Hello everyone! How’re you feeling? Excellent? I hope you’re excellent. I’m sure you’re all familiar with this little series called The Winner’s Trilogy? (If not, educate yourself post haste.)
Anyway, as you nurse your book hangovers from the horribly cliff-shaped end* of The Winner’s Crime, we are here today to kick off the First Lines blog tour by revealing the LAST LINE OF THE WINNER’S KISS (totally joking, it’s the first line but I wanted to mess with you).
DRUMROLL PLEASE!
He told himself a story.
Not at first.
While you speculate on what that means, please check out the (gorgeous) cover of THE WINNER’S KISS.
The Winner’s Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
War has begun. Arin is in the thick of it, with the East as his ally and the empire as his enemy. He’s finally managed to dismiss the memory of Kestrel, even if he can’t quite forget her. Kestrel turned into someone he could no longer recognize: someone who cared more for the empire than for the lives of innocent people—and certainly more than she cared for him. At least, that’s what he thinks.
But far north lies a work camp where Kestrel is a prisoner. Can she manage to escape before she loses herself? As the war intensifies, both Kestrel and Arin discover unexpected roles in battle, terrible secrets, and a fragile hope. The world is changing. The East is pitted against the West, and Kestrel and Arin are caught between. In a game like this, can anybody really win?
Make sure you stop by the other stops on the tour for more pieces of the puzzle.
Tuesday, May 12th – Cuddlebuggery (ICYMI, you are here)
Wednesday, May 13th – Love is Not a Triangle
Thursday, May 14th – The Book Rat
Friday, May 15th – Supernatural Snark
Saturday, May 16th – YA Bibliophile
Sunday, May 17th – Forever YA
Giveaway:
Macmillan is giving away one hardcover copy of The Winner’s Crime so your body can be ready for The Winner’s Kiss next year!
Giveaway Rules:
- To enter, please fill out the Raffelcopter form below.
- We ask that all entrants be at least 13 years or older to enter.
- The giveaway is open to US/CAN only.
- When the winners are chosen, it will be announced here and the winners will be emailed.
- Please enter your email address in the Rafflecopter form and not the comments.
Isabel
AHHHHH!!!!!! I don’t know if I can say anything else. I’m SO excited for this book!
Vivien
I don’t know about that first line but I LOVE THE COVER!!!! Gorgeous. I think I need the UK editions as well 😀
Lizzie the Sarcastic Blonde
The cover is STUNNING! All of the covers in this trilogy are just so beautiful! I’m desperately hoping that the line has something to do with Kestrel, as I want them to end up together so badly!
Kaitlyn
I have no idea what that first line could mean, but that cover is GORGEOUS!!!!!
Rayne
The cover is gorgeous! Not really feeling the girl’s facial expression, but still, beautiful.
I think the line could mean that Arin is trying to think of a way to justify the last thing Kestrel said to him, telling himself a story where there’s a purpose behind it all (pretty much what’s really going on), or, the other way around, trying to tell himself a version of reality where he’s not despairing over what last happened between them. At least, that’s what it sounds like to me.
Alyssa Susanna (The Eater of Books!)
I’M NOT READING THE SYNOPSIS DON’T MAKE ME D: I’m actually not a huge fan of the cover – the pose is really awkward and makes Kestrel seem a bit weak. I’m one of the few that actually doesn’t like the sword placement, though I think the idea was cool. And the dress color – same as the color of UK’s The Winner’s Crime dress! I REALLY like UK’s The Winner’s Kiss dress color – USA, we should join that bandwagon 😉 Overall this is my least favorite cover of the series and I’m not going gah-gah over it, but it’s the book that is important. THIS BOOK MIGHT BREAK ME O_O I’m really excited to read it, but also, TERRIFIED. Straight-up scared. *hides*
Thank you for the chance to win The Winner’s Crime!
Alyssa @ The Eater of Books!
Frannie @ Frannie in the Pages
Omg I don’t know! It’s probably something that Arin is saying.. And he must be referring to Kestrel.. Right? xD
Btw, I love this cover so so much! Sure, i love the green dress of the uk edition better but details 😛
Jasmine
I am so excited! I was so sad when it was over with that cliffhanger.
Emily
This book looks so cool. To be honest, I read the previous two novels in the span of just one weekend, so I’m going through some serious withdrawal. I can’t wait until the novel is released!!!
Hannah
Rather excited for the final book! We are set for an epic showdown.
Madeleine
I love the cover! Looks like Kestrel’s going to show some vulnerability. I just hate the choices they make for the hair on these covers…
Connie Sun
OMG the cover is GORGEOUS, like even better than the first two books. Also, I like the fact that the girl’s hair is half what it was in Curse and half in Crime. Half-braided (like it represents Arin) and half-crimped, like in Crime, when she changed a lot. I think it really represents how she wasn’t the person she was in the first two books. And the way the sword is not in her hand, like what Madeleine said, she’s showing some vulnerability. I like the cover more than Curse and Crime, though those are breathtaking too.
Brynna
I have no idea what it could mean, but I love that cover. These are some of the most gorgeous covers ever. AND THE FONT!!
Lauren@ Love is not a triangle
Very interesting. I have line 2 and completely thought it was Kestrel speaking, but yours is male (assuming Arin), so that changes things quite a bit. I’m curious to see how all the other lines turn out.
I really like this cover. Kestrel seems trapped and uncomfortable, which she is likely going to be when the book begins. I’m ready to see her stand up and wield that sword next to her! My biggest fear is that these two are going to spend half the book apart. I want to see a strong and realistic reconciliation.
Lia
I LOOOOOVE the cover, and I’m very excited for The Winner’s Kiss despit having loathed with a burning passion the Winner’s Crime. And how could I possibly figure out anything from the first and not-so-much-sentence-for-reasons-of-lacking-subject-and-verb? I hope the book delivers on the titular promises . . .
Susan T.
I have no idea what that first line could mean but I love the cover. That dress is so amazing!
Cyn @ Book Munchies
Hmm, it’s actually the end, and now we’re going to hear the beginning, like they do on tv show where they show a 30 sec teaser and go 24 hours earlier. haha. I like the cover, but I think the first is my favourite still. Thanks for the giveaway!
Kelly
We have a synopsis, and a (lovely) first line (and another year or so work of waiting…)
Vi
I love the cover. Her dress is amazing.
Emma S.
No clue what the sentence means, but the cover is beautiful just like the first two books!
Valerie Pennington
I think that the cover is beautiful like the rest of them but I’m not a big fan of Kestrel looking right at me. Regardless, it’s Kestrel and Arin so it’s gonna be awesome. I’ve only read The Winner’s Curse (waiting on my hold to come in for Crime) and I loved it.
Aminata
No clue what it means, but after reading Bridge of Snow I’m dying to find out the secret Arin knows!!
Amelia (The Authoress)
I JUST finished book two and CANNOT BELIEVE WHAT HAPPENED. I am slowly crumbling from the suspense, waiting for book three. The cover is absolutely gorgeous and I am so excited to find out what the first line means.
Kalani
I LOVE all the covers of The Winner’s Series! I need to read the other books though!
Anonymous
I think the first line is a story Arin is coming up with a story. A story about why Kestral suddenly lost all her feelings for him.
Sarah
I think the first line is a story Arin is coming up with a story. A story about why Kestral suddenly lost all her feelings for him.
[Sorry. Wrote this one and forgot my name 🙂 ]
Natalie
Maybe it’s Arin, and somehow, it’s him saying how much he loves Kestrel AND WILL RUN TO HER AND SWEEP HER OFF HER FEET. Hopefully. Most likely. Thank you for the giveaway!
Ellie
Cannot wait for this book! I hope I’m not crushed and crying by the end. I just want them to be happy. Is that so much to ask!? hahaha
Amanda
I’m not sure what it means because I haven’t read Winner’s Crime yet! I’m wondering if it’s Arin or another character I don’t know about….
Summer
I can’t really resist a cover with a beautiful dress on it, so yeah, I love this one.
Jennifer @ BookShelfery
I think he’s telling himself a story to not feel bad about what happened!
Ashley -The Quiet Concert
Oh goodness, I almost do know want to even guys what it means!
Carina Olsen
Gorgeous post Meg. <3 I LOVE these books oh so much 😀 A bit sad I wasn't invited for this, though. Sigh. But still so excited about reading all the first lines 😀 Yours is gorgeous. <3 Sigh. I adore Arin. A bit mad at him at the moment, lol, but I love him 🙂 Thank you for sharing sweetie. <3
Ilana
I’m addicted to this series and cannot wait for this next book!
bn100
no idea; interesting
Cassie H
Love the cover! It sounds like things are gonna get crazy…
Alanisse
Cover is very dramatic which I love! First sentence………awesome…maybe…..yeah.. definitely!
vero
Beautiful cover, looks powerful
and the First sentence i have no idead, but sounds great xD
Christine
LOVE the cover!! I’m obsessed with this series 😀
And the first line I have no clue about, but I’m excited!!
Shannelle C.
The wait for the last book is killing me.
Read excerpts from new YA books! (May 19) - YA Interrobang
[…] are caught between. In a game like this, can anybody really win? To read the excerpts, click here: [x] [x] [x] [x] [x] […]
Cookie Monster
I think the first line has to do with how Arin used to love hearing stories. The cover is gorgeous!
Anonymous
Maybe the war of his heart for her?? I have no idea! However, the cover is gorgeous! The dress is so beautiful! Thank you for this amazing chance! 🙂
Michelle Lee
Maybe the war of his heart for her?? I have no idea! However, the cover is gorgeous! The dress is so beautiful! Thank you for this amazing chance! 🙂
Chelsea B.
It’s stunning! And wow, I have NO idea!
Marium
Ahh i wish she put up another name, i cant walk aroind with that on the cover at home.
But the sypnosis is amazing, im starting the series this summer. I.a.