Marie Rutkoski Books in Order — The Winner's Trilogy Guide
American author of The Winner's Curse and the complete Winner's Trilogy — sharp political fantasy with one of the genre's best slow-burn romances.
About Marie Rutkoski
Marie Rutkoski is an American fantasy author best known for The Winner's Curse and The Winner's Trilogy, a complete YA fantasy series set in a world of empire, strategy, and forbidden love. Her writing stands out for its sharp political plotting and emotionally intelligent romance. The trilogy is a strong recommendation for readers who want strategic protagonists and slow-burn tension without explicit content.
Where to Start
Start with The Winner's Curse — it is the series opener and introduces Kestrel and Arin's dynamic, which drives the entire trilogy.
Marie Rutkoski Books in Order
The Winner's Trilogy
A complete YA trilogy — all three books published between 2014 and 2016.
- 1
The Winner's Curse
The Winner's Trilogy, Book 1
Kestrel, daughter of a military general, makes a reckless decision at a slave auction that sets her on a collision course with empire-wide consequences. Introduces the Kestrel and Arin dynamic that drives the entire trilogy.
Note: Start here.
- 2
The Winner's Crime
The Winner's Trilogy, Book 2
Kestrel and Arin's paths diverge as war draws closer and the cost of survival rises on both sides. The political intrigue sharpens and the romantic tension becomes almost unbearable.
- 3
The Winner's Kiss
The Winner's Trilogy, Book 3
The trilogy concludes as alliances shatter and Kestrel must choose between loyalty, empire, and the person she has become. A satisfying close to one of YA fantasy's sharpest series.