Readers: February 27th: Apologies for the scattered posting that's about to come during the next week or so. University has just started and I have a lot of work to do to get on top of things (and ahead!). Thanks for your patience, as always.

Publishers: I promise I'm not abandoning the lovely review copies you've sent!
I'm getting through them and the reviews will come eventually!

Thursday, November 10, 2011

Review: The Scorpio Races

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: October 18th 2011
Source: Scholastic Australia for review

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die. At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

The Scorpio Races is an adventure novel that's bound to make you fall in love. Whether it's with the complex characters or the magical world Stiefvater has created, this book will race to the top of your favourites of the year! The concept is genius. Every year, riders seeking wealth race in the Scorpio Races. They spend weeks searching for and training capaill uisce, wild water horses who crave the taste of blood, before coming together for one heart-racing dash down the beach. The horrifying moments in the novel contrast with the calm relationships, making it an absolute must-read!

First of all, Sean and Puck (aka Kate) are two brilliant characters who have wormed themselves into my heart. Their romance is in no way epic or dominating of the book, but the rare moments that are shared between them are like gold. Sean has won four out of six races and is considered a hero but he races only to ride Corr, the capall uisce he's bonded with. Corr's owner refuses to sell the horse to him, but the two eventually come to an agreement. Sean can buy Corr if he wins this year. Simple enough, right? Wrong. Puck enters the race to save her dead parents' house and to prevent her older brother from deserting the family. So you see, once they fall in love, we have a little dilemma on our hands. They can't both win! Oh, what will our poor lovers do?

Stiefvater's storytelling is the novel's finest quality. Words between characters aren't plentiful but the vivid descriptions of the island and horses are enough. Puck and Sean both have a way with horses and it was beautiful watching their love shine through. It was especially touching to see Corr, a savage animal, have a sweet spot for a mere human! Stiefvater always creates realistic characters and realistic worlds. No matter how "out there" the idea is, she somehow pulls it off, as if it was always meant to be.

I adored this book and surely you will too. I have been a long time fan of this author and I can't wait to see what she'll pull out of her magical hat next! The Scorpio Races will take you to absolute highs and lows with a turn of a page and you'll quickly be swept up into this dangerous world. The conclusion of the novel is so fitting and perfect. Fantastic writing, as always.
What did you think? How did this book compare with Maggie's others?

Find Maggie on Twitter, Goodreads, Facebook, her website and blog.
Buy The Scorpio Races from Amazon, The Book Depository and Barnes & Noble.

Related Posts Plugin for WordPress, Blogger...