Winner's Curse by Marie Rutkoski (2014)

When I run out of books to read, I am fortunate to live near a family with plenty of books that I can borrow--my daughter's family. My three young grandchildren, especially, are excited when I ask them to lend to me, and I certainly enjoy discussing the books with them afterwards. This is one my 15-year-old granddaughter loaned me. It is a Young Adult novel set in a created world which is similar to the world of the Roman Empire. In comments at the back of the book, the author even says that she patterned the two countries involved after the Romans and the Greeks, with the conquerors being militarily superior and the conquered and subsequently enslaved being culturally superior.

The plot concerns the conflicts surrounding two star-crossed lovers--Kestral, the daughter of the conquering general, and Arin, one of the conquered whom she impulsively buys at a slave auction. Despite their growing attraction, Arin keeps secret his large part in the looming slave revolt. Later, Kestral keeps secret her desperate ploy to protect Arin (and his countrymen), for which she must pay a high price. As the novel ends, it is obvious that a sequel must follow to complete the story.

Author Marie Rutkoski has added another dimension to her basic Romeo and Juliet plot by portraying Kestral's growing awareness that her country's policies of conquest and enslavement might be morally corrupt. Her conflict is intensified because she desperately seeks the approval of her father who successfully carries out the emperor's orders for conquest.

I feel that this is a notch above most YA entries. For one thing, it effectively portrays the ambiguity present when all choices may have bad consequences. These are matters all young people must face, because the differences between right and wrong are not always clearly evident. For another, it is well written in a style which does not compromise to fit itself for younger readers.

I would recommend this for young people 12 and up, and I surmise it could also be enjoyed by adults. The cover is misleading, because it looks like that of a pulp romance novel. Winner's Curse is much more than that.