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The Winner’s Curse (Excerpt)

Excerpts

The Winner’s Curse (Excerpt)

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.…

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Published on February 5, 2014

Check out The Winner’s Curse, the first novel in Marie Rutkoski’s new YA series, available March 4th from Farrar, Straus & Giroux! You can also get a free download of chapters 1-5 from Barnes & Noble, Amazon, iTunes, or your favorite ebook provider.

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.

[Read an Excerpt]

About the Author

Marie Rutkoski

Author

Marie Rutkoski is the author of the young adult fantasy novel THE CABINET OF WONDERS and its sequel, THE CELESTIAL GLOBE (published on April 12, 2010). Both books have received starred reviews from Publishers Weekly, which described the first novel as a "heady mix of history and enchantment." Her novels have been or will be published in eight languages. Marie holds a Ph.D. in English literature from Harvard University, and currently teaches as a professor of Renaissance drama, children's literature, and creative writing at Brooklyn College. She lives in New York City with her husband and son. You can visit her at marierutkoski.com.

Marie Rutkoski is the author of the YA novel The Shadow Society, and has also written the children's fantasy series The Kronos Chronicles, including The Cabinet of Wonders, The Celestial Globe and The Jewel of the Kalderash. The Cabinet of Wonders, her debut novel, was named an Indie Next Kids' List Great Read and a Bank Street Best Children's Book of the Year, among other honors. She usually lives in New York City with her husband and two sons, but she and her family are now living in Paris for the 2012-2013 academic year.

Learn More About Marie
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