An Ember In The Ashes Vs The Winner's Curse

Stare down

Similarities

Both:

*feature Roman empire inspired, vividly painted worlds
*have defiant, smart heroins
*slaves bought that are actually spies
*the overturning of authority in some way

That's where the similarities end...

Differences

An ember in the ashes, despite the attraction between the two main characters, is, essentially, not a romance. In fact, for the most part, their lives were completely different, their interactions brief, just enough to be in the same book, two people with different hopes and aspirations, talking just enough to support and inspire each other, make them question former beliefs and open their minds. Each of them had their own love interest, dangers and obstacles to overcome, demons to fight. Yet they connected. But it isn't out of love for each other, it is out of need for freedom, Elias for himself and Laia for her brother.

A Winner's Curse is an obvious romance, making the distinction between them undeniable an the latter more of my cup of tea. And while it was not my first instinct to fall in love with Elias, I was completely hooked by Arin, sharp tongue, cunning mind, attentive to details.

It was especially interesting how, as the world changed in the winner's, so did the relationship between the main characters. We start with Kestrel being an aristocrat, a lady of society, gossiping and picking dresses, buying a slave. Then the slave is a spy and the spy is a rebel and all of sudden Kestrel is no longer on the top of the pyramid but he is. Following their relationship through such changes, that rattle their worlds, bringing them upside down make for an addictive storyline on its own. And then there are the politics, the strategies, the complications of war, something we didn't see in the Ember's subtle allegience, considering the main characters there didn't really get a say but were the victims of the events.

So completely different books...

The Ember was brilliant, gruesome, thought provoking and at its core about fighting for freedom. The Winner's was a romantic dystopian, addictive, wonderful and achingly beautiful, a forbidden romance all the way.

All in All

In the end both books had built their own worlds and brought different characters to life, developed a storyline worth following and a plot with enough twists to keep you occupied. It all comes down to which genre you prefer and, while for me it's the Winner's, its my understanding that the ember meets more people's preferences since it's recommended to anyone, those who like romance and those who do not.

After all these I still can't pick which I liked best...

XOXO

Aggie Pearson