I actually think that Kestral's relationship with her father was very well developed. I will admit he wasn't very present in the first book, however their complicated dynamic plays an important role from the begging (Kestral even admitted that she wanted him to watch her at the duel because she wanted to impress him). Moreover, there relationship is very well developed in the second book. There are a couple heart breaking parts such as when he got injured and she stayed by his side, or when he hid in secret to listen to her play the piano.
Answering your question at first I thought he kept the letter because he loved her but I feel it rings more true to his character your theory, that he would feel guilty and read the letter and remind himself why he did it. It feels more like him. Also, he would be happy to see her alive and well and he was not that pleased to see her. I think that tells the story about his feelings being more about dishonor than love towards her.
I really enjoyed your review! In my opinion, General Trajan did love his daughter, because he finally starts paying attention to her when playing the piano, but his devotion to the empire and especially the Emperor was always deeper. So I feel like that's what he searched in his daughter and maybe -before her betrayal- thought he found it. In the end, it would make him keep the letter because he actually does not want to believe that she would betray everything he holds dear (because he loved her), and wants to remind himself about what she's done..
this is extremely late lol but marie really showed me how vulnerable kestrel can be, just as much as strong. in the beginning when she succumbed to the drugs and when she realized that she still had love for her father. but this book really had me on the edge and ended up wrapping up beautifully.
I feel like giving the letter to the emperor was an error of judgement. The general regretted it the moment he gave it. But it was done. He kept the letter, the only thing of his daughter that was left. I think he probably cried over it at some point. Due to the nature of their relationship, the general doubted Kestrel's loyalty, but most especially her love for him. That's why the letter hurted him, so much that he lashed out and basically sent Kestrel away.
I think Trajan kept the letter out of guilt. I also think it is implied that he had a fling with the emperor. It's definitely open to interpretation, but it clicked for me when the emperor told Kestrel the story of how they became friends and said that Trajan betrayed her because he chose the person who loved him.
I think the general kept Kestrel's letter because he was so hurt by her treason that he wanted to understand her reasoning and what would possess her to betray him. I think he knew she was up to something but he never could really understand why she would go against the empire. I loved this book💕
Oh my goodness, I’ve just finished the series, and am feeling so happy and sad at the same time. I want to squeal and sob. What a GREAT SERIES!! After finishing the series, I felt so lonely and wanted to connect with someone sharing the same love for the book as me, and I trampled upon your video. Thank you so much for doing this review, sigh, I think I’ve found a kindred spirit in you! Thank you also for the question that you posed, I didn’t even consider it. Kestrel kept asking the general, but he never answered. I think that perhaps he kept the letter to understand her, and he wasn’t able to because he himself doesn’t understand himself. I believe that there’s definitely a part of him that loves her as she’s his daughter ( this was made evident in the mentions of how he would search through the corpses), but there’s another part that only knows war and blood and I feel that he doesn’t know how to find that balance between those two sides of himself. This other side void of kindness and love could also have something to do with losing his wife as it was sometimes mentioned how he used to laugh and be happy when Kestrel was little and her mom was alive. I think that this side could have grown more as he became more involved with the wars and it was a way for him to escape his loss and perhaps like Arin in the battlefield sometimes feeling empty, that darkness that came to be from the loss grew to the point that love is no longer something that he thinks he can never have. Anyway, that’s just my reflection on his behavior. Thank you very much for your review!!!
(Old video, but hey! I've an opinion to share!) Personally, I think there is quite a deep reason as to why the general kept Kestrel's letter on him at all times, deeper than him just feeling guilty. I think he saw her raw, real love for Arin in that letter and almost wanted to understand why she didn't love him like that (but in a father- daughter context, naturally). He was so torn over the way that she seemed to choose Arin over him, he wanted to know if he could have done something to change that. Most importantly, he wanted to know if she could love him like that or if his own actions had ruined their relationship for good. I'd expand more into how this affects his actions in the book, but this ain't a review so I should probably stop before I write an entire essay on one of my favourite books ^^
I really appreciate Marie's research for this book (war strategies and stuff) I will remember Kestrel. I love her so much. I like how complex she is, and how she and arin reads each other.
I'm so glad you loved the book as much as I did! I couldn't stop gushing about it either and this series deserves so much more attention than it gets! I personally thought the general kept the letter because he later regretted what he did to Kestrel and in a way wanted to punish himself. He thinks of himself as an honorable man but perhaps he felt guilt that he chose his country over his own daughter again and again and again. I know he said it wasn't regret exactly, but I think there's a part of him that wishes he could've been a better father. And I believe he's ultimately proud of Kestrel-- he just doesn't know how to show it.
Oh my gosh, I have been patiently waiting for your review to appear on my feed. I'm so excited! Clearly, I've read this and thoroughly enjoyed it! I was just going yes yes YES at almost everything you said. I do think though that Arin was showed more of a weaker side of him in the this book. He was so protective over kestrel and because that kinda based a bit of decisions on her which to me makes him look a little weak. Plus he's so easily affected by her. Not that it's a bad thing but again, he comes off weak cause of that. Also, I think he was a little flat this time?? I mean it's just because there's so much going on with Kestrel that it seems Arin is a little neglected? Otherwise everything you've said, I agree. As for your question, I think that he kept the letter to constantly remind himself of Kestrel's betrayal and also he probably doesn't understand her betrayal and is maybe really upset and confused at the same time. I'm sure as a dad, he would want to know.
I read the book as soon as it released, and was soooo desperately waiting for your review, I knew you would totally read it asap. I agree on what you said about the general keeping the letter as a reminder of Kestrel's betrayal when he would miss her or feel guilty for what he did.
Omg i feel so totally the same with you❤😭😭 i just finished this book and i'm really sad and but the book is sooo perfect for me everything just soo good omg i can't take this right now, i don't want this trilogy to end but yeah i really like how it ended😭🙏🙏💗❤
I'm so excited to read this one! Arin and Krestel have one of my favorite relationship dynamics ever and I cannot wait to see how it ends. I just hope it won't crush me :)
thank you thank you thank you for having a review of this so soon!!! I finished it and I was desperate to watch some booktube videos haha. I actually find a lot of parallels between The Winner's Trilogy and the Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu (both of which are series I love). I think he kept the letter because it was something of hers that he could hold on to, but I think your theory is definitely spot on as well. Did anyone else get vibes that the emperor and Trajan were lovers? Idk haha when the emperor was talking to Kestrel, it made me think that he chose the emperor because he loved him as well. Idk maybe im reading too much into it XD
I personally think the general kept the letter because of a mixure of what you said. The way i see it, he's angry at not only Kestrel, but himself also. so, he kind of does use the letter as motivation to continue his work as a way of making up for having a daughter who's commited treason. (But i also believe that he did want a little but of his daughter with him because she is, afterall, his daughter) did that make sense? I hope it did
Yessss, this trilogy is sooo good. Another great one that's layered and complex like this is The Dark Days Club books. I'm still waiting for book three!
Great review video! I thought he kept it as a token to remember Kestrel because he truly loved her. But I could also see it go the other way, he might feel guilty at times and then he'd look at the letter and be reminded he did "the right thing".
First of all, I've been waiting for this review since I finished this book last week. I'm so glad to hear your opinions regarding this trilogy, and we definitely shared the same thoughts! (overall) For me, I think the general kept the letter because he regretted that he betrayed his own daughter. And probably he kept the letter as a tiny/piece memory of Kestrel. Anyway, I'm so sad the trilogy already ended. Hope to see more story Kestrel & Arin story in future. (Fangirl never loses hope!)
I think maybe he kept it to try to understand how she could say that she would do anything for Arin. He was probably trying to understand how her honour could be so easily discarded over love and wondered if that's where he came short in his relationship & upbringing of Kestrel. Well, that's just my guess!! Great review by the way, have the exact same thoughts!!
I think Kestrel's father kept her letter as a reminder of what he did to his daughter. (I think) He loves her, and as long as he had that letter on him, it would remind him of how he betrayed her and that he should hate himself for it.
Ive been DIEING to hear your thoughts! I NEED to get this! You got me into this series waay back! Im going to bawl my damn eyes out, so much heartbreak. Great Review :)
The book cover is different to mine! My one has her in a teal blue dress and on the winners crime she has a red dress is that because i have the British covers?
Trajan kept the letter because it was Kestrel, basically. The letter showed who she was and would always be. He's a smart man, so he already knows all this about her. He knew about Kestrel and Arin. He threatened Arin in previous novels and has Kestrel's brain. He knew everything she wrote in the letter most likely before he read it. He disowned her and gave her over to the emperor because he knew who she was, and it was dishonoring to him, but kept the letter because he loved her anyway. Just as Kestrel knew her father and hoped he would not act in the way she knew he would (turning her in), he knows her and knows she already knows he would turn her in. That that is who he is, and he can't change it. Sure, he maybe felt guilty. He kept the letter, out of guilt and love for his daughter, who is represented by the letter. But he is who he is, and for her he won't change. Even though he was guilty and loved her, he wouldn't change what he did, just as he did not expect Kestrel to change.
I think he kept it because kestrel had lied to her father and betrayed her country for Arin and that was the thing that she valued more than him -not quite how I wanted to word that but close enough. or maybe a reminder that he had betrayed his daughter
I would've read this series a long time ago if it weren't for the fact that someone spoiled me about the second book, so now I'm just waiting it out until I can't remember said spoiler. I still vaguely remember it though. 😢
I want you to react to the divergent series movie Because they left out some pretty interesting things and added others. I have followed the book and movie and would love to see your opinion but u might not wanna open closed wounds from allegiant. :)
I actually think that Kestral's relationship with her father was very well developed. I will admit he wasn't very present in the first book, however their complicated dynamic plays an important role from the begging (Kestral even admitted that she wanted him to watch her at the duel because she wanted to impress him). Moreover, there relationship is very well developed in the second book. There are a couple heart breaking parts such as when he got injured and she stayed by his side, or when he hid in secret to listen to her play the piano.
Answering your question at first I thought he kept the letter because he loved her but I feel it rings more true to his character your theory, that he would feel guilty and read the letter and remind himself why he did it. It feels more like him. Also, he would be happy to see her alive and well and he was not that pleased to see her. I think that tells the story about his feelings being more about dishonor than love towards her.
I really enjoyed your review! In my opinion, General Trajan did love his daughter, because he finally starts paying attention to her when playing the piano, but his devotion to the empire and especially the Emperor was always deeper. So I feel like that's what he searched in his daughter and maybe -before her betrayal- thought he found it. In the end, it would make him keep the letter because he actually does not want to believe that she would betray everything he holds dear (because he loved her), and wants to remind himself about what she's done..
this is extremely late lol but marie really showed me how vulnerable kestrel can be, just as much as strong. in the beginning when she succumbed to the drugs and when she realized that she still had love for her father. but this book really had me on the edge and ended up wrapping up beautifully.
I feel like giving the letter to the emperor was an error of judgement. The general regretted it the moment he gave it. But it was done. He kept the letter, the only thing of his daughter that was left. I think he probably cried over it at some point. Due to the nature of their relationship, the general doubted Kestrel's loyalty, but most especially her love for him. That's why the letter hurted him, so much that he lashed out and basically sent Kestrel away.
I think Trajan kept the letter out of guilt. I also think it is implied that he had a fling with the emperor. It's definitely open to interpretation, but it clicked for me when the emperor told Kestrel the story of how they became friends and said that Trajan betrayed her because he chose the person who loved him.
you originally made me read this by your love for the winner's curse and here I am two books later and I wanna thank you 💕
I think the general kept Kestrel's letter because he was so hurt by her treason that he wanted to understand her reasoning and what would possess her to betray him. I think he knew she was up to something but he never could really understand why she would go against the empire. I loved this book💕
Oh my goodness, I’ve just finished the series, and am feeling so happy and sad at the same time. I want to squeal and sob. What a GREAT SERIES!!
After finishing the series, I felt so lonely and wanted to connect with someone sharing the same love for the book as me, and I trampled upon your video. Thank you so much for doing this review, sigh, I think I’ve found a kindred spirit in you! Thank you also for the question that you posed, I didn’t even consider it. Kestrel kept asking the general, but he never answered. I think that perhaps he kept the letter to understand her, and he wasn’t able to because he himself doesn’t understand himself. I believe that there’s definitely a part of him that loves her as she’s his daughter ( this was made evident in the mentions of how he would search through the corpses), but there’s another part that only knows war and blood and I feel that he doesn’t know how to find that balance between those two sides of himself. This other side void of kindness and love could also have something to do with losing his wife as it was sometimes mentioned how he used to laugh and be happy when Kestrel was little and her mom was alive. I think that this side could have grown more as he became more involved with the wars and it was a way for him to escape his loss and perhaps like Arin in the battlefield sometimes feeling empty, that darkness that came to be from the loss grew to the point that love is no longer something that he thinks he can never have. Anyway, that’s just my reflection on his behavior.
Thank you very much for your review!!!
(Old video, but hey! I've an opinion to share!)
Personally, I think there is quite a deep reason as to why the general kept Kestrel's letter on him at all times, deeper than him just feeling guilty. I think he saw her raw, real love for Arin in that letter and almost wanted to understand why she didn't love him like that (but in a father- daughter context, naturally). He was so torn over the way that she seemed to choose Arin over him, he wanted to know if he could have done something to change that. Most importantly, he wanted to know if she could love him like that or if his own actions had ruined their relationship for good.
I'd expand more into how this affects his actions in the book, but this ain't a review so I should probably stop before I write an entire essay on one of my favourite books ^^
I really appreciate Marie's research for this book (war strategies and stuff)
I will remember Kestrel. I love her so much. I like how complex she is, and how she and arin reads each other.
I'm so glad you loved the book as much as I did! I couldn't stop gushing about it either and this series deserves so much more attention than it gets! I personally thought the general kept the letter because he later regretted what he did to Kestrel and in a way wanted to punish himself. He thinks of himself as an honorable man but perhaps he felt guilt that he chose his country over his own daughter again and again and again. I know he said it wasn't regret exactly, but I think there's a part of him that wishes he could've been a better father. And I believe he's ultimately proud of Kestrel-- he just doesn't know how to show it.
Currently reading the last one and I'm in love so far , glad to know it ends well 😄😄great review !!
Oh my gosh, I have been patiently waiting for your review to appear on my feed. I'm so excited!
Clearly, I've read this and thoroughly enjoyed it! I was just going yes yes YES at almost everything you said. I do think though that Arin was showed more of a weaker side of him in the this book. He was so protective over kestrel and because that kinda based a bit of decisions on her which to me makes him look a little weak. Plus he's so easily affected by her. Not that it's a bad thing but again, he comes off weak cause of that. Also, I think he was a little flat this time?? I mean it's just because there's so much going on with Kestrel that it seems Arin is a little neglected? Otherwise everything you've said, I agree.
As for your question, I think that he kept the letter to constantly remind himself of Kestrel's betrayal and also he probably doesn't understand her betrayal and is maybe really upset and confused at the same time. I'm sure as a dad, he would want to know.
I read the book as soon as it released, and was soooo desperately waiting for your review, I knew you would totally read it asap. I agree on what you said about the general keeping the letter as a reminder of Kestrel's betrayal when he would miss her or feel guilty for what he did.
Omg i feel so totally the same with you❤😭😭 i just finished this book and i'm really sad and but the book is sooo perfect for me everything just soo good omg i can't take this right now, i don't want this trilogy to end but yeah i really like how it ended😭🙏🙏💗❤
so nice to hear another review! Love your thoughts and love the streak in your hair!
I kind of realized the paint thingy from the moment krestal mentioned the bite and sting game
I'm so excited to read this one! Arin and Krestel have one of my favorite relationship dynamics ever and I cannot wait to see how it ends. I just hope it won't crush me :)
thank you thank you thank you for having a review of this so soon!!! I finished it and I was desperate to watch some booktube videos haha. I actually find a lot of parallels between The Winner's Trilogy and the Legend Trilogy by Marie Lu (both of which are series I love). I think he kept the letter because it was something of hers that he could hold on to, but I think your theory is definitely spot on as well. Did anyone else get vibes that the emperor and Trajan were lovers? Idk haha when the emperor was talking to Kestrel, it made me think that he chose the emperor because he loved him as well. Idk maybe im reading too much into it XD
I personally think the general kept the letter because of a mixure of what you said. The way i see it, he's angry at not only Kestrel, but himself also. so, he kind of does use the letter as motivation to continue his work as a way of making up for having a daughter who's commited treason. (But i also believe that he did want a little but of his daughter with him because she is, afterall, his daughter) did that make sense? I hope it did
just finish the third book and I must say I agree to almost everything to you said. I really enjoyed your review. The trilogy is really a must read!
Yessss, this trilogy is sooo good. Another great one that's layered and complex like this is The Dark Days Club books. I'm still waiting for book three!
You've always been very good at reviewing! Love this video!
I think I read the first two books, but I definitely need to reread them so that their fresh in my mind. Great review !
I think that even marie didn't know why the general kept the letter so that's why it wasn't mentioned
I totally agree the ending is amazing. Lovely review for a fantastic series!
You read this book so fast! It released literally 2 days ago XD
Great review video! I thought he kept it as a token to remember Kestrel because he truly loved her. But I could also see it go the other way, he might feel guilty at times and then he'd look at the letter and be reminded he did "the right thing".
Love the glasses! I can't wear mine on camera... They reflect light 😕
First of all, I've been waiting for this review since I finished this book last week. I'm so glad to hear your opinions regarding this trilogy, and we definitely shared the same thoughts! (overall)
For me, I think the general kept the letter because he regretted that he betrayed his own daughter. And probably he kept the letter as a tiny/piece memory of Kestrel.
Anyway, I'm so sad the trilogy already ended. Hope to see more story Kestrel & Arin story in future. (Fangirl never loses hope!)
im nearly done with this book and so far im loving it. love this series sooo much
I think maybe he kept it to try to understand how she could say that she would do anything for Arin. He was probably trying to understand how her honour could be so easily discarded over love and wondered if that's where he came short in his relationship & upbringing of Kestrel. Well, that's just my guess!! Great review by the way, have the exact same thoughts!!
I AM WAITING FOR MINE TO ARRIVE UUUGH ... SO EXCITED THO
I think Kestrel's father kept her letter as a reminder of what he did to his daughter. (I think) He loves her, and as long as he had that letter on him, it would remind him of how he betrayed her and that he should hate himself for it.
The sequel to The Wrath and the Dawn comes out tomorrow, 4-26. Are you going to read it? I already pre-ordered it, and I'd love to hear your review.
Ive been DIEING to hear your thoughts! I NEED to get this! You got me into this series waay back! Im going to bawl my damn eyes out, so much heartbreak. Great Review :)
The book cover is different to mine! My one has her in a teal blue dress and on the winners crime she has a red dress is that because i have the British covers?
You probably have the paperbacks?
+Reegan Kay oh yeah i do 😂 thanks
Trajan kept the letter because it was Kestrel, basically. The letter showed who she was and would always be. He's a smart man, so he already knows all this about her. He knew about Kestrel and Arin. He threatened Arin in previous novels and has Kestrel's brain. He knew everything she wrote in the letter most likely before he read it. He disowned her and gave her over to the emperor because he knew who she was, and it was dishonoring to him, but kept the letter because he loved her anyway. Just as Kestrel knew her father and hoped he would not act in the way she knew he would (turning her in), he knows her and knows she already knows he would turn her in. That that is who he is, and he can't change it. Sure, he maybe felt guilty. He kept the letter, out of guilt and love for his daughter, who is represented by the letter. But he is who he is, and for her he won't change. Even though he was guilty and loved her, he wouldn't change what he did, just as he did not expect Kestrel to change.
I agree when ever i Finnish a series i always get so sad!
I think he kept it because kestrel had lied to her father and betrayed her country for Arin and that was the thing that she valued more than him -not quite how I wanted to word that but close enough. or maybe a reminder that he had betrayed his daughter
I preordered it but it still hasn't arrived!
I would've read this series a long time ago if it weren't for the fact that someone spoiled me about the second book, so now I'm just waiting it out until I can't remember said spoiler. I still vaguely remember it though. 😢
I just finished this and loved it!! Have you read Red Rising by Pierce Brown?? It's really good and I think you would enjoy it :D
I want you to react to the divergent series movie
Because they left out some pretty interesting things and added others. I have followed the book and movie and would love to see your opinion but u might not wanna open closed wounds from allegiant. :)
I love this series so much!
I'm considering reading this myself, to review :P
This is the second time I've seen these...gonna go check it out!!! 💸💸💸 📚
even in this video you review the book that is not my type of book I read but I clicked the video anyway because you upload video.
I love this book so much ❤️😭🙌🏻
I finished the book like, fifteen minutes ago.
"Adios..." :3
Adios? Someone said somethig in spanish?
IM SO JEALOUS OF YOUR BOOKSHELF!!!
i finally completed this series last night and OH MY GOD MY HEART IS RIPPED APART! one of the best fantasy ppl must read!!!