The Scorpio Races
By Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN# 978-0545224918
Author’s Website: http://maggiestiefvater.com/
Brought to you by guest reviewer Erin
Summary:
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. (Goodreads)
Review:
I should start by saying that I love Maggie Stiefvater’s books. Shiver is one of my all time favorites, not just in YA but period. So I may be biased. But she keeps getting better, and I loved The Scorpio Races too.
I grew up with celtic myths, including one about creatures called kelpies. Kelpies are water horses, some looked like horses with the skin of seals, others had dripping kelp for manes, etc. Kelpies are one common name; the water horses in The Scorpio Races are called capaill uisce. Rare and extremely dangerous they “always have one foot in the sea”, a few are captured every year for a race in November.
The chapters alternate between Kate Connelly (known as Puck), and Sean Kendrick’s point of view. Both are orphans, and share a deep love for horses and the island they call home. The story isn’t just about Puck or Sean. It’s about the connections you feel to the things that you love, how they are a part of you and shape you without you realizing it. How even the things that feel ancient and unchanging can be effected by a single person. And how no matter what is thrown your way, you can shape your own future.
You can actually feel Puck growing up. Her age is never named, but in the beginning I honestly was thinking about twelve. By the end I assumed she was around 17. She didn’t physically age, but she became this entirely new person, so strong and independent, that she hadn’t even been close to before.
There’s a little romance, but there is so much else going on that it’s pretty subtle. But Stiefvater can take small things and make them beautiful and romantic. The magic is subtle, to the point that you question whether or not it’s real, but her imagery is intense so you never feel like you’re missing out.
And Sean? Let me just say Maggie writes the best guys.
