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just_one_more_paige 's review for:

The Winner's Kiss by Marie Rutkoski
4.0

This was a smooth wrap-up for this trilogy. The development of Risha's story and the cooperation b/w the East (Dacran) and Arin/Herran was a nice addition. I enjoyed Roshar's snark and also his role as a friend for Arin (who really needed one). Kestrel's memory loss situation was an interesting twist, give her the chance to relearn a relationship with Arin without all the complications of the lies in the past. though to be honest, that did very little to change Arin's side of things - that dude is a saint (he put up with so much, and I know love conquers all and everything, but HIS past isn't erased...how does he handle all the emotions around her?) and (again as with the last one) able to put together flying leaps of logic where Kestrel is concerned (thank goodness they all turn out to be true, or he'd look pretty crazy). I was very intrigued by some of the emotions and feelings that Kestrel had regarding the memory loss - he actual remembrance was limited, but her physical sensations (the size/shape of Arin's body, the sensation of safety with him) were all still there - what an insane way for your body to betray you, and how confusing for Kestrel to feel that way but not know why. I respect her efforts to wait to tall Arin about her feelings until she was sure, in order to give herself time to come to terms with everything. It must have been an almost impossible tangle/web to unweave (requiring an absurd amount of self-recognition). In the end though, I'm glad Verex and Risha ended up together and able to have their own lives, I liked where Arin and Kestrel's story goes and how they are able to relearn trust and love for each other. I liked the way forgiveness was handled as well, for Kestrel and her father, as well as Risha for Roshar - forgiveness is complicated and doesn't happen all at once. Similarly, I liked Verex's feelings about his father's death (even though the death itself was slightly far-fetched). An overall very enjoyable trilogy with some nice twists, a good love story, and a satisfying fairy-tale happy ending.