The Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races is an absolutely breathtaking book. Puck and Sean are both incredibly alive; I never felt like they were just characters on a page. Every background character had that sense of life.

I’m pretty sure we’re all familiar with the magic of Maggie Stiefvater’s writing; The Scorpio Races is no exception. Every part of this book, especially Thisby, the island Puck and Sean live on, breathes with every page turn.

I LOVED The Scorpio Races. Much like The Raven Cycle, it really feels like the book is coming from Maggie’s heart. One ting I love, specifically, is the way she uses words, some repeating for an effect and having a phrase repeated from different characters. Every sentence is art. Her voice is enchanting; it wasn’t hard to disappear into The Scorpio Races for hours. I willingly sacrificed sleep for this book and have NO REGRETS.

I’m not a huge fan of horses (which is problematic, as I live in a city with the BIGGEST horse race of the year) which made me hesitant to start The Scorpio Races. But somehow, Maggie had my heart racing along with Puck and Dove, her horse. It was so much fun to read; I’m pretty sure I stopped breathing for a chapter. The romance didn’t come and bludgeon me over the head with feels, either; it was the kind that grew slowly, in starts and stops. The growing attraction between Puck and Sean never overtook the main plot points but was never shoved to the deepest, darkest recesses of the background.

The plot was amazing as well. A girl enters the deadliest horse race on the island, which has claimed many, many lives, and it’s win or die. There are so many layers to this book; besides the race, Puck has to deal with what’s left of her family, the sexist racers on their uber fast horses, the sudden increase of Sean Kendrick’s involvement in her life, and so, so much more.

Overall, I adore everything about this book. It’s definitely one of my new favorites.

This was my first Maggie Stiefvater book, while I was waiting on a copy of The Raven Boys to come in from the library. I had seen it on the store, with high ratings, but the description didn't particularly interest me. Of course, the same thing happened with The Hunger Games years ago, and I should know by now that the store knows best.

I will admit I found the beginning of the book slow, well-written but not particularly engaging. As I tend to have a few books going at any given time, I set The Scorpio Races aside for awhile and finishing something else. But then I came back to it, at the precise time the story really picked up, and from that point, it was difficult to put the book down to go to sleep at night. While I am an adult that loves YA fiction (for reasons beyond the scope of this review), the characters in The Scorpio Races felt adult and were facing situations more serious than in some other YA novels. Issues of survival, being orphaned, starvation, and how children should learn to take care of themselves where there is no one left to do so are in the shadow of the outcome of the races. Puck Connelly, who makes the decision to race rather impulsively, becomes quickly stuck in this situation, with winning as her only way out, whereas another win for Sean Kendrick means the start of a new life with a horse he loves and freedom from a life he hates. Of course it is obvious that they will form a bond, but the way in which they do so is genuine, soft, and entirely believable. For once I found myself wanting more romance, rather than less, but I also knew that that is not what this book is about.

It is true that girls who loved horse stories will find something here to love, as it is also true that I found the ending perfect and I loved the horses in this book (both water and normal varieties) to be as enchanting as the human characters. I think Maggie Stiefvater has created an interesting world, one with elements of magic that could easily exist within the world we know (yes, I'll admit it, I had to look up the legend of the water horses), with riveting characters and a willingness to show both the good and bad of her characters and the world. The writing was beautiful, which seems to be a theme for Stiefvater's books, and readers will find the switch between the two main characters' viewpoints to be familiar. This book inspired me and stayed with me long after I read the final lines.

As I was reading this wonderful book, I wondered whether the author had dreamed of water horses in childhood or adolescence. These beautiful, deadly, eery, compelling creations belonged in dreams. But the author's note at the end of the book informed me that Stiefvater created them by picking elements from existing legends. Now, they can inhabit her readers' dreams.

Of course, this story is not only or fundamentally about the water horses, the capaill uisce. It is the story of a small town, and of a young man with a talent that amounts to genius, and a young woman of talent and enormous courage, and of all the conflicts that arise in those who grow up in isolated places and contemplate an end to that isolation.

It's also a painfully suspenseful tale. The climax involves a race, and while I sometimes cheat when reading suspenseful books, I knew I could not cheat this time, because this story demands that the reader take part in the race.

3.5

Sean and Puck. Their love for one another is as easy as it is natural. They're made for one another and complement each other perfectly. The simple way they touch and comfort in their collective silence is wonderfully written. There's no need for a whirlwind of passion and dramatic declarations, like the island it just is the way it is. Pure, a little dangerous, and full of surprises.

These water horses are terrifying. They lurk in the water, pouncing and stalking their prey, wickedly sharp teeth and powerful hooves breaking bones and severing limbs. They're nothing like the water horse of Loch Ness, they're more like a Kelpie. If you've read The Iron Feythen you already are well versed in the horrifying image of these creatures. If not, they're magical fey creatures who are horse like and live in the water, they drags people to their deaths by drowning or worse, my torturing them for fun.

Stiefvater's water horses are a merge of Kelpie and the real thing.

The preparation for the races and the rituals leading up to it are fascinating. A little Druidy, it created the illusion of a higher entity controlling the fate of the islanders. The way they make blood sacrifices, dress in masks, and make wishes for harm by writing them in ash and casting them into the sea is something so foreign and strange that there is an air of fantasy mixed with reality.

CONS:

There were several unnecessary characters and plot points. The whole story was flooded by these fleeting, bland characters. The book could have been much shorter and could have used some editing.

Because of those aforementioned characters there were many lags in the story that made the plot seem overly slow and boring despite the content. On Goodreads I saw that a couple people didn't finish. It's probably because of this, that some couldn't get into a story as interesting as murderous water horses.

Review originally posted on The Book Addict's Guide

THE SCORPIO RACES was magical. I’m not entirely sure what I had expected when I started, but I really ended up enjoying it! I actually felt like it took me a little while to get into it – not because it wasn’t good, but because it took a while for me to “meet” the characters and get to know them. I felt like both Puck and Sean have a really tough exterior so even to the reader it takes a little bit to break that shell. I was never really going to quit it, but I can’t seem to think of different wording than I’m glad that I stuck with it. The writing is simply beautiful and whereas I did not really enjoy the only other Steifvater book I’ve read so far – Shiver – I was totally captivated by the beauty of Maggie Steifvater’s writing and her character development.

Even though THE SCORPIO RACES ultimately boils down to a race, exciting action, and violent sea horses, I think was I was really sold on was the character development. We really get to know Puck and Sean separately until the races intertwine their two lives. They’re both in different yet similar predicaments – They must win the races and the monetary prize that goes with winning in order to maintain their currently lives and not lose a valuable piece of their family (or whatever they consider their family after everything they’ve already lost). Watching the interactions between Puck and her family and Sean & his horses was the most magical part of this book for me by far. As far as their romance goes, I loved that it wasn’t rushed and it wasn’t even the main focus. It fit in perfectly and easily, without being forced at all.

For some reason, I was totally caught up on the logistics of the water horses. How did they survive in the water AND on land? Did they have gills to breathe in the water? Were their lungs adapted to both land and water? It was never explained and somehow I was a little stuck in the fact that I didn’t know the details.

A big part of the magic of this book for me was Thisby itself. I have no idea in what time period this was supposed to take place but I very much pictured something in the 1930s or 1940s – a time before technology started coming through and the automobile was just becoming a part of every day life. I loved the atmosphere that this setting created. It was such a personality in itself and I loved the feeling of Thisby.

I was REALLY hesitating how to rate it. I was caught somewhere between liking it and loving it, but overall, I think I’m leaning more towards loving it. Thinking back on the general feel and the emotions I felt toward the end, I’ll lean towards the higher rating!

Audiobook Impressions: Yes. Get this as an audiobook. Steve West reading for Sean Kendrick and Fiona Hardingham reading for Puck Connelly was superb. I absolutely loved the British accents and for some reason it just made the story flow. Is it weird that my favorite part of the narrating was George Holly’s American voice? I don’t what it was, but for some reason I found it weirdly sexy….. Anyone else? No? Just me? Okay, awkward….

Re-read review: Naturally, I felt the draw to re-read THE SCORPIO RACES in October and November. It's been a while since my first read and to this day, this is still one of the audiobooks I push the most due to its amazing narrators (Steve West as Sean and Fiona Hardingham as Puck) and of course, Maggie Stiefvater's gorgeous prose and amazing story-telling.

A book about horse races. Not something I'd normally gravitate to much less fall in love with, but Maggie's magical realism is supreme. There's so much more to this book than just horse races -- mythical water horses, the first girl to enter the annual Scorpio Races, a fight for the proper place in the world, bravery, loyalty, love. THE SCORPIO RACES is just the kind of book that draws you in and really gets you lost in the world that the author creates. Both times I've read this book, I could truly feel like I was on Thisby, watching these characters, running with the horses. I could almost taste the salt of the sea and feel the chilly November wind in my hair. Just thinking back on it now brings all of those feelings back and this book is definitely one I just love to tuck myself into.

This was actually my second time not only reading the book but listening to the audio. After reading it for the first time via audiobook, I couldn't get it out of my head. The voice actors were just amazing and really brought the book to life. There's no way I could read this book again and not have it be through the audiobook. It was a very familiar experience re-reading in the same format (lately I've been reading in print the first time around and then re-reading via audio, most often) and yet it was really a brand-new experience as well. Firstly, somehow in the this crazy reading world of mine, I had forgotten how the book actually ends. Obviously I knew it ended with the Scorpio Races themselves, but... did Sean win? Did Puck win? Did someone die? Did something insane happen? Somehow I didn't remember the details and I don't know how that happened but it did. That was kind of a good thing in a way though. The ending was suspenseful and emotional and like a brand new book. The second thing was that during my first read, I really wasn't quite sure what I was getting into. I had a brief understanding of what the book was about but I really wasn't sure what the feel was going to be like or where the story would go. It was nice to know exactly where I was putting myself when picking this book up for the second time (well, aside from the ending, apparently) so it felt much more secure and there was a lot more excitement on my part as well.

I really just LOVE everything about this book. I was a bit hesitant during my first read simply because I didn't know what to expect. THE SCORPIO RACES does have its action but it's also a very character-driven book. It caught me by surprise when I first read it and I felt like it took a while to get into but knowing that during my re-read and pining for these characters and the magnetism they have towards one another (and to me as a reader), I was already head over heels for the both of them and for this entire story and setting and feeling before I even started.

THE SCORPIO RACES might end up being a re-read every year book for me! I absolutely loved reading it during the months that it took place. I think the more I read this book, the more I'll fall in love with it. If you're looking for a great audiobook, this is definitely one I'd recommend to sweep you off your feet!

I think the outlay of the island featured in this book will haunt me forever.

Ok, maybe that's a bit dramatic, but seriously. It's a muddy island with lots of bluffs...that the author feels the need to explain countless times. Between the island, her odd fascination with the horse's muddy flank and the fact that we were told how many different shades of red the priest's car WASN'T until we were finally, painstakingly told which shade it was (phew, nail biter...it was just eating away at me to not know the EXACT shade!), I think it's safe to say that I was over familiarized with trivial parts of the story.

What I didn't get enough of - and that's too bad, because what little I got was so well done - was more action and also seeing more of the relationships that pushed the characters to their choices.

I loved the quirky characters and I actually loved the quirky town - I just didn't want to go in a guided tour of it again and again and again.

I would have been completely content seeing it through the action that should have been happening.

Speaking of action, once it finally got down to it, if you blink it's over and everything is suddenly resolved. After the seemingly endless build up!

For me, it was Finn, Sean, Dove and Cora that made the story a three star. There was heart, comedy and (many types of) love that I wasn't expecting.
To sum it up: I would have liked less scenery and more action/character interaction.

I just recently discovered the author Maggie Stiefvater, a young adult author from Virginia. Everything I’ve been reading lately has been work or ministry related so I needed to take a break and read something different. I’ve completed Stiefvater’s The Raven Cycle and The Books of Faerie, two very different stories with a heavy Celtic influence set in Virginia. Last night I just finished The Scorpio Races, which I feel is the strongest story out of all I’ve read so far.

Other than being well written there are two things that stand out for me in The Scorpio Races. The first is in the story of the water horses (keplies or capaill uisce, as used in the book) themselves. They are treated as a fact of life, something that has always been, something preternatural but not too heavy on the supernatural side of things. Being rooted in Celtic and Scandinavian mythology the concept of the capaill uisce could have been taken in many different directions, but Stiefvater’s approach (described on her website) to the myth is balanced and as natural as can be. As the story of The Scorpio Races and the capaill uisce on the island of Thisby (somewhere near Ireland and Scotland) unfolds I feel a connection to a somewhat similar tradition that occurs each summer on the Eastern Shore of Virginia - a Celtic connection of sorts to Virginia. The other impression that The Scorpio Races makes on me is that it isn’t just a book for youth, the story and depth suits a wide range of ages and is very engaging. Some of the story elements are slightly predictable but Stiefvater did a great job in crafting a story that wasn’t formulaic or contained an easily guessed ending. As I read I was both begging for it to end so I could see how the story concluded and yet wishing that it would never end. I would love to see this made into a movie, but as with many other great stories, I’m afraid that Hollywood can’t compete with my imagination and personal time spent along the Delmarva and Basse Normandy seasides.

To get more information on The Scorpio Races you can visit the author’s book site (where she places a wonderful setlist of accompanying music!) or check it out on the store. This is about all I can say about the book as I don’t want to give anything away or get too wordy, I am not a writer and though I do toss a few reviews out each year I don’t want to pretend I am something I will never be! The Scorpio Races is available in both print and ebook editions.

<b>How did we end up here</b>

While Laura was out visiting for the Neil Gaiman event we were in my local bookstore wherein she purchased a copy and forcibly thrust it into my hands. I was required to read it upon pain of death. Really, I didn’t have much of a choice, now did I?

<b>Okay, book. You've got 50 pages. Go!</b>

It’s hard to put down a book when the first sentence talks about someone dying. Not to mention the voice had this easy flow to it that allowed me to read it with ease. It didn’t bog itself down in florid language and every once in a while I got a pretty sentence that made me sigh whimsically but the story was what was important. And it’s even harder to tear my eyes away from pages talking about killer water horses. What’s not to like about that?

<b>What worked . . .</b>

The story was incredibly engaging and I found myself rooting more for Sean than I was Puck, only because I felt his story was more compelling and harder-earned than Puck’s. Yeah, Puck’s parents were dead and what remained of her family was in dire straights, however Sean’s story felt more real to me. Here he is, plugging away for a guy that really takes advantage of him and refuses him the one thing in his life that’ll make him happy yet he keeps toiling away for him. It was sad and I took to it faster.

The ambiance around the water horses what gloriously creepy, especially when one came inland. I couldn’t help but think of the raptor in Jurassic Park when Stiefvater was writing about how its head came around the lean-to and it just stared. I probably wasn’t supposed to make that kind of association but it didn’t impugn it. I was still creeped out by it and I was urging the story forward and for Puck and her brother to escape intact.

The whole simmering undertone of death broached the topic of horror but not quite and I liked that the story played on that line and stayed there. It told two heartbreaking stories mired in the lore and legend of this island that’s haunted by killer creatures from the sea. It’s a little bit of everything all rolled into one.

<b>What didn't work . . .</b>

I found the voices blending for me, between Puck and Sean. There were quite a few times when either really stood out against the other but the rest of the time, if I wasn’t paying attention, the voices of the two characters blended. Thankfully each POV shift was titled with the name of the character whose head we were in so no trouble there. But I had similar issues with Stiefvater’s earlier work, the Ballad of Faerie series, where the focus was more on language instead of setting each character so everything blended together. This appears to be the book that bridged that divide (I don’t have this problem with THE RAVEN BOYS) and I can see the back and forth between finding beautiful language and finding character voices in this one. It didn’t disrupt the story for me but I still found it noticeable.

<b>And in the end . . .</b>

I think THE SCORPIO RACES is a bridge book in Stiefvater’s style shift between Ballad of Faerie and The Raven Boys but even despite that shaky footing in words the story was still pretty good. The setting was a bit anachronistic until toward the very end (or I missed a reference sooner) that mentioned the suffragette movement and then the timing all came together. But even if that hadn’t been mentioned timing wouldn’t have been an issue. It’s a story that has that classic feel to it. Stiefvater clearly has a grasp on the lore she’s working with and spins such a unique web with it that you can’t help but be sucked in. It’s a story that could have existed in the ether, in a place without time, and I wouldn’t have had an issue with it.

I didn’t love it but I LIKED it.. It’s a creepy, heart-breaking tale that doesn’t make you feel all warm and fuzzy by the end of it but you’ll still be satisfied, if not a little saddened. It’s such a unique story that it really stands out against anything that’s on the YA shelves and the topic alone sets it apart from anything else. It’ll have you wanting to learn more about these water horses, or at least reading the story again to get just how terrifying and violent these non-animals really are.

Ugh.

Okay. I read Shiver a few years ago with good hopes because the premise sounded awesome, and it was . . . just not the way it was executed. Characters either too exaggerated or left bland, writing awkward, nothing really clicking for me . . . I never continued with that series, and didn't think I'd read anything by the same author, until this came along. Yet again, the premise caught me, and boy, they know how to get you hooked real good. Plus, I read and heard a lot of people saying that this book was awesome, so much better than the whole wolf trilogy, and that I just needed to give it a shot. So I did.

It could have been worse, really. I know that's not the most encouraging point to begin with, but I did like the minor characters. Finn. The American, Holly. Even the three sisters. Problem was, I liked them a heck of a lot more than the major ones, Puck and Sean. Even the antagonist, Mutt. I honestly can't remember if they explained why Puck is called Puck instead of Kate. How did she get a nickname like that? I'd be interested to know, but can't tell if I found out and it slipped my mind . .

Gabe, Puck's other brother, was annoying, as he was supposed to be, but he also made no sense. What good brother would practically abandon his siblings just to make himself happier? His decision to leave could have been postponed until they were all back on their feet and it would be less selfish for him to leave. I can't think of anyone I know that would leave their younger siblings to fend for themselves, only because they couldn't deal with it any longer. What sort of excuse is that?

I really liked the setting. The entire island, closed off, was easy to picture, and seemed like a magical place to live, aside from the incessant smell of fish and the man-eating horses. At first I couldn't understand why anyone would risk their lives in these races, aside from getting the money, but learning about the traditions and beliefs of the place helped me to get a feel of their unique culture. The only part of the setting I couldn't quite grasp was what time period it was supposed to be in. I thought it was far in the past . . . then cars came in. And there were mentions of America, so probably modern times. Then bowler hats . . . and cameras with `gigantic bulbs'. Clarification would have been good, if only to get a feel for the outside world in comparison to the close-knit society on Thisby.

I couldn't ever really connect with the characters, or get invested in the plot, because the entire thing frustrated me so often. It took me forever to read this. It was another seemingly brilliant concept that ended up disappointing me. I'm not sure if I'll be tricked into reading another Maggie Stiefvater novel, eventually . . .

I give The Scorpio Races 3/5 stars. One for the ending, one for the concept, and one because I think someone, somewhere out there will probably like it better than I did.

I’ve read some YA books, but see, I’m not really into that genre, after Twilight I didn’t know what to expect. Hopefully Maggie Stiefvater came to save the day, kinda, I mean definitely a better experience than Meyer.

The main characters, Puck and Sean were really appealing, each one having a dedicated chapter, alternating their PoV about their perceptions of the story. Even their personalities were really good defined and easy to relate to, there were times when I thought I was reading Sean’s PoV when actually it was Puck’s.

The first half of the book was really slow to me. It was good to get to know the imaginary island and the characters but it was tiresome. Do not misunderstand me, Stiefvater did an awesome job creating the whole thing though. It didn’t became a page turner till’ the second half, the characters became more realistic to me and the story started to develop.

One of the things I also liked was the fact that even this is obviously a love story, it was not a cheesy, cliché, stereotypic one. The relationship between Puck and Sean flowed through the book and was easy to follow, it didn’t became the center or became tedious. I loved the voice Stiefvater gave to the protagonists, I really felt they were talking and acting like teenagers, even their thoughts or emotions reflected the relaxed nature of the age.

Another thing that is worth mentioning, and this is for the ones looking for spiritual content on The Scorpio Races, the fiction island called Thisby is ancient place where people still follow old rituals and acknowledge old gods in their festivities like The Scorpio Races. This doesn’t play a major role in the book. On the other hand Puck’s family seem to be part of the catholic church, not in the ‘i’m really committed’ way but in the ‘just for tradition’ way,

Finally, I strongly believe this book shouldn’t be called ‘The Scorpio Races’, instead it should be called something like ‘Previous to The Scorpio Races’. The actual race just took a couple of the last pages of the book, and it was more like a recap than a detailed description from beginning to end.

Disclosure: I did not get this book for review; nor was I required to write a review – I chose to. All thoughts and opinions expressed are my own.

I don't know why The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater sat on my bookshelf so long before I picked it up to read it. Maybe it was the suspense of what was hiding between the covers that kept me away from it so long. It could also quite possibly be the fact that when it comes to choosing what to read I'm not the sharpest tool in the shed.

That being said... I loved it. Love love loved it. It was a simple story line with lots of interesting story threads hanging off of it. The story starts out with Sean Kendrick's point of view but reading more it seems that Puck may be the MAIN main character, even though the VPs alternate between the two. And it was funny... reading her, I always pictured her younger than she was. And reading Sean I pictured him so much older.

Puck and her brothers are orphaned when their parents are killed by the water horses and are struggling to hold their heads above water on their own. Sean Kendrick, also orphaned when his father is taken down by a water horse, works for the biggest horse people in Thisby. He is the go to guy when it comes to water horses, or just horses in general. He has a way with them... a magical way that draws Puck to him. But she's wild, and soon he's drawn to her as well.

I love the relationship between Puck and her horse, Dove. She knows her inside and out and Dove knows Puck just the same. Sean and Corr are much the same, but on a completely different level. And I love the fact that Puck, being the first female ever to ride in the races, doesn't try to make it an issue of gender. She just wants to be left alone to do the only thing she can think of to save her house.

Honestly, I really don't know what to say about this book. Other than I loved it. And I think I've said that enough. It was kind of a leisurely read. I didn't speed through it, although I probably could have. But it definitely held my attention every time I opened it up. The ending was amazing and heartbreaking all at the same time and I wasn't sure which to feel. I'm kind of sad that it was a stand alone novel. I'd love to find out what happens to Puck's brother, Gabe. And what happens between Puck and Sean.

There was no clear "relationship" defined between Puck and Sean. I liked that. There was no "Oh my gosh I love him even though I just met him!" that happens in so many other stories (not that that's always a bad thing... sometimes it's done really well). They both had so many other things on their mind that their feelings completely snuck up on them before they knew what was happening. And I thought that was absolutely perfect.

I absolutely recommend this book to everyone. The legend and lore behind the water horses is so interesting to learn about and the story was heartwarming and just wonderful to read. Loved it. Seriously. Why haven't you read it yet?

Wow. What to say about this book. I can honestly say that I loved this book. This is my first book by this author and I definitely plan to read her others.

I just absolutely loved the premise of deadly animals that are more predator than horse. They are something to be respected and feared. But also loved. These animals were amazing. They are nothing like regular horses. They would just as soon eat their rider than nuzzle them. But they made the story. I felt like I was reading a horror story for parts of this book. The author does not sugarcoat the book with niceties and sunshine. No ma'am. She is a true author and is not afraid to step out of the realm of normal in order to create an amazing book.

The romance in this book was so sweet and believable. I was so so SO SO happy that there was no insta- love. I hate that mess. The romance in this story won me over.

Puck is wonderful. She is smart and I love the bond she and her horse, Dove, share. She is sort of a smart-ass, which I love. And she is a very brave young woman. I love that her and puck are older and are not adolescents. I much prefer a story with characters around my own age than too much younger or too much older. (I am almost 20).

Sean is awesome. He is not outgoing, but he is not a recluse either. He just doesn't say much. No, he is not the "major jerk" or is the "sweet rich boy" but he was just perfect to me. He is described as plain looking, but his character is extraordinary. And his relationship with Puck and his water horse, Char, just warm my heart.

While there is romance in this book, it is also about a beautiful friendship that developed between a man and a woman, the bond between a brother and a sister, a woman and her horse, and a man and his best friend.

There was some horrifying imagery and some beautiful imagery. While we all know that there are no such things as predatory horses that come from the sea, the book is so well grounded that I can almost believe these creatures exist. I mean, we have explored more of outer space than we have our own oceans. You never know if something as magnificent as the capaill uisce might actually exist. I am unsure of what time frame the author had this book set in. I mean, Americans visit the island and there is talk of visiting California and eating sharks. And tennis shoes and automobiles are also mentioned. This leads me to believe that the book is set in modern times, but the feel of the island itself and the simpleness of life there would leave me to believe, otherwise. I like the contrast.

The story was a little slow- moving throughout and did not pick up until certain scenes, but I enjoyed it nonetheless. Probably due to the wonderful characters, the violence, the romance, the horses, the danger, the friendships, and the cozy yet strange island world I was introduced to. (:

A great read for readers who like sweet romance, danger, friendship, unique fantasy worlds, horses, and the psychotic murderous predatory capaill uisce<3

The Scorpio Races is a beautifully written urban fantasy built loosely around the Irish sea horse myth. The author wisely jettisoned a lot of the hoarier aspects of the myth and instead concentrated on our two protagonists, Sean and Puck, and their relationship with the creatures.

On the remote British island of Thisby, the inhabitants are menaced by bloodthirsty creatures in the form of horses who emerge from the sea yearly. But the humans have learned to control the creatures - and even ride them in a yearly high stakes, life and death, race. Sean Kendricks is one of the most gifted grooms of the sea horses. But they have also scarred his life and he is a young man with only one goal: to own the sea horse with whom he has a special bond. Meanwhile, also on the island is Kate "Puck" Connolly. Like Sean, she lost her parents to sea horse attacks and is just trying to survive the harsh conditions of the island. But the family isn't making ends meet and she will be forced to enter the Scorpio race and defeat the reigning champ, Sean, if her family is to survive.

While I'm typically not a fan of books in which the plot is going to center on a final event, The Scorpio Races bucks the conventions that normally would make this a tedious read. For one, there is no 'great romance' getting in the way of the plot. People are greatly centered and act appropriately for the conditions in which they live. As well, there are no moustache twirling villains; no person is altogether good or bad. They are each making their way on the island. And the end race is built up to in such a way that the meat of the story (and the redemption of the characters) happens long before the event.

The writing is effective - easy to follow but also layered and nuanced. Stiefvater never feels the need to overwrite the scenes and all of the characters live very much in the 'now'. Both Puck and Sean are strong characters, driven but also flawed in important ways that only enhance, and not detract, from the story.

I've enjoyed all of Stiefvater's books and this one is no exception. I really especially liked that this is a story all contained within one book instead of dragged out over a series.

I listened to the audible version and it was well done.

Water horses? What the heck are those? That was the first thought going through my head when I first heard of this book years ago. I honestly had no desire or intentions of reading this, in fact. It just didn’t seem like something I would read and enjoy. Reviews started to trickle in and it seemed to be a mix of “meh” and “LOVE”. I was pretty sure I’d be on the “meh” side of things. I enjoyed the author’s series, The Wolves of Mercy Falls, but I wasn’t blown away by it. But then The Raven Boys was released last year and I loved that book! So unique and beautifully written so once again I found that I was asking myself whether or not to give The Scorpio Races a chance, and that chance came up with our YA Book Club in September!

The Scorpio Races tells the story of an island notoriously known for the magic of the water horses. Each year these horses emerge from the sea onto the land and the island holds a race, one that ends with lives lost. But these are not your typical horses, nope. They are severely deadly and terrifying. I honestly still have a hard time wrapping my head around what these creatures look like. Not all that different from the horses we already know and love, but larger and faster and capable of horrible things. This is not at all what I was expecting of water horses. I admittedly didn’t even connect it with the mythology you may have heard of about these creatures before I started. But once I did, I was so very intrigued about these animals. There are moments of excitement and fear that completely left me on the edge of my seat. But within all of that was a wonderful story of a girl fighting for her home and her family, and of a boy fighting for his beloved water horse.

I admired so much about one of our main characters, Puck. She doesn’t let the people of her town hold her down with their thoughts of her racing as a girl. She stands up for herself and holds her own. She also sets her mind on the task and does not give up, despite the mounds of problems that were building up around her. And then there was Sean. He had such a quiet demure but so strong and determined. He had such a way with those beasts that no one else had. These two strike such a unique friendship and so much more. Even though both were determined to win the race, they were rooting for each other as well.

I wish I could express my love for this book in better terms, but honestly, I don’t know how. It’s always a wonderful experience to enjoy something as much as I loved this book, but even more so when it comes as a surprise. Even through a few lulls, I knew something was coming just around the corner and the ending was just perfection. It is remarkable as a standalone and something I hope more people will give a chance. I’m so glad I did.

I say, “I will not be your weakness, Sean Kendrick.”
Now he looks at me. He says, very softly, “It’s late for that, Puck.”

~Sara @ Forever 17 Books

Since I thoroughly enjoyed The Raven Boys by Maggie Stievfvater, I thought I would give The Scorpio Races a chance. I was really blow away my the imagery in this book and once again loved Maggie’s writing! I listened to the audiobook. It was 12 hours, 9 minutes long read by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham.

Likes:
The world-building was so cool, a small town island that has these water horses that come each fall. You could feel like cool, gloomy days on the island and really imagine what the horses and the Scorpio race was like.
I love the MCs – Puck and Sean were probably two of my favorite characters as of late. Puck was so fierce, loyal, strong but vulnderable. I cannot imagine striving under the tradgety her family did. And Sean, so well-written. He was calm, strong and still mysterious.
The ending was so good, so many feels! My heart felt like it was going to burst.
The slow-burn romance was great. It really worked for the story and the enviroment.

Gripes:
It was a bit slow in some times, it did not at all make me want to stop listening, but I wanted a little more action.
I never really understood why have the races and the appeal of the island over the mainland. I realize leaving your home is not easy, but it just felt like there was this mystery with the island and the races that I wasn’t exactly sure of the draw to do something so dangerous when it was only for money.

Favorite Quote:
“Dori is what mom used to call a ‘strong looking woman,’ which meant from the back she looked like a man and from the front you preferred the back.”

This book was dramatically different from what I thought it would be. All I knew was man-eating water horses. This led me to expect a fast paced, action packed book. I was met with the complete opposite. The plot was very, very slow; the whole book spent describing the events leading up to the Races. It was fascinating, but almost painfully slow, like walking through mud (which I recall there being several passages describing).

The setting was extremely confusing to me. Initially, I thought the story took place in a fantasy world, but then came cars and American tourists. But the island where the story takes place is completely fictional, and surrounded by mythological sea creatures. And there are no more than a small handful of hints as to what point in time the story takes place. It seemed to me that it took place sometime in the past, but it easily could've taken place in the distant future. I can appreciate that the author was trying to leave the reader room for forming their own thoughts, but some of us didn't appreciate the vagueness.

One element which I definitely did enjoy was the character development. They were very clearly the largest focus of the novel. The reader got to know them each on a personal level, understanding their strengths and weaknesses. Puck was very different, but in a good way. She would irritate me at times, but I loved her nevertheless. Her character arc was very clear, while others were more subtle. In many ways she started out very childlike, and had to grow up very quickly over the course of the story.

Before going into this I couldn't understand why it had won the Printz Honor, but afterwards it was so clear. It has such strong themes of love, courage, equality, and trust. It held some complex ideas, and delivered them with grace and clarity. While I could go on and on talking about all the goods and not-so-goods of the book, I think the best thing to do is try it out for yourself, and form your own opinions.

Moderate Violence: (Multiple people are injured or killed by these horses, and the descriptions are still running through my mind (they're not pleasant). As far as sexual content, very, very mild!)

This was a very well written book. I would probably give it a 4.5, just because it wasn't may favorite book ever, but it still was a very good read. The characters are deep and complex. It was very clever how the author wrote this book so that it could have taken place in the present or not so distant past. The town/country/area (it wasn't completely clear)could have been anywhere close to an ocean where it is cold. I envision Thisby being in the northeastern part of Canada or around Greenland or Iceland. While I was reading this book, the image of a crotchety old man kept coming to mind, and I started thinking about how even the old "stuck-in-their-ways" old men were once teenage boys. I think that this is what Sean will grow up to be, or the Clint Eastwood character from "The Horse Whisperer" (or any other silent, "man-of-few-words" cowboy-type). That being said, there is a nice love story that goes on between Puck and Sean. There are also many great lines. :-) At times it was rather slow, and the actual Scorpio race only took about 10 of the last 25 pages. Stiefvater did a nice job wrapping up the story, and the last page with Sean and Corr was beautifully written.

Brought to you by guest reviewer Erin

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.

This review and more at openbooksociety dot com

I'm having a hard time gathering my thoughts about this incredible book. I've had it glaring at me from my bookshelf for over a year now, begging me to read it. I wish I had listened soon, because I absolutely loved this book. I'm also thrilled to have a quality YA book that I won't mind my sons reading (espcially my eldest, since he and I actually got to meet Maggie).

First, the setting feels so mystic and surreal at times, yet I can completely picture everything Maggie describes on the island, especially the visual created of the beach where the races take place and the cliffs above them. The whole world has been reduced to this little island. I can see why Puck loves it and Gabe wants to get away from it.

Second, the anticipation of the Scorpio races could be felt through the pages, from the locals riding in them and observing them, to the mainland visitors bringing their own nerves and fervor. The community itself is tough, not giving out a lot of sympathies. Tragedy is commonplace here. Death is frequent during the training and event of these races. Hence the toughness of those participating in these races. It is such a unique situation. And the capall uisce are truly terrifying beasts yet so well-loved by this community. I found them fascinating.

Third, the characters I absolutely loved (or in some cases hated). Kate/Puck is such a mix of characteristics. I love how she's moody and sour one moment, then empathetic and gentle, then courageous and strong. Yet in her varying feelings, she never made me feel frustrated with her like many characters can, because I could understand her. Sean was also such a special guy, with his quiet stillness yet his solidity at the core of who he was. Kate and Sean both came from heart-breaking circumstances, though Sean's to me is tougher, yet I loved the beauty of how Maggie engaged their characters to empathize with each other, understand each other, and yet move slowly with each other. I simply fell in love with both Kate and Sean. And how they both loved their steeds, Kate to Dove and Sean to Corr, was beautiful. Sean's love for Corr in particular, and vice versa, truly touched my heart.

Kate's brothers, Gabe the eldest and Finn the youngest, were so different. Gabe took some understanding and getting used to before I could like him, but Finn I loved from the very start. Mutt was as rotten as they come. I liked the other intermittent characters tossed about, giving the story and scenery flavor and depth. The secondary characters weren't just cardboard cut-outs thrown in to take up space. They all seemed to matter. And then there's George Holly, whom I absolutely loved. He was like a guardian angel sent from California (which I love because I'm a Californian) who could be the subtle voice of reason and conscience, yet never overstepping his bounds, especially with Sean. I could read a whole book about him.

Fourth, there was so much beauty in the progress of the story. You add up the scenery, the race event, and the characters, and what you get is Maggie Steifvater's amazing story of these Scorpio races. And not just the races, but all of what they mean and what they encompass: Sean's backstory, his current situation, his love and need for Corr; Kate and her brothers' dire situation with Gabe leaving and their financial ruin; and what these races mean to both of them, all of them, and what it would mean to them to win or not, and what the consequences would be. The more the story progressed, the more I was on the edge of my seat in nervous anticipation, unable to put the book down. And by the last page, I didn't want it to end.

The ending is very satisfying and left me with a vision of how I imagined the story continuing to play out. Maggie left me with the latitude to create my own epilogue, and I truly appreciate that. Again, this is a beautiful story of heart-ache and hope, amazing characters I fell in love with, and a book I believe adults and young adults would all enjoy. I highly recommend this book. Don't procrastinate reading it like I did.

Sean and Puck both live on Thisby island, where the highlight of the year are the Scorpio Races. About the same time every year, lethal water horses swim up on shore to eat whatever animals or humans they can catch. And every year, riders catch the water horses and enter them in the race. Sean's been in the races for years, and he usually wins. Puck wasn't planning on ever racing, but family circumstances force her hand and the possibility of winning the prize money is too good to pass up.

Puck and Sean were both very strong characters. Neither had parents and had learned to rely on themselves long ago. Sean had no family at all and was living with the island's richest family while working at their stables. He was self-reliant and kind, quiet and strong. His quasi-brother was such an a-hole to him, but he maintained the peace and I was impressed with his restraint. Puck lived with her two brothers, one older and one younger. Their parents had died not too long ago and Puck was leaning on her older brother while trying to stay strong for her younger brother. She was in a difficult place, especially as her older brother drifted away so he could do his own growing up.

I liked the secondary characters, they were all full of personality and added that special something to the story. The good guys were fun and the bad guys were real jerks.

Neither Sean nor Puck were very talkative, so there wasn't a lot of witty dialogue. It was nice for a change, though. They didn't speak unless they had something important to say, so you really listened to the words. There were a lot of comfortable silences.

There was no grand sweeping love story here. There was just a touch of romance, but it was sweet and innocent. It was the perfect amount; any more would have been out of place in the story.

The writing was absolutely fabulous. Maggie Stiefvater knows how to create a whole new world. The entire island was described in such detail and with such care that you can't help but picture it perfectly. The bluffs, the trees and bushes, the beach, the houses, the horses, the shops; all of it in perfectly vivid detail. Really, I can't say enough how much I loved the world-building.

The pace lagged a bit, there was a ton of build-up before anything substantial happened and it was way too long before the actual races took place. Quite a bit of that filler could have been cut out with no effect to the overall story. Other than that, I liked the general direction the story took. There was some mystery as we were kept in the dark about some details, and there was a lot of action, once it got started.

A word of warning for animal lovers - this story (obviously) focuses on horses (with a few other animals thrown in) and it's not all sunshine and roses. The horses and the riders are hurt, sometimes graphically, and some die. If you have an aversion to stories where the animals suffer (as I normally do), then you'd do best to avoid this one.

Now I need to talk about the narrators. I adored them both, and I would totally listen to them read from the dictionary if they ever decided to do that. They embodied the characters completely and their voices were smooth and pleasant. They didn't have to yell at the tense parts, they could change their voices to show the mood changes. They are my top two narrator choices.

If you're going to read it, I highly recommend the audio version.

So, this was a friend recommendation that I let sit for months. At least six. I didn’t think it sounded all that great. Then, in a fit of boredom, I plucked it off the shelf and read it.

And I loved it.

Let’s start with Puck. Not only does she have an awesome nickname, but she has a dry sense of humor, and she’s become almost a mother to her brothers after her parent were killed by the deadly capaill uisce (copple ooshka), the flesh-eating water horses who, every November, the townsfolk of tiny Thisby fight to control.

That’s what the Scorpio Races are…on the first of November, dozens of men and boys race the creatures down the beach. It’s a dangerous sport, and there are always deaths. Not only during the race, but during the training, as well.

And Puck needs money to have her house. So she enters. And not only is she the first girl in what has always been an all-men club, she doesn’t ride a uisce, she rides her pony, Dove.

Then there’s Sean. He’s won the Race before, always on his large red uisce stallion, Cor. Except Cor isn’t really his. He belongs to Malvern’s stables, and Sean knows that one year, Cor could easily go to someone else.

So he arranges to buy Cor. But he only can…if he wins the races.

That’s the thing about this book…you find yourself rooting for both Puck and Sean to win…you can’t decide between them. Either Puck looses her house…or Sean looses the water horse that has pretty much become his family.

The world building is superb, the characters are all unique and quirky and very much small-town. There a small, sweet romance building, and even the horses have personalities.

My one complaint is that after the races, we don’t find out much. The book stops. But the ending made me cry, and that’s saying something, since I don’t normally cry during books.

"I didn't know," I start truthfully, "that it was the hard way when I started on it."

I've have never given a recommendation to specifically read or listen to book but I think for this one I will. I bought the book at the store and Audible. I have found that the writing style of Maggie Stiefvater, it is slower and eloquent, lends itself better to being spoken aloud than reading. I don't think I would have liked this book nearly as much had I read it. I feel the same way about Raven Boys also by Maggie and anything written by Lani Taylor. The audio version of the book has two different voices to relay the alternating POV of Kate (Puck) and Sean. Both narrators did an exceptional job with the cadence of the story and delivery of emotion. One of the best audiobooks I've listened to.

"My mother always said that I was born out of a bottle of vinegar instead of born from a womb and that she and my father bathed me in sugar for three days to wash it off. I try to behave, but I always go back to the vinegar."

This is not your typical YA book where there is always a lot of action happening and a faster pace. It takes some time for the story to get moving but I immediately liked the characters. Both are underdogs in their own way. Puck has lost both her parents and needs to win the purse for her family. Sean needs to win to be able to buy the waterhorse he loves and freedom for them both. Both have a set of obstacles to overcome and it could have worked out that they would end up enemies as competitors but remarkably they become friends.

The race is fraught with danger, even the training is dangerous. The Capll uisce (waterhorses) are fierce and not to be trusted. There are some heart stopping events happening throughout the book but for the most part it is about the two people trying to get by with what they have been given and falling unexpectedly in love along the way. The romance however is very far from the front of the story. It is more about the Island, which is a character all of its own, as well as the sea and the Capall uisce. I was fascinated by the descriptions of this harsh Island world and the ferocious love that both Puck and Sean feel for somewhere that has taken so much from both of them.

The actual race isn't until the very end of the book and doesn't take long. Much like an actually horse race a lot of banter before and then it is over in the blink of an eye. I really didn't want it to end, I wanted to see if Holly came back in a year and his predictions were true. I wanted to stay with Puck and Sean and Finn even after the ending. The very ending was unexpected and beautiful, I teared up a little as I thought that it was a great example of love and sacrifice.

3.5 stars

I have so many feelings about The Scorpio Races. On one hand, I enjoyed the book. On the other hand, I was still harboring disillusionment over the ending of Forever that it tempered my enjoyment of The Scorpio Races. I kept saying to myself: "I'm reading about horses that eat people and I still don't know if the cure worked on Grace!!!" In the end, I was able to overcome my lingering negative feelings (no pun intended) about the end of Steifvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls series to really enjoy, and furthermore, appreciate The Scorpio Races.

Going off of the summary, I thought that this book would be about horses and racing. For some odd reason, I thought it was a dystopia. It is not---I have yet to learn the actual classification--but for me, it was a paranormal fiction.

The idea of water horses is very unique. I have never heard of them before, with the exception of traditional sea horses with curly tails. But these are no benign, cute sea horses. These are normal looking horses, with the exception of square pupils, that live in the sea and once a year, come out of the water to live on land until the sea calls them back. The water horses are only found on the island of Thisby. The men of the island catch the water horses and race them every year. This is the main event of the island, but the races are dangerous: riders who fall from their horses are either dragged into the sea and drowned or they are eaten by the horses. The facts surrounding the sea horses were murky for much of the book. Steifvater clues you in bit by bit (something that usually keeps me interested but in this case made me want to stop reading in frustration).

At the end of the book, there is an Author's Note where Steifvater talks about why she wrote about sea horses and the mythology the capall usice are based on. I found myself wishing I would have read the Author's Note first. I think it would have made me like the book more. As it was, I kept stumbling over the words: capall uisce (the proper name for the water horses). I had no idea how to pronounce the words and kept wondering how I should be saying it, instead of just pronouncing it phonetically. Finally, a character sounds the words out and I learned how I should be saying capall uisce to myself. But, by then it was too late and I was already in the habit of mispronouncing the words.

The best part of The Scorpio Races was the emotion. Similar to The Wolves of Mercy Falls series, The Scorpio Races is highly emotional and intense. Stiefvater sets the scene so that you really feel like you are there. Everything was described in detail: from the water horses themselves, to the townspeople, to Thisby's beach and weather. This kind of description makes for an emotional and intense read. My most favorite part of the book was the very end. I love what Corr does!! It made me tear up. I also really liked that The Scorpio Races was a stand-alone novel. I love having closure, not having to wait for months to years to find out what happens. Steifvater resolves the conflict in a way that satisfied me, and I was left feeling moderately happy (it's hard to feel 100% happy in the midst of people dying).

Fans of Steifvater will love The Scorpio Races. People who are on the fence with Maggie's books will most likely enjoy this one.

Maggie Stiefvater is a brilliant wordsmith. She had delighted me with some of her past novels such as, Shiver and Ballad. I stayed up all night to finish Shiver, it was that good. So when I found out she was writing a new book about water horses, I was all for it.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a book about endurance, trust, magic and love. The story centers around two main characters, Puck or Kate and Sean Kendrick. Sean Kendrick is a horse whisper of sorts. He has the ability to understand horses, capiall uisce, in a way that no one else has. His opinion is sought after especially since he's won the Scorpio Race in the past. He's a celebrity of sorts on this island. However he tends to keep to himself. Puck Connolly marches to the beat of her own drum. She registers in the Scorpio Races and it shakes everything up. She's the first girl to ever enter the races and that's met with adversity. Although Puck and Sean are the main characters of this novel, the water horses play a very significant part. The capiall uisce are beautiful, intelligent, and also deadly. Both Puck and Sean have been on the receiving end of the damage these horses can cause and they both have their own reasons for wanting to win this race.
The story line took me a few chapters to get into but once I did I was hooked. There is an excitement surrounding the races and the days leading up to it that really pulls you into the story. The Scorpio Races has a different vibe than some of Maggie Stiefvaters past novels but don't let that scare you away.
This book is an adventure that you're not going to want to miss. It's a heartbreaking, heartwarming, edge of your seat kinda book. The ending of the book blew me away also. If this book is not in your To Be Read pile, it should be.

4 Stars for The Scorpio Races.

I think I initially assumed that The Scorpio Races would be part of a series because series just seem to be the way of the writing world these days--or at least the majority of the books I read. It's rare that I seek out a stand-alone book, though there's absolutely no reason not to. And it's even more rare for the authors I'm familiar with to produce stand-alone books. And I guess I'm still not 100% sure that The Scorpio Races is a stand-alone book. But I haven't seen anything to suggest it is a series and it ends in such a way that making it into a series feels like trying too hard.

It needs to be said that I'm about half way through this book called The Shack by WM Paul Young, and that has been slow going for sure. When I feel like it's taking too long for me to get through a book, I tend to stress out just a little. I feel the need to be productive and to have something to show for it. So every now and then I find myself having to take a break from a book that's not a fast read for me in order to blow through something else quickly. Having said that, I started The Scorpio Races on Saturday and finished it today (Monday) on my lunch break.

Even though I read this book quickly, I can see where some might find it slowly paced and not a fast read at all. I was completely intrigued by the idea of water horses and the idea propelled me forward even when the love story was barely even a thought. (Usually, it's the love story that propels me through a fiction book, because that's my favorite part.) I think Maggie Stiefvater struck to the heart of my own childhood fantasies--and possibly every other little girls'--of owning my own horse one day. The passion and knowledge with which she writes about these beautiful and magnificent creatures is that of someone who grew up around them and carries a tremendous love and passion for them as well. Well written indeed if she did not actually grow up around horses. I thought the story was well thought out, multi-layered, and enthralling. As I said above, some might think the story is slow to get started, but personally, I think it was perfectly timed. Everything happened exactly when it needed to. And something that I've come to associate with Maggie Stiefvater's writing that I really enjoy is the way the story is told through multiple narrators, but always the one who has the most interesting story or perspective to tell--not just swapping narrators just to swap or just to keep the story moving and the reader frustrated.

I like when the location of a tale has its own traditions and festivals and celebrations. And Thisby definitely offered that. And even more than that, I like when a story is new and this idea of water horses is something that I've never heard of before. Granted, I haven't spent much time researching ancient folklore, myths, etc. But I have read many books with a supernatural aspect and have yet to run across anything remotely similar to this idea of water horses. Kudos for originality.

The character of Puck reminds me somewhat of Katniss from The Hunger Games in this desperate need that she has to hold her family together and to provide for them in any way possible, even if it means entering this dangerous and potentially life threatening situation. Puck isn't necessarily as survival savvy as Katniss, but she's not quite having to hunt for food for her family either--though I suppose if she doesn't win The Scorpio Race this year she'll have to resort to that (not saying whether she does or doesn't win--keeping it spoiler free). But both characters (Puck and Sean) have their talents and are well-versed in anything related to their talents. Sean Kendrick is perhaps on my favorite heroes in a book that I've read recently. He's silent and brooding--which I love in a fictional hero--but extremely open at the same time. He's not afraid of being vulnerable when it comes to his love for Corr, as well as the other horses, and is fairly open with Puck the entire time. Even Corr and Dove--the two main horses--have great personalities and are characters that you come to love. They are strong characters in a strong book.

*Side note: I like how their full names are used. I think it's a unique little tid-bit that makes the characters more real and alive. How Puck uses "Sean Kendrick" the majority of the time. And how Sean says "Kate Connolly" or "Puck Connolly" a large portion of the time too. Really stinking cute in my opinion--but not cheesy cute.

Both Puck and Sean have immensely noble reasons for trying to win the Scorpio Race, but there can only be one winner. Who will it be? You'll have to check it out to see for yourself.

I'm not sure what emotion can be used to describe how I'm feeling about this book. It was a wonderful book and I loved it, but I still want more.

This book is very legend driven and the romance aspect of it doesn’t get in the way of that, which I enjoyed. I was happy the book focused on the legend instead of trying to devote equal time to both and coming up short in the end.

Would I have liked more Puck and Sean? Sure. However, I never thought the book was going to be about them. I went into the book thinking it was going to be about the Scorpio Race and it was. It was about overcoming the limits other put on you and proving to yourself that you can do whatever you set your mind to. Even the romance plays into this; making the characters realize what they can sacrifice in order to come out in the end with what you need.

The characters are amazingly written as well. I'm sure most people will fall for Sean; however, as much as I liked him, Finn was my favorite character. He is so fiercely loyal to Puck, even when he knows he could lose her. He stays by her side and is there for her always, even though he might disagree with what she is doing.

I only wish there had been a couple more chapters at the end devoted to Puck and Sean and their relationship. As much as the book wasn't about that, I still wanted a tiny bit more of them

Stiefvater is a great young adult author and I thoroughly enjoyed The Scorpio Races.

This book came highly recommended to me from a reader I trust completely, or I never would have tried it. I'm just not into dystopians, they make me sad. And I don't want to read about horses. I have horses. They are wonderful, beautiful creatures, but I don't want to read about them. Leary as I was about the whole thing, though, I fell in love with The Scorpio Races by chapter three. It's not about horses so much. It's about a girl and her horse and a boy and his water horse (a dangerous sea creature). It isn't even about a race really. It's about an island and its people. It's about life and death and struggle and hope. And love.

I've heard people say it isn't a romance, and I agree, but there is beautiful love story here. No sighs and gasps, it's more like background music. But's it's wonderful, and it was one of my favorite aspects of the story. The humor was equally as subtle and brilliantly done. The setting was brought to life so vividly, the island became almost magical. The author did a great thing by introducing a straight player - the American - to remind you of the contrast between the two worlds.

Once a year, the island of Thisby transforms for their only call to fame - the Scorpio Races. Main characters Puck and Sean's stories are told in first person point of view at varying chapters (this is very well done, by the way). The water horses have taken both their parents, leaving Puck to barely scrape by with her older and younger brother, and Sean to earn his bread from the horse races (training and riding). Upon learning that her elder brother is leaving the island for good, Puck declares she's running in the Scorpio Races in a desperate attempt to keep him home and hold their lives together for just a little while longer. Because of fear, and because the beasts killed her parents, she enters the race with her almost-a-pony horse, Dove. Sean, having a knack for controlling the dangerous sea horses, is a trainer and a favorite to win the races. But he wants out from under the control of the island's largest stable owner, and more than anything, he wants his horse, Corr. Being the first woman ever to enter the races and the only person not on a water horse, Puck becomes a target for everyone. The only thing saving her, is Sean.

The narration is absolutely perfect. This is a wonderful story, beautifully told, you won't be disappointed.

For some reason I thought that this book was a dystopian. Maybe the Scorpio Races reminded me of The Hunger Games and I made an assumption. I don't know.

But it's not a dystopian. You know what it is?

Awesome.

To start, The Scorpio Races has an amazingly unique premise, but as we all know, that's not enough to carry a book. Thankfully, Stiefvater had all of the supporting elements as well.

Stiefvater immersed me into the island of Thisby with her beautiful use of language. I had such a clear picture in my mind of how I envisioned it that when my FYA book club and I met yesterday to discuss the book and it was a gray, misty day, we all gleefully agreed that it was appropriate.

We also agreed that we wished we'd had time to bake the November Cakes that are so perfectly described. They made us hungry. Thankfully, there's a recipe.

Beyond that though, I sincerely appreciated how romance took a backseat in this book. Not that what there was wasn't enough to make my heart go all topsy-turvy, but I was far more interested in the characters and how they'd overcome their individual problems.

The alternating points of view between Puck and Sean disoriented me a little, but I often have that problem switching POVs in 1st-person narration. I think it was the right choice for this novel because it was powerful to see how the characters' outward reactions after we knew more about their internal struggles.

The ending was basically perfection and to top it all off, I would just like to add Sean Kendrick to my list of book boyfriends. He was broody, mysterious, and not domineering. Hallelujah!

Overall rating: 4/5. This book was totally awesome.
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Maggie Stiefvater has already mastered faeries and werewolves. But in "The Scorpio Races," she turns her sights to a more obscure supernatural creature -- deadly Celtic water-horses -- and wraps them in a story of blood, sea mist and windswept beaches. While the story itself is rather slow to unfold, it gives Stiefvater lots of time to flesh out her teen riders.

On a small Irish island, there is a special race every November. Many men and boys ride the capaill uisce (pronounced "copple ooshka") -- the swift, beautiful, bloodthirsty water horses, which want to either drown their riders or eat their flesh. They often succeed.

Puck is the first girl to ever enter the race, but terrible memories make her reluctant to accept a capall uisce, so she decides to ride her land mare, Dove. If she doesn't win, she and her brothers will lose their home. Sean Kendrick is a boy with a special knack with the capaill uisce. He catches, trains and sometimes kills the water horses, and no one knows their ways better than he does.

But as the race approaches, both the young riders are confronted by terrible problems -- the entire village is opposed to Puck racing, and Sean clashes with his cold, cruel employer over a prize stallion. And even as Sean and Puck grow closer, they begin to fall in love... but only one of them can possibly win the race.

"The Scorpio Races" is a story rich with Irish atmosphere -- salt spray, grey stones, ancient rituals and a tradition reaching back further than memory. And unlike most teen fantasies, this one doesn't have supernatural creatures who look like sexy teenage boys -- the capaill uisce are violent, wild beasts who crave blood and the sea, evoking both terror and awe.

Like her Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, Stiefvater alternates between Sean and Puck's perspectives, giving us different glimpses of their lives. The only problem with the plot is that it moves very slowly, but Stiefvater splashes it with stormy action scenes and a climax that races by at lightning speed. And her prose is simply exquisite -- one capall uisce is "a fearful dull Pegasus with disintegrating wings of sea foam" and teeth "the color of dead coral."

Stiefvater also crafts a pair of truly compelling lead characters -- Puck is a fierce, strong-willed young woman hurt by the loss of her family, and unwilling to let anyone tell her what she can't do. And Sean is a near-silent young man who has an innate touch with all horses, and a passionate connection to the stallion Corr. Their romance is handled delicately, with few words and lots of horse-training; it's also unusually complicated, since they both desperately need to win the race, but only one can.

While recognizable in its poetic prose and haunting tone, "The Scorpio Races" is unlike any other book Stiefvater -- or other paranormal-romance writers -- have ever created. Slow but sublime.

"I will not be your weakness, Sean Kendrick."
Now he looks at me. He says, very softly, "It's too late for that, Puck."

I'm surprised by how much I enjoyed this story - it had been sitting in my TBR list for a while until I final decided to read it. And I'm glad I did. It does start out a bit slow but gradually builds throughout the novel.

***Mild spoilers***

THE GOOD:

The story:
When I actually think about it, not a lot happens in this book, basically it's all just the lead up to the race, which happens at the very end of the book. But for me the point of the story wasn't so much the race itself, but how all the character are effected by it.

The romance between Puck & Sean if very sweet. We only see one or two kisses between them and nothing further. It's more about their growing respect for each other, rather than the usual angsty passion that we see in other YA novels. Normally I would prefer a little more romance, however as their relationship developed, I found it was probably one of the most realistic & honest romances I've read in this genre. I believed that they were falling in love, rather than 'lust', and it was almost as if they didn't realise how close they were getting.

"I think every now and then about Sean's thumb pressed against my wrist and daydream about him touching me again. But mostly I think about the way he looks at me - with respect - and I think that's probably worth more than anything."

I also felt the ending was handled very well, it was a HEA in some ways, but not to the point that it felt unrealistic. Although not all things turned out perfectly with a neat little bow, I feel satisfied leaving there little world, knowing that they will be happy.

The characters:
Puck was funny, I loved that she had a bit of spirit in the thing she said (or thought). She had her own identity & didn't just blend in with all the other YA heroines I've been reading lately. Lines like this had me laughing:

"I hear laughter and someone asks if I need help, not in a nice way. I snarl, "What I need is for your mother to have thought a little harder nine months before your birthday."

"Dory is what Mum used to call a "strong-looking woman," which means that, from the back, she looked like a man, and, from the front, you preferred the back"

Sean was a quite & simple character. I liked that he wasn't a cliche, 'bad boy', 'troubled past' or "musician' etc, he just went about his life without complaint. He also had a different 'voice' to Puck, which was good considering this is told from both Puck & Sean perspective - they both had unique personalities, that I never had to check who was's perspective I was reading.

The secondary characters were all really fun & interesting - Dory was such a colourful character! They had flaws & different opinions - it gave a very small town community feel to the island. They made the story feel so real, they weren't over the top, but had unique & individual personalities.

The island of Thisby itself was also a major character is this story with all the main characters having a different relationship with it. Puck & Sean loved the island like it was part of the family, possibly even part of themselves. While Gabe (Puck's brother) felt the island was an old friend that was holding him back from moving forward with his life. The island is what connected all the characters & centred the story.

The Writing:
The writing style of this book is probably what made it so successful to me. Had another author written this I probably wouldn't have enjoyed this very much at all. Stiefvater has a very unique style - lyrical, almost poetic at times, and for some readers I think they may find this irritating. But if your anything like me it just makes the story so magical. Some lines were just so beautiful I felt myself sighing (just so you know I'm not usually that dramatic).

The character's often go off on little tangents & anecdotes like when Puck is refers to her not so kind words:

"My mother always said that I was born out of a bottle of vinegar instead of born from a womb and that she and my father bathed me in sugar for three days to wash it off. I try to behave, but I always go back to the vinegar."

I personally found these parts funny and loved how they gave an insight into the character instead of using generic phrases to describe their personalities. I also felt like I got to know more about her family life before they lost their parents. Some people may feel disrupt the flow of the story, but I believe they just made it all the more beautiful.

THE BAD:
My only minor issue was the violence, which for a weak stomached vegetarian who gags at the sight of blood, was a little too graphic in a few scenes. But for most people it probably wouldn't even be an issue.

FINAL WORD:
With it becoming quite common in the YA genre that stories are told as part of of at least a 3 book series, it's interesting that Maggie decided to write this as a stand alone. But I'm glad she did because I think that would have ruined the simplicity of the story - which is what makes this book so strong.

Overall I really enjoyed this book, it was beautifully poetic & at times quite poignant.

CONTENT:
Sexuality: mild / some kissing
Violence: medium / scene with cow being butchered & details of people killed by water horses
Language: none
Drugs & alcohol: very mild / Puck's older brother drinks in one short scene

More reviews at The Reading Realm Blog

This is, easily, the best book I've read this year, or perhaps any other. It was beautiful, haunting, lyrical. It was one of those books that make you sad that you've read it because it isn't still waiting to be read. I was in severe book hang-over for awhile--nothing else measured up. I know it won the Printz Honor but I'm surprised it doesn't have a slew of gold and silver badges on the cover.

The plot is so clever, so unique. I guarantee you've read nothing like this. Sean Kendrick is the island champion, for the past four years, of the local island horse race. Sean has ridden and trained everyone of the champions, fairy horses that eat flesh and yearn to return to the ocean. Puck is not a typical racer, mostly because she's a girl in this brutal, male-dominated sport. But she's also desperate and willing to die for her family and her horse.

The story seems to exist on its own, without the words or the book. It goes beyond merely, "I was transported" to this location. I felt as if the salt spray of that ocean crusted my arms and my ears ached from the keening of the horses. The setting is so integral to the story that it's as if Stiefvater was raised in those harsh isles. It's as if the story existed regardless of the author or readers, a story so real and true it MUST have happened in some alternate universe and Stiefvater was just lucky enough to be there to record it.

I have read Shiver by Stiefvater, but it didn't approach this level of genius. Regardless, I did just go and buy every other book by her in hopeful anticipation I will find another gem!

This book is excellent. I really liked Stiefvater's Shiver (Wolves of Mercy Falls) trilogy, which was more like a darker werewolf beach read (as opposed to a lighter werewolf beach read; I mean exactly what I say), but I loved The Scorpio Races. It is a fantasy, but unique from many other fantasies I have read over the last few years. It takes place in this world, sometime before 1950, possibly between the World Wars, maybe before both of them. It takes place on a small island off the coast of the United Kingdom: most likely Ireland, since Kate Connolly and Sean Kendrick are the names of the main characters. Every year in October, the water horses start coming out of the ocean. Those who are inclined catch and train these horses in time for the Scorpio Races in November, which draw tourists from several parts of the world. Water horses look like regular land horses, but they are violent and carnivorous. They will kill man and beast alike if hungry and left to their own devices. Sean Kendrick is a four-time winner of the Scorpio Races and something of a water horse whisperer. He works for one of the most wealthy and powerful men on the island, and wants his freedom. Kate Connolly lives with her two brothers in their dead parents' house, and enters the Scorpio Races with a mind to win them herself and so avoid eviction of her family. She is the first girl to enter the Scorpio Races in the history of the island. Both Sean and Kate embark on unforgettable journeys that cross paths with each other; they learn, among other things, what it is to love this harsh island that is their home and how to make firm decisions about their lives so that they can continue to live there. It's a beautifully written story and I highly recommend it; it's really for readers 13 and older, though a mature 12-year-old could probably read it (there are some graphic depictions of the carnage instigated and left behind by the water horses). If this book had come out when I was 12, I probably would have read it; then again, I read a lot of things at age 12 that were far advanced in writing style and content. In any case, The Scorpio Races is a great read.

Originally posted 3/20/13 at Melissa's Bookshelf.

After reading and reviewing Forever, the last book of the Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, I wasn't sure if I would read anymore books by Maggie Stiefvater. I had loved the first book, Shiver, but after that, each book went downhill. However, a few people had commented that The Scorpio Races was excellent and very different from the Wolves of Mercy Falls, so in the end I decided to give that a try.

So... I can't say enough good things about this book! I will say that I have always enjoyed Stiefvater's writing style and I think I love it even more inThe Scorpio Races. Once again, we have a dual first-person point of view, which at times can take some getting used to, but I did love being in both Puck's and Sean's heads to see both sides of their story. And what a story it was -- this take on the legends of mythical water horses (called capaill uisce) is so different from anything I have read! It did not take me long to get sucked into the story and I hated the times that I had to put it down to, you know, attend to the rest of my life. ;-)

As you might suspect from the synopsis, given that Puck and Sean are the only characters mentioned, there is a brewing romance between them, but Stiefvater really does not make that the focus of her story and I, for one, appreciated that. The anticipation certainly kept me turning pages, but there was so much more to those days leading up to the Scorpio Races... The story Stiefvater paints is breathtaking, horrifying, touching, raw -- so many different emotions ran through me as I read this book. And I absolutely loved the ending. In a rare moment for me, I even shed a few tears. I don't know that Stiefvater could have ended it any more perfectly and this despite the fact that there is certainly an open-ended feeling to it, as well. Not in the sense that another book could follow, but just that the possibilities are endless for Puck and Sean. Speaking of there not being another book to follow, I will also say that it was great to read a stand-alone YA paranormal book. It seems that so many books are written as trilogies or series that it is quite an accomplishment to produce a work so phenomenal and contained within the covers of just one book.

Read this book...

- If you have already read any of Stiefvater's other books and enjoy her writing.
- If you have a love of horses. This is certainly a different type of horse, but I think horse-lovers would appreciate the story.
- If you enjoy YA paranormal reads.
- If you are looking for a stand-alone book, as opposed to a series.

Puck Connolly would do anything for her family. When they fall on hard times and her older brother plans to peace out and leave her and her little brother high and dry, she decides to take a crazy risk and enter The Scorpio Races with her family horse, Dove. She’ll be riding against the dangerous, but far superior water horses that everyone else rides. She’s the first girl to enter and the first person to do so using an ordinary horse, making her a target. Sean Kendrick watched his father die in The Scorpio Races, but he still enters every year and wins almost all the time. His intense relationship with his own water horse and the ocean itself makes him an outcast on the island. Told from altering perspectives, Puck and Sean fight for the things they love the most– maybe even at the cost of their lives.

The Scorpio Races is pure magic. It’s such an interesting premise and even though the world is just one small island, it’s crafted into an epic setting for the story. Sporting a small cast of critical characters, it paints an intimate picture of each person found within the pages. Both Sean and Puck are excellently rendered protagonists, but detail is spent on many of the island’s inhabitants and their own histories and personal connection to the races. I also particularly enjoyed Puck’s younger brother Finn as a character. The best thing about this book is by far the prose and the fact that this is not a love story, it’s a story about the ties that bind and how you best protect them. AND MAGIC HORSE RACING. Because that’s just awesome. I will warn you that the language is oddly formal, but it works well with the delivery of the story and makes sense within the world-building.

The plot itself moved at the perfect pace– nothing happened too slowly and when there wasn’t much action, there was stunning character development and inside looks at the lives and personalities of Thisby’s population. Stiefvater plays close attention to detail, describing events and personalities with grace and sophistication. Particularly notable, was her description of the water horses and horse riding in general. You can tell how much she researched in order to write this book and it shows in how well she is able to relay the racing aspects of the story. And while you are definitely on the edge of your seat when the action happens, you’ll most likely be tingling from the anticipation of the event and how it affects the characters and their relationships rather than the sporting aspect.

Truly, the heart of this novel is the relationships– and I mean all of them: the relationships between family, between a boy and a girl holding their own, between a human and a wild animal, and between a town and its population. There is so much love in this novel that it overflows in every page and it’s not simple, feel good, instant, and shallow love. It’s complicated, complex, and bone deep. It’s in every choice and action they make. If you’re looking for banter and bickering and a typical boy meets girl, you’ll be disappointed and so will I because you’ll have missed the point and, honest to blog, a hell of a story.

Every November The Scorpio Races are run, men on sea-horses that come out of the sea, but these aren't normal horses as well as living in the ocean, they are violent creatures who if not watched carefully will tear a human to pieces.
For the last 4 years horse trainer Sean Kendrick 19 who is sort of a horse whisperer (and the only person who can seem to control the sea-horses has won the race on the horse Corr , who he wants to buy but the owner who Sean works for won't sell him.
Kate 'Puck' Connolly lives with her two brothers after their parents were killed by the sea-horses, money is tight and they have to scrape to get by, Puck learns that they're overdue on the house payments and they will be evicted if they don't come up with the money so she joins up to take part in The Scorpio Races riding her actual horse Dove , Puck is the first and only female to ever do so, and the men aren't happy about it.
Puck and Sean end up meeting and training together and a romance between them slowly develops.
The sea-horses are taken from mythology and I was a bit hesitant at first cause it didn't really sound all that interesting even though I've loved every book Maggie Stiefvater has written, but I loved it was original and exciting and I didn't want it to end.
I loved the characters and Maggie has a way of bringing words to life, you forget for a while that sea-horses aren't real.
Unfortunately this seems to be a stand-alone novel, I only wish there was more.

This was a good book; not the best, but good. I stayed engaged and tore through at the end to find out how everything works out, but it did seem quite slow at times.
However, I have to consider that when you are writing a book about a race, typically a very short part of the story itself, this is going to happen. The bulk of the story is the lead-up-to portion where you are learning about the two main characters and what drives them. I didn't get overly attached to these characters, but I did wish them well, and I didn't feel like I wasted my time in reading through the whole of their story.

Ever since Puck (Kate)'s parents were killed by the blood hungry capaill uisce horses, Puck and her two brothers have struggled to make ends meet. they rarely had enough to eat and faced hardship while still dealing with the grief accompanying sudden death. When Puck's older brother makes a surprising announcement, Puck hastily joins the Scorpio races, an annual race where riders train and ride the deadly horses in an effort to win great wealth. Her actions start a host of other problems as she becomes the first girl to ever enter the race. Sean Kendrick also finds himself an orphan due to the blood hungry Uisce horses; yet, he makes his living taking care of them. Sean has had much success at previous Scorpio Races, but this year's race is the most important of all as the stakes are much higher. Sean tries to focus on this year's goal but is distracted by the stubborn and ignorant Puck.

On the story...
The the story is slow in parts, Puck and Sean's story is complex and captivating. The premise is unique and imaginative. The characters are well-drawn and consistent. Both Puck and Sean have faced hardships and are a little rough around the edges, making their interactions with each other simple yet endearing. There were moments where I drove gripping my steering wheel excited for the next chapter. The best parts are the beginning and the end. the end really broke my heart though I was quite satisfied after completion.

On the narrators...
I think these narrators were perfect for these characters. It wasn't the most exciting read but these characters are tough but emotionally withdrawn. These characters were able to portray these characters while keeping a careful balance all the while.

Overall, I enjoyed the story and the audio. Since the story is slow in parts I might suggest reading the book; but then again, these narrators are so perfect for these characters, I would hate for you to miss out.

I could give you some lines about how my “eyes ate up the page” or how it was “a real page-turner” but those don’t really explain how much fun The Scorpio Races was to read. From the moment I downloaded my copy, I was hooked. I read on my phone as I walked into work, on my kindle as I brushed my teeth and on the kindle cloud reader whenever I had a spare moment.

The Scorpio Races is like a strange cross between The Watery Part of the World, War Horse and a traditional YA adventure story. It has the same sense of place as The Watery Part of the World, with the main characters serving as a representation of the island. The bond between the main characters and their horses is very reminiscent of War Horse, and as a reader you feel the same attachments.

This book is perfect for reluctant male readers because it grips you from the first page. There aren’t really any “down moments,” nor is there too much fluff. It will appeal to female teens as well because of the strong female lead…she’s a lot like Katniss but less abrasive!

Right after I read this book, I put it down and thought - what an incredible novel. I was so excited about it that I logged on to Goodreads in an attempt to write my review straightaway, only to find that I was at a loss for words on how to describe how much I love this novel and how wonderful I think it really is.

The Scorpio Races is magical and fantastical and breathtaking. If I thought I loved Maggie Stiefvater when I read The Wolves of Mercy Falls series, I was wrong. This is the book that has me deeply, irrevocably in love with Stiefvater's writing and storytelling abilities.

In-depth Review:

The Characters

The main story revolves around two key characters, Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick. I feel incredibly privileged to have met them both and walked alongside them as their story played out.

Puck is a refreshing character to me. She's the only girl in a set of three siblings, and while she does play homemaker and try to do domestic tasks (as would probably be expected of the sole female in any family in a conventional set-up), she also does something crazy and volunteers to ride in the races - something that normally only the males do. I like how she defiantly chooses to do something so radically different and unexpected (and actually goes through with it), because it says a lot about how brave and determined her personality is.

It is, however, the periodic appearances of her fear that make her extremely relatable. She may have the courage to volunteer and ride, but that doesn't mean she doesn't have reservations about her choices. There are many events leading up to the races that portray a hint of this doubt and fear, and these moments are actually quite poignant as they show another side of Puck.

Sean Kendrick, on the other hand, is a unique character from the start. It's easy to see that he has a way with horses and a practical head on his shoulders. But the further we get into the novel, his passion for the horses and for his dreams becomes apparent to the reader. He is markedly different because of his way with animals and his reined-in passion, but he doesn't go out of his way to flaunt it in front of the rest of the village.

I enjoy reading about the brooding, mysterious type of guy - and Sean Kendrick would definitely fit that description. He has an appealing, earthy sort of quality about him that makes my heart skip a beat as I imagine him on a water horse.

The novel is also filled with a plethora of secondary characters, including Finn & Gabe (Puck's two brothers), Corr (a water horse), Mutt Malvern (a hotheaded young water horse rider), Thomas and Peg Gratton (the butcher and his wife) and Dory Maud (a purveyor of selling interesting pieces in a shop she runs with her sisters). Though I won't go into depth about each and every one of them, it is imperative to state how well Maggie managed to bring each of their individual personalities to life and fit them into the story.

The Story

Ever since I had first heard about this novel, it was the idea of the water horses that fascinated me. I'm very pleased to be able to confirm that the mythology of the water horses is done really well. Though it is quite violent in nature, there's also an enchanting draw to it. I personally like to thinking of the story as a portrayal of man attempting to tame the wild, while the wild itself refuses to be tamed.

Apart from the beautifully played out mythology, watching the relationship between Puck and Sean develop and change over time was lovely. Unlike the books I read where the relationship/friendship springs into instant existence, it was slow and steady with them. It just made it all the more gratifying to read as the book continued.

The Writing Style

I have nothing but praise for Maggie Stiefvater and the way she writes. The Scorpio Races is impeccable. The descriptions are lyrical and magical and follow a certain cadence, and the language used makes reading the book a beautiful experience. Even though there are many tiny, often unremarkable scenes, they do serve a purpose in showing us a character, their personality or even a location.

Using two different points of view was also an intelligent move on Maggie's part, as it allows for better insight to the minds, motives and emotions of our two main characters. I never thought it was confusing or misleading, but rather, I enjoyed how one chapter from Puck might lead into the next chapter from Sean and so on.

Personally, I say you should...

... definitely go out and get this novel! It's brilliantly written, with real and relatable characters and one incredible mythology to boot. Make time to read it, as I feel like once you get started, you'll never want to stop reading.

one of the things that first struck me about The Scorpio Races is that it is not a story i have read before. in a time when most books are retellings of other books, and plotlines can be easily recognized halfway through any novel, this one was entirely new. it was an original story written in prose that was well-thought out, a combination that is hard to find anywhere.
the characters in the story are diverse and solid, and the romance between the two main characters is realistic, without losing its love-story feel. besides the one romantic relationship, the book gives equal credence to the various other relationships in the book, such as the relationship between the heroine and her brothers, and the hero and his horse.
and now to criticism. I thought that the story could have been more exciting-doubtless a mere personal preference on my part-and I also thought that the stories of the secondary characters could have been brought to more of a conclusion, instead of leaving them as dangling loose ends. there were also a few mildly crude moments that seemed out of place, which I thought could have been avoided. but other than that, The Scorpio Races is an excellent book written by a skillful author, immensely enjoyable, with characters that intrigue and a plot that is constantly leaving the reader guessing.

I'm just going to start this review by stating a fact that I am pretty darn sure that The Scorpio Races isn't a dystopian novel. I know that a lot of people who think that The Scorpio Races is a dystopian, mainly because everything about the synopsis makes it sound like The Hunger Games but with horses. So while the novel is far from being a Hunger-Games-wannabe (because lately there have been tons of those and it drives me insane!), it is one thing that will light everybody's spirit:

It's fantastic.

This was one of the most creative, original and best novels I have read so far! Maggie Stiefvater has literally outdone herself this time. After reading Wolves of Mercy Falls I didn't think that she could get any better, but after finishing this novel *la pulls at hair* everything about it was just perfect! I laughed, I cried and I even felt butterflies (that sort of rhymes), but enough of my praise--because I can most likely go on for hours typing about everything I loved.

For those of you who don't really know what The Scorpio Races is about, it's about a scraggly island that hosts a horse race every year at the start of November ("It Is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die." I can't get enough of that). That's only the start of our story because I know some of you are thinking; It's just horse racing, how dangerous can that be? Well, I have something to say to you Smarty Pants *waggles finger*, it's very dangerous when you are racing near the ocean on the backs of Kelpies (though in the novel they were called capall uisce. Since I struggled with pronunciation up until I read the authors note where I learned that it is pronounced as: "CAPple ISHka".) who want nothing more than to kill you and end up back in the ocean. And don't forget the part where our main character Puck is the first girl to be in the races and our other main character Sean is the returning champion who just wants to have ownership over his capall uisce, Corr.

Throughout the novel I was constantly at a loss for words, not only was I kept guessing, but I was surprised by the traditions of the island people and by the lengths that came with the races itself. Not to mention the fact that my heart would melt at the length that Puck ends up going to to keep her family house and keep her family together in general. There was always the question of who will win the races? As the stakes grew higher. After every single outburst from a capall uisce would have me freaking out and gasping. Those horses are pure evil...and that is why I ended up loving them so much. The cutest part of the novel was the growing relationship between a somewhat guarded Sean Kendrick and a constantly "cross" Puck Connolly. I can assume that everybody knew that the closer the pair grew--there would be a greater effect on the outcome of the races.

All in all, a great novel that is definitely worth a read. I would recommend this to somebody in search of the next Twilight and Hunger Games or just wants something that will slowly blow their mind bit by bit. Let the reading begin!

Are you ready for this? Steel yourself and gird your loins, because this is going to be one of those reviews. One where I gush unabashedly about my love for a book in a way that should be totally shameful and embarrassing but I don't care one bit because I'm in love and I don't care who knows it!

"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die."

Each year, the island of Thisby plays host on the first of November to the Scorpio Races, featuring the deadly horses from the sea. Many of those who sign up will not see the finish line.

"There are too many people on horseback today trying to prove themselves, trying to prepare, trying to get faster. They haven't discovered yet that it's not the fastest who made it to race day.

You only have to be the fastest of those who are left."

Sean Kendrick has won the races for the past four years and is the man to beat, though Puck Connolly is determined to try. No woman has ever ran the races, let alone on an island horse rather than one of the water horses, but Puck has concluded that the races are her only option for the future she needs. Unfortunately, winning is the only option for Sean Kendrick as well.

I'm about to say something about this book that can be said so rarely. I've read tons of reviews, I've seen the awards, I've experienced the hype, and yet, The Scorpio Races was nothing like I expected. I love when a story can really take me by surprise. This one drew me in so that I did not feel the need to try to predict what would happen, I was content to absorb it, and could not have been more happy with what I found. The Scorpio Races was so beautifully written with moments such as this:

"There are moments that you'll remember for the rest of you life and there are moments that you think you'll remember for the rest of your life, and it's not often they turn out to be the same moments. But when Peg Gratton turns around and chalks my name on the list, white on black, I know, without a doubt, that it's an image I'll never forget."

I adored Puck and Sean, and the relationship between them that while important to the story didn't encompass it. Both characters are strong, brave, hard-working, and fiercely in love with their animals and their home. Their affection is one borne of mutual respect, very similar to the relationship each has with their horse it is built on trust, understanding, and requires very little words. Each of them desperately needs to win the races for their own reasons, but instead of the competition driving a wedge between them, it draws them together and makes them both stronger. I myself wasn't sure how I wanted the book to end up, and felt my own stomach knotting with nervous anticipation as the races approached as if I myself were participating.

I think my strongest attachment to The Scorpio Races wasn't even the characters, but the setting. Maggie Stiefvater manages to expertly create her setting as its own character, something that is so rarely done well, and I love love loved it. The island was its own personality, with desires, characteristics, and being, and the water horses were tied to it so closely. Personally, it reminded me so much of Prince Edward Island in Avonlea books and the Road to Avonlea TV series, but you know...with killer sea horses. It just made me want to spend windy fall days on the beach in fisherman's wool sweaters drinking tea from a thermos.

My heart was warm upon finishing this book, it filled up up in places I didn't even know needed filling.

Sean Kendrick, the reigning champ of the Scorpio Races, is young, strong and mysterious. His quiet strength keeps him detached from everyone except his beautiful water horse who knows him better than anyone else.
Puck Connolly has a family she is struggling to keep together and enters the competition as the first girl to do so. Met with superstition and skepticism, she has to be the strongest rider out there. Her life depends on it.
Puck and Sean start out as competitors, but quickly become friends and maybe something more.

I've read all of Maggie Stiefvater's novels, starting with Shiver. I was surprised to find I really enjoyed her novels Ballad and Lament, as I'm not a big "fairytale" person. And I wasn't sure what I would find when I started The Scorpio Races.

I was blown away.

This is by far, my favorite Stiefvater novel. The richness of the island, the beauty of the location and the history and character of the setting drew me in. The descriptions of the water horses were both fascinating and dangerous. Mysterious and wild creatures, they over take the book symbolizing life, death and all that is in between.
Puck is a spunky, brave girl who I instantly liked. Her reasons for entering the race show her strong character and love of family. Her voice is smooth, vulnerable and unique. I was rooting for her from the very first chapter.
Sean is a beautiful character. Girls will swoon. Underneath his stoic persona, he is warm, caring and deeply committed to his water horse. The relationship between Puck and Sean blooms naturally over the coarse of the book. Every time Puck blushed, I felt myself doing the same.
As with all Steifvater novels, the writing flows warmly, painting a strong picture. The characters are human, flawed and well developed. Even the "bad guy" is well developed, rooted in reality. You can't help feeling a little sorry for him.

This book is a standalone and will not be part of a series. I know some other readers are disappointed with this, but I think it's perfect. The story is so strong, I feel like other books would dampen the ending.
Sean and Puck end as it should, with the promise of more to come, off page.

If you haven't read a Stiefvater novel, you can't go wrong. But I highly recommend The Scorpio Races. You won't be sorry.

Original at [...]

"Have you thought this through?
People die, love.
I'm all for women, but this isn't a woman's game.'

For some reason,
this irritates me more than anything else I've heard all day.
It's not even relevant."
--Maggie Stiefvater, The Scorpio Races

After reading Maggie Stievfater's The Raven Boys last year (and loving it! Yeah, click that link for the review...no back a little, right there, yep, read after this one, thank you kindly :) ) I had to look into her other books. Not gonna lie, one of my best friend's is in love with her Shiver series but, to be honest, I have very little interest in reading about werewolves or vampires. I have made a few exceptions but overall I will not pick up a book that deals with either of these two paranormal entities. BUT, her other book The Scorpio Races was rec'd to me by Asheley at Into the Hall of Books and Jamie at The Perpetual Page Turner. Asheley loved the book and Jamie always talks about how kickass the main character is on her blog. Anytime I hear that a female characters is kicking asses and taking names, the book moves up a few pegs on the TBR list. So for both those reasons I decided to give this one a try.

Glad I did. The writing of Steifvater is really quite unreal. She has a way of describing a story in such a way that when you pause in reading and look up from the book, you expect to see the book's location surrounding you. For real. Thinking back on my experience while reading I can feel myself in the setting surrounded by the ocean and horses. Her writing is skillful to say the least.

The story itself is really unique and based off similar legends of water horses with a taste for flesh. When she first started describing the capall uisce (prounounced CAPpal ISHka per the back of the book) I kind did a head scratch. Wait, what? They come out of the ocean...they eat other animals...um, okay. But I quickly adjusted to the paranormal element and fell in love with Corr, one of the main character's capall uisce. It is a blood red horse with an untrustworthy nature by rule of his species. But the description of this horse is just breathtaking and I loved conjuring up this image in my head. I also loved that the whole story revolved around this one intense and deadly horse race. It was very reminiscent of the Palio that takes place in Siena, Italy twice a year and the multiple books I've read about that race. The danger, the death, the deadly intrigue. This setting was awesome.

Puck. Puck is such a badass momma. She does not take crap from anyone. She says what she is thinking, good or bad, and is a complete straight shooter. I cannot NOT get behind a character like this. She is willing to sacrifice, quite possibly, her life in order to provide for her family in a game that is dominated by men. They do not want her there. See my chosen quote at the top. The second I read this in the book I knew it would be my header quote. No contemplation needed. Sean, our other main character, was a very unique guy. Quiet, strong, passionate about his love of horses. After that though he fell a little flat for me. I wanted to like him a lot more as a character but he didn't really do it for me. I loved his strength of character but without the internal monologue that the reader is provided I would find it very hard to warm him.

The pacing of the book is a little slow and told in a very leisurely sort of way. It is almost like the ebb and flow of the ocean. Up and down in regards to exciting parts of the story. Some parts move quickly, some very slowly. It took just a little effort to stay in sync with wanting to read it.

With that said, the themes of this book are incomparable. Sacrifice, loyalty, family values and love are just the main few. The relationship between Sean and Corr was probably my favorite. He was so tender with him and the horse that should be beyond a wild animal actually listens to him and him alone. It is just ador. The dynamic between Puck and her brothers was also quite heart-warming. The quirks that she points out about her brothers and herself and their reactions to each other is just perfect. If you have siblings and read this book, you'll know exactly the same type of feeling when she talks about her brothers. They live and die for each other's well-being and is a theme that I can relate well to.

Overall I liked the book. Slow while reading but thinking back on it, the description and feel of the story is great. And Puck's characterization is a shining sun in the rain-soaked world of Thisby. I'd recommend for Stiefvater fans and lovers of a fantastic setting with beautiful descrptions.

The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Steifvater

Magical, lyrical, beautiful, and romantic, The Scorpio Races is unlike any other young adult novel. The prose sings itself off the page--Stiefvater is at her poetic best in this novel, her voice has never been stronger nor her writing more fierce and taut. The island setting is not only beautiful but dangerously alluring. The setting, in fact, is a character in this novel and controls both the tight plot and the threateningly ominous tone.

The Scorpio Races happen every year in November in Thisby, a small coastal town known for its brutal winter weather, battering storms from the sea, and for breeding the best horses money can buy. Some of the horses are real prizes--you see, every autumn, horses climb out of the surf, leave the sea, and run on the beach. If you're "lucky" enough to catch a capall (water horse), you will have to be very lucky to train him and keep him. They--the capaill uise--water horses--are wild and predatory, sly and cunning, huge and beastlike, but they run faster than the wind, and that is why men in Thisby long to race them and why they lay their hard earned money down to bet on which rider and horse will survive and win the race. People come from the mainland and all the way from America to see the races and to buy race horses from Benjamin Malvern, the richest breeder and landowner on the island.

Sean is a part of the island itself. He lives for the sea and the capaill--he was born to train horses like his father before him. His father was lost to the sea because of the races and now Sean works for Malvern in the stables. He knows the danger but never lets his guard down when it comes to one of the wild horses. He will ride a red capall named Corr in the races.

Puck (Kate Connelly is her given name) is a bit of a tomboy who is being raised by her oldest brother Gabe and Finn--of course, Finn isn't really raising anyone--not even himself. He's a bit flighty and Puck actually watches over him although he is older. Puck rides her farm mare Dove and decides that she could win the Scorpio Races on Dove's back. She enters her name on the list to save her family's home--Mr. Malvern will foreclose on their property unless Puck wins the race. The whole town decides that she must be crazy--ride a little "pony" in a race with vicious capaill? A girl thinks she can beat men? A girl with no training on the back of a farm horse?

Puck won't back down even though men try to twist the rules to say that only men can race--it doesn't say that in the rules--it says "riders." Sean comes to her defense. He sees Puck training Dove and offers to ride with her and give her pointers. Puck decides she likes/dislikes Sean as much as he does her, but she's pig-headed and stubborn; she wants to prove she is a great rider, so she agrees. When both riders go to the beach where some wild water horses are training, Puck is afraid but won't admit it. They see a man killed by a water horse, and Puck regrets signing up.

A terrible storm reaches the island and water horses come ashore and off the beach up the hills towards homes. Puck and Finn escape with Dove and must leave their house. Sean saves Corr from a certain death and vows to beat Mutt Malvern (his boss's evil son) in the race. An American horse owner named George Holly becomes friendly with Sean and offers him a job in America training horses, but Sean is in love with the island and knows he could never leave Corr.

The race begins and it's terrifying, exciting, and brutal. Pages will turn at a heart-thumping pace in a race where one second can change everything in life, one movement, one twitch, one blink of an eye.

Magically entertaining, exciting and fast-paced, wretchedly horrifying at times, The Scorpio Races will haunt readers for days and weeks after finishing it. If Steven Spielberg gets his hands on this novel, the movie will be Hollywood magic! The capaill uise deserve to be brought to the silver screen by someone who can do them justice and Spielberg is my pick. Are you listening, Steven?

Blogger's Note: I almost missed this book. I had noticed it on the Scholastic Book Fair but passed on it due to the cover--I know, just like the kids--I judged the book by its cover! The cover did not appeal to me nor the premise of horses or racing, but when it showed up again and again on librarians' lists of best books for 2011, I found a copy and gave it a try. I was hooked! I enjoyed the Shiver trilogy and love Stiefvater's earlier work, but a book about horses just did not grab me.

Highly, highly recommended grades 7-up. This novel is not be missed! Some language--it is a horse racing town, after all. Language much worse can all be heard on prime time television. Violence and death in the race.

see more of my reviews at my blog "Young Adult Books--What We're Reading Now"

One of these days I will pick up the Mercy Falls series, but for now they sit patiently in my TBR pile. I wasn't aware that Ms. Stiefvater had moved onto greener pastures until I spotted The Scorpio Races on the shelves. The cover was inspirational, and I dreamed of magnificent horse races with a grandiose historical backdrop and a female lead that will do me proud.

Let me just say that The Scorpio Races may not be what my dreams were made of - but holy epic of epics, this book packed so much MORE that I forgave it for my tiny disappointment!

THE GOOD BITS
{Delicious toe-curling romantic tension} The story unfolds with two different narrators, and each have their burdens to bear as they find themselves drawn to each other. Sean knows all too well the allure of the capaill uisce, but he also has had firsthand experience with the vicious and unpredictable deaths these water horses take part in. He does not attend the training sessions for training's sake, but to make sure the foolhardy participants remain in one piece. Especially this year's unexpected participant Puck, who signs up for the sake of saving her family from bankruptcy. Both tend to keep to themselves, but they somehow drift together with their intense determination to win the Scorpio Races. What is a little unusual about this romance is that Sean and Puck never really acknowledge that they liked each other - or went about the usual cycle of "does s/he like me? do I like him/her?" They just drifted together, and on the rare occasion that they touched, it was electric.

{A win-win ending} Not that the story is TOO perfect and everyone gets to eat and have their cake, but I could not imagine a better conclusion than the one delivered. By the end of it, readers will find themselves torn between Puck and Sean - and while it would be amazing to have them both come out on top of the pack, the story ends better with the one winner. What I appreciated is the aftermath of that brutal race. Puck and Sean may have thought the Scorpio Races was the end-all of their training efforts, but truthfully the Races gave them a better sense of what they wanted and deserved from life.

{Capaill uisce} I loved how Maggie Stiefvater imagined these mythological horses into something that works for her. They definitely work for me! They were beautifully ferocious - and, even though they might bite me into little pieces at any given moment, I would so trade up to them from a My Little Pony!

THE BAD BITS
{Slow canter toward the Scorpio Races} The prologue seems a little misleading. It starts off in the midst of the Races, drenched in adrenaline, breath held to see what would happen - and when something tragic struck, a certain pace had been set and I expected it to cannonball into Chapter 1. However, the story slows down considerably - and with it the immediate excitement for the Races. The Scorpio Races works as is and builds the momentum up to the inevitable climax, but if you are expecting a fast-paced read, this is not one of those books.

THE OVERALL
The Scorpio Races is made of EPIC - full of awesome and fearsome - and marks Maggie Stiefvater as one to watch because, if this is the direction she wants to take us after werewolves and faeries, then I will gladly follow!

I once read that Maggie Stiefvater's writing was "like music". I didn't understand what that meant until I read The Scorpio Races. Her words flow from the pages until they are floating and dancing softly in your head, helping you to vividly imagine the world she is creating so that you feel like a participant, rather than a spectator. The world she creates in The Scorpio Races is unlike anything I have ever experienced, and while on the surface its just a story about a girl, a boy, and their two horses, Maggie's writing makes it so much more.

Having both Puck and Sean's PoVs to alternate between painted a complete picture of Thisby, the island they inhabit which produces the blood-lusting water horses (the capall uisce, pronounced CAPple ISHka), and made it a living, breathing organism - I could feel the wind coming up over the cliffs, the sand biting at my skin, and the smell of the salty ocean. Every time I put down my book, those sounds and experiences would start to fade and I would miss them, and an ache would develop until I could return to this magical world.

I loved both Sean and Puck. They both share a love for Thisby, and their reasons for racing, while very different, were both noble and heartbreaking. Sean is nothing like Sam from the Mercy Falls trilogy - he is dark and fierce and commanding - and I loved him for it. His search for stillness, in an attempt to keep his emotions in check, was a display of strength that I admired and I respected him for it. Puck is also fierce in her own way, and in order to save her family she is determined to finish what she started, even though it shakes her to her very core. She's a little rough around the edges, but her admittance of this fault is endearing rather than off-putting.

I expected a story about horse racing. What I got was a story about self-discovery and the value in proving to yourself that you are stronger then what others would define for you; about finding out what you would be willing to sacrifice to get what you desperately needed.

I pretty much hate horse books. They’re always the same: girl finds horse, girl wants horse, dad says no to horse, girl rides horse anyway, girl enters horse race, girl wins horse race, dad says keep horse.
The Scorpio Races, then, is not a horse book.
I was introduced to Maggie Stiefvater after I won a competition and the prize was this book. I got it in the mail and I wrinkled my nose thinking: is it a horse book hunger games?
I was not pleased.
But I eventually read it anyway, because I’d won a book and that’s what you do.
And goodness.
First off--most of the horses aren’t even horses. They’re capaill uisce. Which are way better because they’re basically sea monsters in horse form, and of course all the boys want one. Ergo, Thisby’s largest event of the year: the titular Scorpio Races.
Enter Sean: horse trainer, capaill uisce whisperer, labourer longing for freedom, independence.
If he wins the races, maybe he can buy himself and his capaill uisce out of it.
Enter Kate: orphaned, two brothers, regular-horse lover--only her brother is leaving and she doesn’t know how to make him stay and her house might get taken by the man they owe money to and the way to get that money is through the races.
Despite the fact the Scorpio Races are a male activity, Kate “Puck” Connely signs herself up. On a regular horse. To face the men and their man-eating steeds on the sand November 1st.
Despite it all, Puck and Sean form a begrudgingly respectful friendship as they train together for the races. (and let’s be honest, we all know it’s going to be a little more than friendship pulling these two together). Though they train together, they both need to win. Facing obstacles of poverty and sexism and owing and staying and powerlessness, both Sean and Puck have everything to lose.
It all comes to a head on November 1st.
If you hate horse books, this is the horse book for you. If you love horse books, you’ve come to the right place.

evelinesbooks.blogspot.nl

I was really excited to read this book because of all the positive reviews I read about it. Unfortunately I was pretty disappointed, it's just that nothing happens in this book.

The book is about the yearly Scorpio Races, held on the island Thisby. Inhabitants ride the waterhorses, who will kill you in an instant if they get the chance. Puck and Sean both compete in the Races, Puck for her family and Sean to be able to buy his own horse, and slowly grow attached to each other during the preparations.

Story

Most reviews I read did say it was a character-driven story, not a fast-paced adventure.
Thus I was prepared for a slow-paced read, but in the end I found the book to be completely empty of action. And no, I'm not only used to fast-paced YA reads. I also read classics, so I can handle reading something without an exciting twist every page.

The problem was that the book would be about the Scorpio Races and with that I mean the real races, not the preparation for it. I was waiting for the races to begin from the start of the book And they began in one of the last chapters, and only lasted for a chapter. There is such a thing as too much buildup... This just really irritated me and kind of ruined the book for me. The slow pacing would not have been bad if something exciting had happened once in a while. Now when I got to the end I had the feeling the book still had to start, because nothing had happened at all.

The slow pacing and the lack of action were the only things I did not like about this book.

The world building was really good. The reader came to know everything about the island, the Races and of course the creepy waterhorses. Because it was such a slow book all details were explained very carefully and every piece of scenery was described, I liked that.
The concept of the races and the waterhorses I found very original, I've never seen anything like it in books. It gave a sort of paranormal/mythological twist to the story.

Characters

The book had a dual POV. This was pretty well-done. At first I thought Puck was a boy, because of her voice as well as her name. Puck and Sean's POVs both add to the story, but sometimes were not distinguishable.

Puck was a very strong heroine. She stood her ground among all the men participating in the Races and she was willing the sacrifice her life for her family. Overall she was very likable, although I still don't understand why she would risk riding a normal mare in a deadly waterhorse race..

Sean was an intriguing character. He seemed kind of inhuman at first, but him becoming acquainted with Puck made him a different person, much more likable. He was calm and down-to-earth, I really liked that in him. A great change from the typical YA bad boy.

I loved their romance. It had a great build-up and it wasn't overshadowing the rest of the story. They were very supportive of each other in the races, but I wasn't like they acted like they could not live without each other. So no instalove, bad boys, love triangle.. love it!

Conclusion

Apart from the slow-pacing and action-lack, I liked the book. The characters and world building were great, but cutting 100 pages or so wouldn't have hurt the book.

I had never read anything Maggie Stiefvater before `The Scorpio Races,' but now I feel like I've been missing out. Stiefvater's way of writing pulled me straight into this novel; it is lyrical and rather haunted, in a way, and I loved it! This is a refreshing story with a unique plotline and subject matter; off the top of my head, I can't think of another YA author who has tackled bloodthirsty, vicious water horses. Which is sad, because I want to read more about them!

Native islander Puck Connolly wants nothing to do with the Scorpio Races because of a tragedy in her past involving the capaill uisce, the sleek, brutal horses from the water that are caught and trained to run in the annual race along the beach. The island Puck lives on, Thisby, is small, and everyone who lives there basically knows everyone else and their business, even if they're somewhat secretive, like the Connollys. Sean Kendrick is also a native islander, but he primarily lives for the race every year and the water horse that he loves, Corr.

Puck's family situation becomes even more precarious when her older brother decides to abandon her and her younger for the mainland, and the Connolly home may be taken away by the richest man in town, who owns their house as well as Sean Kendrick's Corr. In a last ditch attempt to keep her brother on the island, Puck enters the year's Scorpio Race with her horse Dove, a shocker since girls and regular horses have never been in the races before. Puck and Sean begin a strange relationship as they end up training for the races together, both with much at stake and needing to win.

Sooo, I thought the characters in this book were awesome. Puck is feisty, independent, stubborn and fun; I loved how she has worries and troubles but she pushes through them. She doesn't let convention stand in her way, even when it seems like everyone is against her. She's just fantastic. And Sean! Seeeean! He's just...dark and wonderful. He's prickly and distant, aloof and cool, but not in an obnoxious way. He has his pride and his bravery, but he wants Corr as well, which is his driving force and motivation in this novel. His love for Corr is fathomless and genuine, and there's such a connection between horse and boy. In his relationship with Pick, he doesn't coddle her or even really show her much affection in the conventional way, but you can just feel the emotions under his skin.

The water horses were so scary and cool at the same time; I could see how riding one would be exhilarating and terrifying at the same time. You would be riding one of the fastest animals on earth, but, hey, it might toss you off and eat you or plunge into the ocean with you and give you a good drowning. They seem enticing yet horrible at the same time, but I have to say, if I was given a chance to ride Corr, I'd definitely be all for that.

The end was perfect; not exactly a happy ending but an extremely satisfying one that gave the readers and the characters hope. It fit with the tone of the book, which is dark and a little brooding but not truly angst-ridden.

Awesome book, very different from other faerie/magic type YA books! Go forth and read this book!

For most young girls, horse stories were often on the top of their reading list. However, as they grew up horse stories were relegated to the back of the bookcase, as most of them are written more for middle grade than for Young Adult. Nevertheless, Maria Stiefvater didn't let that stop her. The young girls who grew up loving horse stories will be thrilled to read The Scorpio Races, a Young Adult take on the treasured horse story, with a paranormal twist.

There is nothing predictable about The Scorpio Races. From page one it becomes clear that these are not normal horses, it's not a normal horse race, and this isn't a reiteration of Misty of Chincoteague. Stiefvater's world is wrought with danger and passion. Told from alternating perspectives, a technique similar to Shiver, we are simultaneously rooting for both Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly, an impossibility in a race where there can only be one winner.

The horses themselves are interesting as well. The island horses are based off of the water horses that fans of Faerie will be familiar with. Dangerous and beautiful, they would just as soon eat a man as allow him to ride on their back. Yet they are fast, and thus everyone races them. Everyone except Puck, who is determined to race and win on her own pony.

This may be Stiefvater's greatest book yet, and I'm saying that as a devout fan of the Shiver trilogy. The writing is engaging, fast paced, and yet still possesses Stiefvater's lyrical quality that has become her signature.The characterization is also, as usual, remarkable. Creating characters that feel like people is one of Stiefvater's strong points and she doesn't let us down here. Steifvater herself admits that this book may be her best and favorite, and it truly shows in the writing.

Stiefvater's next book is titled The Raven Boys, and was published this September. Stiefvater has proven that she has many great ideas still to come, and that her writing is only improving with time.

Meghan Drummond
wovenmyst.com

QUICKIE:

I'm a big fan of Maggie Stiefvater. Well, at least most of her books. I think Stiefvater's words are like music. She paints a picture with her tone and voice and it flows from the pages to take residence inside you. Having broken my heart with FOREVER, THE SCORPIO RACES was a redeemer for me. The book was poetic in the interaction of characters and the way the story played out. I was captivated, horrified and enlightened from one moment to another. I don't know many authors that can accomplish this. If you haven't had the honor of reading a Stiefvater piece -- go out and buy THE SCORPIO RACES, you will not be disappointed, because while it is just a story about a girl, a boy and two horses - the writing in-between makes it resonate.

REVIEW:

On an island called Thisby water horses rise from the sea hungry and confused at the onset of winter. While their arrival is cause for terror as the horses feed on flesh, the islanders balance the fear of the horses with a race that they hold every year, called the Scorpio Race. The men of the island capture water horses and try to tame them, then they ride upon the shore in a bloody race that leaves a lot of people dead or seriously injured. This is the story of a girl named Kate and a boy named Sean. Both lost their parents to the horses and both are riding for very different reasons but in the end it breaks down to the same thing, they are chasing their dreams and trying to hold on to the unsteady life that is their island life.

Sean is the powerhouse, winner of four races, his horse Corr is a beast to be reckoned with. He is the races favorite, the horse whisperer that people call for him whenever the horses act up. Yet, even though he has won four races he is still indebted to his boss, who favors him, but not enough to give him the freedom he so desperately wants. To win this last race means freedom.

Kate Connelly is an orphan, her and her two brothers were left to fend for themselves on an unforgiving island. Her older brother has had enough and he is leaving her and her younger brother Finn. Without Gabe they will lose the house and be forced to work in the Mill or some other odd job that will mean overly hard work and bad living conditions. Kate signs up for the races to delay her brother's departure and maybe save their house. She will be the first woman to ever enter the races and the other islanders are not taking kindly to her entry, especially when she decides to ride her own horse, an island pony, instead of a deadly water horse.

This is the story of a deadly race. People die, but in the midst of it all a boy and a girl find that they have more things to race for than just things like freedom and family. Just once they discover what they are truly racing for, will they survive?

Breathless, enchanting and horrific, Steifvater did not hold back anything. Stiefvater's tales aren't pretty little pieces; with candy and high schools and kisses... they are emotional and real. They sit in the pit of your stomach, sometimes hard to digest; yet the prose and lyrical writing makes it go down so easy. I would find myself fascinated with a description of a facial expression. I had never heard it described that way - but it made so much sense. Stiefvater sees the world in a different way and then expresses it in her writing, by the end of the story you'll realize that you so desperately want to see the world how Maggie Stiefvater sees it...it would make life so much more interesting.

To be specific about this novel, the characters almost come to life. Kate (Puck) Connelly and Sean Kendrick are epic, they both have their little Idiosyncrasy which are so token Stiefvater. Their flaws and odd habits make them seem more real and relatable as opposed to some of the perfectly formed, über hotties with super powers that you see in other young adult novels. Then there is the setting of the novel...the cliffs of Thisby jump off the page with the wonderful descriptions, I could almost smell the sea as I turned the page. Then there was the story of the water horses, these great beasts that as the winter closed in on Thisby, would rise from the water and kill. They feasted on flesh, attacking humans, sheep and other domestic animals, even other horses. They are huge, menacing and fast, demons from the water that terrorized the island during a certain time each year. It seems so odd, but it was a wonderful story and definitely another PJV favorite. If you haven't read any of Maggie Stiefvater's writing you are really missing out. Why not start with THE SCORPIO RACES?

RECOMMENDATIONS:

Recommended for mature teens, there is violence and a bit of language. Nothing inappropriate. If you enjoyed her Wolves of Mercy Fall you will like this one. But, note there is more focus on the plot then there is on romance.

Like this Like That

1. Anna Dressed in Blood by Kendare Blake
2. Enclave by Ann Aguirre

Kate Connolly 'Puck' lives on the island of Thisby, with her two brothers Finn and Gabe. Her parents died so they are left to look after themselves. Skarmouth is a strange little place, every year people travel to the island to watch the Scorpio Races.

The Scorpio Races are very dangerous, people racing on the backs of Capall Uisce,(water horses) wild beasts that wash up from the sea once a year. They cause the deaths of a lot of people every year, and go mad near the sea. Puck decides to sign up for the races. After Gabe tells her and Finn that he is leaving the island. She shows up at the Gratton's butcher shop to put her name down, along with her little island pony Dove. Leaving the Butchers she catches her first glimpse of Sean Kendrick.

Sean Kendrick is orphaned, he watched his dad die in the Scorpio races nine years ago. He works for Malvern, the richest man on the island who deals in horses. Sean has won the terrifying Scorpio Races four times, on the back of Corr, a blood red Capall Uisce that once belonged to his father, but now belongs to Malvern.Sean loves Corr and has trained him well. Sean has a way with horses, and some say he has one foot on land and the other in the sea. His job every year is to train the Capall Uisce and pick the safest for Mutt, Malvern's son to ride in the races.

Puck and her family have very little money, with very little jobs on the island to be had they are left doing odd jobs. Gabe works in a hotel in Skarmouth. Mr Malvern calls round unexpectedly to the house and informs Puck that money hasn't been paid on the house and he is going to evict them all. Puck tells him to wait to after the races.

The men on the island don't want Puck in the races because she is a woman, and she is riding Dove not a Capall Uisce.Sean sticks up for Puck and the to of them meet every morning on the cliffs, watching the training below on the beach.The two of them are quite drawn to each other. Sean rides with her on the back of Corr, a Capall Uisce she can't quite bring herself to be frightened of.

The race day dawns and both Sean and Puck need to win. Puck because she needs the money to keep the house that reminds her of her parents, and maybe Gabe will stay. Sean made a deal with Malvern, if he wins the races Malvern will finally sell Corr to him. Sean has always wanted Corr as his own.

The ending broke my heart, I wasn't expecting it.

For me this book was fantastic, I think it's either a love it or hate it book, I definitely loved it. I will admit I found this a little bit hard to get into at the start. So I would say to everyone to stick with it as it really does pick up.

Maggie Stiefvater really built a great world here, I believed and felt every word. Maggie as always for me has fantastic writing style. Very strong characters that I really did care about. I was drawn to the alluring water horses, terrifying as they were, to me they were both magical and beautiful.

This a must read book, I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

Every once in awhile a book comes along that I want to gush about, scream from the rooftops, demand that my friends buy/preorder it immediately. Yep, The Scorpio Races is one such book. I always try to give myself a few days before writing the review so it's not filled with major fan-girling, but my love for this one isn't fading. At all.

First off, I'd like to address the major misconception is that The Scorpio Races is like The Hunger Games, several people have told me "that's already been done" when I tried to convince them it's amazing. The only similiarity is that it's a game/challenge.

The main difference? Mythology. The Scorpio Races include water horses based on kelpies (and the other various words for water horses). They aren't exactly the same, but do have some similiarities. Every year the water horses come up from the sea and the people of the island race them. These horses are gruesome and violent. In fact the beginning line of The Scorpio Races is "It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die." Let's just say, my blood-loving side was hooked from those thirteen words.

In the past the Races were always men only, but Puck has decided she needs to ride this year. She's fierce, yet gentle. She refuses to ride one of those horses that killed her parents. She's amazing, guys, if I could have half of her courage and determination I'd be thrilled. Sean has bottled up his feelings for years, instead he does his job and prays every year that he can ride his boss's famous red horse. At the beginning I couldn't believe how horrible these "creatures" were, but by the end of the book they found a special place in my heart. (As long as they don't try to eat me.)

Also for lovers of Stiefvater's writing style, The Scorpio Races is beautifully written! Who knew things being torn apart could be poetic.

Warning: Blood. Violence. Animal cruelty. Adult language. It's definitely not for all readers, please express caution.

I received my copy from the publisher in exchange for my review on Letters Inside Out.

I debated for a long time about whether or not to read the book or listen to the audiobook. There are some books that are better read than listened to and some that are better listened to than read. Well, after listening to an audiobook sample of The Scorpio Races, I immediately put it on my `to listen' list. I think the performances in the audiobook are worth listening to and really make the book come to life.

The Scorpio Races is set in Thisby, a fictional island of the coast of Britain. This island is no ordinary island. Every November water horses, also known as Capaill Uisge, come on shore. These horses are more monsters than actual horses. They are violent horse like creatures that love the sea and blood. Every November Thisby hosts the Scorpio Races, where riders race Capaill Uisge. The story is alternates perspectives between two characters, Puck and Sean.

When I first heard the story was about man-eating horses I didn't quite no what to think. I love Maggie Stiefvater but do I really love her that much. Well, I'm so glad I took a chance on this book because it was beautifully written. It has to Maggie's best work so far. If you read, or listen, to epilogue you will learn that the Capaill Uisge are actually based off of an ancient myth about water horses. I don't know about you but this is the first time I've every hear of this myth. There are several versions of the myth and Maggie took the bloodthirsty water horse one. I commend Maggie for her bravery in writing this book as it's probably a difficult pitch to make. I'm grateful the publishers took a chance on this one because it's so good.

What made this book so good was the originality, the characters, the narration, the writing, the setting, and right down to the frightening horses. I loved it all. Puck and Sean have unique plights and you feel for both of them equally. Puck is trying to save her family's home and to do so she's running in the Scorpio Races to win the big money prize. Sean is the horse trainer for the richest man on the island. Among one of those horses is the Capaill Uisge, Corr, a horse he's known since childhood and shares a strong bond with. Only the horse doesn't belong to him it belongs someone else. Sean rides in the races every year with Corr and has won them 4 years in row.

There is a slight romance in the book but The Scorpio Races is not solely about a love story. I don't mind that the romance plays such a small role because the book doesn't need it. When it finally happens it's more sweet that angsty and that is such a relief from the norm.

The narrators were phenomenal and their British accents made you feel like you were in Thisby with the characters. Sean's character did sound a lot like Clive Owen, which was cool but sometimes it made me picture him as Sean. I got passed it though and I didn't for a second regret listening to the book instead of reading it.

Clearly, I recommend this book since I loved it so much. If you are in the mood for something completely different, The Scorpio Races is the book for you. I think older teenagers and adults would love this book. It's a beautiful book, so don't hesitate to read it.

Having enjoyed Stiefvater's The Wolves of Mercy Falls series, I was eager to try out more of her work including the highly praised The Scorpio Races, which sounded incredibly different and unique. I feel like the mythology is definitely different from anything I'm personally acquainted with, being based on dangerous fairy sea horses and a climactic race that the whole book builds up to.

I don't want to share too much about the book because I enjoyed the unfolding of the plot. I would characterize this book as fairly slow filled with detail but occasionally punctuated by bursts of action or huge crowd scenes. As someone who appreciates the buildup, that worked for me but I know it is not to everyone's taste. After all this book is just over 400 pages. Admittedly I do think it could have been trimmed a bit but I pretty much liked every second.

The book is narrated in alternating chapters by Sean Kendrick, returning champion of the race who is racing for the opportunity to buy his beloved horse and gain more independence from the man who owns the horse and most of the island. The other narrator is Puck Connolly, whose parents died in the sea, leaving her with two brothers and very little money. She races as a last gasp to keep her family together even when she realizes its futility. Over the course of the book, they meet and fall for each other while also battling prejudiced old-timers, malicious peers, and the dangers of the horses themselves.

While reading, I felt immensely for both characters, caught in extremely difficult situations and with reactions very different from what I suppose mine would be in such circumstances. This made it a bit hard for me to feel connected but it didn't seem to matter in the moment. Now as I think back on the book, I'm not quite as enchanted but during I was enthralled.

I do have a confession to make though-for much of the book, I thought the race was from the main island to another island. For those of you who have read the book, you can understand why this was a little bit confusing especially in regards to who main character Puck decides to race. The race is actually on a beach very close to the sea.

Recommended for lovers of Stiefvater's writing and people who love horses with the caveat that there are some violent scenes.

I had requested this book because the author is Maggie Steifvater. I figured that any book written by the same person that wrote the Wolves of Mercy Falls series would be good. Honestly, this book did not capture my attention at first. I had never heard of a water horse before.

I really feel the need to explain what a water horse is because I have a feeling that a lot of you have not heard of them either. There are a lot of different myths regarding water horses. In the book, The Scorpio Races, water horses appear in November. They come out of the ocean, usually at night. They eat flesh, are very fast and are very fierce. Every year in the town of Thisby, they hold the races. Racers will capture a water horse, or use one that they had previously captured, than train it using different techniques. They had never had a woman enter to race before, but this year will be a lot different.

There are alternating POV's. Sean and Kate a.k.a Puck. They have both lost their parents in some capacity due to the horses and they both have their own reasons for entering the race, but somehow, their worlds collide and this will be a race that no one in the town will forget.

Sean is a loner and tends to be very quiet. He takes in his surroundings but doesn't really have much to say to people. His one and only love is his water horse, Corr.

Kate/Puck is young and lives with her two brothers. They do not have a lot of money and they have to work very hard to survive. She enjoys spending time with her horse, Dove.

When I first started reading this book, I was not so sure that I would be able to finish it. I connected with Kate before I felt any connection to Sean. As the book continued on though, I started to feel a connection to both characters. I was able to understand the reasons behind Sean being so timid and quiet. I really started to enjoy the interaction between Sean and Puck.

There is a slight romance starting here in the first book, but mostly, the book focuses on the horses and the race. We do get to see Sean open up a little and we get to see Puck start to lose a little control.

In the end, I am really glad that I continued to read this book through. The horses fascinate me and I believe that this particular mythical creature is very uncommon in the YA genre. I thank Ms. Steifvater for bringing these fine creatures to our attention! There is nothing that states that this could turn into a series, but the book is left open at the end. Yes, it is a little sad and I found myself tearing up. I'm such a mush!!!

This novel grasped me from the very first sentence, which reads:

"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die."

See? That has your attention, right?

And then once I read along further, I learned that this story takes place on a pretty island in who knows where. I can assume it's somewhere in the UK / Scotland area, but that's all I'm doing -- assuming. The island is gorgeous with different types of scenery (beaches, mountains) and a small town vibe. Every local seems to know every other local, gossip spreads like wildfire, and the elders around town try to give their opinion on what younger folks are doing with their lives. It sounds a bit typical of any small town, but it's unique because it's an isolated area. The 'mainland' is often referenced, as it is a place that brings tourists to the island, and a place where bored island folk leave to create a new home.

The Scorpio Races themselves bring a lot of tourists to the island in November, and these races create quite a frenzy with the locals, too.
Puck (Kate is her real name) Connolly is a young girl, somewhere in her teens, whose life is falling apart. Her family was never into the races so she doesn't understand the excitement, but she takes a risk and puts herself right in the middle of it anyway. Her parents died, so she and her brothers can only rely on each other. The big problem? Her older brother Gabe wants to leave for the mainland. Kate and her brothers are very poor, and every little bit of money helps them along, Gabe's included. For him to abandon his younger siblings upsets Kate, and she tells Gabe that she'll participate in the race, postponing his move.

The story that follows is enjoyable, as the reader sees Kate overcome constant challenges and face many obstacles toward participating in the race, steering clear of the dangerous water horses (more on them later), and young love.

These water horses show up in the island seas as the year moves closer to November. They are vicious and merciless killers, but despite that fact, it is customary for men on the island to race on the backs of these water horses each year. Some men live, some men die. Yes, I am using the term 'men' on purpose. The races themselves are indeed only one race, and this takes place at the very end of the novel. Much of the book's story is the building up toward that one race, but I disagree with other reviewers who suggest this novel has issues with pacing. I think that in the case of this novel, much of the story is meant to be the preparation for the race and challenges which Kate has to face before they even begin, rather than the race itself and the outcome.

The romance subplot in this novel is obvious once the point of view switches between Kate and Sean Kendrick. I like the both of them because they are not typically likeable, yet neither character gives me a negative impression. Neither one seems to have many friends, Sean openly admits that he isn't too fond of people, and Kate states that her mother used to tell her she 'was born out of a bottle of vinegar.' Their romance is subtle, and it takes a few chapters before they meet. I felt like they both needed one another, especially as two people who were mostly alone in the world. Sean's parents also died, and both Sean and Kate were at risk of losing much more throughout the novel than they already had. The training and the race held something special for each of them, as did their respective horses.

I have a note on that, too. I don't know much of anything about horses, but I thoroughly enjoyed reading about the training, the race itself, and the bonds which existed between horses and their riders.

The water horses were a great addition to the story. Sure, this could have been a novel that's just about racing horses, but it isn't. It's about a fantasy creature that rises from the water and finds a place in these islanders' (and the tourists) lives for the races, and remain in their lives for the entire rest of the year too. According to Maggie Stiefvater's website, these water horses are based on a Celtic creature called a eich uisce.

I loved this novel. I enjoyed the adventures of Kate and Sean, I loved reading about their struggles and learning how they planned to make it through each of those, and I appreciated their subtle romance. Upon finishing this book, I immediately began to call it a favorite.

The Scorpio Races is part fairytale, part heartwarming horse story, and all parts amazing. I need to get this off my chest before I begin this review. I may have a huge author-crush on Maggie Stiefvater. Her prose is so wonderful and it always sucks me in, her characters evoke emotions in me I forgot I had, and even when nothing is happening I feel like the entire world is either coming together or falling apart. Needless to say I heartily enjoyed The Scorpio Races.

The story takes place on a small Irish island inhabited by water horses known as capall uisc, who often kill their riders and others in their attempt to get back to the sea. As the legend goes the capall uisc are in love with the ocean but if a rider can manage to get one out of the water they make the best mounts imaginable. This sets the stage for The Scorpio Races, a race of capall uisc that Kate "Puck" Connelly has decided to race in with her non-water horse, Dove. It is during her training that she learns about her own strength, what is really important to her, and meets Sean Kendrick.

Can I just say that I love all of the characters in this book? Even the "bad guys" who I'm not supposed to like, I ended up liking in the end. Every character has their own distinct personality and reasons for the choices that they make. Puck was a great heroine; her love for the Island was described so well that I fell in love with it too. Puck was everything I look for in a strong heroine. She is independent, takes care of her family and those she cares about, and more then anything she is blunt and herself at all time, sometimes unapologetically so.

Sean Kendrick was my other favorite character. He has lost everything to The Scorpio Races and still participates every year, winning 4 times in the last 6 years. His love for both his capall uisc, Corr, and the ocean were so keen that I could almost feel their sting. I knew exactly how Sean feels about the ocean because I feel it to. The Shhh Shhh sound of the ocean calling, begging you, to come is something that can be so hard to ignore. Both Sean and Corr feel this tug but their link to each other is stronger then that and both of them strive to stay together through some impossible odds. I liked Sean because he was like the sea, both constant and ever changing. His relationship with Puck was sweet and every scene they were together made my heart happy.

The other character in the novel that really had an impact on me were Puck's younger brother Finn, who is always tinkering with something and can be a bit flighty but truly loves and cares for his sister. The American, George Holly, who always reminded me of old Hollywood combined with a bit of California glamour and Dory Maud who has become something of a second mother to the Connolly kids.

To sum everything up, I really loved this book. I have never ridden a horse but this book made me feel like I had been riding all my life and that I had grown up with the capall uisc. The drawn of the ocean, and the well written prose melded together to become something entirely different then anything I had read before. I definitely recommend picking this one up and I will now be buying myself a copy, since the Library wanted theirs back.

Favorite Quotes:
"I say, 'I will not be your weakness, Sean Kendrick.'
Now he looks at me. He says, very softly, 'It's late for that, Puck."

"He is slow, and the sea sings to us both, but he returns to me."

"Shhhhhh, shhhhhh, says the sea, but I don't believe her."

"That's a poor match, Sean Kendrick," says a voice at my elbow. It's the other sister from Fathom & Sons, and she follows my gaze to Puck. "Neither of you are a housewife."
I don't look away from Puck. "I think you assume too much, Dory Maud."
"You leave nothing to assumption," Dory Maud says. "You swallow her with your eyes. I'm surprised there's any of her left for the rest of us to see."

There was just something about this book that made me love it so much. I don't believe that I have ever read anything quite like this before, and I mean that in the most wonderful way. Maggie Stiefvater is such a beautiful writer. I loved her Wolves of Mercy Falls series, so I knew that I would just love this book as well. The characters of Puck and Sean were so awesome and amazing at the same time. This book was not what I was expecting, but I am glad that it turned out to be more about horses that I thought it would. There should seriously be more books about horses. I love them.

I loved how the author switched POV's between Puck and Sean, so you got to know both of their personalities and why the wanted to ride in the Scorpio Races. It took me quite some time before I actually got into the story, probably around 75 pages, but once I did I could not put it down. The last 50 pages are so intense! I never really understood why Sean wanted to ride in the races until I finally realize that it was for the horse Corr. I loved everything about Puck as well. I could really relate to her character and she seemed so real! For some reason, I kept picturing Katniss from Hunger Games. But once I realized that she had red hair (like me!) I started picturing myself. I know totally wrong... hehe!

The ending of this book just blew me away! I had no idea who would actually win the races or what would happen during them! I also loved Puck and Sean. I was worried at first that their somewhat relationship would seem a little cheesy, but it wasn't at all! Like I said, there just isn't one thing that I can say to complain about. It was just so EPIC. The last chapter was absolutely perfect. I was scared that it wouldn't feel satisfied since this is a standalone book, but I loved it. I just can't stop saying good things about this book.

I really recommend this book for everyone! There isn't a book in YA that is quite like this one! Maggie Stiefvater is an incredible writer. I can't wait to read more by her!

This book is everything that people have said it is and more. There is not a single part of this book that's weak; everything is crushingly beautiful and rarely matched.

Once a year on the island of Thisby, tourists from all over the world come to watch the Scorpio Races, where locals participate in a race on capaill uisce, mysterious and dangerous horses from the sea that will hardly hesitate to attack and kill human beings. The reigning champion, 19-year-old Sean Kendrick, has been racing for years, but this year there's more on the line for him: his freedom, and access to his beloved capaill uisce. On the other hand, Puck Connelly is about to be both the first female participant in the race, and the first to race on a regular horse, for the sake her family and house. Lots are on the line, but as everyone knows, Thisby and the Scorpio Races don't make things come easily.

Maggie Stiefvater was never a shabby writer, but in THE SCORPIO RACES, her way with language combined with a lingering emotional resonance that I hadn't quite fully experienced in her books until now. THE SCORPIO RACES is deliberately set neither here nor there, now nor then, with the result that it carries a timeless and universal feel. Broken into multiple small parts, it would be hard to pinpoint exactly what makes this book work so well--so I won't. All I know is that somehow, Puck's near-desperate spirit; Sean's otherworldly skills with the capaill uisce and his unenviable conflicts; and the magical, addicting, dangerous, and mysterious island of Thisby all combine together for a book that's to be loved and indulged in like a bar of the highest quality chocolate: slowly, lovingly, and satisfactorily with each bite.

THE SCORPIO RACES proves to us all that great books don't have to come in series or trilogies. Oh, how I can't wait to read this one again.

In the Scorpio sea, somewhere in the Atlantic, lies the island of Thisby. It's a small island mainly inhabited by fishermen but it's popular for its capaill uisce and its Scorpio Races. Capaill uisce are fearsome water horses. They feed on meat and blood and they are predators, killers.
The Scorpio Races are held each year in November and they're a tradition in Thisby. They're also dangerous, brutal and the cause of several casualties each year; because of course riders, in these races, compete riding capaill uisce. This year, Kate "Puck" Connolly, has decided to ride too. She wants to delay her brother's departure for the mainland and to save the house they lived in ever since their parents were killed from the capaill uisce. Winning the race would solve all her problems and so she enrolls. But she's a woman and no woman has ever ridden in the races before.
Sean Kendrick is the most experienced and talented horse trainer that the island of Thisby has ever seen. He's lost his father in the races and has won four times with his capall uisce, Corr, He is also the only one who can help and protect Puck in her desperate mission.

No words can be more eloquent than the author's own to describe the intrinsic weakness and strengths of this book.

"Other writers might have different priorities, but for me, the chief goal of my novels is not plot or premise or pacing, but to evoke a certain feeling. I will sacrifice most anything in order to change someone's mood in a certain way. I can't do that without careful navigation of metaphor and character development."
Taken from Maggie Stievater's blog, on "Dissecting Pages for Mood".

Perhaps, the biggest strength (and therein lies the talent) of Stiefvater's writing is that it is nothing but atmospheric. She is able to catapult the reader on the island of Thisby in November. You can feel the wind chafe, the water sprays freezing you to the bone, the smell of fish. She manages to dominate all your senses in such a complete way that you're there, smelling, touching, tasting (the November cakes, yum).
It's the kind of writing that I got enamored of in Shiver. Lyrical, exquisite, it touches you deeply and leaves and indelible sign.

Aside from the beautiful writing, the concept of the story is also very interesting. My experience of water horses was limited to the kelpies from other fairy books and I knew they were dangerous animals that would drown you before you realized it.
The capaill uisce though are dreadful monsters, brutal, fearsome. I was fascinated by the relationship between Corr and Sean, by the total unconditional love of a boy for a being that might kill you in the blink of an eye. In fact, I'd say the main love story in the Scorpio Races is not of the "human kind" but it's about a love based on friendship, trust, sacrifice between a man and a monster.

Much as I liked these aspects of the story and found the second part of the book unputdownable - no, scratch that, I HAD to put it down. The last chapters of the book, especially the ones describing the races got me so agitated I had to shut to the book and take a break from time to time, lest I give myself a stroke.
Unfortunately, the first part was Mountain Everest for me. I barely made it to the top, right before giving up.
It seems like Stiefvater really holds true to her words in the quote up there when she says that the main chief of her novels is not plot or premise of pacing because the pacing is really an issue for about the first 200 pages of the book. And that's A LOT in my opinion.
I deem this to be a big problem because really, I can't even imagine a teen getting over those first two hundred pages and still be interested in the story. If a book is abandoned because it's too slow at the beginning, what is the careful navigation and character development good for, if the reader never makes it to that point?

Nevertheless, I am so glad I did get over that first, looooong, uneventful part and finally got sucked in the story (also, I was fearing for my life, ahem) when I could finally appreciate Stiefvater's writing maturation, if compared to her previous novels, such as Shiver.
I will definitely be looking forward to her future works.

"Fifty years ago, that was a man they killed up there, just like every year before. The man who will not ride."
"Why?" I demanded...
"Because...if you feed the island blood before the race, maybe she won't take as much during."

Every fall, beginning in October, as the time draws closer to November, the capaill uisce (pronounced CAPple ISHka) rise from their watery home. These beasts look like horses, but do not make that mistake or it might just be your last. For ordinary horses they are not and they are as dangerous as they are beautiful. They emerge from the ocean hungry and ready to feed. Both equine and serpentine rolled into one. They'd sooner eat you than let you ride them. "They are every color of the pebbles of the beach: black, red, golden, white, ivory, gray, blue." With teeth razor sharp and eyes like a fish, they are predatory, graceful, fast, powerful, and fascinating all at once. Mid October, just weeks after their initial rise, marks the beginning of the Scorpio festival. It is the highlight of the island and it's main attraction is the Scorpio Races. A race of the waterhorses (aka capaill uisce). The ultimate race for the thrill seeker.

This year is unlike any other. Kate 'Puck' Connolly, wishes to keep her family together. She has just found out that her brother, Gabe, is leaving the island in two weeks. Perhaps to never return or be heard from again. In a moment of panic, trying to grasp at something that could keep him here if only for a few more days, she declares she will be riding in the Scorpio Races. She will be the first woman in the history of the races ever to do so.

Sean Kendrick watched his father die in a Scorpio race when he was just 10 years old. He was taken in and put to work by Benjamin Malvern, owner of the Malvern Yards. The business exports sport horses to the mainland. Every year just before the races a mysterious woman no one seems to know who is dressed as the mare goddess, Epona, drops a shell and the receiver is granted a wish. This year Sean, for the second time, is the recipient of the wish, but no shell is needed...
"The ocean knows your name, Sean Kendrick," She says. "Make another wish."
Sean, now 19, has won the last 4 of the 6 Scorpio races he's ridden in. He's the one to beat. The question is what does he truly want?

One girl wishes to save her family.

One boy who wants to be free.

One race that could kill you.

One day that could be the answer to your prayers or the end of them.

One declaration and it all begins...

I will ride. By my blood.

I just adore Maggie Stiefvater's writing style. There's just something about it that endears me to her books. The little details she adds just make her characters and stories spring to life within the pages as I read. Sean doesn't easily make friends and tries to keep to himself. His mother had abandoned him and his father to the mainland when he was eight, looking for a better life. Once his father died, he was pretty much left to himself. He is quite yet insightful. He's strong yet vulnerable and though he might not realize it, lonely. He's also got a talent no other possesses. He's a waterhorse whisperer.

Puck, who has two brothers, is tough and determined. Her parents died years ago and her brothers and her horse, Dove, are all she has left. Once she makes up her mind about something she sticks with her decision. Puck's mum used to tell her,"some things happen for a reason, that sometimes the obstacles were there to stop you form doing something stupid." Her father, however, would say, "sometimes it just means you have to try harder." Puck learned her lessons well and is not afraid to stand up for herself. As one spectator declared, "She bites!" That's figuratively not literally. lol Being the first woman to ride in the races makes her the target of a lot of unwanted negative attention. She'll need a tough shell and a little bite because many are not happy about her entry.

To the onlooker the Puck and Sean are seemingly the opposite of each other. Yet when you get down to the heart of them, they're very much alike--loyal, smart, and have a love for their animals which others might not understand. They both are easy for the reader to relate to and bond with.

Each will grow just a little during the festival. They will form a friendship and come to understand one another. On an island where everyone claims to know everyone else, no one truly knows Sean or Puck. They will come to care for each other, but only one can win the Scorpio Races.

Stiefvater starts out slow and steady with this one and then turns up the speed and action at the end for a big finish and winning tale. She adds some twists and turns that will have you sitting at the edge of your seat waiting to find out who will win and who will lose. I could definitely see this becoming a movie in the future. While this one is labeled 'Young Adult', I felt it had more of an adult edge to it. Hopefully, the Young Adult label won't make those over the age of 18 overlook it. This one gets 5 out of 5 roses from me. I highly recommend this one. A beautiful story with just a dash of romance. FYI, I was just searching to find something about Capaill uisce and found out Warner Brothers bought the rights to the movie. Congratulations Ms. Stiefvater!

Notes to keep you in the know:
According to Wikepedia, "In Gallo-Roman religion, Epona was a protector of horses, donkeys, and mules. She was particularly a goddess of fertility, as shown by her attributes of a patera,cornucopia, ears of grain and the presence of foals in some sculptures[1] suggested that the goddess and her horses were leaders of the soul in the after-life ride, with parallels in Rhiannon of the Mabinogion. Unusually for a Celtic deity, most of whom were associated with specific localities, the worship of Epona, "the sole Celtic divinity ultimately worshipped in Rome itself,"[2] was widespread in the Roman Empire between the first and third centuries CE."
To read the full account go to: [...]

According to Wkipedia,"The kelpie is a supernatural water horse from Celtic folklore that is believed to haunt the rivers and lochs of Scotland and Ireland; the name may be from Scottish Gaelic cailpeach or colpach "heifer, colt".[1]...The water horse is a common form of the kelpie, said to lure humans, especially children, into the water to drown and eat them."
To read more about the kelpie go to: [...]

To read more of my reviews please visit my blog at [...] I'd greatly appreciate it. :)

If you're familiar with the Wolves of Mercy Falls series Stiefvater found YA fame with know that The Scorpio Races is going to be a different experience. For one it's a standalone. Yes. Stand-A-Lone.

Everyone take a moment to breathe that *sigh* of relief for not having to wait for subsequent books to finish the story.

And while this tale does have supernatural elements (hello: horses born and then raised from the ocean) it's told in the vein of legend rather than the paranormal. I loved the feel of a legend; I loved the superstitions that pervaded the text. As a gal who always throws spilled salt over her shoulder I very much appreciated the salt rings, rhythmic knot tying, and use of iron that controlled the Capaill Uisce. Because I'll admit that my own salt throwing is based as much in habit as it is in superstition. It was a truly beautiful experience to see Stiefvater imagine a world in which such cautions provide actual results.

Watching Puck and Sean grow up was interesting. They grew in such a unique way. Not your usual "become mature" YA style. They didn't run into an issue and "grow up". In a lot of ways both Sean and Puck were traditionally adult already. Caring for their respective families, holding down jobs, orphans...they seem to have run the gamut of situations that authors use to mature their teenage characters.

The small, almost back-woods island has kept not only traditions alive, but a slightly antiquated view of life. An earnestness, almost repressive, but ultimately a genuine feeling. It's a place still haunted by legends of yore - a rough place to live in general - disconnected from modernity. You can see how such serious children grow there. The character George Holly (who stands as a modern counterpoint to the people of Thisby) captures the feel of Puck and Sean succintly:

"You do fancy him, don't you? What a strange, wonderful, repressed place this is." (324, 1st ed.)

Because that's what this story is about. Puck and Sean finishing the process of growing up.

Puck is beginning to see herself as a woman. No suffrage movement to be found. For Puck, finding her femininity was more shocking than actually being a woman in a man's world. There seemed to be no higher theological/societal aspiration for furthering feminist theory...at least none that originated from the character's own choices. What the author was trying to promote was up for grabs; I'd like to think that Stiefvater was demonstrating a post modernist point of view: that women should have choice, free of the trappings of theory. In the end Puck was pledging herself to her island. What started as a foot-stomp became a realization of her womanhood and a strong connection to the land she loves.

For Sean the experience of this particular Scorpio Race provided a different outlook. From a young age Sean was running a HUGE horse operation. To have found and cultured your purpose in life at such a young age is disconcerting. For Sean these races are more about realizing he needed to work his gifts of his own accord rather than under the shadow of someone else.

And back to what I loved most about this book. It's probably one of the best examples of magical realism/practical magic I've ever read. The working superstitions feel so real, you forget these rituals hold no power...at least none that a modern world seems to recognize. Stiefvater did this by giving the superstitions/rituals/charms weight. She gave them physical consequence.

Rating: 4/5 Beautiful writing, Graceful story

Every November in Thisby, the capaill uisce (water horses) rise from the surf. They are strong, fast, and deadly. And every November, the people of the island test fate by riding the horses in The Scorpio Races. Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. Kate (Puck) Connelly never intended to enter the races, but must do so to hold on to her brother for as long as possible. As the first female to ever enter the race, and the only one not on a capaill uisce, the odds are stacked against her.

Even after striking out on Maggie's Wolves of Mercy Falls novel, I decided to give this one a try, since it seemed so very different from her previous series. That, and the fact that it was selected as my March title for Tell Me What to Read sealed the deal.

Told from alternating perspectives, the story begins in a time that was unclear to me. There are cars and other mentions of technology, but nothing else that could firmly cement it in one time or another.

Readers who really enjoy a fast plot with exciting twists and turns will find that The Scorpio Races does not fit the bill. But, as one who loves characters that jump (or in this case gallop) right off the page, I didn't mind the slow pace of the plot. I enjoyed taking my time to get to know Puck and Sean and their motivations behind entering the very dangerous Scorpio Races.

As I mentioned before, the writing in the Wolves of Mercy Falls really didn't speak to me. But, the writing in this one just hit the spot. From the very first page I felt the danger of the races. But, I also felt the atmosphere. The salt in the air and the sand that gets everywhere. The fever pitch of the excitement of the festival. Puck's desperation and need to keep her brother close. Her pull to the island. All of it was beautifully crafted and created a sense of magic through the entire book.

So, chalk one up for the man-eating horses. Because I loved this book.

Review Courtesy of Dark Faerie Tales

Quick & Dirty: This novel has moving prose, wonderful characters and world-building, and a gripping plot to keep you reading!

Opening Sentence: It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.

The Review:

Kate "Puck" Connely and her two brothers are orphans fighting to save their home. They'll do anything to keep bread on the table. But when Benjamin Malvern threatens to take away their home and her brother Gabe starts thinking of leaving the island for the mainland, Puck enters herself into the Scorpio Races to save not only her home but to keep her family together.

The story centers around the water horses called the capaill uisce. They're responsible for the deaths of Puck's parents, and their the animal she'll have to ride in the Races. Stiefvater is delving deeper into the fantasy genre in this story to create an amazing world that really revolves around the capaill uisce. There are human narrators but the greatest characters in the story are the capaill uisce and the island of Thisby itself. We get to see all the struggles on the island, the hardships people face by living there help make it seem like a real place. People die in the Races. Either because their too slow or too trusting of their capaill uisce, who are stunningly beautiful but wild animals all the same. Every year as the citizens of Thisby prepare for the Races in November they also have to deal with the pain of loss and grief that inevitably will come. Sean Kendrick, the other narrator of the story, has won the races before. Four times, to be exact. He's won money and the respect of the people, spending his time working for Benjamin Malvern and his obnoxious son. But the race is even more important this year. If he can win one last time he'll be able to buy the only thing holding him to the island, his capaill uisce Corr. Sean is filled with wisdom about the horses, and his relationship with Corr is absolutely, hands down, my favorite part of the book.

But where Sean is the quiet one, Puck holds her own against the crap other men throw at her for entering the race. The girl is stubborn and her attitude makes for a great female lead in the story. If you're hoping for a page burning romance though, you're going to be disappointed. The development of the relationships in this novel, both between the humans and their horses, becomes as important to the story as the characters become to each other.

Stiefvater wasn't afraid to tackle hard issues in this novel. She didn't skirt around the problems evoked by gender or class in the story. The story feels timeless, which adds to the weight of it as a part of the fantasy genre. The theme of loyalty is incredibly important as the characters become more involved with danger, romance and some mild violence. All of these elements make the story both enchanting and horrific as her truly beautiful prose sinks in.

FTC Advisory: Scholastic provided me with a copy of The Scorpio Races. No goody bags, sponsorships, "material connections," or bribes were exchanged for my review. In addition, I don't receive affiliate fees for anything purchased via links from my site.

I was super curious about The Scorpio Races the minute I heard about the book. I didn't really know what to expect for a book that dealt with horses, but I love Maggie Stiefvater, and I couldn't wait to get started on this book. It was definitely worth the read!

Every year, November marks the beginning of the Scorpio Races. These are no normal races, however. These races consist of water horses that long for their home in the sea, and eat not only other animals, but humans as well. Riding one these beasts to the very end of the race will win you big, but you could also die in the process. Kate Connolly who, is the first girl that has ever entered the race, needs to win to save her family home. Can she do it, is the question.

Kate (Puck) was just a really great main character. I love that she was just a girl, plain and simple. Not wanting to give up the only home she's know, she did what she had to do for herself, her brother and their home. I love that her best friend is her horse, Dove. They have such a special bond together; it was always nice reading about their situations together. I also really enjoyed Puck's younger brother, Finn. You could really see how much he cared for his sister, and I loved their brother/sister relationship.

Sean Kendrick, who should be Kate's biggest rival, turns out to be a great character as well. I was a little unsure of him at first, he was a bit standoffish and distant, but he definitely won me over by the middle of the book. I love the way he was with the horses, and the way he was such a gentleman, especially when it came to Puck.

The storyline for this book was absolutely unique and fascinating. Just imagining the horses that live in the water, and how evil they were. It definitely kept the mystery in the book. I enjoyed the pacing of the book as well. Once I had time to actually sit down and read uninterrupted, I flew through the pages. The ending of the book is very satisfying, I thought it ended perfectly. The romance in the book is at a minimum, but I think that makes it stand out even more.

Overall, I enjoyed this book a lot more than I expected to! With such a great storyline, and awesome characters, who wouldn't love it? It's definitely a must read.

Happy Reading!

When I heard about The Scorpio Races, it was just after I had finished Forever (which is the last book in Maggie's Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy) and I was immediately extremely eager to read it. But for some reason I thought it was some sort of dystopian, which it wasn't at all. It was a beautifully written and constructed fantasy about killer water horses.

I know, right?

When I first read the killer water horse part, I immediately thought "Oh, it's a kelpie!" And, technically, it is, only in the book it goes by the Irish name of capaill uisce. (Don't even ask me how that hell to pronounce that, because I haven't the foggiest.) So if you're a fan of the kelpie lore, then you'll definitely enjoy this one.

Maggie's writing is, as always, poetic and just lovely. She wrote with a very realistic Irish cadence, which added to the overall atmosphere of the novel and the realism of the characters. Maggie's writing style is no doubt one of my all-time favorites.

My biggest problem with this book is that the entire thing is pretty misleading. Take the cover, for example. It's Puck galloping away on a horse. The book is called The Scorpio Races, and the description makes it sound pretty intense and action-y. Put that all together, and my impression was that, unlike Maggie's Shiver series, The Scorpio Races would be more of an adventure. But it wasn't. Of course, Maggie writes beautifully, but the novel wasn't really about the scorpio races at all. It was about Puck coming into her own as a woman, and Sean and her slowly growing to love each other. It almost seems like the race is an afterthought, because it happens at the very end, and it's a very brief scene. There were quite a few superfluous scenes that I'm not sure what purpose they served for the story, and I honestly think the book could've done without them.

Puck aggravated me at times--she had quite a temper about her, and would snap at people that were only trying to help her. That put me off of her in the beginning. But she was up against a lot, and she held her ground when any other girl would have given up, and that's what I admired most about her. Sean was the silent, brooding type, and his life was the water horses. He was the man on the island to see about the horses. He's won the races 4 years in a row, and if he can win this next one, he might have a chance at getting the one thing he really wants: a water horse named Corr that he's grown to love over 6 years of training it. He and Puck had a sweet relationship. It built slowly, and at times I wasn't actually sure if anything would happen between them. But I really liked Sean, even though I feel that his intense introversion made him not only distant from the other characters, but also from me as a reader at times.

Overall, I really enjoyed The Scorpio Races. If you're a fan of Maggie's, then most definitely pick it up. 4 out of 5 stars.

I have yet to read anything by Maggie before The Scorpio Races, but I was completely blown away by this heartbreaking and intense story of the deadly water horses. The world building was fantastic and I felt like I was transported to Thisby on the very first page. Sean and Puck were also wonderfully developed characters and I felt I really got to know them through the dual points of view. This is one read that is going to stay with me for a long time and I will certainly be recommending it to everyone I can.

The most fantastic part of this book is the mythology. The Scorpio Races are such a fantastic idea and Maggie went above and beyond in making sure the reader felt like they were part of everything that was going on. The concept of the races was pure genius and while I found myself alternatively cringing and gasping whenever the water horses entered a scene, I am so glad I had the chance to read this. Everything about this book proved how in depth Maggie went in her research and it also showed her own imagination and creativity. This was such an original read that captivated me from the start!

Kate Connolly (aka Puck) did not anticipate participating in the races and this event will change her life forever. I don't want to spoil anything, but from the moment Puck decides she wants to join the Scorpio Races nothing will ever be the same. Puck was such a well done protagonist. Her sharp wit, sarcasm, and bravery shown from the pages and I know I would want to have her on my side.

Sean Kendrick, the four time champion of the races, was another great character. He was mysterious and allusive at first, but the more I read the more I felt I truly understood him. I am so glad The Scorpio Races was told from both Puck and Sean's perspectives because it allowed me to get to know both of them equally.

While the races and capaill uisce were the main focus of the book, there was also a slow-growing and sweet romance. I liked watching Puck and Sean get to know each other and learn the motivation behind each of their participation in the races.

The build up to the races was heart pounding and each page presented a new twist or danger. I was constantly on the edge of my seat and I found myself thinking about this book frequently even after I finished reading it.

Maggie Stiefvater is definitely an author to watch and she has proven herself to me with just one book. I know I definitely need to check out her Shiver series now! The Scorpio Races is a fascinating and enthralling read that I highly recommend to anyone!

Overall: 4.5 out of 5 stars

They came in with the tide. The moon illuminated long lines of froth as the waves gathered and gathered and gathered offshore, and when they finally broke on the sand, the capaill uisce tumbled onto the shore with them. The horses pulled their heads up with effort, trying to break free from the salt water.

I had to restrain the squealing, fangirly Maja and shove her in the closet so that the adult, critical Maja can sit and write this review. Believe me, it's better this way.

With The Scorpio Races, Maggie Stiefvater has finally earned my complete trust. I promise never to doubt her again. I've read four of her books so far and I gave all four of them five stars. If there was ever an author who deserved my wholehearted support, it's her. She is an artist above all else, and if that alone isn't enough, here's another reason for my respect:

Other writers might have different priorities, but for me, the chief goal of my novels is not plot or premise or pacing, but to evoke a certain feeling. I will sacrifice most anything in order to change someone's mood in a certain way. I can't do that without careful navigation of metaphor and character development.
(From Ms. Stiefvater's blog post)

But I'll limit my praise to The Scorpio Races for now:

This time, Stiefvater flirted a little more seriously with the fantasy genre and created an amazingly gripping story.
People on the fictional island Thisby live and breathe for one thing and one thing alone: wild and bloodthirsty water horses, the capaill uisce. They are either directly involved in the races or they take care of tourists from the mainland. Even though the Scorpio Races are held only once a year, the heartbreak and the loss they inevitably bring are almost too big for one small island. People die in the races. They die because they are too slow, too vulnerable or too ready to trust the monsters they are riding on. The capaill uisce may be stunningly beautiful, but all you have to do is turn your back on them for one short second, and their teeth will already be deep inside your flesh.
It takes everything in me not to whimper. The creature is black as peat at midnight, and its lips are pulled back into a fearsome grin. The ears are long and wickedly pointed toward each other, less like a horse and more like a demon. They remind me of shark egg pouches. The nostrils are long and thin to keep the sea out. Eyes black and slick: a fish's eyes.
It still stinks like the ocean. Like low tide and things caught on rock. It's barely a horse.
It's hungry.

Kate "Puck" Connoly and her two brothers lost their parents when a bloodthirsty capall uisce attacked them on the sea. Ever since, the three of them survive by fixing things for other people, making teapots, helping in the local store and doing anything at all to put some butter and flour in their mostly empty pantry. But when the oldest brother, Gabe, the only one with a steady job, decides to leave the island, and Benjamin Malvern threatens to take their house away, Puck sees no other choice but to join the dangerous race in order to save her house, and maybe even prevent her brother from leaving.

Sean Kendrick lost his mother to the mainland and his father in the race. Enormous talent and love for the capaill uisce made it possible for him to survive on the island, working for Benjamin Malvern and his obnoxious son Mutt. Sean has won the races four out of six times. He has everyone's respect and a decent amount of money saved. The only thing stopping him from leaving the Malverns is Corr, the capall uisce that is Sean's only family. This year more than ever Sean has to win the races because if he wins, Benjamin Malvern will finally sell him Corr, thus setting them both free.

Make no mistake: even though this story is told from two alternating POVs and it seemingly focuses on Sean and Puck, it's really a story about the water horses. They are what matters, Sean and Puck are just tour guides. If you're looking for romance, you could end up disappointed. It is present, but the emphasis is on other things this time. The writing is atmospheric and it feels like a thick mist, albeit one you're in no hurry to get out of. The island itself is a character: people, mentality and everyday struggles they face. The rich American buyer, George Holly, is there to remind us exactly how different the island people are.

Ms. Stiefvater is one amazing lady and she just keeps proving her worth over and over again with every new word she writes.

No holds barred: this is my new favorite Maggie Stiefvater novel. It's one I can see myself reading over and over again because the story and the writing and the characters (horses included here) and the island itself are just so dang unforgettable. When I read it for the first time back at the beginning of the year, I remember feeling utterly swept away by all the drama and the tense wondering of who was going to die today? and the sloooow tension that was Puck and Sean and their race to find happiness. And now I can attest that The Scorpio Races holds up incredibly well to rereads. Incredibly well. No longer breathlessly curious to discover just how it would all turn out, I was able to pace myself as I watched Sean carve out his measure of happiness and Puck find a new rhythm with her brothers, Dove, and above all, with Sean.

What I perhaps enjoyed most about The Scorpio Races this time around is how sharply atmospheric it is. Part of what makes the island, the people and the races all come alive so distinctly is the fully grounded mythology Ms. Stiefvater creates for the water horses and the lives of those rooted in its traditions. Just the lore of Thisby alone was enough to give me shivers -- a violent island that didn't care one way or another if you lived or died.

Alternating point of view between Sean and Puck also does wonderful things for the story. Scenes and conversations between the two would often switch midpoint with such delightfully crisp results. Beginning as almost perfect strangers bent on winning the race, Sean and Puck eventually move towards uneasy friends and then perhaps to something even more. It's that last bit that Maggie Stiefvater does such a bang-up job with. By the end of the novel Sean and Puck's relationship is never quite defined (although alluded to by some perceptive onlookers) but that doesn't matter one bit as I was left utterly satisfied by the conclusion. There's something about a book that delivers an achingly unforgettable story without having to actually set down every single detail. Okay, okay. There's just something about The Scorpio Races period.

(This review was originally posted at GoneWithTheWords.com)

I thought I knew what to expect with Maggie's writing as I sat down to read The Scorpio Races, but wow, she outdid herself with this one!

Those of us who love Maggie Stiefvater's other books know that her writing will be lyrical, that it just flows beautifully, and that the stories will be touching. There will also be kissing, and most definitely someone will die. All those things are in The Scorpio Races, except this time she has also created an incredible setting.

Thisby is this small spec of an island, where mythical water horses, or capall uisce, rise from the ocean in the fall. These horses are deadly and huge and each year there's a race where those brave enough to ride them can win some money. I loved the atmosphere of this small island. The people all know and take care of each other and aside from the scary water horses, I think I'd enjoy some time in Thisby in the fall. Also, it left me wondering what it would be like in the spring and summer. This place left such an impression on me, that now, when I'm asked "What fictional land or place from a book would you like to live in or visit?", I will not hesitate to answer "Thisby from The Scorpio Races."

The story is told by Sean and Puck, whose actual name is Kate. They have never met before, which in such a small island is a big feat, but this year they're both entering the races and their meeting was electric! Sparks!! Albeit, quiet sparks, but sparks nonetheless! :) Theirs was a romance that slowly bloomed into something beautiful and enduring. I loved watching them go from general interest, to respect, to friendship, and finally love.

I loved Puck. She is a little spitfire! I loved how important her brothers, their home, and her horse, Dove, were to her. And she proved she'd do anything for them by entering the races for a chance to win that money. Her relationship with her brothers really touched me. At first, I was really angry at Gabe for putting her and Finn in an even worse situation, but later, like Puck, I came around and understood why he needed to do what he planned. I absolutely ADORED Finn Connolly (the youngest brother)!! He was the source of light in this story. Whenever he was on the page, I was smiling. The people, especially the men, of the island do not make it easy on her once she enters. There's never been a girl in the races before, especially one who's not riding a water horse, and they try hard to intimidate her. Our girl is stronger than they realize, though. :)

Sean Kendrick. Oh, Sean Kendrick...I wanted to hug him and kiss his sad loneliness away!! Nobody does quiet, mysterious boys quite like Maggie. (See: Sam Roth or Luke Dillon) Sean has worked for the richest man on the island since he was 10 years old. He is a horse whisperer...literally!! No one can connect with horses like he does, and no one can train the capall uisce like him, either. One in particular, Corr, his winning mare, is connected to him like none of the others. Corr is the reason Sean needs to win the races.

While I thought the fact Sean and Puck both need to win the races would interfere with their blooming romance, I was please it made them sort of a team. Them against everyone else.

There are so many scenes I want to highlight and mark as favorite quotes from this book!! I will be vague about these two I really loved...if you've read the book already, tell me if you agree, and if you haven't yet, come back after you do:

The boy with the bread for dinner (no, not that boy with the bread...that's a different book) and the scene on the cliffs, where words that are needed are spoken.
*SIGH* LOVED!

I think Maggie outdid herself with the beautiful imagery in this book. The island, the horses, the people, the festival and the food, the race, the ocean, the deaths, THAT ENDING!! It was all so incredibly vivid for me, visually and emotionally! I took my time reading The Scorpio Races just so I could savor it, because with every word, I was transported to this place and I did not want to leave it.

I really liked this book, and am defiantly going to read it again. At first i thought it would be sort of like Hidalgo, with a group of riders racing across a long desert. But then when i started reading this book, I found out that the race wasn't that long. I thought it wouldn't be very good, because it was a whole book about a small race that would only take a couple minutes, but then it started to get better and better and i couldn't stop reading it for the most part. There were a couple sections that I felt like I wanted to skim, but they ended quickly.It was fast-paced, interesting, and adventurous. My favorite part was the race, which kept me wondering about who was going to win. Both of them worked hard to win this race and it was almost impossible to see who would win.

Every November the Scorpio Races are held on a small island called Thisby. Tourists and horse buyers come from all places to watch the race, where riders will try to get their capall uisce to the finish line first, without being ripped apart by their horse or being dragged into the sea to drown. The capail uisce are vicious horses that live in the sea and survive off of meat. They cannot be trusted.
Sean Kendrick has already won this race four times riding Corr, the same horse that his father had rode in the races when he died. Sean takes care of the water horses for another man, and would do anything to buy Corr from him. But the only way he can get the horse that he loves is if he wins the next Scorpio race.
Kate "Puck" Connolly is the first woman to join the race. At first, she said she would do it just to keep her older brother from moving to the mainland until after the race, but then more becomes at stake. If she loses the Scorpio Race, then she will lose her house, and all the memories of her parents that the house reminds her of.
After training together they become very fond of each other and want to help each other out. But only one of them can win.

(Reviewed by Rachel Rodney)

Full, non-spoiler review courtesy at ~ Book & Movie Dimension (blog) ~

I'll start off first off with the fact that, I hadn't ever read any books beforehand by Maggie Stiefvater. Although, I had heard great things from blogs I frequent and on Goodreads.com about how really good her books are especially her "Wolves of Mercy Falls" trilogy. A while later I set out to buy her books in e-book form (electronic form) but never really got around to reading them. Then, while looking through one of my favorite book blogs- Dark Faerie Tales. I saw that there was a new book by Maggie Stiefvater soon to be released named " The Scorpio Races". My curiousity got the better of me finally so I just had to read "The Scorpio Races" since it wasn't going to be about vampires, werewolves, or zombies but something new and intriguing- dangerous magical water horses.
Imagine anyone's surprise as you are placed in the mind of Sean Kendrick, returning champion of The Scorpio Races, as he instills into us a thought-provoking account of how water horses or capaice uisce where he lives in an island of Thisby can be the death of you at every turn. He knows all to well how his own father feared the sea and his water horse, Corr, who he is ultimately killed by. Sean leaves us with the thought "that he'll never be fearful like his father". As the years pass, Sean is adopted by a very wealthy man. He is also allowed to ride Corr in the Scorpio Races in the island.With Corr by his side he's managed to win several times.
The story also moves from Sean to Kate Connoly's perspective with a more feminine outlook. Kate or rather she goes by "Puck" is far more emotional than the hardened Sean. While Sean is quiet and keeps all his thoughts to himself, Kate is different. Kate while being very decent and naive can also be very courageous when the situation requires it. She quickly learns that her oldest brother will be leaving Thisby. So in a moment of great impulse decides to enter The Scorpio Races. To Kate its a chance to stop him from leaving her and their family forever.
Along, the way we see Kate and Sean struggle to know their real reasons for being in the races. The races throw these two together and they realize that there is more at stake than just winning.
Of all the things, I loved about The Scorpio Races, the main thing is how well the different character perspectives were handled. You never get confused or exasperated by a change in character narration. It moves forward seamlessly. Lastly, love very much how the description of language is so very alive. It whispers and touches you while inviting you behind the action of the story. Maggie Stifvater's "The Scorpio Races" is something else entirely in Young Adult-Fantasy that is very hard to describe but you sure have to read.

Overall: Amazing read!
Genre:Young Adult, Fantasy, Paranormal, Romance
Recommend Ages: 15 and Up

4.5 stars

There's something magical about Maggie Stiefvater's writing. She has this ability to capture my attention with her beautiful lyrical writing, relatable characters and creative story telling. Much like her fey and wolf series, Maggie has a talent for taking a well known lore and making it her own. She does this by taking a mythology that's been around for ages and gives it a fresh, unique, engaging re-telling that's all her own.

The Scorpio Races rich mythology is based on water horses, also known as the capall uisce in this story. This deadly water horse is most active in November, which the races are set around each year on the island of Thisby, a prized thing to capture, if it's captured at all. It's during this time that the men gather their best horses, some of which they've captured from the ocean and learned to control, in hopes of being crowned the winner. This race is one that not only requires great strength, but a keen understanding of your surroundings, as the stakes are high and not everyone lives to tell about it. One of the unique things about Maggie's water horses is their ability to attack and often time kill those who enter their waters.

Along with a heart pounding race is two alternating story lines from four time Scorpio Race winner Sean Kendrick and Puck, also called Kate who's the first girl to ever take part in these races. I really liked the way Maggie not only brought these two characters together, but I loved the way their relationship developed. Sean is the quiet, full of wisdom type. He's also extremely intelligent when it comes to horses and the water horses. He's not just a racer, but a horse trainer and the partnership he has with his wildly tamed horse Corr was my favorite relationship from this story. High fives to Kate! I loved this stubborn girl who didn't let others phase her in her decision to take part in what's known as a man's race. This girl can hold her own, despite the crap she takes from some of the guys and her own personal reasons for entering the race. It takes more than two great main characters to tell a story and Maggie's included some fantastic secondary characters as well.

This is s story that's truly unique, I know I keep saying that, but I can't compare it to anything else I've read. Maggie does such a suburb job with her fantasy. She brings a story to life that has this timeless feel to it. I love it when a story feels that way. I also like that she wasn't afraid to tackle the issues of gender, class structure and I loved the theme of loyalty which went for both the human friendships and the relationships they had with their horses. This story has a lot of great elements to it and it's truly a great fantasy read. There's danger, adventure, family relationships, friendships, a subtle romance, mild violence, a breath taking setting and an element of magic to it. This is a story I'd definitely recommend to readers 13 years and older.

I'm not sure where to start with this. I am a huge fan of Maggie Stiefvater's. HUGE! So obviously The Scorpio Races was one of my most anticipated books of the year. I've said before that I think Maggie can do no wrong, and this book underscores that perfectly. As soon as you read the first page you will know that The Scorpio Races is something completely different than the Wolves of Mercy Falls books and the Books of Faerie series. Not only can she do no wrong, but she can create such original, beautiful new worlds. Worlds that you slip into without noticing. You will be fully immersed in this book before you even realize it.

The world in this book really consists of a sole island. An island in a indeterminate part of the world in an indeterminate time period. That makes the possibilities of how you interpret it endless. The island Thisby, was all sharp cliffs, and eerily windswept landscapes, but it was so gorgeous. I felt like it was filled to the brim with magic and secrets, but subtly so. The power of that made me yearn to be there, even with its dangers.

The dangers that I speak of are the water horses. The capall uisce. You probably know them as something more like kelpies. In some YA fiction water horses are depicted as tame sweet creatures with braids in their mane. You will quickly find out that those are not the brand of water horses in The Scorpio Races. These mythical creatures are evil. They would rather eat you than let you ride them. I don't want you to read the summary of this book and scoff at the fact it's about water horse, because 1.) they are so, so much more than the fluffy fairy tale kelpies, and 2.) it's not just about water horses. There's so, so much more to this story than that. Like Sean and Puck.

The story is told from alternating perspectives, which is fantastic because for the first half of the book there isn't a whole lot of interactions between these two characters. They each have their own lives and problems and they don't cross paths much until the Races start drawing nearer and nearer. They were both fantastically done characters and I fell in love with them as their bond grew. Also I think this might be one of the only cases were I didn't prefer one narrative over the other. I was equally engrossed in both of their lives. This is less romance than we are used to seeing from Maggie Stiefvater. It's definitely not the focal point of the story. But it's always subtly there, growing before your eyes.

On top of all these wonderful things I have mentioned about the story, it's also full of nail biting action. The story builds to a fever pitch as the Races get closer. I often had butterflies in my stomach for them. It boils over in the end. I literally had to sit up straight for the last 100 pages. My heart was beating fast for Puck and Sean, and I don't know that a book as ever gotten that kind of physical reaction from me. I was anxious and scared and completely hooked.

It almost goes without saying--but I will say it anyway--the writing is, as always beautiful. The style seems different than her other books, but it's just as gorgeous and magic. I found that after I finished The Scorpio Races when my mind was wandering it often found it's way to Thisby. I wondered what Puck and Sean were doing and if they were happy. Those are my favorite kind of books. The ones that get stuck in your head. The Scorpio Races is definitely one of those. It's beautiful and unique. I urge you to read it.

By Kay Fraser

I don't know if you went through a horse phase, but I definitely did. When I was a little girl, I had this fascination with horses. Racing on a horse is an amazing experience. The pounding hooves are deafening, and your body leans forward, suspended in the air. You and the horse cast a single shadow.

My childhood summers in Pinamar, Argentina were all about riding. I would go to this stable by the beach and get lost in the trails, running with my horse, Saint, for hours. I'd bring him back to the stable, both of us soaked in sweat, brush him, feed him, water him, and kiss him good night. I was 10 the first time rode him, and 16 the last time I did it. The adrenaline of running down the beach with the horse was amazing, the way I knew him and he knew me. I'll never forget it. Even today, I often think of him and of the amazing connection we had.

With that kind of childhood experience, how could I not pick up Maggie Stiefvater's newest, The Scorpio Races? It takes place on the island of Thisby, off of some unidentified mainland. Thisby is a small island where everyone knows everyone else's business and where three orphaned children struggle to fend for themselves.

Stiefvater's Thisby is an amazing, captivating place, with beautiful cliffs jutting out over a volatile ocean. With the change of seasons, the ocean becomes wild, and the people of Thisby shiver as they hear the water horses' siren call.

Like shadows from the ocean, the capall uisce rise from its depths. They are not like land horses; they are dangerous predators, driven mad by the November cold. Under the ocean's spell, the horses become unpredictable, dangerous, skilled killers--they tear apart whatever gets in their way.

But every November, Thisby's residents capture and race the water horses; the island's precarious economy depends on it. To race requires strength, courage, perseverance, and the ability to ride a capall uisce along the beach without letting it catapult itself back into the tossing waves, rider and all. Not many can do it, but Sean Kendrick can. He has won the Scorpio Races four years in a row on Corr, his water horse.

But this year, little Kate Connolly is racing too, and she won't hear otherwise from anyone in town. She wants to race in the Scorpio Races. Maybe it's because her older brother is threatening to leave the island. Maybe it's because she thinks Dove, her land horse, actually has a chance against the vicious water horses. Maybe it's because no other girl in the island has attempted the stunt before. Maybe it's because of Sean Kendrick, or maybe it's because the cash she'd win would allow her to keep her house, and maybe her family. No mater her reasons, Puck will confront the ocean. She'll win, or die trying. After all, she doesn't have much left to lose.

The Scorpio Races is about a young girl's passion, her love for her family, and her unflappable determination. It's a story to find yourself in as you follow Puck's journey. It's an amazing adventure, where the characters transform right in front of your eyes, discovering new emotions and the beauty of loving so deeply that you are willing to give your life for the ones you love.

This is an amazing page-turner that needs to be read. Maggie Stiefvater's lyrical prose spills off the page. The descriptions, the dialogue: every part of The Scorpio Races is captivating, and believe me when I say that you won't be able to put it down.

The little girl inside me loved every second of it. I was Sean riding Corr down the beach. I could feel the sand lifting in the wind, taste the salty ocean in my mouth. It was a beautiful experience.

The book releases today. Go get yourself a copy so that we can chat about it!

Maggie Stiefvater has said that this is her favorite and best book that she's written. I have to say that I whole-heartedly agree! This book was amazing!

This story is told from the alternating POV of Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly, hero and heroine. I love alternating POV stories!

Kate Connolly (Puck) lives on a small island, with her brothers Gabe and Finn. Her parents were killed by deadly, flesh-hungry, magical water horses, capaill uisce, that are native to the island. So the Connolly children are left to fend for themselves. Gabe, the oldest works at the Skarmouth Hotel, Puck paints teapots to sell, and Finn makes cookies or does the odd job here and there for local shops. Puck loves the island life. She loves her horse Dove, the house she grew up in, but most of all she loves her family the Connolly's. When Gabe announces to Finn and Puck that he is leaving in two weeks, to go to the mainland, both she and Finn are devastated. So Puck comes up with a last minute plan to keep her brother on the island: she's going to compete in the Scorpio Races. Deadly horse races held every November in Skarmouth, deadly, because it is the capaill uisce that compete.

Sean Kendrick also lives on the island of Skarmouth. His father was killed in the Scorpio Races when he was just nine years old and ever since then he has worked at the Malvern stables as lead hand. He has an amazing way with horses, even the deadly capaill uisce, he whispers in their ears and they listen. Sean is a four-time winner in the Scoprio Races on beloved capaill uisce horse, Corr. Sean also loves the island, but he loves Corr even more. The trouble is that Corr is not his horse, he belongs to the Malvern's and they won't sell him.

Both Puck and Sean have a lot riding on their winning these races but somehow they form an attachment/friendship in spite of their competition.

Maggie has a beautiful way of writing characters that you can't help but love! I love both Puck and Sean. Puck is so determined and fiercely loyal, she will sacrifice everything for her family and their life on the island. She comes up against a lot to compete in these races because she is the first girl to compete, but she doesn't back down. Sean is a man of few words but every word spoken carries weight and wisdom, and every action is backed with integrity. These two together just fill your heart up to the point of overflow! The secondary characters are amazing as well, Finn the little brother how he sticks by his sister and irritates her as well. As for Gabe, I wanted to strangle him for his thoughtlessness towards his siblings but in the end I felt for him too. I loved the Fathom & Sons sisters and their bickering, and the dashing American, George Holly. She even makes you love the animals in this story: Corr, Dove, and Puffin the cat!

My review does not do this story justice! It is just so heart-warming, the kind of book that makes you sigh with contentment when you're done reading. And you don't want the story to end, you want more, more, more!!!

It's mid-October, and the capaill uisce - the flesh-eating water horses - are climbing out of the sea, which can only mean one thing: that November 1 is approaching, the dreaded day of the Scorpio Races. For Sean Kendrick, who is both horse whisperer and three-time winner of the races, it means he can't help seeing the image of his dead father on the beach, lost many years ago. Likewise Kate "Puck" Connolly is thinking of the same time last year, when her parents went out on a boat and didn't return. She's fiercely protective of her younger brother Finn, the house they share with older brother Gabe, and her horse Dove. That's why when Gabe tells them he's leaving the island she can only respond by boldly declaring that she will be joining the Scorpio Races, the first girl to do so. Against much opposition Puck will not go back on her rash decision and as training begins Sean will be one of her few supporters. Their shared knack and love for horses will bring them together for an outcome that they never could have imagined.

This book, which I've been anxiously awaiting since I heard of its existence, surprised me in the best way possible. Even before the book very thoughtfully landed in my hands (Thanks Angie!), the lukewarm reviews never dampened my hopes or made me hesitate because my record with Maggie Stiefvater's novels speaks for itself. From the Faerie Queen's Deception series to Shiver, I've read them all and there's never been a bad read among them. I didn't know what to expect from the premise (man-eating sea horses?) so I tried not to expect anything. In the end though, how could The Scorpio Races not be beyond expectation? Much more than its odd and gruesome-sounding premise, it's a novel about place, instincts, horses, and the sea, and I loved every minute of it.

There are so many remarkable aspects of this novel but I'll start with what first drew me in: the writing. It's sparse and lovely and has a slightly haunting quality about it that is well-suited to the small, legendary island of Thisby. There were several passages which struck and stunned me in turn. Second of all it was the characters which stood out, first Puck with her spirited passion for everything she loves and then Sean, who is even-tempered, level-headed and like islander Thomas Gratton mentioned, an old nineteen. Whether you are familiar with horses or not, Puck and Sean are to be revered out of their very reverence to the animals. Puck, ever caring and Sean, always gentle, you can't help but feel a love, respect, and majesty for both the capaill uisce and regular horses alike. I loved how Dove and Corr are inseparable parts of Puck and Sean respectively, becoming characters themselves. This brings me to the romance, which is of the slow and gradual variety and causes me to sigh contentedly just thinking about it. It reminded me of the way a certain relationship in The Queen's Thief series by Megan Whalen Turner develops. Puck and Sean's attachment to each other grows steadily and in a quiet manner. So much is riding on the few words they speak to one another that each exchange between them is powerful. A handful of lines made my heart stop, so perfect are they. While I realize the meandering pace and the subtlety of the romance may not be everyone's cup of tea, I savored the introspective, atmospheric prose from the beginning and the romance slayed me, it was that good. I couldn't read the last third of the book fast enough, and when I finished the heart-stopping last page I wondered when I'd have another experience like it. The Scorpio Races is undoubtedly in the running for my favorite book of the year and I can't recommend it more highly. I hope hope hope that readers who weren't Maggie Stiefvater fans before will take a chance on it.

Thanks to the publisher for a review copy.

For me, it took a little while for the meat of the story to pick up, and so it took longer than it usually does for me to read this one.

Some of the dialogue seemed a bit formal to me for the age of the characters, and the level of violence in the story was a bit, well, scary considering the target demographic.

But, at the same time, the myth of the water horses is absolutely fascinating and this story is absolutely 100% unique in it's portrayal of that. To imagine, using these mythical creatures for something that becomes a burning bloody race to the death is absolutely amazing.

The characters are easy to connect to, no matter who you are. Whether male or female, child or adult, this story has something for everyone. Once I hit about the 100 page mark, the story just took off and I couldn't put my book down. This was the first book I have ever read by this author but it definitely will not be my last.

If I had to issue a complaint about the story, it would be that the ending seemed a little too wide open, which is great if there is a sequel planned but somewhat hollow if there is not.

I love a good surprise. And Maggie Stiefvater pulled off an excellent one this year by surprising her readers with not one, but two books. The one we'd been expecting for a year, the other we had no clue was even in the works really. And so when the cover of THE SCORPIO RACES was released, my mind went in a hundred different directions at once trying to parse out the possibilities behind such an interesting title and such an absolutely lovely cover. The truth is, I didn't want to know that much at all. This was a surprise book, and as such I wanted to go into the first page uninformed as to the particulars. So I stayed away from synopses, snippets, even the trailer (and I adore her trailers), because I didn't want to go in with any kind of preconceived notion. Unable to attend BEA this year, I bemoaned the fact that I would miss out on the stacks of ARCs I knew would be available there. Fortunately, someone who knew I would be suffering went and picked me up a copy and popped it in the mail so I could get an early sneak peek.

***

It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.

***

Sean Kendrick knows this truth only too well. It forms the fabric and the boundaries of his life. He races in the Scorpio Races every year and, for the past four years, he's come home the victor. More importantly, he's lived to race another day. Not everyone can say the same. Puck Connolly is racing for her first time this year. It's not so much by design as by way of keeping her older brother Gabe from leaving them. It's been just the three of them for years now, and Puck and her younger brother Finn can't fathom how they will go on without Gabe there to look after them. And so it's the races for Puck. If she puts her life on the line by entering (the first girl ever to do so) perhaps her older brother will think better of leaving and starting a new life on the mainland. Because the Scorpio Races aren't even remotely like your average horse race. In the Scorpio Races, the riders ride the dreaded capaill uisce--deadly water horses thrown up (or caught) from the sea. Faster, bolder, deadlier than any normal horse, they will kill you as soon as look at you. And Sean Kendrick is the only man around who is able to control them. If you can call it that. He has a way with them, can whisper in their ears, and anticipate their thoughts. And so these two young people are linked together by the races, by the fact that the capaill uisce took the lives of their parents, and by a spectacular love for horses and for the island that is their home.

How to begin, how to begin? I'm just going to go ahead and go on record as saying THE SCORPIO RACES is the best book I've read all year. On top of that, I think it's Maggie Stiefvater's best book yet. Some of you won't agree with me, because this is a very different book from her others. And, as much as I've enjoyed each of them, I love that it is so very different. Where her other novels read like fiery fugues and romantic sonatas, THE SCORPIO RACES is a quieter, more atmospheric piece. There's a charming vagueness as to time and place, leaving various and sundry particulars deliciously up to the reader's imagination. This timelessness extends to the earthy characters, the mythology of the water horses, and the almost elegiac tone. There is romance, and rest assured, it is of the very highest caliber indeed. But it is an altogether more restrained, more gradual affair, as befits the principle players. In fact, everything about this novel develops slowly and at its own wonderfully meandering pace. There is violence, passion, anguish, and ever-present danger, but they are a part of life to these characters. The harsh, beautiful, unrelenting environment is reflected in the faces and on the palms of every one of them. How could I not love this book? I fell under its spell without even noticing it. The language, as is always the case with Maggie's books, is enchanting. But even that, this time, is blended more seamlessly into the tale as a whole. Into the feel of the island, the weather, the waves, all of whom felt like characters to me. Into Puck and Sean Kendrick, Finn, George Holly, and Tommy Falk of the pretty lips. Here, a representative exchange between Puck and Sean Kendrick:

***

"Your brother is going to the mainland," Sean says.

I hold my breath in my mouth for a long moment, and finally say, "Right after the races." There's no point in treating it as a secret; everyone knows. He already heard me talking about it with Gratton in the truck.

"And you're not going with him."

I'm about to answer he didn't ask but I realize before I do that that's not the reason, anyway. I'm not following him because this is home, and everywhere else isn't. "No."

"Why aren't you going?"

The question infuriates me. I demand, "Why is it that going away is the standard? Does anyone ask you why you stay, Sean Kendrick?"

"They do."

"And why do you?"

"The sky and the sand and the sea and Corr."

It's a lovely answer and takes me entirely by surprise. I hadn't realized we were having a serious conversation, or I think I would've given a better reply when he asked me. I'm surprised, too, by him including his stallion in his list. I wonder if, when I talk about Dove, people can hear how I love her the way that I can hear his fondness for Corr in his voice. It's hard for me to imagine loving a monster, though, no matter how beautiful he is. I remember what the old man said in the butcher's, about Sean Kendrick having one foot on land and one foot in the sea. Maybe you need a foot in the sea to be able to see beyond your horse's bloodlust.

"It's about wanting," I say eventually, after some considering. "The tourists always seem to want something. On Thisby, it's less about wanting, and more about being." I wonder after I say it if he'll think I sound like I have no drive or ambition. I suppose in comparison to him it must seem that way. I seem at once cursed to say precisely what I'm thinking to him and unable to tell what he thinks about it.

He says nothing at all. We watch the horses mill and surge below us. Finally, he says, not looking at me, "They'll still try to keep you off the beach. It won't have ended last night."

"I don't understand why."

"When the races are about proving something about yourself to others, the people you beat are as important as the horse you ride." His eyes don't leave the piebald.

"But that's not what they're about for you."

Sean pushes up to his feet and stands there. I look at his dirty boots. Now I've offended him, I think. He says, "Other people have never been important to me, Kate Connolly. Puck Connolly."

I tip my face up to look at him, finally. The blanket falls off my shoulders, and my hat, too, loosened by the wind. I can't read his expression--his narrow eyes make it difficult. I say, "And now?"

Kendrick reaches to turn up the collar on his jacket. He doesn't smile, but he's not as close to frowning as usual. "Thanks for the cake."

Then he strides off across through the grass, leaving me with my pencil touching my paper. I feel like I've learned something important about the race to come, but I've no idea how to write it down.

***

It's such a beautiful story. Ponderous, yet filled with bright dots of humor here and there, it moves, strums, and throbs through you with a feeling of ancient inevitability. THE SCORPIO RACES feels like a throwback to the fantasy novels I read as a girl, which still seem, somehow, so much realer than everything else. There were a few pages so perfect, I simply stopped and held them in my hands. Like the island of Thisby, this book will take you, if you let it. Recommended utterly without reservation, especially for fans of The Blue Sword and Fire.

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.

The Scorpio Races is a good book. I liked it even though it was slow and there are boring parts. But the story is beautiful, crafted with really strong and likable characters. I admired Puck and Sean, and I loved their horses. I loved Puck's little brother, Finn. He's adorable. The setting and the place is beautiful, though Thisby Island is also a very dangerous place to live in. Dangerous because of the capaill uisce - water horses who live in the ocean and who come out especially every season of the Scorpio Races. They eat flesh and they always smell like blood. Among all these water horses, Corr is the one I love. The fastest and probably the strongest in the race. Sean was his rider. And then there's Kate Connely--"Puck" might be a girl, the only girl who ever joined the race, but she's determined to win, even though it means she had to compete with the four time winner--Sean Kendrick.

Maggie said that it's her most favorite book of all the books she'd written. Though I didn't loved it as much as I loved her Wolves of Mercy Falls series, I think she did a very good job on this one. Her writing is undeniably beautiful and captivating. The narration is lyrical and poetic, and the use of alternating POV makes it even more effective to understand the characters. The story is very unique, deep and emotional. It might be slow and it didn't grow on me immediately, but when I finished it, it stayed on my mind for a while. It was unforgettable.

I wanted to give this book a much higher rating but due to some weak points, I've decided to give it a 4/5. One reason is the slow pacing of the story. You really need to be patient so you can finish the book. Second, the story is more about the horses and the race, and there's too little romance in it. I'm a sucker for romance and love stories and this book didn't gave me much of that. But despite it's weak points, I still enjoyed the book and probably those people who love horses will love it too.

I listened to The Scorpio Races on audio and it was so beautiful. If you have the chance to listen it rather than read it I would definitely recommend it. But even if you can't you really need to read it.

I had read all of Maggie Stiefvater's other books and had fallen in love with her style and voice. Her Shiver series while good, was not as amazing of a fit for her voice as her first two books, Linger and Ballad. But The Scorpio Races was the perfect fit for her lyricism and style. The minute I started listening I knew I was in for a treat.

Puck and Sean are awesome main characters, their stories were seamlessly wound together and I loved the dual POV, it made the story richer and more beautiful. Puck is such a strong female character and even though she was not out saving the world, but she was out doing whatever she could to save her family. Sean on the other hand is alone and is doing all he can to get what he wants and needs but is not selfish about it which is not seen very much in books.

Finn, Puck's brother was one of my favorite characters. He was so sweet and awesome I loved his personality and wanted him to be my little brother. Also he was always surprising me and I love that about him.

Thisby the island that The Scorpio Races takes place on it almost a character in itself. It could not take place in any other place. Maggie Stiefvater brought it to life and I felt like I was there. I really want Thisby to be real so I can experience it. But because it isn't I feel like I have been there.

The audio narration is awesome. There are two narrators, one for Puck and one for Sean and they are the perfect voices for them. Especially the man who voiced Sean, I fell in love with his voice and I would listen to him read the phone book if I had the chance. But I also loved the voice of Puck, she was sassy and fit Puck's personality perfectly!

You need to read this book. I am mad at myself for waiting this long to read it. Also it is a stand alone so if you are tired of all the series' and need a break, or if you just want an awesome book to read I recommend The Scorpio Races.

This book was.....different, good, not really about the race itself but the readying for it and the meaning it holds for the two main characters.

The Story
Puck (Kate) Connolly has found out that her older brother is leaving the island and the owner of their house is going to evict her and her little brother unless they can pay him quickly. She is 17 and has decided to enter the Scorpio Races where the deadly water horses are raced. Sean has been training his water horse Corr for 6 years and won the races the last 4 years in a row. They both need to win this race for reasons of their own, but in the process of training they end up falling in love. It's not a big part of the book though. They are both of little words and strong thoughts and there is no romance. It's more they have a mutual respect for who they are and then realizing it's love, but they don't ever say love.

My Thoughts
The book explores a lives on an island with their own rules and values and traditions. The water horses are scary and I don't know why in the world people would decide to try to tame and ride and race these deadly beings. But I can believe that if these creatures were real, humans would try. Maggie Stiefvater's writing in the book is brilliant. She has a way with words. The environment is brought to life in your head without as much description as she used in her Linger trilogy. It is my opinion that if you go into this book realizing that it is not all about a race, but the people that are going to be in the race and the leading up to it, then you will end up enjoying this story.

This is a world where seahorses are large, sinewy, hungry, dangerous creatures, called Capaill uisce, that stumble ashore a small island in the middle of the Atlantic every October and wreak havoc on the townspeople. Where the townspeople have made a tradition out of this event and every year in the month of October go out and catch themselves a Capall uisce to race in the dangerous Scorpio Races where at least one man dies every year.

Puck, stuck between a rock and a hard spot in her life, decides to race in the Scorpio Races in hopes to win and use the money to wipe away all her troubles. But Puck barely has any experience with the races and really doesn't even know exactly what happens in this dangerous race. But times are tough for her and the only answer for her is to win the race. On the other end of the spectrum, Sean Kendrick has won the races 4 times all ready and knows everything you need to know about the races and the dangerous creatures, the Capaill uisce. But he is racing for other reasons, and one of those reasons is his Capall uisce Corr.

This is a great book. Tons of emotion and adventure. You really get to know the characters. Even the horses have such depth to them that you feel for them as well. You really get to know Puck, Sean, Dove and Corr. Also, the villain of the book Mutt Malvern really strikes a nerve with you and you instantly hate him like the other characters in the book.

I think this book might be based maybe in the late 20s early 30s. It has that old fashion vibe to it, but it doesn't really give you any hints to when it takes place. But that doesn't really matter because the plot really takes you and there is so much more that is going on that you really don't even need to know what era it is.

Even after the books ends, you want to continue on with the characters, but alas, I believe this book is a one trick pony, as in there is no books after it. But if I am wrong please correct me!

THE SCORPIO RACES was a girl/horse story with quite a twist. Set on Thisby (author Stiefvater paints an incredibly clear word-picture of this make-believe island), dual protagonists Sean Kendrick, stablemaster of Malvern Stables; and Puck Connolly, sister, horse lover and contented resident of tiny Thisby, narrate their versions of the November 1st annual capall uisce race.

Borrowing heavily from myths about dangerous kelpies, the author intertwines a love of horses - both the normal ones we are familiar with and magical, bloodthirsty beasts that rise out of the sea (and some bloodthirsty islanders as well).

For the first time in history, a female will be racing in the infamous race - and on a normal horse. Very dangerous but Puck has her reasons. As she tries to hold her family together, she also finds herself fascinated with Kendrick and Corr, the red capall uisce that only he can ride.

I loved this story and enjoyed the dual narrative technique that was used so the reader is able to get more of a rounded version of the story. The author keeps some details vague, such as island location, and sundry daily details, so the reader is never quite sure of exactly WHEN or WHERE the story is taking place. Normally I wouldn't like this but Stiefvater handles the telling skillfully and it works.

Horse story, romance, monster story - all of these are wrapped into an exciting tale.

First off, I enjoy stories that are more focused on the development of the plot than character development, especially in a stand alone book such as the Scorpio Races. So while this is an incredible book for character development as well as combining a complex mythology into a more modern age, I had a hard time getting through it. I was easily distracted by other books. I am glad I stuck with the story. Ultimately I was able to appreciate the characters and their interaction as the "reveal" at the end of the story.

This is definitely my favorite book by Maggie! There's not as much romance as you've seen in her other books like Shiver and Lament but I think it made it a better story that way. The idea of these Water Horses is just fascinating. Like I've seen other people say, I was roped in from the very beginning. The Prologue had me wanting more and I definitely got more. The book is told from two people's POV's; Sean Kendrick a 19 year old 4 time champion of The Scorpio Races and recently orphaned Kate "Puck" Connelly.

Puck, I thought, was an extremely strong and brave female character. Especially being the very first female to enter The Scorpio Races; not only is she the first female to enter but she's also the first person to enter on a normal island horse, not the deadly water horses this race was made for. She got a lot of heat for both issues but she kept a strong head on those shoulders of hers.

Sean, is a natural with a lot of these water horses, especially Corr, the red stallion that his father rode. This is a wild, deadly beast however Sean seems to be the only one to have control over him. A sort of bond of love that most people don't have with animals. It's beautiful.

If you're a fan of Maggie Stiefvater then I definitely recommend this story to you. But if you're also a fan of something new & interesting with an amazing story, this is the book for you.

I have mixed feelings about this book. When I first read the description, it sounded interesting. Then when I started the book, it was really boring at first. But thirty pages in, it picked up a lot. It is a science fiction or fantasy book, I think. It is set in our world, but there are these wild creatures called water horses, who are dangerous. Every November, water horses are captured and raced. Some riders will win, and others will lose- or die. The book focuses on two people: Sean Kendrick, a returning champion, and Puck Conolly, the first girl ever to participate in the races. Puck entering the race isn't all that convincing, though. She doesn't really have to enter the races, but she does, and why would anyone do that? It's not because she wants to win either. It's kind of peculiar. If Sean has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them. And Puck is in no way prepared for what is about to happen. One thing I enjoyed about the book was the quick and witty dialogue that all the characters have. This was a pretty suspenseful book, and the idea of the water horses is interesting. I think it's kind of cruel that they have to capture them and keep them from the sea, which is where the water horses are from. But it was a fairly good science fiction/fantasy book, and if you're a fan of those genres, you'll definitely like it.

*You can read all of my reviews at my book review blog, novareviews.blogspot.com*

I loved this book right from the beginning. Though I am familiar with Maggie Stiefvater's writing style from other books, reading it in this one still felt fresh and new. I loved her imagery and witticism and how she described people and situations in new ways to me.
There is a major emphasis on all aspects of horses, and not just because of the existence of the water horses. Though the author pulls the water horses from mythology, much of their origins and abilities are cloaked in mystery. Sean Kendrick is one of the few on the island that understands the water horses -- both how to control them and respect them, as well as how to care for them properly -- though he does not share his knowledge with anyone. The fantastical elements of the water horses are understated, as they are more of a catalyst for the budding romance between Sean and Puck.
Sean is as much of a mystery as the water horses. The other inhabitants of the island respect him, but keep their distance. As a regular winner of the Scorpio Races, sean is the expected winner, but his attraction to Puck makes things unpredictable and unprecedented.
Puck is easy to like. She loves her horse, she loves her brothers, and she loves the island. She likes life simple and her motivations are not for wealth, but to keep her home and her family just as it is. Of course, life never stays stagnant, and her spontaneous entry into the Scorpio Races sparks enough conflict and controversy to change her life forever.
While I learned much more about horses than I would ever seek to learn otherwise, the book is more of a love story than a horse myth come to life, and I loved every word of it.

Thank you for this lyrical book, Ms. Stiefvater. If you tire of the same old dystopian saw in young adult fiction, give this novel a try. I wish we had half stars for ratings, because I'd give this 4 1/2 stars.

It's hard to review this book without spoilers, so I'll keep it short. The main thing that stood out for me was the overwhelming sense of place. Rarely do I get such a strong visual of an imaginary world. I could see the white chalk cliffs and hear the waves crashing vividly in my brain. I love Steifvater's world building ability.

Another standout is the quiet romance. With bookshelves crammed with brash, over the top love clashes, this slow burn is a jewel. I think many real life loves begin in this way. Obviously, the book is firmly rooted in fantasy, but the romance feels true and everyday.

The only reason I didn't give this novel 5 stars was slight confusion with the point of view. The story is told from the alternating perspectives of Puck and Sean. I felt the voices of each character weren't as strong as they could be. I often had to flip back to the chapter beginning to see who was the viewpoint character.

Overall, it's a great read. It's also set during the month of October. I like reading books set in my current month/season, so this was perfect.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is absolute magic. It is dangerous, beautifully written and I can't wait to read it again- an absolute must buy for those that love Stiefvater's work. I haven't read her Mercy Falls series, but after reading The Scorpio Races, I plan to. I have heard from other readers that this is much different than her other work, though. Stiefvater threw me into her story, I felt like I was standing on the beach watching the water horses huff and puff and try to escape back into the ocean.

We follow two storylines - that of Sean Kendrick and Puck. Over time their stories begin to mesh, and it is wonderful watching their relationship develop naturally. My favorite part of the novel though is how comfortable and cautious Sean is with the water horses- also known as capall uisce. His love for the capall uisce, Corr, is absolutely adorable and fascinating. Sean is extremely intelligent and wise beyond his years. He is mysterious and his character is flawless. I'm obviously smitten. But Puck is also extremely likeable and brave- the first girl to ever ride in the dangerous Scorpio Races. The race, even the practices for the race, made my heart pound.

There aren't many things I could say to do justice for this book- it is magnificent, magical, intense. It pulled at my heartstrings. I can honestly say I've never read anything like this before, and I'm so glad that I have. This is one that I will be reading more than once and recommending to many friends. Any fantasy junkie should give this one a try. Love it!

Guys. GUYS. Words will not describe how much I loved this book (because, unlike Maggie Stiefvater, I'm not a lyrical genius)! The Scorpio Races is definitely one of the most beautiful and breathtaking and original novels I've ever read, and I can't believe I ever had any doubts!

Maggie is such a talented writer, and she brings everything to life: the magical yet deadly water horses, the small yet beautiful island of Thisby, and just about everything else. The whole idea of the races was brilliant and perfectly executed. I didn't dislike one thing!

And the characters -- where do I even start?? The whole cast was awesome, but I just LOVED Kate (nicknamed Puck) with her short temper, attitude, and undeniable strength, and Sean was a man of few words but he definitely made my list of Boys I Wish Were Real!

I also loved everything about the romance in this book. It wasn't the main focus at all -- so unlike The Wolves of Mercy Falls series -- but it was magical and realistic and beautiful and, in my opinion, just perfect! They didn't love each other instantaneously, and made it feel all the more real. Maggie made it so easy to see why these characters cared about each other.

In short, The Scorpio Races is a MUST-READ book! Everything about it was brilliant and magical and beautiful. And the hopeful ending made it a perfect standalone, although I wouldn't complain at all if Maggie decided to make this a series! ;)

BUY or BORROW?: You absolutely do not want to miss out on the opportunity to own this book! Buy it for sure!

Each November, a life and death race is held along the beach of a small island of Thisby- The Scorpio Races. The horses are not ordinary thoroughbreds; rather they rise out of the water and prefer to eat flesh over hay. The stakes are high, but the purse and the pride of winning tempt the riders to enter every year, despite the prospect of death.
Eighteen year old Sean Kendrick is as quiet as he is fearless, and as the returning champion he and his red stallion Corr are favorites to win again. Kate "Puck" Connolly, is a stubborn orphan as fiery as her hair. She had no intention of entering the Scorpio races, especially on her gentle island horse Dove, or as the first female, but dire financial circumstances leave her no choice. Thrown together by fate, Sean and Puck both have a lot riding on their winning, including their lives, but only one can win.
Stiefvater, weaves as action packed plot seamlessly with the mythological water horses and the islanders of Thisby. Filled with strong characters and beautiful scenery, the plot is more than the races, it is about love, loss, family, loyalty and courage. The Scorpio Races is a fascinating storyline that will have readers glued to the pages as they race alongside Sean and Puck to finish.
Recommended for readers age 13-17.
baseballvalbooks.wordpress.com

This book was a fresh, intense read. This was fantasy, but it was very much grounded in reality - Stiefvater created a recognizable world (minus TV, internet and telephones but with automobiles and radios) with one major fantastical element: water horses. She drew on Celtic mythology for her water horse lore, and it is so fleshed out that it seems like an integral part of the island of Thisby without detracting from the stark realism of the poverty, the religion (Catholicism and paganism) and a lot of great characters. The slow-burn romance (my favorite kind of romance - I'm not a fan of stories in which people are immediately attached before they truly get to know one another) was also paced really well and wasn't rushed, with the pair not even getting involved until the second half of the book.

Normally I hate stories that switch back and forth between two or three first person narratives, because I always get the feeling that if a story can't be told from a single perspective, that means it's too big a story for first person to begin with. However, Stiefvater did a very good job with it. The two main characters are similar in their strength and their passion, but their stories are different enough that the constant switching back and forth rarely becomes tedious. I say "rarely" because there were times that the perspectives switched so briefly within one scene that it felt a little disjointed, but overall this didn't detract from the book. This is largely because of her strong writing. The voices of Puck and Sean are extremely distinct. The descriptions of their world and the way they each seek to solve the challenges they face were described in beautiful detail, and I know that even if I was reading the hard copy, I'd have heard their different voices just as clearly.

In the end, I couldn't put the book down. This is the first Stiefvater book I've read, but I can definitely call myself a fan now.

Every year during November the water horses rise out of the water to search for food on land eating the flesh of anything it can get its teeth on. The locals capture these wild savage horses in anticipation of the most deadly horse race on earth the Scorpio Race. Sean watched his father die in the race ten years earlier this will be his fifth race hopefully the one that will at last allow him to buy Corr the water horse he’s grown attached to who’s he won four races on if only the owner he works for will sell. This race could be his last depending on how it ends he might have the money he needs or he could follow in his father’s footsteps to never walk away from the race.

Puck has to run the race if it will give her more time with her older brother who is determined to run off to the main land leaving them behind to fend for themselves. With the new’s her brother is leaving them the truth of the house they have been living in becomes revealed that if she doesn’t win they will lose the only home she and her brothers have ever known. After a trip down to the beach to attempt to find a horse to ride it’s clear that no one is going to give her a chance to ride a water horse. So determined to win at all costs Puck decides to ride Dove her island pony in the race she’s fast and with proper feed she might just be able to beat the powerful water horses. Two teenagers each with their own reason to win the race, will one of them win? Will they both walk away?

The Scorpio Races tells the story from the point of view of Kate (Puck) Connolly & Sean Kendrick giving each character a voice to tell their story. I like the way that the author gives us both points of view I felt it really let me connect with both characters to the point I was torn on who I wanted to win the race. They are both racing for honorable reason’s risking their lives to them is the right thing. I really liked each one they have good hearts and the bond they formed while overtaking these challenges will last past the race I hope.

I've had this one sitting on my shelf longer than I can admit with hopes of reading but never getting around to it. I’ve not seen many water horses in books and none of them as a primary focus so I was a little nervous to see how it would play out. I actually read most of the book in one day because I was so hooked to the story. It’s a beautifully written story about basically killer horses that come out of the water. I’m a huge fan of horses but after this one even though they are savage would eat me and drag me into the water if I was to ride one the temptation is there. I loved the characters they each have a unique voice in the story and I really got to connect with each of them. I’m torn between who is my favorite because they both work well. The Scorpio Races is a one of a kind action packed novel that captures the heart as well as the imagination it brought a tear to my eye as I finished the last page. I’m sorry to see it end, I would love to know what’s going to happen for our duo as well as Corr who happened to steal the show as the might red stallion from the water. I highly recommend that is a must for all fiction fans. I’ve not read a book I didn’t love by the author she’s quickly become one of my favorite authors. I can’t wait to see what comes next.

Interesting story, though a bit...darker? gorier? than I'd expected. Not my favorite of Maggie's books, but still very enjoyable and wonderfully written. The atmosphere of the island is so present in every scene and the way it influences the characters, captures them, molds them, it's beautifully conveyed. The cannibalistic water horses were a fascinating twist on the fairy tales and very cool and creepy.

I adored Puck and Sean, and I really loved their relationship. How their romance was gentle, subtle. It didn't overpower the races, and the other big important things in their lives. It perfectly complemented them, not fading in the background, but working harmoniously with the other plot points.

The premise of this book sounded really interesting and I love the other books by Maggie Steifvater, so I got this one from my local library. I really enjoyed this book. It's really different then her Wolves or Mercy Falls and The Books of Faerie, but different in a good way.
The story involves magical water horses. These horses are very big, fast, and dangerous. Every year on the island they have water horse races. Every year it has only been men, until this year. A girl joins the races and with a regular mare.
The story changes between character points of view of Sean and Puck. I really liked both characters. Sean is a young man, so he is a bit arrogant and proud, but he is also a hard worker and determined to make something of himself.
Puck starts out as a naïve, whiny girl but quickly becomes brave, smart, and determined. She learns a lot about the races in a short amount of time and is doing everything she can to win the race. I really love how quickly Pcuk grew up and knew she was the only that could ensure her life would be what she wanted it to be. She doesn't care what other thought or had to say about her outrages idea to run the race on a mare with dangerous water horses.
The story was a great story of courage and faith. Like all of Maggie's books the writing is amazing and flows effortlessly. I do wish that the book would have been a series, but I guess not all stories have a reason to continue.

Scorpio Races is the newest release from acclaimed author Maggie Steifvater, author of the Wolves of Mercy Falls series.

The rich detail and passionate characters that Maggie brought to her wolves crosses into this latest release that asks is the question " how far would you go for what you love?"

In Thisby the tides are turning and with the coming of November brings in the entry of the capaill uisce, a fearsome type of man eating water horse.
The Scorpio Race itself has been a time honored tradition for the men of the island, and with the coming of the capaill uisce begins the beginning of the bloodletting. The savage water horses eat their way through island and rider as they yearn for the sea and the men and boys yearn for the title of winner for the races of the year. With dangerous training and jockeying for places the riders have someone new in their midst, a girl named Puck with a home to save.

Scorpio Races brings in amazing characters who are looking for a future with their small island while all feeling the call or the chains of the sea.
SR is breathtaking to read, I ate up the pages and could not put it down. It's story enthralled me as a reader. It was just incredible.

Growing up is hard enough but our characters have this huge responsibility to save themselves, their home, their family, their way of life. The world building was spectacular, you could almost feel the pull of the sea in it's pages.

Maggie S has created a masterpiece of possibilities in the Scorpio Races.

Review originally published at my blog [...]

Thisby is a tiny little island in the middle of somewhere. (My brain pictured it near Australia). Thisby is special, because every fall, water horses come out of the sea and men risk life and limb (literally) to capture the killer horses, control them, and race them on November 1st. The winner receives glory, honor, and a cash prize. For Sean Kendrick, winning this year means more. If Sean wins, he can buy Cor, his massive red stallion, from Ben Malvern for keeps. And he could easily win his fifth straight Scorpio Race, but something's making him rethink things. That something is Puck Connolly, and her (normal) mare Dove. Puck is racing for her home, a desperate attempt to keep her brothers with her and be able to pay off the mortgage Ben Malvern holds on their house. (Notice a common theme here? Malvern's an interesting character). Puck and Sean find themselves drawn to each other with much the same magnetic pull of the water horses.

The story, told in alternating viewpoints by Sean and Puck, is engrossing. It's foreign, but so familiar. I loved watching Puck 'grow up' during the month or so the novel covers, and Sean didn't grow up so much as discover himself. Their individual journeys make their shared moments that much richer, meaningful. I absolutely loved this, and wish there were more. But at the same time, it all ended just right, which is the best thing possible in a book.

Others didn't think this was a romantic book, but I would definitely classify it as so. This is a romance that builds on friendship, and isn't one of the obnoxious, fake, "smoldering" romances you typically see in fantasy books. I'm not gonna lie, I liked that while the hero and heroine are suitably charming and attractive, it's really their personalities that you love. Puck's sassiness, while over the top sometimes, was actually enjoyable, and I'm not one who usually enjoys the "sassy" heroines.
Aside from the magic waterhorses, much of this book felt very real and lifelike, quite unlike most others books in its genre. I loved how all the additional characters were so real and life-like - they were all very relatable and hilarious.

I read this authors first book Shiver and was not impressed and didn't finish the rest of that series. But the story line of this and the fact that it is not a series really drew me and I thought I'll give it a try. I was hooked by the first chapter. Imagine early 1900's on a tiny little island somewhere off the coast of Ireland where a little piece of Fairy still exists. I was expecting a story of a horse race and instead I got myth and legend come to life in an amazing setting that pulled me in and for a little while I was there. The characters were so well written and I loved them both. You feel there anger and fear and love. I really thought this would be another teen angsty romance and what it ended up being was soo much better. I love how it all came together in the end and you get a whole chapter of heart pounding action that completes the story so well.

Sexual content- A couple of kisses. Crude humor about breasts.
Swear words- A handful scattered throughout the book. No F word.Crude words like piss, tits. A couple of words from England they consider swear words.
Violence- Lots of blood. They cut themselves to be in the race. A couple of deaths by the horses that are detailed but not too gory. A handful of different animals get killed by the horses. Some bulling.

I've read a lot of books already this year. In fact, I've quite surpassed my reading goal by a bit and pushing close to a hundred and ten books already--with a good month and a half left to the year. I keep telling people that I've had a fantastic reading year, discovering some really wonderful books and authors. When I was approached by Big Honcho Media/Scholastic to read The Scorpio Races at the end of September for a blog/book release event, I was not hesitant in the slightest. I'd heard so many wonderful things about Ms. Stiefvater's work, I wanted to see it for myself.

I jumped at the chance and quickly accepted The Scorpio Races so I could find out what was so special. What was it about the author that had so many people practically shouting her name from the rooftops? Surely it was something. Clinging onto my hope of continuing my good reading streak, I dove right into the book the second it was in my hands....

I barely remember coming up for air!

It was perhaps one of the most beautiful, breathtaking, and compelling pieces I've read in the last five years. There was an intensity in the words, the art through the imagery... I can hardly form the words to put together a proper review, I fear. It sang to me. I cried.

I was thrilled with the plot line. Water horses. It's an old legend, myth, that I've always been fascinated in, too. To see it built into a unique story made my heart leap around in circles, just as Corr does. (You would understand this reference of course if you read it.) The characters were driven and inspiring. I devoured every bit of this wonderful novel.

This will most certainly be one I could read over and over again--experiencing a new beauty each time in the words, emotion, and pictures I imagine.

5 stars, many times over!

<3
Pixie

This book is probably written for a much younger audience but Stiefvater is such a good writer that this story pulled me in. Indeed, a bit predictable but that's forgivable when the story is good. This book has the right blend of myth and reality to make it believable, even possible.

I also like that she isn't trapped by the myth. She makes her own mythology to suit the book. There is a softness to this book which is lacking in most novels today. Seems writers want to be edgy and consequently deliver pap. Scorpio Races is told with great restraint. There is no hopping to bed with the central characters and no gratuitous violence even though the horses depicted do kill people. I love this style and look forward to more stories by Maggie Stiefvater. She is a talented artist and musician too.

Watch the interview posted by the store. She looks to be a great person as well. She's breathing life into the novel format. It's needed! Thank you for an original work Maggie!

One year after the death of their parents, Puck & her two brothers are getting by the best way they can within their little village of Thisby. When Puck's older brother, Gabe, declares he is going to permanently leave the island for the main land, Puck brazenly decides to participate in the Scorpio Races that occur ever November, in hopes that Gabe will stay on to assist for awhile longer. Yet, when all the odds turn against her (i.e. threats becasue she is the first female racer in a bloody sport dominated by men, eviction from the only home she has ever know, etc.), can her choice to join the races really help her get the outcome she so deeply desires, and if so - at what cost?

Honestly, I did not really know what to expect upon starting this book, but easily found myself absorbed in the fantasy story of the island lifestyle and the daily interactions of all the villagers and dangerous sea-creatures (i.e. water-horses: Capall Uisce). Puck's easy-going & stubborn temperament was enjoyable and the vivid descriptions of the island, Thisby, really created a reality that peaked both my historical and legendary/mythical interests. The book's narration was shared with a fellow islander, Sean, whose whole life revolves solely around the races. He takes on a very calm & level-headed POV within the book while Puck seems a bit lost & impulsive. It was delightful to slowly realize how much both Pick and Sean complimented each other as they accepted that fact that they could only really trust each other. As the races approach, the adrenaline speeds up for the reader and the tale becomes more gruesome and deadly - so expect a bumpy and entertaining ride!

Likes: Even though this was slated as YA, it carried a heavier subject matter (lots of death) than most and much of the dialogue was geared towards older readers.

Dislikes: I wasn't too pleased with how the story ended. I felt there were too many unanswered questions that an epilogue would have been much appreciated and unfortunately, I don't think a sequel/series will follow. Boo! From MS: Will there be a sequel to The Scorpio Races? -- I don't think so. I mean, never say never, but I think I am pretty happy with how it ended.

I expected a story about two people and their horses. I got much more: rich characters and a touch of fantasy lore.

The Scorpio Races is set on an island where killer water horses rise out of the surf where they live. Some are captured and trained, as much as wild animals can be, for a deadly race along the beach.

In this turn-of-the-century world life isn't easy for anyone. Puck (Kate) Connolly is determined to win the races so she can keep her deceased parents' home. Doing so means becoming the first woman to ride in the races, something many men on the island aren't keen on. Sean Kendrick, three-time race champion, usually doesn't mind others' business, but Puck's stubborn bravery inspires him to ask to buy his winning water horse from his boss. His boss reluctantly agrees...if Sean wins.

Like Maggie's famous werewolf series, this novel transfers first person perspective. We're able to get an inside look into Puck and Sean's minds. They both have a great amount of depth, though they're each guarded and single-minded. Puck is tough and determined. She tends to speak her mind, sometimes out of turn, but that unexpectedly draws Sean to her.

Puck and Sean are both fiercely loyal: Puck to her family and Sean to his water horse. Their romance is subtle and slow, but watching them grow to feel the same toward each other was a delight.

I must confess, I love horse books (as long as the horses don't talk). I especially love books that don't anthropomorphize their horses or make them cute. Stiefvater accomplishes that here without breaking a sweat, and if that were all she did this would still be a good read.

But that's just the beginning.

Puck and Sean are written like real people. Their difficulties place them squarely in the adult world, which is why I think the book can work for adult readers. I loved the hardscrabble frontiersmen and woman on the island. I also loved how well Stiefvater describes poverty. The fantasy element of the water horses fit seamlessly into the story and the way it played out made perfect sense. The book had a lot happening in it. I found it a quick read. I didn't want to put it down!

The book isn't perfect. There's a very annoying secondary female character who keeps popping up for no good reason, and I kept wondering why there weren't either policemen or lynch mobs on the island. These were small annoyances, though. I loved this book.

My favorite book. Absolutely magical, and real-life horse people will be glad to know that language is very correct. Steifvater knows her stuff, and it'll only make you fall for the book even harder... Honestly feel guilty I only just now got around to reviewing it. I have been re-reading it for years now and I'm still hopelessly in love with it.

As a fellow writer, I'm truly jealous I couldn't come up with something this spectacularly, wonderfully, weird.

This is not your typical horse book. Stiefvater once again chooses dangerous mythological creatures to base her book on. This time it's water horses. I've read her werewolf books and this one is different in an apples to oranges way. If you're expecting Grace and Sam think again.

The writing style is slow and delicious and has an old Irish isles feel. The romance is mainly undercurrents and not in your face. The horse aspects are great for those of us who love horses but by adding the blood thirsty capaill uisce the race becomes vividly violent and gory. I would not recommend this book to delicate animal lovers that think animals should be spared of all pain. I was able to read this book over a space of time and not be consumed to stay up all night to just get to the end. I appreciate that! I could step back into the plot and not find myself lost or confused.

I think often horse books pass over the fact that dealing with regular horses can be a dangerous unpredictable experience that required safety and alertness. We still love them and are drawn to them almost beyond our own control. I could think of no reason to down grade this to a four star but please pretend on the first read it's not by Maggie Stiefvater and give it chance. Bypass the hype and attempt to ride on the coat tails of her previous successes.

"The Scorpio Races" is one of those books that come as a surprise, even when you have some idea of what it's about. Author Maggie Stiefvater introduces readers to a world that is so realistic, so honest, that one can't help but believe these water horses not only exist, but that they thrive.

Maggie's characters have a weight to them, as if they've lived out their lives long before Maggie put pen to paper. Sean appears strong and silent, bold and fearless. But his true self, and his true story are hidden within that silence, and it's only as the story develops that readers gain a clear appreciation for him. Puck is determined and daring. She's set in her ways, yet is willing to look, learn and see when given the opportunity. Her spunk is infectious and it drives the story forward.

There is some violence in "The Scorpio Races" that warrants an ages 14 and up label but that should not scare teens or adults away. The scenes are intense, but not inappropriate or overdone. In fact, without them, "The Scorpio Races" wouldn't have the same pull. It's the sum total of the parts that make this novel whole.

"The Scorpio Races" is beautifully dark in its complexities. Maggie's vivid prose is lyrically intricate, yet her pacing is marvelously sporadic. It's quite simply a book like any other.

**Originally published on Examiner.com**

The Scorpio Races are nothing new to the small island of Thisby. Each year, on November 1, riders attempt to ride the feared water horses in a race that teeters on the balance between life and death.

In Maggie Stiefvater's new novel, The Scorpio Races, she tells the story of Sean Kendrick, the four-time champion of the Scorpio Races, and Kate "Puck" Connelly, who enters the races to save what is left of her family and is the first female to ever enter the races. Sean is the strong, silent type and would rather spend his time by the cliffs with his water horse than anywhere else. The water horses are his passion; some even think they consume him. He enters the Scorpio Races with confidence, but he does not realize that fate has something else in store for him.

Puck Connelly, a victim of unfortunate circumstances, makes a desperate attempt to keep her family together by joining the races and saving them from financial ruin. What the future has in store for her lingers in uncertainty. As fate would have it, Sean and Puck's paths finally cross and a mutual respect forms; however, there can be only one winner in the Scorpio Races.

The Scorpio Races is slow paced--gradually picking up momentum as the novel progresses. Sean and Puck's relationship is slowly formed, as well. Some reader's may grow frustrated at this, but upon finishing the novel, this reader realized it was one of the novel's strengths. The plot is slow and steady, rendering reader's to truly feel the anticipation of the novel's climax and keep them at the edge of their seats all the while. Sean and Puck's relationship, while gradual, is entirely believable. Their chemistry is palpable and will leave reader's craving another scene with them together. Each character has a distinct voice, and because the novel is steady, the character's growth is visible page after page.

Stiefvater's new novel is entirely unique. The Scorpio Races has an element for every reader, making the novel a versatile and refreshing read. Like all of Stiefvater's novels, The Scorpio Races' ending is slightly open-ended, leaving the readers' imagination to put some of the pieces together. As to be expected from Stiefvater, the writing is top notch and beautiful. Fans of Maggie Stiefvater's work will not be disappointed with The Scorpio Races, and she is sure to gain more fans with this wildly enchanting novel.

Like the capaill uisce, "The Scorpio Races" is many things - joyful, fearful, hopeless, heart- and gut-wrenching. Ms. Stiefvater has used one mythical creature to create another - the almost perfect book, capping it off with the only ending that could possibly have worked for this story.

The characters are well-drawn and multidimensional. Even those who are thoroughly unlikable are that way because of what life has brought them, not because they need to be to advance the story or to provide a convenient foil.

Unlike the typical "will he/she like me, oh no there's a barrier in our path" pararom scenario, the things driving Puck and Sean to race will feel real to readers of all ages. They need material things - housing, food, money the bills. They need non-material things - to feel effective, to represent themselves well in the face of the history of their families and their town, to connect. The relationship that begins to grow between them also feels real, and builds on solid things such as mutual likes and goals rather than romantic fancies.

The natures of the capaill uisce are clearly demonstrated. The reader is led to feel fearful and desirous of one is equal measure.

I can't recommend this highly enough.

What an enchanting, breath of fresh air! The Scorpio Races is unlike any book I have ever read, and I couldn't be happier. I finished it earlier this morning and I've been mulling it over in my head all day, trying to put to words just how much this book has become a part of me. Now how am I going to explain it in this review? Gah! I had a similar difficulty after reading Maggie's The Wolves of Mercy Falls series earlier this year. In fact, those reviews are still waiting to be posted! Dang. I don't want that to happen again, so I may as well jump right in!

Maggie Stiefvater is truly a master at weaving words, as I like to say. She has this ability to take hold of your heart - your soul - and weave it within the pages of her novels, making you feel like you're so much a part of everything. You can't help but marvel at the atmosphere she winds around you and the whimsical, beautiful writing on nearly every page. You can't resist falling in love with her characters and embedding them into your very being. I have absolutely no idea how she does it. Frankly, I don't care how she does it as long as she keeps on doing it.

The Scorpio Races was such a thrilling ride. The setting was so vivid, it seemed to be alive! The island of Thisby was like a character in and of itself, with its storms, fog layer and other qualities... which was spectacular. I found it a smart move that Maggie made Thisby in an ambiguous country - it could possibly be risky, but she really gives her readers credit and lets them picture it themselves without being bogged down by predetermined locales. And the water horses, the Capaill Uisce, were beautiful and terrifying all in one. I was both fascinated and completely freaked out by these mythical creatures with a deep, magical connection to the water. I mean, seriously... carnivorous horses that pop out of the ocean? Crazy awesome! Then add in the part where, every year in the Scorpio Races, people RIDE these man-eating creatures? Talk about a heart-pounding adventure! If the story centered around that aspect alone, I would have loved it.

Lucky for us, there is another aspect that our awesome author excels at. In comes the wonderful characters! As with her previous novels, Maggie Stiefvater masterfully uses multiple p.o.v. to tell the story. Our heroine, Kate "Puck" Connelly, is a pretty awesome character. She has fire and determination, but she's also vulnerable and scared. After the death of her parents, she and her two brothers must try to survive on their own. To help in this, Puck decides to enter the Scorpio Races for a chance at the large winners purse. The hero of our tale is four time winner of the Races, Sean Kendrick. Also an orphan, Sean lives and works at a local stable as a horse trainer. Quiet and enigmatic, Sean has an almost magical connection to horses - especially one of the capaill, Cor. I enjoyed learning about what set our heroes on their course to the Races and watching their interactions with one another. I really don't want to give anything away, but watching these two characters develop and grow was nothing short of enchanting.

Filled with terror, adventure, sadness, joy, and the importance of relationships, The Scorpio Races has cemented itself in my favorites list. In my humble opinion, you can't go wrong with this wonderful tale of finding strength in oneself and taking the helm in your own life. Definitely go out and read this fantastic, lyrical novel... now!

A favorite quote: "It's easy to convince men to love you, Puck. All you have to do is be a mountain they have to climb or a poem they don't understand."

3.5 stars.

I had heard many good things about this book before I picked it up from my library. And am I glad I did? Absolutely!

This is a beautiful story, not just about horse races; there is so much more to it.

First off, I have never heard of water horses, yes they are a mythical creature but still...

This book is so much about little things that matter, relationships between siblings, friends. Albeit it's a slow, long read, something which my fast-pace loving brain had to adjust to, but the wait was worth it, every bit of it.

I loved Puck and yes, I was surprised after reading a few pages when I got to know something. If you don't read the book blurb like me, you too will be hopefully surprised. It's a good one. Made me turn back the pages and reread.

The way Maggie (the author) depicts relationships is very beautiful, so fragile yet so strong. Her writing style is very simple yet powerful.

I loved the plot and the way it has been dealt with. This is the first of its kind story I have read. And I liked it. Hopefully I will be reading the 'Shiver' series by Maggie next.

With The Scorpio Races, Stiefvater takes on the Water Horse mythology or the capaill uisce as they are referred to in the book. The water horse myth is a beautiful and scary backdrop for what is a truly mesmerizing coming of age story.

At the heart of The Scorpio Races is the community of the island of Thisby. The islanders are visited by the capaill uisce every October. For the month of October the horses roam the island. They are beautiful, strong and terrifying. Unlike normal horses, the water horses view humans and animals as food and live on a diet of blood. The townspeople regard the capaill uisce with a mixture of horror and respect. Maggie Stiefvater truly makes the water horse myth her own. She has created a captivating setting and atmosphere within the world of Thisby that readers will not want to leave.

Through the eyes of Sean and Kate, Stiefvater tackles many important themes such as responsibility, wealth, love, and poverty. The author takes on the water horse myth with the wild abandon of the stallions she writes about. Around every corner, every page turned, there is a new written jewel for readers to gaze at in awe. Whether it is a chant whispered in a water horse's ear, a red ribbon bearing bells and iron around a horse's leg, or the mare goddess wearing a dead horse head that roams the Scorpio Races Festival, Stiefvater's imagery will enchant you and leave you breathless.

Maggie Stiefvater has done it again. This time with a well written dystopian novel about carnivorous water horses that come out of the ocean each year. They are captured and raced by the islanders with deadly results which attracts tourist to the small island. Like her Wolves of Mercy Falls series she had modified the mythology just enough to lure me into their world.
It's hard to believe that this is just another young adult novel. Maggie does a fantastic job of creating well rounded, believable charters through both their actions and conversation. Puck enters the race as a attempt to save her family, while Sean is a four time champion. This time he is racing for more than just a title. Reading from the authors unique dual protagonist style allow us a glimpse into both Puck and Sean's internal struggles. While the story was obviously building to the climatic race Maggie didn't short change us in resolution which is rich and meaningful.
I have read all of Maggie's books, and this is by far her greatest work.

As mush as I love to hold a book in my hands, I have discovered that audio books, when done right are a wonderful form of entertainment. The point of view of Puck Connolly is read by Fiona Hardingham. While Sean Kendric's perspective is read by Steve West. In my opinion, their voices make a huge impact in identifying with the characters.

I attempted to read and could not even get through Maggie Stiefvater's Linger series. I cannot begin to explain how vastly different The Scorpio Races is. This book has mature, developed, beautiful writing and the book feels personal - you can sense the author's connection to her words. She creates a haunting setting that will have readers wondering does/could this island exist? And, perhaps, how safe are some ocean waters? The characters are so believable, human, and flawed in the most natural and endearing ways. You root for them and your heart breaks for them as the book nears its end as it appears as if there is no simple, easy solution to what they are battling - and there isn't; yet the solution Stiefvater poses works. While haunting, fierce and even demonic - you root for the horses too. Frighteningly - they too seem SO real and possible. This book works from start to finish. It is not reserved just for YA readers. Puck and Finn are very good characters - I did tend to feel more empathy for Finn and his brooding nature. His connection to the horses will resonate with animal lovers. Not enough can be said about Corr. Read and cherish this book.

Others have summarized this book so well, I'll just add my likes and dislikes.

What I liked:
The wildness and danger of the Capall Uisce water horses,
The unique world of the island, which Puck and Sean are unable to turn their backs on,
Compelling characters with compelling motives,
Beautifully written descriptions that described, but didn't go on and on with irrelevant information,
The relationship between Puck and her younger brother Finn,
The voice of Steve West as Sean, such depth I almost fell into it
The alternating perspectives which offered extra dimensions to the story,
The romance that eventually developed between Puck and Sean was interesting, unusual, and based on mutual respect rather than superficial lust,
Corr is one cool horse and I absolutely fell in love with Dove, a horse with a heart of gold and a love for Puck.

What I didn't like:
The voice of Fiona Hardingham as Puck was a bit shrill at times and pulled me out of the story,
The nasty men of the island who didn't want a girl to race,
That smackable Mutt Melvern.

I'd highly recommend this book!

Although the author describes this as "a book about killer horses" (when she shares, in her acknowledgments, how she first mentioned it to her editor), it's not so much about horses as it is about humans and their complicated relationships. When I began reading, I found the writing to be so tense, so uptight, and so harsh that it was very hard to read. By page 60 (out of 404), the best I could do was to read the first line of each paragraph, then skip it if it was only more harshness and about humans, or read it if it seemed lyrical or mentioned horses. On page 71 was a wonderful surprise when the girl, Puck, remembers her mom, because it was poetic and moving, for a change.

The chapters are written in the alternating voices of Puck and Sean. All chapters are "entitled" either Puck or Sean, but the font doesn't change, so more than once (when something didn't seem to make sense) I caught myself thinking that one character was speaking when it was the other one. Even though after page 60, I skipped much of the book, the middle felt interminable as human relationships that I didn't find interesting enough were shown in too much detail.

But after Puck and Sean crossed paths and got to know each other, blocks of chapters became lyrical and I especially liked her thoughts about him because they crept up on her. The subtlety and restraint were exquisite. The back end of the book makes it worth reading it, so I'm glad I stuck with it. I'm also glad that I made no attempt to guess who would win--or not--on race day, Puck or Sean, because this allowed the outcome to feel unexpected. The whole ending, every facet of it was gloriously lovely.

I almost missed out on this book, because I was not a fan of Stiefvater's book, "Shiver." But I am SO SO glad that I tried this! I am not a "horse person" by any stretch of the imagination, but it not take away from this book for me at all. The characters are engaging and endearing, the action picks up mid book to keep you reading. The book just keeps you hoping and yearning for the main characters! I am a Hunger Games Fan and think that other fans of that trilogy would enjoy this read. Even though it is not "dystopian" it has many of the same elements. The characters of "Thisby" are reminiscent of the colorful residents in District 12. The heroine is strong and stubborn. There are "scary" elements and intense, suspenseful elements.

I almost never give a book 5 stars, but this book really earned every single one of them! I think this book is classified as "Young Adult," but even as an adult, I found it an excellent read! And parents, there is nothing "innappropriate" in this book (aside from some violence) that younger readers should not be reading. I would let my ten year old read it.

As the author of Summer Snow Winter Sun (Summer Snow Series) I was intrigued to read something involving beaches, the ocean, and sea creatures (especially since it is a very unique premise). This book is utterly fantastic. Stiefvater is a quality writer and crafts an atmosphere that takes you right into the story. It's a new take on the paranormal YA genre, so it feels fresh.

The characters are well-crafted and stand on their own. I especially appreciated Kate's resilience and the portrayal of a female character who is realistically strong - independently minded, while still having flaws. Not a feminist just for the sake of being a feminist, but rather simply trying to make her own way as a human being in a world that isn't always fair.

There is a good amount of tension, delicious mood, and a realistic side love story. It made me want to have tea and scones while staring out at a rainy day. I read it more than once, so yes, I would definitely recommend this book!

Let me start off by saying I suck at reviews but "The Scorpio Races" has to be one of my favorite fantasy books of all time so I can't not comment on its brilliance. This book both terrified and amazed me. I think my favorite aspect of it was its believeibility (I know it isn't a word but it needs to be so whatever) and I know that sounds strange because it's about horses that come out of the ocean and eat people, but I'm really talking about the characters and the setting. The protagonists are so refreshing because they don't have complicated pasts that turned them into soulless jerks. I am, quite frankly, sick of all the characters saying "Woe is me. I suck so I'm not going to talk to anyone but also pity me because I'm lonely." These don't do this. As for the setting, it is a small island whose economy is centered around the races. Stiefvater's writing makes the island and its inhabitants feel magical without there being anything particularly special about them. While writing this, I realized that there is nothing I can say about the actual concept of the sea horses that will do the book justice so I just have to hope that my vague descriptions of the characters and setting is enough to convince you to read this. I will end by saying the beauty of this book is worth the eight or so dollars they are asking for it here.

<Disclaimer: I received a free copy of this book for reviewing purposes.>

Scorpio Races started off slow but it soon caught up with me and I read it in a single sitting. I do not usually enjoy books written in different people's voices but it worked for me this time.

It felt a little oddly disconnected. It is a random island and there's not a lot of back story to get your teeth into. There's not a ton of depth to the characters, both Sean and Puck are surprisingly similar when you think about it, but they are well-written. The ending felt a little hollow because up till a chapter or so before the ending it was still not clear what was going to happen, but I felt the author gave it away and reduced the tension. It felt a little like a short story made a bit longer.

But despite all this I gave it 4 stars because I enjoyed it. It was a fast read and an interesting story, and Maggie can write. Those water horses are creepy, seductive and sometimes gruesome, but they hook into you and only reluctantly let go.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a story of tradition, legend, culture and most of all, finding yourself in desperate times. It follows the story of Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick as they struggle to survive against the water horses and the people in higher power who are running their lives, both on the island and on the beach.

The Scorpio Races is a very raw and honest book about social standing, the power of an individual and the different levels of belief people have for legends and superstitions. Again Stiefvater's novel is poetic and intriguing, capturing the imagination with complex and beautiful writing. At times, I could almost feel myself riding right alongside Puck and Sean on the horses with the salty sea breeze in my hair.

The climax of the novel is a wonderfully intense race which had me flipping through the pages as the jockeys race for the lives. There is such a poetic balance of the snippets from Sean's and Puck's points of view and leaves much of the action up to the imagination while keeping the pace quick up to the final pages.
Only one can win, many of the others will die trying. Such is The Scorpio Races.

The water horses or Capaill Uisce were haunting had a lot of vivid and honest description which enabled me to imagine that they could be real and fit into our world.

Maggie's stories always feel so believable and real. Her fantasy worlds are so detailed and I love immersing myself into them with her characters.

5 out of 5 stars! What a wonderfully complex and cultured book! I was so inspired and uplifted. There was certainly a feeling of hope for the future for the characters at the end!

This book was so special. I enjoy Maggie Stiefvater, so I thought I'd give this a try, even though the description seemed a little out of place from my normal reading tastes. I am so glad that I gave it a chance. The depth of the characters and the pacing of the story drew me in quickly, and then it was all I could do to put it down. I forced myself to take my time with it, and read every word, because each choice that the author makes creates a richer and more engrossing reading experience. What a wonderful addition to my library.

I really wasn't sure on this one from the start. But, Maggie has such a unique way of writing her stories that I was more than willing to give it a try. I'm finding myself disappointed with her books as of late though.

The Scorpio Races was missing something. I never really felt connected to the story. I kept trying to feel something for Puck and Sean. I wanted to care about them and their reasoning behind running in the race. But, it never came. And since I wasn't invested in their stories, I had a hard time reading the book.

I did enjoy the mythology presented in this novel. I don't know a lot about the folklore behind the idea of the water horses. But, I really liked the way it was presented here. I did have a hard time wrapping my head around what they should look like. One minute I would imagine an actual horse but then it wouldn't fit with the action of killing someone. A lot of the time I kept picturing the thestrals for Harry Potter.

I just felt disconnected from the entire story. Not really memorable for me.

Very often, I judge a book by its ability to make me cry. Scorpio Races had me crying, not just "sniff sniff awww," but hot, messy, incapacitating tears of satisfaction for the last several chapters. (My husband found me in that state, and concernedly asked after my well-being. "I'm fiiiiiiine!" I bawled. "It was just so goooooooood!")

How would I describe this book? Short version: National Velvet meets Grimm Fairy Tales. But it's more than just a good story about killer water horses and the people crazy enough to ride them. This is a book about siblings and change and disappointment, about old magic and cocoa with salt in it, about loving something so much you will sacrifice everything else to keep it. But it's more than that, too. It isn't just a book, it's a love affair with a gritty little island, and, if I could draw, a sketchbook full of the people I met while I was there.

And it's also about bloodthirsty horses that can kill you. But don't let that throw you.

If I had an extra star, this book would get six. This is one of those books I buy for other people. Definitely a reread.

PS. Superficially, I also find myself judging many a book by its cover. The paperback cover of Scorpio Races is GORGEOUS. I'll take that in mural form, please?

Beautiful prose, some lines I reread three or four times, I loved them so much! Stiefvater has a talent for describing something in a new way that makes you understand it with all five senses, no cliche descriptions in this book! The two main characters are intriguing, have depth, and we see the story is so much more than their relationship, it's about each of them since Stiefvater spends so much time on each of their character arcs. Plot holds tension well throughout, kept my attention and I couldn't put it down, read it in two days. Awesome book! I'll definitely be reading it again and again.

I read, on average, a book every two days. I love to read,and I love to read great books. This is part of that category. I haven't been able to pick up a new book since I finished it two days ago, because I just keep thinking of parts of the story and the way it was told and the just beautiful language. It was stunning, honestly just stunning.

I've gotten hooked on YA fiction because it involves a lot less sex scenes while keeping the story intersting (versus most of adult fiction), and this is my favorite of all. It's for anyone who loves horses, or who loves Irish lore, or who loves a little bit of romance, or for someone looking for beautiful and descriptive storytelling...or anyone who just wants to read an interesting book about something different and new.

I'm in love. Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver series was a fun read, but this is an entirely different level just because of the way it flowed. Strongly recommend!

This is unlike any book I have ever read. I've heard some myths about water horses who lure unwary travelers onto their backs to drown them and them eat them, but Maggie Stiefvater totally twists this whole mythology to make the cappaill uisce. Cappaill uisce (pronounced copple ushka)are born from the November sea. The villagers of Thisby who are brave enough while try to capture the horses, tame them, and ride them a year later in the Scorpio Races. Think Misty of Chincoteague, except Misty wants to tear your face off. And there's a bit of the brutality of the Hunger Games. Many will enter, one will win, and some will die.

This year we have Puck, the first girl to enter, and Sean, the four time champion. Puck is fighting to save her house and hold her family together while Sean is fighting so he can finally buy Corr, his fierce cappall uisce mount.

One thing I liked was all the characters. I adored reading about the relationships between Puck and her brothers, Finn and Gabe. And Maggie Stiefvater has given each villager of Thisby, and the island itself, a vibrant personality. It was wonderful to read, and at the end, I felt like I really knew Puck and Sean.

Another issue other reviewers have pointed out is the pacing. It's a slow start. Really slow. But... read on to the end. The ending is so explosive and dramatic, it made the whole book worth it. Maggie Stiefvater pulls out all the stops and my heart was racing at the end.

Twilight fans be warned: This is not a romance novel. Far from it. What it is, in the end, is a tale of two flawed people, survivors, determined to win, who discover the other. And it's original and captivating.

I'm going to be straight with you and say I'm not the biggest fan of Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver trilogy. I think it's good, I can see where the appeal comes from and I still hand-sell the books at the bookstore, but I guess the series just isn't for me. I do like her fairy series, though...anyway:

You: But Angie, why are you telling me this? Does this have a point? Did you not like The Scorpio Races?

Hells yeah I liked The Scorpio Races! I loved The Scorpio Races. Late at night and during lunch time, I may even think about having its babies. My point is: if you just so happen to not be into the Shiver series, please PLEASE don't consider not reading this book when it comes out. Sometimes, if a person does not like a book, he/she tends to not pick up others by the same author and I don't want this to be you. I want as many people to read The Scorpio Races as possible.

Who knew a book with carnivorous water horses could be so awesome? I love the fact that she made a myth into a story that seems so real and I was only able to put it down when I was forced to go to work. Her characters are well built with distinct personalities; when I hated a character, I hated a character and when I loved a character, I loved a character (welcome Sean Kendrick to my collection of literary crushes). There's an author's note from Maggie where she mentions that the subjects of the story aren't the water horses at all and I agree. This book is about the two wonderfully drawn out main characters and the way these horses affect their lives. It's heartbreaking, humorous, frustrating, anxiety-making, etc. Maggie will make you feel every emotion imaginable, unless you don't have a heart, but that would just mean you're dead, right? And dead people can't read.

I didn't mean for this review to become a post of "squee" and for that I apologize. I guess I just don't have any other way to express my love right now.

I listen to audio version (Audible), and I enjoyed it very much.

What I loved most was Stiefvater's writing. She is one of very rare Young Adult authors who can deliver mesmerizing sentences. Your lungs are filled with salty wet air as soon as you start reading the story. By the time your sense of desperation will be mixed with bloody excitement, you are hooked.

It may belong to the category of "YA Fantasy romance", but that would give potential readers a wrong idea. Except for the carnivorous sea horses, The Scorpio Races is nothing like fantasy novel. It's just a beautifully written novel for young people. I recommend it to my teenage daughter and she loved it. I'd rather call this story contemporary myth.

I loved this book. I can't emphasise how much I felt this book resonate with me. It isn't filled with action and it isn't all racing and teens in love. This is something very different, and I'm not even sure I can put a word on what it actually is.
I feel it is magic, woven with words. It is a feeling, an emotion, a way to find yourself, or maybe to lose yourself.
I loved Sean and Puck, but it wasn't just them I loved. Sean and his relationship with the horse, Corr was heart-breaking and magnificent. Finn was adorable. Being an only child, I never knew what it was like to have brothers, but if I could have picked - Finn would be it. I wanted to step into this book, smell the briny sea air, feel the sand beneath my feet and hug Finn so tightly. I started off wanting to shake Gabe, and well, whilst I still want to shake some sense into him, I also would give him a hug and tell him things will be ok. Mr Holly was another of the characters I loved to read. His fatherly affection for Sean, and his unwavering hope and optimism was just the right balance against Malvern.
This book is slow paced, but the emotion it generates is not. It is a rollercoaster of ups and downs, it just seems the downs are more numerous. I'm the glad the end had a very small 'up'.
I hate sad books, and yes this is sad, but it is also what is so very good and right about loss, and loyalty and love.
I believe it will always live on my 'favourite' shelf.
Simply Beautiful.

I liked it, but I didn't. I just wish the story had felt more fleshed out. The main character joins a dangerous race early on, but her initial reasons for doing so aren't that great. Making her brother stay in town a couple more weeks, weeks she would be spending training, wasn't as compelling as trying to save her home. It almost felt like an afterthought to make the heroine have to save her way of life. I liked the mythology of the water horses, but again, didn't feel like they had been completely fleshed out. Maybe the author did think the plot and mythology out, but just didn't feel the need to include it all, which ultimately hurt the overall impression I got from the story. Authors don't have to tell us every scrap of information they've imagined for the story, but they should give us more than some dialogue between two characters who wouldn't need to explain the history of something they are already familiar with.

It's a light summer read, especially when you're sulking from Hunger Games withdrawals. Though the plot is pretty predictable there are some interesting portions that can keep a reader enthralled. Everything leads up to the final chapters that contain the thrilling, chilling and deadly races.

There are some books that are okay, some good, some amazing, and some that are so powerful you know that you will never forget them. The Scorpio Races is one of the books that I will never forget. From the storyline to the characters to the description to the emotions, this book was breathtaking.

The Scorpio Races began with this sentence, “It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.” That one quote was so power, deep, and sad that it set the scene for the rest of the book. I do not think that Maggie Stiefvater could have picked a better way to start.

Kate, also known as Puck, lived with her two brothers on Thisby Island. While living on an island may not sound unusual, it actually was. You see, Thisby was a unique island, because it often had unwanted visitors from the sea called Capall Uisces. They were water horses that lived in the ocean, and were blood thirsty after they left the ocean. Common sense would dictate that the humans would try to stay away from the Capall Uisces but that was not the case. Instead, the inhabitants of Thisby started something called The Scorpio Races, which occured once a year. The Scorpio Races were an annual race where the occupants of Thisby raced on Capall Uisces to see who had the best control of the animal and who was the fastest.

One day, Kate’s older brother told her that he was going to leave the island in a couple of days, which made her feel as though her world was spinning upside down. She made a desperate deal with him- if she rides in the Scorpio Races, he will stay until the end. What she didn’t realize was that the deal she made would change her life forever.

As I mentioned previously, I loved every aspect of this book. I was amazed by the fact that every character had their own story to tell, and none of them were fluff characters. Even if a character was only mentioned once or twice, there was a reason for them existing, and it was easy to tell what the reason was. In addition, all of the characters were extremely easy to relate to, especially Puck and Sean. While I was reading, my emotions matched their emotions. If they were worried, I was worried. If they were happy, I was happy. It has been a long time since I have been able to connect to all of the characters on such a deep level.

Something that was extremely unique about this book was the romance. Nowadays, it is very difficult to find a young adult book where romance isn’t one of the major parts in the book. Yet, while it is difficult, Maggie Stiefvater pulled it off flawlessly. The romance in this book was extremely subtle, and if you blinked, you would probably miss it. And while that may be a figure of speech, it’s actually true! I almost missed it the first time.

Another thing that I loved were the messages hidden inside of the book. One of the messages was no matter what happens, no matter how many times you struggle, if you want something, then never give up. Never.

This book was absolutely phenomenal and I recommend it to anyone and everyone. I give this 5/5stars.

Her detail is amazing and makes me feel like I have lived on Thisby. She completely immerses you in their culture, their sounds, smells, tastes, and sights. The story itself is wonderful and tragic and made me cry both happy and sad tears.

The story leaves you wanting to know more to just stay on the island longer, but it has a very satisfying ending that lets you infer how the characters will go forward.

As of fan of Maggie's Shiver series, I was excited to read this book. It's so different from any other books I've read, including Shiver that it made me excited to try something new. Sadly, this book was not a homerun for me.

The Scorpio Races is told in two voices, Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick's. Puck and Sean live on an island, in some country during some year (the 20's perhaps?) where every year killer water horses emerge from the sea to be tamed by the only men of the island who are brave enough to ride (or attempt to ride) these beasts in a race before their return to the watery depths. The premise was original and seemed interesting, yet I just couldn't connect with the story or the characters. I couldn't seem to get myself to care about them and so I had to push myself to get through the story. By the end, I still had more questions than answers. What exactly are the capall uisce and where do they come from? Where exactly are we? What year is it? Yeah, that sort of thing.

The characters were diverse and colorful, but I still felt some sort of disconnect. Puck was caring, very family oriented but whiny and clingy. Sean was the strong, silent type but distant and hard to read. There was no chemistry or spark between them. I kept waiting for that moment where they'd "click" but it never came. They seemed confused and uncertain which left ME confused and uncertain. The only relationships I never questioned was the one between Puck & her horse and Sean & his water horse.

The only thing that shined in this book was the writing itself. Maggie's strength is in her ability to string words together so they flow and sound almost poetic. There was one scene where Puck and her brother were enjoying a quiet dinner on a rainy night when a killer water horse finds its way onto their property and starts hunting them. That moment did make my heart race and my palms sweat!

I know this book has gotten some really stellar reviews and ratings from others; maybe the story made those readers feel something that I just didn't and I wish I had. As for me, this one was just 'meh'.

What to say about this? I can tell Maggie put a lot of effort in this story. The town of Thisby, the races, the horses...everything spells how much Maggie thought of each element in thus book. However, I couldn't love this book no matter how much I tried. The story remains stale and slow until the very end. The last 15 chapters or so brought the interesting parts. Puck was someone I liked from the beginning. Sean was okay but hardly moved me until the very end. I loved the horses. Loved them. The ending moved me albeit it was bittersweet. I find it sad this is the first Maggie book I end up not liking much. But it does have its good moments. I prefer to say this one is my least favorite.

I recently bought a subscription to audiobooks.com and have been browsing around for books to listen to. The cover caught my eye and the title indicated it probably at least had a horse in it. I love horse stories, but too often, the horses aren't depicted realistically or the author has clearly never actually been around a horse and you can tell in the writing. Non-horse lovers won't care, but it irks me to no end. To find a story that depicts a connection to horses that I can really relate to while not being so horse-focused as to put off people not familiar is something else. Too many books depict horses as if they are giant toy dolls, so noble and perfect and boring that it borders on the mythical in it's own right. Alternatively, many books anthropomorphise horses to an unrealistic degree, giving too human emotions and actions, doing the animal a disservice. Horses are big, powerful creatures. Dangerous, but if you're around them long enough you tend to forget that. I even found myself becoming passive toward the capaill uisce, until halfway through Corr reminded me that they are still ferocious, wild creatures. It's that wake up call that I've gotten when I realised I'd been standing behind a passive schooling horse too long and thunder cracks- you really shouldn't be there to possibly get hurt in the first place! Best not get complacent, and this book reminds you with horses and mythical capaill uisce alike.

Some of the reviews mentioned the writing style being odd or the characters being too similar. I definitely suggest the audiobook then. You never have to guess who's narrating and I actually found myself enjoying how similar the main characters were, two sides of the same coin. Both representative of the Island in their own way and finding the other more supernatural than they felt about themselves. Both of the actors had great narration and I really enjoyed the flexibly of Sean's voice actor switching between the native dialect and American.

The love story was in the background, but it was probably the most realistic (to my experience) that I'd read, listened to or seen on TV. It was gradual and natural and not overtly done. The book indicated a lot more than what it seemed, even in the end.

One last thing I found interesting about the narration was how much I tended to agree with a scene and how as it was depicted. The book didn't use the contrived, overused wording found in most literature. I half wanted to say, "I always thought that too!" when I heard a scene described, from the way the ocean appeared to the feeling of how rain falls- this could be the artist in me talking. The scenes were extremely atmospheric and especially while listening to the audiobook, I very much felt I was there.

Overall, a very good listen, as far as the audiobook goes. I recommend going through the book with a cup of hot cocoa while it's raining out!

I finished this book in 24 hours. Gorgeously written. I can't remember the last time I read something as fascinating as the capaill uisce (pronounced CAPlle ooshka), the terrifying yet beautiful water horses. You don't even have to be a fan of young adult or urban fantasy to adore this book. I cried when it ended...because I wanted to keep reading. C'mon now...one book lover to another...do you know how *rare* a thing that is?

I'm not going to bore you with plot details and my thoughts on the characters (Sean and Puck ARE amazing though, written with depth and thoughtfulness) because there are plenty of reviews here that will do that for you.

I will only tell you this. If you love books, reading, fiction. Run...don't walk to your nearest book purveyor and GET THIS BOOK. Nuff said.

"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die." A great first line opens this fantasy about meat-eating, wild water horses and the people on a small island who attempt to train and race them once each year. Sean Kendrick has a special way with the capaill uisce and has won the race on his horse for the last four years. He works for the richest man in town training other horses both magical and ordinary. His dream is to buy his horse Corr but his boss knows that he can't afford to let Sean go. Sean is further tormented by his boss's son, a mean-spirited, jealous man who would do anything to see Sean fail. Meanwhile, Kate Connelly decides that the only chance she has to keep her older brother on the island and their ragged family intact is to ride in the races herself even though no women have ever entered the race. Terrified of the capaill uisce, she decides to ride her horse Dove against the water horses. This book has a lot to think about and presents what I think is a very realistic vision of life on a small island that relies on tourism. All the characters are shown with depth and flaws and the relationship between Sean and Kate builds slowly. I know that it is well-written and will probably be popular with teens, but I didn't enjoy it myself. The pace was entirely too slow and the seemingly unending deaths made for a looooonnnnng read for me. Reminds me a bit of something about small town life in Maine by Stephen King in terms of how the atmosphere of life on the island is explored in detail.

I could not put this book down until the end. I was not only surprised and riveted to the page as though the magic of the capall uisce had me in its grips and was dragging me to the sea. Stiefvater not only knew the folklore, but as a horse lover myself, she successfully transcribed the way horses communicate. This equine language is so important and its subtleties can mean the difference between a bad day with a horse and a successful one. She also made the bond between a human and horse, which some people have and some do not, magical in a way that turned that bond into its own kind of spell. The bonds between, horse and nature, horse and human, and human and place provides much to think about and consider. Enjoy the book and hopefully, you will also have that itch to go make friends with a horse!

As a mother who still tries to screen everything her 13-year-old daughter reads, I can honestly say that my biggest gripe with books classified as "Young Adult" is the introduction of adult bad habits in writing: bad language to "make the story more *real*" (yeah, right); fly-on-the-wall descriptions of sexual situations, gratuitous violence ... everything, really, that makes a movie cut it as close as possible from a "PG-13" to an "R" if the book was made into a movie - as many, many of these books tend to be. So. I was totally disappointed by "The Raven Boys" by Maggie Stiefvater. The difference between "The Raven Boys" and "The Scorpio Races"?

Well, the sexual tension in "The Scorpio Races", while pretty absent in "The Raven Boys", was metaphoric, rather than graphic. The coarse language found in "The Scorpio Races" was inserted under guise of "don't use coarse language", which I am still a little on-the-fence about; and I am a little disconcerted by the animal and blood sacrifices depicted in the story but I guess that's what best sums up the book: all that blood and guts lead to glory.

I found myself overlooking most of my parental objections, because the plot, pace and passion of "The Scorpio Races" gallop through with whiplash speed and rhythm. I could see some Cornelia Funke in the best parts of the descriptive writing, and I would say that because I could stomach "The Hunger Games" - actually, I did enjoy "The Hunger Games", at least the first two books - and so did said daughter, I was happy to pass the book on, with a strong advisory. Could the book have been written better without the bad language and detailed descriptions of the sacrifices? Yes, I think so. So, with said daughter's 4.75 stars, I'm making our review officially 4-stars. Said daughter's own take on this book follows:

" 'The Scorpio Races' by Maggie Stiefvater, was a wonderful, awesome, fantastic, fabulous, WONDERFUL book.

"Puck Connolly is certain that if she just wins the Scorpio Races, her brother won't abandon her and their younger brother, Finn.

"Sean Kendrick is certain that if he just wins this last race, he might finally be able to buy off his horse Corr, the only family he has.

"But what neither of them expected to do was to fall in love with each other and decide to try to tie in the race. After all, the Connollys have always been considered strange folk, due to how Puck's parents died - to the fact that their whole family had always refused to race; and Sean Kendrick has always been considered the genius who simply had the bad luck to become an orphan.

"And yet, several facts of life seem determined to undermine their hopes and dreams:

"Like the fact that Puck will be the first girl *ever* to compete in the Scorpio Races - and, then, besides that small fact, she will be racing a regular horse, instead of a water horse, who are stronger, faster and a good deal more violent.

"Like the fact that Sean has to take care of his boss' idiot son, who hates Sean as much as Sean hates him - who will even hurt the people Sean loves in order to get even with him.

"Like the fact that Dove is scared (and rightly so) of water horses, and won't even go *near* one unless forced to.

"One thing is for certain, though: this year, the Scorpio Races are sure to be interesting.

"I would give the book four and three-quarters stars: two for the plot, and two and three quarters for the characters. However, I took off one quarter of the star because of the language. Other than that though, this book was *perfect*!!"

You have no idea how much it pains me to write this review. This is the book I was looking forward to. The one that made me squeal like an excited 6 year old when it arrived in the mail. People absolutely RAVED about it.

BUt for me, it just didn't happen.

I read the first chapter and immediately I didn't connect with Puck. I didn't really feel her speaking to me. I just saw the words on the page, but I didn't actually care about her or get invested. I figured it was early on and surely I'd get attached to her later.

My next annoyance is from a little later, but still the beginning of the book. It's about the reason why Puck enters The Scorpio Races. First of all, I never got the impression that her entering was a big deal. I was waiting for some big monumental decision but it was basically just like:

"I'm going to enter the race."
"Okay."

The author, Maggie, did describe the dangers of The Scorpio Races and how brutal the horses are, but I just never got the impression that it was a big deal to Puck. She didn't seem scared or excited. I just had no idea what she was feeling and I didn't even know why she was entering (it wasn't made clear until later that the winner gets a lot of money). When she first said she was going to enter the race, she didn't seem phased by it, and her family didn't seem to mind at all.. which is my next frustration.

The Scorpio Races are supposed to be this huge deal. They're supposed to be terrifying and the sea horses are supposed to be ruthless. Well, her brother Gabe is an jerk. First he announces that he's abandoning his brother and his sister Puck. Then Puck says "I'll join The Scorpio Races!" Then Gabe is just like "Okay." He has absolutely no problem with letting his little sister join the most dangerous event on the island?

As the book progressed, I had to accept the fact that I was never going to care about Puck. I never connected with her. I never felt her emotions leaking off the page. I was never thinking to myself, "OMG SHE HAS TO WIN THE RACE!" I didn't even care if she won or not because I never got attached to her as a character. Finally, I just came to terms with it.

With each turn of the page, I developed a new frustration. Nothing was happening. There was no action; there were no events; nothing. The first ten pages was Puck deciding to enter the race and the last 20 pages were the race itself. So what the heck happened in between? We had like 380 pages of just "getting ready for the race." But none of that was intense or exciting. Most of it was Puck training her horse, chatting with neighbours, getting to know Sean, and maybe once every 50 pages something exciting might happen.

I just felt like I had no idea where the story was going. I never cared about any of the characters. I felt like most of the characters outside of the main ones had little importance.

There were times when I too would start reading a chapter and then go "Wait, who's point of view is this?" and I'd have to double-check the chapter heading. I didn't feel a real difference between Puck and Sean. They were both quiet, reserved, and didn't really care. Neither of them ever got excited or expressed true happiness. They just both felt so monotone.

So this review isn't completely negative, I will say that Maggie Stiefvater did have a beautiful writing style in this book. The descriptions and the wording of the novel were artfully done -- really terrific. Unfortunately it just wasn't enough to make up for my disappointments.

I'm sorry, Maggie, I really am. I wanted to love this book because I absolutely love horses and I've loved similar race stories like Hidalgo.. but this one just didn't resonate with me. Believe it or not (since most people feel the opposite), I actually enjoyed Shiver more.

My Review: Where do I start? I like to speak open and honestly with my opinions and my reviews. Books are not the only thing I write about, and a more negatively biased review is never fun to write. Someone, in this case, the author, poured their heart and soul into that project and I don't like to rain on anyone's parade. But a review is nothing more than a critique. And perhaps the author may appreciate it? I'm not sure.

The Scorpio races just did not grab my attention. Throughout the entire book I found myself struggling to carry on a little more. Once in a while, I would find myself wanting to read a little bit more, but they were self fulfillment moments for me. I wanted to hear the gossip about a particular event. I wanted to know why this person did this or that. I wanted to see one of the protagonists have his butt handed to him. But those moments were sparse. Overall, it just didn't do it for me.

I don't want to say that The Scorpio Races is a bad book though. There have been many other readers that have loved it. I can understand why. The writing is very artistically done. The author weaves her words like a fine quilt, examining every stitch with every bit of perfectly chosen letterage. By every means, the author is a damn good writer.

There was a lack of emotions in the wording that I felt. It just didn't connect. It works for this title as the whole island is very drab. But an author has the capabilities to express that little bit of emphases here or there, much like a musician will choose to soften a low part of a song or make the guitar strings screech much louder. Academically, the author is excellent. Emotionally written, this book is drab.

I have a feeling that The Scorpio Races will become one of those classics that are used throughout the educational system as a work of art and material to dissect for students much like Lord of the Flies. But I found the plot line very boring. It feels much like a lifetime movie. A small sequence of important but subtle events takes place here or there. There is a lot of filler, like feeding the horses, or the house wife going grocery shopping in her 1980s Volvo wagon a la Lifetime. There is some fun at the end, but the reader must fight their way to that point. The plot line has a very interesting concept, but the book could have been much shorter or included additional powerful events that would have spiced things up a bit.

I think my boredom may have been caused because I am a guy (sorry, forgot to mention that I read this book and not my wife. She may have a different opinion then I do after she reads the book) and I read for personal enjoyment, not personal gain. The Scorpio Race is a book filled with moral high ground examples and life lessons. But just like my movies, I want some fast paced action, gripping stories that don't let you breath, and maybe a little sexual frustration thrown in just to make things interesting. This book is much drabber and low key.

Final Thoughts: The Scorpio Races will become a classic revered by readers to come for many generations. I am willing to bet on it. This book is very well written. There will be a good majority of readers that will really enjoy this book. It was a little boring to me though.

No one knows what draws the water horses to the beaches of Thisby year after year. It is never safe-not when a capall could appear at any time bigger than a regular horse, faster too, and much more dangerous. It is never safe but it is never so dangerous as the first of November-race day.

Each year the race draws tourists from the mainland coming to try their luck in the races or observe from the relative safety of the cliffs surrounding the beach. The racers keep their own counsel on their reasons-some seek glory while others hope to prove their worth guiding a capall down the race path and well away from the tempting waves of the sea. The race purse itself is, of course, another motivation.

Sean Kendrick cares little for any of that. All he wants is Corr-the one water horse he can't have. Corr remains elusively out of reach race after race. Until this year at least.

Puck Connolly has already lost a great deal to the water horses of Thisby. Yet the races might be her only way to hold onto her older brother before the mainland spirits him away forever. Is the winning purse from one race worth challenging some of Thisby's most basic traditions as the first girl to ride on race day? Is it worth riding beside the horses that have already taken so much?

Only one rider can win on race day-if they can stay alive long enough to finish the course-and the stakes for both Sean and Puck couldn't be higher but as this unlikely pair trains side-by-side they might find a greater prize than anything from the race purse in The Scorpio Races (2011) by Maggie Stiefvater.

If Stiefvater proved her appeal and gained wide popularity (not to mention New York Times Bestselling Author status) with her Shiver trilogy about the (were)wolves of Mercy Falls, she proves her range and talent with The Scorpio Races. Evocative and charming this novel is as much an experience as it is a book.

In the tradition of Diana Wynne Jones and many other talented fantasy authors, Stiefvater has not just written a story in The Scorpio Races. She has created a world. The island of Thisby and the beautiful, deadly capall uisce (pronounced CAPple ISHka) come vividly to life with each page as the culture (and inhabitants) of Thisby become as much a part of the story as the plot itself.

Told in chapters alternating between Sean and Puck's narrative voice, this book has not one but two winning narrators readers will want to cheer for. Filled with beautiful landscapes, memorable characters and a fierce hope and affection for a great many things The Scorpio Races is a beautiful, satisfying, fantasy that will stay with readers long after the race is finished one way or another.

Possible Pairings: Entwined by Heather Dixon, Howl's Moving Castle by Diana Wynne Jones, Dream Hunter by Elizabeth Knox, Wildwood Dancing by Juliet Marillier, Daughter of Smoke and Bone by Laini Taylor, Leviathan by Scott Westerfeld

*This book was acquired for review from the publisher at BEA 2011

Every fall on the remote island of Thisby, vicious water horses, capaill uisce, emerge from the sea, tossed to land by the autumn storms. The people of Thisby begin the dangerous process of capturing these horses and training them the best they can for the Scorpio Races, which take place on the first of November. Sean Kendrick is only nineteen, but he has ridden in the races for years, and is the man to beat. But he rides for more than just the money: he loves his mount, Corr, and hopes to one day be able to buy his freedom from Malvern Stables. Puck Connolly's parents were killed by the capaill uisce, and now her older brother has decided to abandon Puck and her younger brother Finn for the mainland. Desperate to convince him to stay, Puck declares that she will ride in the races--the first woman to ever do so. The races will be deadly. And neither Sean nor Puck will ever be the same.

Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races is as complicated and arresting as the autumn sea. The strange, almost mystical setting of Thisby is very set apart, both physically from the rest of the world, and in time. It has its own unique history with the capaill uisce that wash ashore every year, and as a result, its own culture where it is acceptable, even honorable, to ride in the deadly races, even at a young age. Yet Puck, who is female, is discouraged and sabotaged nearly every step of the way. But she doesn't give up--she's fiercely protective when it comes to her family, and she'd do anything for her brothers, even if riding in the races isn't the smartest thing to do. She's a very observant character, and is constantly looking for ways to educate and better herself, with a little humor and a lot of courage. Sean is similar to Puck in his courage and dedication to what he loves, in this case, is capall uisce, Cor. He may be a loner who doesn't have much to say to other people, but he is also very intelligent and he doesn't miss much. The tentative alliance between Puck and Sean, followed by friendship, then romance, was paced perfectly. The form a strong bond, and is tested when each has a compelling reason to win the races in which there can only be one victor. The story is told back and forth between the points of view of both Sean and Puck, giving the reader a wide look at the politics of Thisby, the iron grip that the Malverns hold on Thisby, and all of the drama of the upcoming races. The Scorpio Races is a very dangerous, very compelling, and heart-pounding book that will make you never look at an autumn shoreline the same way again.

The Good
Two words: water horses. Kelpies. Capaill uisce. Whatever you want to call them. Fantastical beasts that eat flesh and try to drown or eat their riders. That’s what truly made this book amazing. As if riding in horse races weren’t hard enough, now we want to ride a beast that is set upon killing us every chance it gets. Yes!

The Bad
I felt that the island of Thisby held a lot of tradition and culture and magic that was never fully described. I would have loved to learn how the Scorpio Races started and why someone thought riding the monstrous beasts was such a good idea. (You one crazy mother trucker, whoever you are!) I was also kind of disappointed in the islanders’ beliefs. We have Puck’s family, which consists of three orphaned children, the oldest of which is never home. Why was child services never called in? The age of the characters, except for Sean, is never mentioned, so I guess it’s safe to assume Puck’s older brother had legal guardianship of the other two, but still, since it was never mentioned, and he was never home, it was hard to believe the other two were allowed to stay in the house alone. I couldn’t get that thought out of the back of my mind the entire time I was reading it – especially once I learned the truth about their house.

The Rating
I really enjoyed this book, despite the flaws I saw. I grew up with horses and ponies, and my sisters and I use to race each other through the pastures bareback. Discovering everything about these Scorpio Races and all of the traditions about it brought back memories of my own childhood and everything we did when we raced one another.

While I found Stiefvater's 'Wolves of Mercy Falls' series lacking, Scorpio Races can easily be labeled my favorite book. Between the flawless writing and amazing characters, you want for nothing while reading. The story of troubled, unexpected lovers is not new, but the world is fresh and the story something wonderful. She blends the horses and humans together in a surprising way, keeping the horse lover interested while explaining things in a pretty enough way not to confuse those readers who don't know a thing about horses. The first time I read the story I was on the edge of my seat. I couldn't put it down for days and when I finished it I was, for once, entirely satisfied. While Stiefvater says she will not write more Thisby island books I'm satisfied with the way the Scorpio Races ended ( a rare thing ) and can treasure this single novel.

THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater is very different sort of book from her Shiver or Ballad series. It still has the same lovely writing and emotional layers, but the romance is much more like the classical definition of that word and less like the modern understanding. There are several love stories, but they aren't just the sort where a boy falls in love with a girl (although I did particularly love that sort here). This is a thrilling and heroic adventure, full of brave and daring characters, and soft and bittersweet feelings.

The characters are wildly different, but equally appealing. Puck is quietly strong with a fierce determination and a loyalty that borders on compulsion regarding those she loves. She has a quick temper that she's mostly successful at keeping trapped inside, but I loved her more for the moments when it bubbled up out of her. The consequences of which were often tragic, but so real, so honest that I just became all the more invested in her as a character.

While I was surprised to connect so strongly with Puck, I had no doubt that Maggie Stiefvater would create yet another male protagonist for me to love. She excels at writing the male perspective in a way no other YA writer today does, male or female. I fell in love with Sean's strength, his honor, his bravery, and his wisdom almost from page one. And I continued to fall further even after I'd finished reading. That's the mark of a great character.

But I would be remiss if I failed to mention the two other main characters in THE SCORPIO RACES: Dove and Corr. The fact that they are horse takes nothing of away from their depth as characters or their development in the story. That's due again to Maggie's writing and also her mythology. Water horses, or cappall usice, as they are called, are truly terrifying, yet majestic in a dangerously alluring way. I both feared and loved them.

I always feel bad for whatever book I end up reading after Maggie Stiefvater because nothing else comes close to replicating her peculiar magic that fully engages not just the senses, but the heart as well. And that is true again with THE SCORPIO RACES, a quiet, almost understated story full of bright bursts of action made all the more poignant for the emotional underpinnings built so lovingly in this book about life and death and love and horses. I drank down every beautiful word.

Sexual Content:
Kissing

I was so disappointed in this book. One of my gripes with some fantasy books is that they are TOO fantastical. The Scorpio Races has the opposite problem--not fantastical enough. It was grounded too much in the mundane. I had a hard time accepting people racing killer horses that come from the sea, while living in a world that seems to come right out of a 1950s movie set in rural Great Britain.

Another problem was character and motivation. Most of the characters were quite dull, IMO, including the two main characters. I had a huge problem with Puck's motivation for entering the race. Her older brother announces to his orphaned sister and brother that he's abandoning them and she automatically decides to enter a race with man-killing horses. No arguments made with her brother, no other options considered, just--BOOM! She's going to enter the race. I could only believe such a thing if other avenues were cut off from her for some reason.

Stiefvater has a real talent for evocative prose, which is nice, but not the main reason I read a story. About a quarter of the way through the book, I gave up. Considering other reviewers mentioning the actual race doesn't happen until almost the end of the book, I have no regrets about putting it down.

From my blog Never Gonna Grow Up! Reviews:
This may seem weird, but then again, when don't I seem weird? Maggie Steifvater's "The Scorpio Races" reminded me off an old movie set in Europe...something like "The Quiet Man", but more serious. It's kind of slow moving and it's very subtle, but I enjoyed it. I found myself content throughout reading it and Maggie's descriptions of the setting are gorgeous.

Sean Kendrick has nothing of his own. Puck Connoly has been content with her life, but after startling news, she finds she may lose everything she holds dear. Puck rides to save her family from ruin and Sean rides because he has to...because he'd lose the only creature on earth that means something to him if he doesn't. However, riding in the Scorpio Races is a dangerous thing. You don't ride normal horses. You ride water horses or capall uisce. They are carnivorous, aggressive beasts that will be happy to eat you or lure you into the ocean and drown you if given the opportunity. Sean lost his father in the races when he was just a boy. Puck also lost her parents to the dangerous horses that lurk in the waters around her island. And yet, here they are - racing for freedom and finding in their struggle a bond that will give them the strength they need to make it through.

As I mentioned in my review of "Forever", I love the way Maggie writes, I've just never been a big fan of her plots or pacing. I think in "The Scorpio Races", we see Maggie taking things to another level. In this book, she has to create her own lore, instead of modifying lore that is readily available (werewolves and faeries). I have some plot/pacing issues, but I was satisfied from beginning to end. I wouldn't recommend it to readers who like action-packed fantastical romance. You won't find that here. Instead, this is a slice of life portrayal about a small island where there are strange horses that come out of the water to eat animals and people. Okay, yes, there is a shroud of mystery and danger, but it's still very much a part of the regular lives of the island's residents.

Think of it as a historical (the style of life they lead on the island is very old fashioned and simple) with paranormal elements. If you look at it that way, you may be in for a unique treat.

"The Scorpio Races" is published by Scholastic. I received an ARC from the publisher for review. It was released in October.

Having grown up with the Chesapeake Bay in my back yard and a view of an island in the bay not far from the banks and sandy beach we played on, I was familiar with the story of Misty of Chincoteague Island as well as the legends of "Chessie" our own monster that came from the sea. Maggie Stiefvater's Scorpio Races brought me back to my childhood with its lyrical, magical tone. Set on the island Thisby with dramatic stone cliffs, The Scorpio Races follows the weeks leading up to the deadly races which happen each November. Men try to capture the capaille uisce from the sea, wild flesh eating water horses then race them down by the shore in a deadly tradition that melds magic and brute strength. Sean Kendrick is the favorite as four time winning jockey and horse trainer of Corr. But this year the stakes are even higher as the race gets personal. Both Sean and the alternate protagonist Puck (Kate) have their hopes and dreams on the line. Puck may lose everything as an orphan who's parents died at the hands of the capaille uisce. She and her younger brother Finn are left to fend for themselves when their older brother announces he is set to leave for the main land. If Kate can race she can assure he sticks around a while longer and maybe even save their fledgling family.

Maggie's lyrical style spins a character driven fantasy that explores loyalty, class and gender division. While the pacing felt a bit off and it took me about 160 pages to get into the flow, by the end I was breathless. Dang can she write! The Scorpio Races is raw and gritty with nothing held back while at the same time beautiful in its conclusion. Each character is fully fleshed out with their own idiosyncrasies, Finn with OCD, Puck with downright stubbornness and Sean with a silent but acute wisdom. As well the side characters and setting are unforgettable. I would recommend The Scorpio Races if you're looking for a slow paced fantasy with a subtle tease of romance. There are a few minor swear words and moderate violence, so it is probably best for readers over 14 year old. Before or after picking up the book you'll want to check out Maggie Stiefvater's website for a playlist, slide show of photos and the unforgettable hand drawn trailer. Maggie has done it again!

I read and enjoyed Steifvater's Wolves of Mercy Falls Series, I even gave 5 stars to the final book in the trilogy, Forever. That's something considering werewolf books don't rank very high with me when it comes to paranormals. And in a similar vein, I'm not what I would describe as a great lover of "horse themed" books. That's a crappy description, but I can't think of another way to explain it. What I'm trying to say is, I didn't jump right away and read The Scorpio Races when it released, because the subject matter didn't really excite me so much. I should have known better. It doesn't matter what the subject is when it comes to Stiefvater's writing. Wolves, faeries, or horses, she weaves such magic into her stories that I should have known to read it. Should have known I would love it. And I did. Here's why:

Sean and Puck: The Scorpio Races is a dual narrative, told in alternating chapters by the main characters of Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly. Both of these characters were amazing, and I would be hard pressed to pick a favorite voice. If I had to choose however I think I would pick Sean. He is quietly intense. He's not exactly a brooding character, but he is mysterious and somewhat of an enigma on the island of Thisby, were the story takes place. He's definitely not one to spill his guts or make loud declarations, he is always subtle and controlled. Writing a character like that is tricky, because so much is left unsaid. But Sean is portrayed beautifully, and somehow, though he is man of few words, I felt like I understood him inside out.

Now, Puck. Whereas Sean is the strong silent type, Puck voice speaks loud and clear. She definitely has a stubborn steak, but she is also passionate and compassionate. Puck isn't afraid to stand up for what she believes in and she isn't afraid to take risks for what she loves. She may question her choices, but she is determined to stand by them, win or fail. Here are some of
Both Sean and Puck find themselves in a similar life situation. Sean's father was killed in the races and his mother retreated to the mainland soon after. Puck parents both disappeared boating, and all that remains of her family are her two brothers, Gabe and Finn.

Secondary Characters. Puck's brothers are just a two of the wonderful secondary characters written into The Scorpio Races. Of all the co-stars, my favorites are Puck's younger brother Finn; the American investor George Holly who befriends and councils Sean; and Peg Gratton, the wife of the island's butcher who (eventually) encourages Puck to not give up and compete in the race. Though their roles are smaller, they are of no less importance. Through them we not only gain more insight into Puck and Sean, but into the Scorpio Races and the island of Thisby itself. Which leads us to:

The setting, the island of Thisby. Thisby is more than just the setting of the book, it's plays a huge roll in it as well. In fact, I would almost say Thisby is the third main character of The Scorpio Races. It's Stiefvater's remarkable descriptions of the land, it's people, the sea, and the races that really showcase theis writer's talent. Thisby is a fictional place, but if I were to try to liken it to a place on Earth, I'd probably choose Ireland. And Thisby would be nothing were it not for the fact that the magical water horses, the capaill uisce (pronounced copple ooshka) favor it and every winter begin crawling from the sea to it's shores. These wild sea horses, when caught, are faster than the fastest horses. And if given the chance, will attack and kill their rider or anyone within range. Malvern Stables (where Sean works as head trainer) not only breeds thoroughbreds, but also captures and trains the capaill uisce for the races, really the only generator of income for the island. Tourists and wealthy horse owners flock to Thisby each October and November to witness the bloody spectacle and show. During that part of the year, the tiny island transforms into a carnival atmosphere that slowly builds up to race day. Yet, jobs are few on Thisby and life is hard. For this reason, many of the island's inhabitants choose to leave for the mainland. Puck's older brother Gabe has decided hat he will do just that, throwing her into a panic that culminates in her announcement that she will compete in the the Scorpio Races, hoping to win the large purse it promises. Puck would rather risk her life than lose her brother or leave the island that she loves. I loved Steifvater's descriptions of Thisby, from it's beaches to it's cliffs. I found myself wishing that a map of the island would have been included so I could trace the lines from Puck's home to the Malvern Stables and down to the beach were the riders will race their monstrously beautifully horses alongside the ocean.

The Race. Like the island, the races themselves become more than just an event, they become something almost tangible. The races represent the livelihood of all of Thisby's residents and hold the fate of Sean and Puck in it's grip. Sean has won the race the last four years in a row and Puck will be the first girl to ever ride. And she'll not ride a water horse, but her own beloved mare, Dove. Wild and violent, the race is the ultimate depiction of man versus nature, and it most often ends in death.

The Horses. So for not being a "horse" type reader, I absolutely LOVED all the descriptions of the capaill uisce. They remind me in a way of kelpies (which often show up in books that feature faeries) and are monsters that take the form of a horse and lure people to their deaths (and a nasty death at that, they are drowned then eaten.) In Steifvater's book, the capaill uisce are indeed magical for each winter they emerge from the sea and take residence on the island of Thisby. As I was reading, the image of the horses rising from the sea reminded me of the Greek myth of Poseidon, god of the sea, who when asked to create the most beautiful creature on land, fashioned the horse out of a breaking wave.

But these horses that rise aren't loving and docile, in fact they are murderous. Not only do they kill a number of their riders before and during the race, they also crawl out on days when storms are at sea, and terrify the people of Thisby. There is a passage in The Scorpio Races with Puck and her brother Finn in which a water horse stalks their property, and trust me, that scene had me completely creeped out and on the edge of my seat as I read. But while those horses are scary and deadly, they are also strangely beautiful, strong and fast. And in the case of Sean's water horse Corr, fiercely loyal. I loved Puck and her sweet, brave horse Dove, but I cannot begin to tell you how much I loved Corr. He's still wild and frightening, but he is perfectly paired with Sean. Were it not for the beautiful relationship between Sean and Corr, I don't think I would have loved this book as much and I know that I wouldn't have connected with Sean's character like I did. I never thought it would be possible, but Stiefvater and Corr have made me a lover of "horse" stories. Go figure.

The Romance. This review is getting out of hand- long but let me just touch on the romance in the book. Understated, yet perfect in every way, is how I would describe it. There are no steamy make out scenes or speeches and outward declarations of love. And you know what? This book is better because of it. There is a slow building romance between Sean and Puck as they gradually get to know each other that had me holding my breath in anticipation. These two people are cut from the same cloth in so many ways, and their connection is strong, and feels very real. It's probably the most subtle romance I have ever read, but that makes it no less powerful or beautiful. Sigh.

The ending is amazing, the final race scene incredible, and I closed this book with a big, fat, smile on my face, knowing I had just read something very special. It's a standalone (woo hoo!) with no plans for sequels, companion novels or the like that I know of. And while it makes me sad that there will be no more stories about Sean or Puck or the island and the horses that they love, I'm okay with it. I have my own ideas and thoughts about what those two are up to now. I'm just thankful that Stiefvater introduced me to them in the first place. In case you haven't figured it out: I LOVED this book. I wanted to hug it after I read it. This book would appeal to readers of any age in my opinion. And I would wholeheartedly recommend The Scorpio Races, or any book by Maggie Steifvater to anyone looking for a timeless and touching read.

5/5 Stars

Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races has been bandied about in the media as the next big young adult novel. I've bought into the hype on other acclaimed YA novels and ended up disappointed, so I picked up a copy with caution, preparing to be let down.

As it turns out, The Scorpio Races is the next big young adult novel. It is thrilling yet tender, harsh but brimming with love. After a leisurely start, it races to a breathless finish, and its compelling characters and vividly realized setting are brought to life with lyrical writing.

Every November, the island of Thisby hosts a deadly race where riders mount capall uisces (pronounced CAP-ple ISH-kas), fearsome water horses with a wicked taste for flesh. Training for the race as well as the event itself claim the lives of riders every year. And as the book begins, bold Puck Connolly finds that the only way she can keep her splintering family together is by registering for the race. Trouble is, no woman has participated before, and not everyone on the island wants that to change.

Meanwhile, Sean Kendrick, a four-time winner of the race, finds himself with more at stake in this year's race than just his life. It should come as no surprise that Sean, who is wild and lonely and just a little magical himself, finds himself drawn to the fierce Puck, and she him.

For all that the book features terrifying, flesh-eating horses from the sea and culminates in a wild, deadly race, not much happens in the novel. Puck trains her horse and worries about feeding her family. Sean strikes up an acquaintance with a rich tourist. Both characters fret about money. In fact, the book spends more time with Puck and Sean going about life on Thisby than it does on the race itself. This is not a criticism of the book, however. Stiefvater has created in Thisby a realistic evocation of the workaday struggle to survive in a small, isolated place. Her descriptions of the ocean, the cliffs and the smell of salt in the air make the setting real for the reader, as do the working men and women who inhabit it.

What brings the book to life is the way Puck and Sean both scramble to carve out a living. They both grapple with the question of what happiness looks like, and how to catch it and keep it. Part of the tension in the book comes from knowing that both Puck and Sean need a first-place finish in the race to meet their goals. Even more tension comes from knowing that there's no guarantee that one or both of them will survive race day.

The end of the book rushes at you like a sea-maddened capaill uisce, and as eager as I was to learn the outcome of the race, the final chapter comes far too quickly. It's been some time since I felt such intense longing for a happy ending for the protagonists, and I was reluctant to reach the conclusion of their story. I would never dream of spoiling the book for you, nor will I tell you whether the tears I shed in the final chapters were joyful or sorrowful. Read this book, and discover its pleasures for yourself.

One note: The Scorpio Races features scenes of injury and death to animals. (And people, too, but monster that I am, those scenes don't bother me nearly as much.) I find such scenes almost unbearable, yet they didn't take away from the power of the book or my desire to finish it.

Reviewed by Sara from Stellar Four.

Wow! While that single word will not due for a review, it is the word that pops into my head when someone mentions this novel. Stiefvater really comes full circle as a writer with this novel. I've read her Wolves of Mercy Falls series, and this one trumps those, no contest.

Readers are told the story from two points of view: Puck and Sean. Puck is a first-time contestant, needing the prize money to help keep her family together. Sean is the contestant to beat, having won several years in a row. He has a way with the horses, a way that no one seems to understand, except Puck. She understands Sean on a level that even he does not understand himself.

While readers experience the events leading up to the races, and of course the races themselves, through Puck and Sean's points of view, there are many characters that readers will connect with as well. Many of them seem to have minor roles in the novel, but by novel's end, the full weight of their importance will become clear - even if just for a moment. Grouped with the "characters" are the horses themselves, especially Corr. The horses are what seals this story for me - even their murderous nature kept me turning the page, hungering for more.

In particular, readers will find themselves captivated by the relationship between Sean and Corr. This is what kept me turning the page - I was rooting for these two until the bitter end of the novel. Readers will find that it is difficult not to root for these two. But that is as far as I can go without ruining important plot points in the story.

Why should you read this novel? Because it is pure awesome on the page! If that is not convincing enough, I gave it to my husband and told him he must read this novel. He did it in just three hours, unable to tear himself from the page. When he finished, he said, "Wow! That was a great book. You were right." Yes dear, I know.

I'm 40% finished and my loan is about to expire. Most books I can finish in well under a week. It wasn't even interesting until about 15%. She's a great writer, seriously. I do really want to know what happens in the end, but I keep getting distracted by much more enjoyable books. That says something doesn't it? I want to be entertained the whole time I guess. I'll keep reading her books and one day I will finish this, but probably not today. I spent more time thinking about how I'd review it then what was happening.

Reading through other reviews for this book, I am shocked by the number of people who found it slow. Perhaps it was the difference between listening to an audiobook the first time through rather than reading the book, but I was enthralled by this beautifully-written story. I find myself wanting to re-read it (and re-listen!) again and again. The book is a perfect build to a heart-stopping crescendo. You get to know the characters, you fall in love with them, and then you join them in their adventure. The descriptive phrasings are like nothing I've read recently; lush and so detailed, I feel as if I have been living on Thisby, hanging out with Puck Connolly and her brothers watching Sean Kendrick and Corr gallop on the beach in the waning evening light. I ache for Puck and Sean on several different levels, and I find myself strangely satisfied, yet yearning for more with this story. In my mind, that little trick is story-telling gold. Loved it, loving it, and I will love it yet again. I don't re-read many books in this world, but this is definitely one I will go to again and again.

As a girl from a family who is heavily Irish-American, it's fairly common to call people by their first and last names; even when they are very familiar to you. From that small detail to all the large ones, this is a fantasy I felt I could believe in.

LOVELY!

This review may have some spoilers. I'm not sure, to be honest, so if you're a stickler, stop now.

Sean Kendrick has won four times before, on a capaill uisce (water horse) he loves but doesn't own. Kate (Puck) Connolly is the first woman to enter, and on a land horse no less. And they both have so much that depends on winning...

It took half of the book for me to really get interested in the story or the characters - but once I passed the halfway point, I could hardly put it down. Sean became a interesting character with depths that weren't apparent in the first half, but Puck is a brave and intelligent, and steadfast, managing to overcome her own doubts and the outspoken people who felt a women should not be racing.

It was interesting that there was very little argument about her riding a land horse - perhaps the idea was that the bad feelings about a woman participating would be stronger than bad feelings about a land horse. I'm not sure I disagree with that, but it did stand out as one of the "unwritten rules" that wasn't brought up in the argument.

The capaill uisce themselves were fascinating and I found myself wishing we could spend more time with them, to see more about what they're like and how they travel between the sea and the land and so on. I was more interested in Puck as a character, but I would have liked to learn more about the water horses in the time spent with Sean.

I'm quite not sure how to recommend this book. It's very popular, and was recommended to me by many people whose opinions I value. I did find the first 200 pages slow going, but after that it was excellent, and I loved the end.

Beautiful and brutal, it started out slow, but picked up. I enjoyed this book more than Stiefvater's Wolves series. I thought the writing was better. This is a book that will stay with you for a while after finishing it. It is a love story, but not between the two main characters. I felt for Sean and all of the Connollys. The relationship between Sean and Puck was a nice break from the current trend of boy and girl meeting and falling into deep, soul searing love. Puck and Sean share a couple of kisses, but their relationship is beyond chaste. The violence was gut wrenching. I wouldn't recommend this book for anyone under the age of 14 because of the vivid descriptions.

I've been a fan of the author since the Shivers trilogy. So I wasn't surprised to see the emphasis on the nature of horses in this novel. But the elegant way that the story of the horses native to the island mirrored the tale of the people who also lived there was indeed a work of art. So much of this novel takes place in the mind's eye, reflective of beautiful descriptions and detail infused into each event and character. I loved the story, the characters, the setting, and the understated tone the author uses to tell her story. A must read for animal lovers and lovers of good literature.

I really don't like giving books low ratings---especially well written books. Regrettably though, The Scorpio Races was a 2 star, didn't-like-it-that-much book for me. The title, cover and blurb had me thinking this book was going to have racing of epic gladiator proportions contained within its pages. What I got instead was a dull story about a depressed little island in/near the UK where no one has any money and no one is what you could call happy, yet there's some kind of magic pull that keeps them living there. It's unclear what the time period is, but there are a few cars mentioned. Oh, and killer horses live in the ocean and sometimes come on land and eat people. Some people like to catch the killer seahorses sea horses, attempt to tame them, and then race them once a year. The end.

I will say the one redeeming quality of this book was Maggie Stiefvater's writing. Normally books that rely heavily on descriptions annoy me. However, I never found myself irritated by any of the myriad descriptions. It was quite beautiful and poignant at times. I just needed more action to compel me to pick up the book and connect me with the characters. As it was, I never really cared what was happening. I kept finding other things to do besides read and never felt an excited rush to finish the story. Eventually I did complete it and was underwhelmed, at best. I do plan on reading some of Stiefvater's other works in the hopes that this lack-of-action problem is a onetime occurrence. Couple her beautiful writing with an action packed story (or even half as much action as was in this book) and I think we'd have a winner.

Please understand that all my reviews focus on the interests of my middle school students.

If you get to this review, you have probably read enough of the others to get a solid feel for the story line, the narrator's point of view, the pace of the book, etc. I write this review from a teacher's perspective to help parents and teachers get their kids to finish a fantastic piece of literature.

The book begins, "It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die." I was ready, now. This is going to fly. Sorry; it takes over 150 pages for the pace of the plot to match that catchy beginning. I'm fine with that; I loved learning the background of this Celtic myth. My students, however, would often get bored and go to another book.

The book switches between two first person narrators, exactly in the fashion of James Patterson's Witch and Wizard series. As obvious as it is to seasoned readers, kids often miss this and end up very confused.

If I rated the book for myself, it would get five stars; but I have had so much trouble talking kids into finishing it, I can't ignore that slow start. It is not a book for reluctant readers, that's for sure.

I have had better luck getting kids to stick with the book by warning them as they check it out that it begins very slowly. I assure them they will like it if they just promise to read to page 180 (an arbitrary selection--it is far enough into the action that they should be hooked). I also tell them to pay attention to the name at the beginning of each chapter so they can tell who the narrator is (some kids don't, at first, catch that Puck is even a name). Both of these steps have helped bring the finish rate from about 50 percent to around 80.

Everything everyone loved about this exquisite book is true, - but the the most remarkable thing about it for me has been the readers of the audiobook. Some readers really detract from the story, but most leave me pretty neutral, once I've got used to them - but this one...

I almost feel sorry for those of you reading and not listening to it. The Voice of Puck is so optimistic and spunky and joyful,the Voice of Sean brings a longing (an ache almost) for something indefinable. They make music from the words. I haven't finished yet because I am going slower and slower, trying to make this last forever, rationing it out like really expensive chocolate...

I've read or listened to most of her books this has been, by FAR, the best (for me). I liked the Shiver trilogy but more for her lyrical telling than the actualy story, in this one, I'm so caught up in the story too, trying to find some happy ending, loving each character so much....

PS(The other stand-out, greater-than-sum-of-its-parts, audio book is The No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency: A No. 1 Ladies' Detective Agency Novel (1) series)

I really, really enjoyed this book. The build up was a little slow at first but about thirty or forty pages in, I was hooked. The writing style is very different from "Shiver" but it fit the book better, I think. The ending was very satisfying and I loved reading a stand-alone YA novel rather than something that has two or three sequels attached. It does get a little graphic but nothing much different from other YA novels. Overall, I highly highly recommend.

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater winner of the Prince Prize, a well written enticing book. This book is definitely worth checking out if you're looking for a book that will keep you on your toes wanting more. The very first line of the book immediately sucked me in, which is ‘It’s the first day of November and today someone will die.’ I don’t know about other people but to me that just gets me thinking, ‘Really? Man I gotta keep reading.”. The Story follows two people Sean Kendrick and Kate Connolly otherwise known as Puck in the book. These two although orphaned are very much alike but at the same time entirely different which makes things…...interesting to say the least. A downside to this book that I found although this may just be me is it was relatively easy to predict what was going to happen but that didn’t make it any less exciting when it happened, but then there is also the opposite something you know for sure is about to happen and something entirely the opposite happens instead which blows your mind sky high. Throughout the book I couldn't stop reading I finished it in I think it was 2-3 days tops but that was in the times where I had allotted time to read so maybe a total of twelve hours spread out over three days, bottomline I couldn't put it down and when I had to I found it incredibly difficult. A age group that I feel like this book is good for would be upperclassmen in high school to maybe early twenties or so. I say this because it does have some gore that not everyone maybe enjoy but also some adrenaline/action scenes that the age group should enjoy as much as i did. There’s obvious reasons in this book why it has been challenged, there’s gore, mutilation, sexism, abandoning, and violence. So I can understand why some parent’s wouldn't want kids reading this book but in my own personal opinion kids get more of that stuff playing their video games on a day to day bases vs. reading this book.This is a book I highly recommend and I believe to be an excellent choice as a winner of the Prince Prize.

Bah! This book was so hard for me to get into. It did get a little better at the very, very end, but not enough for me to change my overall opinion. And I so liked the Wolves of Mercy Falls series too! I had high hopes for this one, but man! were they dashed!

First, the book was just too gory for me. Yes, I know the premise is of these dangerous water horses. But there was too much senseless killing and blood everywhere.

And while that is a kind of action, I guess, I felt like the book lacked the kind of action that keeps my attention. It just felt so sllooww to me. I didn't really care about what was happening.

Now, that's not to say that I didn't like the characters, because I did. While the plot was horrible to me, the characters were enjoyable. I liked Puck's relentlessness (is that a word?) I liked that she was trying to save her family and wouldn't let anyone keep her down. And I liked Sean. He seemed like a good ole boy with a good heart.

But unfortunately, that wasn't enough to keep me liking the book.

Overall, I found this to be a cute story that warms the soul. It's about human relationships, a love of the ocean, a love of horses, and of course, a little bit of love itself. However, I don't feel like it was the main focus of the story, and was perhaps slightly underplayed to other elements. Like others have mentioned, the story is slow to start, and just when I was wondering if I should put the book down and read something else I decided I wanted to know what would happen. Sean Kendrick makes for a swoon-worthy guy, if not the most deeply imagined, and Puck is a good mix of feisty and sweet. There are some darker elements, and yes, there are deaths, but they aren't described in great detail. It's all done in a very PG way. A great story for younger teens, or if you're looking for something that will end well and leave you with only a few questions and a quiet smile.

"The Scorpio Races" by Maggie Stiefvater is certainly a book to remember. It gives a new feel to the world of fantasy was simply amazing. There is no other way I can describe it other than that.

Our main characters are Sean and Puck, two people who wish to win the Scorpio Races for their own reasons. The problem is that there can only be one winner. Only one can win and that means only one can gain what they wish. Another problem is their subtle connection to one another that threatens everything.

I must applaud Stiefvater for her romance first. It is kept as a subplot and no more than that. Usually when there is romance, it takes over the plot and ruins the great parts about it. Then it feels like there is nothing important or special. However, Stiefvater kept a tight reign on the romance and it was small yet powerful in its own way. The characters didn't sacrifice their goals for their love, for they both knew that their goals were more important. This is truly why I love this novel.

Puck, our female lead, is another reason. She is strong yet adorable in her own way. She is afraid, but she is willing to do anything to keep her home and save her family. There are a few things I don't understand about her, however. I didn't like how she entered the Scorpio Races. It wasn't to earn money to keep her home, but to make her brother stay. What was the point of it? I found it rather foolish for her to realize her brother is leaving and just blurt that out.

Sean is our kick butt male lead. He is powerful and brave. He knows how to control the vicious creatures he rides and has a huge rep for his age. However, he is also blunt, prideful, and sharp-tongued. We really don't delve into his mind as much as we do with Puck. Even when we are in his POV, we don't truly discover him. This can be annoying yet good in its own way. It all depends.

There are flaws in this novel. All books have their set of mistakes and flaws. No book is truly perfect. This novel is close, but there are a few things that bothered me.

The plot is a start. I didn't like how there was so much build up on build up and then...nothing. There were over 100 pages of rising action and then a small and quick race. In my opinion, it would have been much more interesting if it were a longer race. Like a week long, deadly race along the border of the island. This would have allowed a bit more romance, drama, and even a few evil plots along the way. Instead we were given a small race that didn't satisfy my need for something more.

Then we go back to the characters motives among other things. I rather disliked how Sean and Puck never even discussed the race. Maybe they just didn't want to talk about it, but to be honest, I think almost everyone would sit down with their lover/crush and discuss a race in which one of them could die. Yet, there was nothing but a hint of love and friendship between them. It felt like they were strangers almost.

Puck's motive, again, bothered me. It felt better when the landlord came to her though. Then it felt like she had a true motive. Beforehand though, I found it rather foolish for her to sign up for a deadly race just to make her brother stay for a couple more days.

There are flaws, but I still enjoyed it. "The Scorpio Races" is beautifully crafted and is overall a swell novel. I have read better, but this is still deserving of four stars.

After reading Lament and The Wolves of Mercy Falls series I was expecting nothing big from Maggie. She has talent as an author, but her book always seem to be the same thing: A legend warped into something new and a love that was always meant to be. Only, with fearies and wolves, how interesting can you get?

So I saw this at the bookstore and thought, "Hell, why not?" A book about horse races. Should be O.K.

Boy, was I wrong.

This book was amazing. It was, in my opinion, Stiefvater's best yet. The story itself is intriguing enough-- horses that live in the sea, eat meat, and attempt to drown their riders? Awesome. That was the most attractive thing about the story for me, because right from the start it introduces how dangerous these beasts are.

Then there is Puck Connolly and Sean Kendrick. It's not the love at first sight like usual for this author, nor is it romances "hate first, love later" type of thing. It's an in between type of relationship that involves not only Puck and Sean but also the horses. Very, very creative.

Five stars for The Scorpio Races and a hope that Stiefvater turns out more books as good as this one.

I LOVED The Scorpio Races. It definitely joins my list of favorite YA novels. I truly can't stop raving about it. I was drawn into the storyline from page one and found myself falling in love with the main characters/narrators Puck and Sean. Puck is a resilient and determined character, fighting to save her home. Sean is the strong, silent type who has this incredible ability to speak to horses. But these aren't regular horses, they're dangerous, deadly horses of the sea - the capaill uisce(pronounced copple ooshka.) Sean has won four Scorpio Races, which takes place the first day of November around the time the capaill uisce are the most dangerous because they're called out of and then back into the sea - and man nor beast is safe. There's big money to be made and Puck needs it, so she too enters the race. The relationship between Puck and Sean is absolutely beautiful, special. A treasure to read. Some books feel like a privilege to savor, The Scorpio Races felt that way for me. Put this on your must-read list.

I have long been a fan of Maggie's work ever since Shiver. I dutifully followed the Wolves of Mercy falls through the enchanting ending. When I saw her new book, I admit, I was doubtful. Having ridden horses for years, literature involving them has lost it's appeal because of the way equines are portrayed as big, safe, family dogs. Despite my hesitancy, I bought the book. I was enamored! The horses were shown in a completely different light, and it was very refreshing. I was also very pleased watching *MINOR SPOILERS* Puck and Sean's slow developing relationship blossom, especially in contrast to Sam and Grace's instantaneous attraction. *END MINOR SPOILERS*
This book is a worthy read for Sci-Fi nerds like I, and hopeless romantics.

I choose to listen to this on audio and i am so glad i did that alternating points of view where easier to keep track of with the two different narrators telling the story. I also picked up this book as i heard their making a movie about and the whole concept of killer water horses is going to make a spectacular movie i believe. I love the descriptions of the land, and the horses, it truly was like a story being painted for me. A great book.

This book was thrilling! The characters were strong and appealing the entire time! I couldn't put this book down. As soon as I finished, I looked up more of her books. I was sadly disappointed in Shiver (I only got through the first book....I couldn't keep reading). I felt that she was a completely different author (but this review is about The Scorpio Races, not Shiver....sorry.)
I've recommended this book to everyone I could! Everyone who has read it (or listened to it- the audiobook is also fantastic!) has loved it! I hope she write more like this book!

I have to be honest - I'm a little bit torn about this book. I LOVE Maggie Stiefvater's writing and all of her other books, but THE SCORPIO RACES was a little harder for me to get sucked in to. I had so many teacher friends whose opinions I really trust tell me this was a fantastic book, but I couldn't quite get into the can't-put-this-book-down type of feeling.....until I got about halfway through the book (and it's a pretty long 404 pages), and then I got so hooked into it and didn't want to stop reading until I got to the exciting conclusion of this standalone story. But it did take me a couple of starts & stops to get there. So, if you feel the same way at the start, give it time and a chance. Maggie continues her beautifully lyrical writing in this book, but it seems to be in an even more sophisticated mood-provoking and descriptive way. This is a quiet book, but Maggie's research into the various water horses mythology stories and English cliff settings is apparent throughout in the emotion and feeling her words evoke.

The way the setting is used to create the mood in this book is done with such a deft and subtle hand that it instantly draws the reader into the story from the start. The setting is a character of it's own right in this book, as it needs to be. And the water horses are one of the most interesting mythological/fantasy/paranormal elements I've read about in awhile. It's a heart-wrenching story of friendship and family and what love means and what really, truly matters for people. It's about courage and dedication and loyalty and figuring out who people are and where they're meant to be that really matters. It's about having the courage and strength to go after those things that one wants and the bravery and dedication to see it through to the end no matter how difficult. It's about finding your place in the world and doing everything to keep it yours.

It's a book with a sweet romance and dedicated families and intriguing mythology and people discovering who they want to be and what makes them who they are - and then living that life. The romance is quiet and subtle and innocent and meaningful and heart-warming. The loyalty of not only people, but horses also, pulls the tears out at the end, but in such a way that it's sad and hopeful at the same time because everyone wants someone who understands them completely and would be dedicated to staying with them no matter what. THE SCORPIO RACES is different from everything else I've read out there in the mood that is created by the setting and writing, and it's an achingly beautiful read (even if it takes a little while to get into it).

Review originally posted on Heise Reads & Recommends

I loved this book. I read it in one day, once you start you cannot put it down. It really draws you in, and is definitely the best book Stiefvater has written thus far.

Plot: 5/5; I'm not sure I can describe it. Its got twists, and the world she designed is intense. It feels like a cross between a story about race horses and the Hunger Games.

Characters: 5/5; Puck was very plucky and driven. She is a lot of fun to read. Sean, speaks to the horse person in me. They make good, good guys and the bad guys you really despise. And the bonds between horse and man... oh, all the characters are great, human or otherwise.

Sexuality: 5/5; The slow affection that builds between two characters is perfect. I loved the relationships in this book.

Age: Jr High; its creepy. This book scared me at times (especially since we have a body of water on our property). It might scare kids that are too young. And its a little violent.

This book is a true piece of young adult literature. Its well written and developed, and its ending warms your heart. I was sad when I finished it if only because its a world that I would love to become a part of. I HIGHLY recommend this book to everyone.

3.5 stars. It took me awhile to really get into this story, and it took until about the last 3 chapters for me to actually care about any of the characters. The concept of this book was extremely interesting though! Even though it did take me awhile to get into the story it ended up being quite enjoyable in the end.

Was a little nervous to read a book that could involve animal death, never have the stomach for it. However, this spare, beautifully written book is absolutely worth reading despite some harder passages that involve violence and death, and just a fantastic ending. I would say this is not for anyone younger than a teenager, too advanced for the Harry Potter crowd. I very much enjoyed how the fantasy elements of the book were rooted in a present day atmosphere so realistically - usually there's no fantasy or that's all there is in a book, this was a well-done blend that actually felt heavier on the reality end than on the fantasy end. Truly a book you don't want to finish!

*Note- THERE ARE NO SPOILERS IN THIS REVIEW* For my review with gifs visit: [...]
Dear Goodreads and the store Members,

Like many of you I decided to read the Scorpio Races after hearing it was so good. The Scorpio Races are races that take place every November. In this book the water horses are called capall uisce and were very original. The romance in this book was kinda cute but I just couldn't stand some things in this book.

I start reading with very high expectations because people compared it to the Hunger Games.
Let's get this straight; the Hunger Games and Scorpio Races are two different books. There are not many similarities between the two books. Both books are targeted toward Young Adults, take place in interesting societies, have a female protagonists, and feature odd creatures.

At first I enjoyed this book and I thought I was going to love it
The Scorpio Races is from the point of a guy named Sean and a girl named Puck. At first I thought it was from the point of a view of two boys because Puck sounded like a guy. I know Puck is a tom boy but it wasn't until Maggie told us her name was Kate I didn't know. When I was reading the book I kept having to flip back and see if it was Sean or Puck. I felt that their voices weren't distinct enough. There are books written in the POVs of males and females like Across the Universe where the technique is done well.

I thought that many of the chapters were too short, many were only a page long. Many scenes in the book felt way too slowly paced and there were way too many deaths. I mean I don't care if a book has a lot of deaths if the deaths are emotional like the deaths in the Hunger Games. I felt that when many of the characters died I didn't feel anything. Maggie didn't develop these characters or give me enough reason to feel empathy for them.

The pacing was so slow. I can't stress how slow the pace in the book was.

I don't understand how the book is called the Scorpio Races yet the Scorpio Races only take up 10 or so pages. The Scorpio Races was the best part of the book. The action and suspense in those 10 pages was how I wished the whole book was like. The ending felt very rushed and didn't feel complete in my opinion.
My opinion of the book:

I guess if you like romance books you'll enjoy this book. I thought the romance between Sean and Puck was sweet. There isn't alot of action in this book except for the ending. Who knows you might like this book! I am part of the minority who didn't enjoy this book. You might read the book and do the Dumbledore dance.

-Scott

This is Maggie Stiefvater's best writing, best plot, best characters, and best creative effort, far eclipsing her other works. More than that, it is one of the best books of the year, and should be in the running for awards. The language is terse and harsh, reflecting the rocky and desolate island setting. There isn't much that is gentle and sweet in the island people; like cacti, their exteriors need to be tough and prickly to protect any softness within. The two protagonists, Puck and Sean, come vividly to life through their dialogue, actions, and even more through their silences. Their shared love of horses and their island home make them kindred spirits. They fall in love as they train for the races, both needing to win to survive, knowing only one of them can be the winner. Several threats for tension, a variety of crusty, eccentric, and nasty characters for color, and both christian and pagan influences, all woven together to create a visual and emotional feast that culminates in the annual Scorpio Race. Vividly imagined and brilliantly crafted, this is a terrific story.

Sweet and beautifully written book. The first 3/4 of the story read very slow to me, but I enjoyed learning more about this unique island and their vicious water horses.
Ms. Stiefvater knows how to write a slow burn romance which is perfect (IMO) for teen audiences.

My AP U.S. History teacher used to joke that he'd given us fun projects for the final couple months of the year because they always erased the bad memories we had of the grueling tests and homework packets we had to do for the majority of the year.

And that's what the last fifty pages of The Scorpio Races have done. They were so intense, they basically obliterated the mind-numbing monotony of the other 350 pages. I would've given this book 5 stars for the last 30 pages alone. But nope. Stiefvater had to attach the other 300+, and so I am aggrieved that I can't give it a very high rating because of them.

When I say monotonous, I mean bored-out-of-mind monotonous. I was praying for something to happen, and I skimmed a lot of the paragraphs about Thisby or the details of the island and races because there were so many of them. Don't get me wrong, Stiefvater does have a gift with words, but it got a bit grating to keep learning about the sea and the horses over and over. Then again, if she hadn't focused on the world-building, the world of The Scorpio Races might not have come as alive as it did. That's the crux of the matter. Also, the book actually got pretty creepy and gory. I liked that.

I was practically begging for Sean and Puck to have a little fun in the cliff grass. I mean, Sean and Puck don't even meet until 100 pages in, and their relationship progresses at the rate a snail takes to go uphill. Which is not bad at all, but took a lot of the excitement out of the book. And what is it with all the parents missing? That's just...weird and coincidental. I would've liked to know more about them, since Sean didn't seem to feel all that bad about his father being eaten up. Maybe I skipped more paragraphs than I should have?

I liked the characters (George Holly. So cool. Oh, and Benjamin Halvern and his butter tea. I sort of want to try it) though, and the sweet romance once it started going. Sean was quite different from all the guys I've been reading about, with his sharp demeanor and quiet devotion. However, I'd have to say my favorite part was the relationship between Sean and Corr. It's just one of those friendships between animal and human that's stronger than you could ever expect. All in all, I'm satisfied with this book despite the some of the boredom I went through, and I'm definitely encouraged to read Shiver now.

I am in love with this book. I did not know much about it prior to purchase except that Steve West is one of the narrators. Not only was this book wonderfully narrated, but it was beautifully written as well. I was pleasantly surprised that this ended up being a unexpected love story. I do not like to give away any spoilers, so I would definitely recommend reading the books description before purchasing. I can only really tell you that this is a story about hard choices, bravery, loss, loyalty and love.

I struggled to get through this book, and it was a disappointment. With the Raven Boys being my favorite book ever, I decided to read this book in hopes that it would envelop me just as much as the Raven Boys did.

I just couldn't get into it. I don't know if it was because of the lack of continuation with the book...or the setting, where the book takes place. But I could not really get to know the characters on a level where I could understand them. I couldn't relate to them.

I will admit that the book was well written, and very descriptive, but it just wasn't the story for me. Not knocking the book, because it did have some sweet parts, and the ending really touched me. But again...just wasn't for me I don't think.

There is something so very special about this story. The lyrical writing, the humor, the dialogue, the characters, the distinct voice in each POV, the fantasy element, etc. - each component is top notch and makes for a five star read. In this instance, however, there is more. Every so often I read a book that imprints a bit of magic in my heart - The Secret Garden, The Adventures of Tom Sawyer and To Kill A Mockingbird to name a few. I felt it reading this book and I'm so grateful to this author for writing such an amazing story.

More reviews can be found at my blog: [...]

I admit, I was very skeptical about The Scorpio Races, (I wasn't a big fan of Shiver) and possibly would have put off reading it even longer if it wasn't for the store sending me two free audible credits. I thought, why not give it a go, since it's free!

I have one word for everything The Scorpio Races lead me to feel: MAGICAL.

It was breathtaking, heart-wrenching and lovable.

The audio-book was AMAZING, the music (created by Maggie herself) and the two voice actors who played Puck and Sean were first class. They had all the different voices and the right emotions at the right times aced, which made the experience all the more magical.

Fans of Mercy Falls trilogy will either love or dislike The Scorpio Races; Maggie mentions in her section at the end of the audio book that it is very different from the Mercy Falls trilogy, and doesn't have kissing every second page (her words not mine!).

Well one thing for sure is that all the years of Maggie's hard work and research has paid off, this book is AMAZING, I'm now a fan for life. You've achieved one thing Maggie! I felt like I was there, and I'm going to be trying to get the salt out of my hair for weeks!)

I loved this book so much that even though I have audio, I'm going to have to go buy a hardcover copy, because I just have to have it! The cover is beautiful and after reading a few reviews I'm interested to see how some things are spelled, since I was hearing the pronunciation of capaill as: 'kapal-ishka' I always wondered why Holly was having a hard time with the pronunciation, but after seeing the spelling, I understand!

I think that reading The Scorpio Races would lead to an all new experience after listening to the audio-book and I'm excited to plunge into world Maggie created all over again.

The island was amazing, the characters were fantastic, the horses were breathtaking - both of land and sea! and especially the bonds that Maggie created, simply bewitching.

Gabe, I just wanted to punch him! In the end I understood him and his reasons, but still wasn't that impressed. Finn was adorable and I want a little brother just like him! (Maggie said she wouldn't be writing anymore books in this world, ever. But I would love to see a book with Finn as the main character, hell actually I wouldn't mind a book featuring Holly either) Holly was a hoot and I loved Steve West's American voice for him! I adored so many characters, and I'll keep listing them all if I continue.

I haven't forgot Puck and Sean either... the slow build up of their relationship was fantastic, no insta-love here! Watching them ever so slowly shift themselves into each others lives and how highly they came to think of the other while thinking so little of themselves, enraptured me. I found myself being tugged along with them at the slow pace, content to let their relationship unravel and not screaming at them to hurry up (which I'm guilty to doing at a lot of books that are either to slow or fast).

Then there was Sean's simple one liners that had so much impact and meaning that managed to not only set Puck's heart a-flutter, but mine also!

And Puck was such a whirlwind against Sean's steady self and seeing them slowly come together is well worth the read, and ooh boy the tension!

I could go on and on about The Scorpio Races, but would probably just end up repeating myself, However this is an absolute must read! If you are one of the skeptical people like I was, read it - you won't regret it!

The Scorpio Races gets a special place in my heart residing amongst my favourites.

This was such a great well written story. I was drawn in from the first page. I had intended to just start it last night but I went on a reading marathon I could not imagine going to sleep and not knowing the outcome. The ending is not as firm of a closure as I would have liked but the author gives you an idea of what is to come. I would also have liked to know what tormented Gabe into wanting to leave the island. I'm not sure if there will be another book and maybe thats why we didn't get more of a closure on these things.

I'm in my 30's but love a good young adult fiction book now and then. My sister (also in her 30's) recommended this to me and I really enjoyed it. The character development was wonderful and the plot was very engaging. One of those books where you miss the characters when you're done with the book. I have read a slew of mediocre books lately so was happy to find a good one like this that I thoroughly enjoyed and thought worthy of a review.

Based on the legend of the super-powerful and carnivorous waterhorses called the capaill uisce, this tale by Stiefvater grabs the reader early and makes for a wild ride. The annual Scorpio Races, held in November, can bring fame and fortune to those brave enough to ride in them. They can also result in death. These are not your triple crown races. Trainer Sean Kendrick has a special relationship with his horse, a beast he has calmed and trained, and he has won the race before. Puck Connolly, whose parents were killed by the capaill uisce, needs to win the race to save her family home. When she enters her normal horse in the competition against the advice and wishes of the male inhabitants of Thisby Island, she and Sean develop a training bond that grows into something more.

The characters are sharply drawn and easy to like. Stiefvater is in complete control of her tale. I also enjoyed the explanation (at the end of the novel) of the legends that inspired her to write this story.

I first "checked out" this book on the digital library site of my local library. I am almost completed with my second time through and I intend to listen to it again and again. The picture that the author paints of this island, it's inhabitants and tourists is amazing. It is a story of love; love for the island, for family, for a way of life, of a horse, that is also a best friend.

The two readers in the audiobook are equally captivating. They do an amazing job of conveying the feelings of the characters in the book.

I had no idea what to expect with this novel, and honestly it didn't grab me at first. I'm not into horses AT ALL, and I started to think I wouldn't enjoy the book because of all the horse talk. Lucky for me, I stuck it out, and after about 50 pages the characters started to become real for me. Thisby became a real place, water horses were really scary (I am afraid of horses anyway, so that probably contributed) and I absolutely adored Puck and Finn. After plodding through the first little bit, I stayed up way too late to read the rest of the book in one night. Amazing character development, smooth, intelligent writing, and a really strong plot. I was definitely surprised by how much I ended up enjoying it, and I was so sad when it was over. This is a book I will probably read again, and I don't say that a lot :)

The Scorpio Races is an evocative tale featuring lyrical writing, daring characters, and savage creatures pulled from forgotten lore. You'll smell the blood on the sand, taste the salt in the air, and pray the wind doesn't carry the screams of the capaill uisce to your ears.

While I love M. Stiefvater's beautiful prose, I found this book a bit difficut to finish due to three factors:

1) It was very slow moving and, while beautifuly written, the lack of action and long wielded descriptions made me literally fall asleep. I got this as an audiobook, and, at one point, fell asleep for 25 minutes, during which nothing at all had happened, and the story had not progressed at all.

2) There was animal cruelty that I could not stomach. The entire  storyline is based on forcing baby water horses out of the sea, their natural environment, forcing them to submit to you by brutal force, and forcing them to be close to the water yet never allowing them to go back. It made my stomach turn. It's cruel.

3) You probably need to love horseback riding to really apreciate this book, as a large part of it is about riding. I don't have any interest in it and was hoping that this novel would be mostly about a race going from A to B. It was not, it was about preparing for a race, and only the very end is the race itself - the 2 mile race  that is! There is, again, animal cruelty. Puck throws her land horse, whom she considers  her best friend, into a race with water horses that make her panick for a very good reason: they are carnivores and likely to attack and eat the land horse. Who does this to their best friend? I've never thought much about horseback riding, but the whole concept of having them enclosed in a small space until you feel like riding them, only to put them back into their cages after, seems wrong to me. We wouldn't do this to our dogs, so what makes it OK to treat horses that way? I guess "Scorpio Races" opened up my eyes to this injustice.

More romance could have improved "Scorpio Races"  by giving us readers some more action. I'd say that M.S. created a mood that lasted many hours after the book was finished, yet an almost non-existent story line. I did not find the premise of this novel, kidnapping carnivorous animals from the ocean only to race them, even though they could eat you, logical or believable, which is how I also felt about  Puck's decision to enter the race. She could die and rob her little brother of a mother figure, and she makes up her mind to do it on a whim, in order to keep her brother there for 2 more weeks?

I nearly didn't bother reading the Scorpio Races. I've read all of Maggie Steifvater's other books, and felt that her most recent titles (Linger and Forever) were complete disasters. But I heard so many good things about Scorpio Races that I decided to give it a chance, and I'm so glad I did.

The characters, the story, and the language are all vivid and beautiful, and it's a very unique read. I loved this book so much I'm buying copies for friends, which I rarely do. I'm even considering purchasing the audio book, because I think it would be lovely read out loud.

Really, an excellent piece of work.

I love Maggie Stiefvater's books, however I was a little leary to read a book about dangerous water horses (What?). I should have known better, Maggie's books are always awesome! She could make the most boring thing ever sound extremely exciting! Anyway, although the book had a slow start, it really picks up after a couple chapters & turns into an awesome book! It's very unique & refreshing, especially with all the vampire & dystopian books out there. Really enjoyed this one!

I loved this book. I read it in 5 days. Every word choice is perfect. I honestly loved it too much. The people who rated it 1 star expected boom, race, boom, over. I was expecting that too, but i got so. Much. More!!!! Real problems. A strong female. An unusual 19 year old. AMAZING!!!!!! Horses, humor, and heart!! Oh My!!! Expect more than just a short race. You'll love it!!!!!

2.5 stars, but I'll round up. I have so many mixed feelings about this book. I'm not sure if the characters sound so depressing and negative because they are written that way or because of the voice actors, maybe a mix of both? but I can't see the love of this island in either of the main characters because they seem to hate or be negative to pretty much everything in the book. I had a hard time getting into this book because of this perceived negativity of everything. Once I hit maybe the last 3rd of the book and finally got into it. I confess though, that's only because after getting tired of it a third in I'd cheated and read the ending online and was motivated to finish it. The ending is good although very abrupt considering how drawn out every detail of the rest of the book was. The author is obviously very talented and I could see this being required reading in school because of the example of descriptive writing. Wouldn't read it again, but I don't regret finishing it.

I enjoyed this book. An interesting story with an intriguing dash of fantasy and likable characters. It was hard to put down during the last 100 pages or so -- I stayed up way too late to finish reading it!

(Note: I received a free advance reading copy of this book from the publisher at a American Library Association Annual Conference. I was not required to write a positive review. Thank you, Scholastic!)

The Scorpio Races is far and away Maggie Stiefvater's best book to date. Pitch perfect from beginning to end, it lacks for nothing. Like any Stiefvater novel it is savage, beautiful, subtle, and unpredictable. Not only are main characters Puck and Sean deftly characterized and fully realized, so are a dozen or more secondary and tertiary characters. This is a book for anyone who has ever had a family, been in love with anything or anyone (romantic or otherwise), taken a great risk, or hoped to do any of the above. This novel will scare you, make you angry, make you ache...the reading experience becomes more intense with each turn of the page, but you will dread the end. I cannot wait to see what the author writes next.