the very beginning, the book's worldbuilding and storyline makes it impossible to put down. Kestrel, our protagonist, is very well-written and full of depth. At the start, she meets a strange Herrani slave who strikes her as special, and she cannot help but be intrigued. After she purchases him, they get to know each other and become almost friends. The slave, Arin, surprises Kestrel with his intelligence and quickly gains her trust. Unfortunately, his shocking betrayal leads to the downfall and capture of Kestrel. Will Arin ever gain back her trust? Will Kestrel be able to escape her captivity?
Overall, Marie Rutsoki wrote this book incredibly well. Although it is not perfect, it had an intense storyline and fascinating characters. I am very excited to read the rest of the series.