Today we have the pleasure of interviewing Marie Rutkoski, author of the popular young adult series “The Winner’s Trilogy”. The second book in the series, “The Winner’s Crime”, was recently released and has been receiving rave reviews from both fans and critics. We sat down with Marie to ask her a few questions about the series, her writing process, and what readers can expect from the upcoming books.

Q: What inspired you to write “The Winner’s Trilogy”?

A: I’ve always been fascinated by the idea of power and how it can corrupt even the most well-meaning people. I wanted to explore that theme in a fantasy setting, and that’s how the idea for “The Winner’s Trilogy” was born. I also drew inspiration from historical events and settings, which helped me create a rich and vivid world for the characters to inhabit.

Q: What can readers expect from “The Winner’s Crime”?

A: In “The Winner’s Crime”, readers can expect more intrigue, deception, and heart-pounding action. The stakes are higher than ever for Kestrel and Arin as they navigate the treacherous political landscape of the Valorian Empire. The tension between them continues to grow, and secrets are revealed that will change everything they thought they knew about each other.

Q: How do you approach the writing process for a series like “The Winner’s Trilogy”?

A: Writing a series can be challenging because you have to keep track of multiple plotlines and character arcs across multiple books. I like to outline each book in the series before I start writing, so I have a roadmap to follow. I also try to stay flexible and open to new ideas as I go along, as sometimes the story takes unexpected turns that I hadn’t planned for.

Q: What do you hope readers take away from the series?

A: I hope readers take away a sense of empathy and understanding for the characters, who are faced with difficult choices and moral dilemmas throughout the series. I also hope that the themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption resonate with readers and make them think about their own values and beliefs.

In addition to our Q&A with Marie Rutkoski, we are also excited to announce a giveaway of “The Winner’s Trilogy” box set for one lucky reader! To enter, simply leave a comment below sharing your favorite character from the series and why. The giveaway will run for one week, and the winner will be chosen at random and notified via email.

Thank you to Marie Rutkoski for taking the time to answer our questions and to all of our readers for their support of “The Winner’s Trilogy”. We can’t wait to see what happens next in this thrilling and immersive series!