The Scorpio Races Review

Thursday, August 18, 2011

Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Publisher: Scholastic
Publish Date: October 18, 2011
Genre: YA, Fantasy
Pages: 416
Source: Publisher

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Puck is not your typical racer. In fact, she's the first girl to attempt the deadly Scorpio Races, and she's doing it to bring her family back together in a last ditch attempt after her older brother abandons she and her younger brother, Finn. Puck has a battle ahead of her though. The Scorpio Races aren't about racing pretty ponies. The Capaill Uisce are fierce, mythical water horses that are as ferocious as they are powerful, and they'll turn on their rider as soon as they'll attack anyone else. Fueled by blood, they're harnessed by magic and charms to ride, but there's never a guarantee a rider will survive the Scorpio Races. Puck must battle to the finish line, challenge the four-time reigning champion and attempt to bring peace to her family once and for all...but first she has to survive the ride.

I'm probably one of the few YA book bloggers in the whole wide blogosphere that didn't fall madly in love with the Shiver series. In fact, I rather disliked it as a whole. So sue me. That said, I'm a huge fan of Maggie Stiefvater's Ballad and Lament, so I've always loved her ability to tell a story. When I read the premise of The Scorpio Races, I was captivated, and I can say with one hundred percent conviction and honesty that the book lives up to its potential. Fierce and frightening, The Scorpio Races is set in a vivid backdrop of a deadly battle but is fueled by equally colourful and magnetic characters. With rich prose, gorgeous details and an ever-spinning and flowing plot makes The Scorpio Races a truly incredible journey for readers of all ages.

I'm a huge fan of character-driven novels, and The Scorpio Races truly delivers. Puck (Kate) is a fantastic and relatable character. She's willing to lay it all on the line for her family, and she's more than willing to face the challenge of her fellow competitors. The beauty of Puck is that she's not some silly girl desperate to make a stand. She's a bit rough around the edges, she doesn't care what others think of her and she'd lay down her life to save her little brother without a second thought. Sean, the four-time champion is a worthy adversary. In a world of YA characters where men are artistic and wishy-washy, his very presence is strong and commands attention. He doesn't waver, he doesn't falter and his relationship to the races is a mystery that fuels the core of The Scorpio Races. The brilliance of the novel is that, yes, the characters drive the story, but the plot matches and surpasses the characters, as well. It's original, riveting and entirely engaging. It's dark and blood-tinged world I'd love to be lost in again and again.

I love when I read books that set themselves apart in every sense of the word, and I'm so happy to say that I found The Scorpio Races did just that. I give it a 5 out of 5, hands down, and I would highly, highly recommend it to fans of both YA and adult books, especially those who enjoy fantasy, touches of dystopian and dark stories.

I received this ARC free of charge from the publisher in exchange for an honest review. This, in no way, affected my opinion or review of this book.

35 comments:

  1. I think this is the first time I've ever actually paid attention to the plot of this one, and I'm intrigued to put it mildly! It sounds absolutely captivating. And it's good to know that the character development matches the excellent plot as well!

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  2. I am so excited to read this! It has been getting so many awesome reviews. So glad to hear that you agree it has amazing characters and plot as well :)

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  3. Great review! The plot of this one sounds so interesting. I'll definitely have to pick it up when it comes out.

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  4. I was not in love with Shiver, but it was certainly good, so perhaps I could like this one even more then

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  5. I was not captivated with the Shiver series either (still haven't gotten book three) but I also love Lament and Maggie's writing. I am quite impressed that this book rates a 5 and that's enough for me to go get it ASAP. Gret review!

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  6. Weird, but right when I read the synopsis, I immediately thought of Harry Potter and The Hunger Games... Goblet of Fire.. Harry not expecting to be in the triwizard tournament, the actual Hunger Games, fight to the death type of thing.

    Very intriguing to say the least. I think I will most definitely give this a try.

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  7. I was wondering about this book! I might give it a try since I did like her Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy. Enjoyed it, but wasn't madly in love with it! Maybe this one will be better!

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  8. Glad you liked this. The premise doesn't appeal to me that much, but since I am such a huge Maggie fan (both Lament and the Shiver books), I'm definitely going to read it.

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  9. YES!!!! So glad you gave this a 5 Melissa, given that The Mercy Falls series wasn't for me either, I worried that this one wouldn't appeal or I wouldn't be captivated, but it sounds like that's not the case at all. Can't wait to read this!

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  10. Great review! I have to say, I was not impressed by the cover and I was quite prepared to skim the review but when I started reading your words just sucked me right in. Now I totally want to read this book. Once again, great job.

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  11. WOAH! Awesome review! And 5 stars! I definitely need to read this. I still have to read Forever.

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  12. SO FREAKING EXCITED FOR THIS. Maggie is one of my fave authors.

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  13. sounds great! can't wait to read it. Although Puck and Finn the names make me laugh because I automatically think of the show Glee and wondering if Maggie happens to be a fan.

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  14. I wasn't a fan of the Shiver series, either! *high five* Glad to hear The Scorpio Races is really worth reading! (Five stars! Wow!)

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  15. I wasn't a fan of Shiver either so I'm glad you liked The Scorpio Races. The premise kind of reminds me of The Hunger Games and it's nice to to know that the characters are fantastic.

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  16. This one's staring at me from my TBR pile so I can't wait to pick it up! Definitely bumping it up on the list. Glad to hear that you loved it!

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  17. Good to hear she surprised you. I loved Ballad and Lament but have yet to try the Shiver series. Sounds like I should try this one first, huh?

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  18. Wow, glad to find out that it's awesome. I wasn't sure about this one, because the cover is just not that great. I know. I know. Anyway, it got action? I'm in! ;) Great review.

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  19. Wow, five stars?! I was already planning on reading it because I love Maggie's writing. I've noticed that all of her books are character driven with a touch of dark, bittersweetness to them. Really looking forward to it. Glad the book delivered and that you loved it!

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  20. I have yet to read a Maggie Stiefvater book that I like. I think I'll skip this one.

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  21. A book where the plot development matches the character development and both are top-notch is rare indeed. I can understand why you would give this one 5 stars :)

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  22. I agree w/ u on the Shiver series...I tried and tried. I'd leave it then come back (rinse & repeat lol.) But I loved Lament & Ballad. So looking forward to SR!!

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  23. OMG, OMG *hyperventilates* I want to read this book SO bad. I love Maggie Stiefvater....in the sense that I want to kidnap her so she can tell me stories and make me laugh o_o. Okay, not really, but I love her stories and her blog and I'm so excited!!! *takes deep breath* Wow, I promise I'm not psycho. Just way to excited. YEAH! SCORPIO RACES!

    P.S. (sorry for the psycho excited squealing) ;D

    Jen

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  24. I'm a big fan of Maggie's and LOVED her faery series and enjoyed Shiver. I was disappointed in Linger and haven't yet read Forever. I borrowed an ARC of this one and I just couldn't seem to get into it. I finally gave up just cause there are so many books in the world, there's no point struggling through one. But now that I've read your review I kind of wish I'd at least skimmed through more of it. Maybe I would have started liking it more further in. Oh well, maybe some day I'll pick it up again. Glad you loved it!

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  25. You've made it sound pretty amazing. I couldn't for the life of me understand all the fuss about a book about horse racing. Not something I've ever been interested in. Now I'm curious.

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  26. I'm so glad you enjoyed this one, Melissa. I keep coming across mixed reviews, and I was pretty torn. I can say I haven't read her Shiver series, so I'm not sure I would have loved it either. Anyway, thanks for the review, I'll definitely be on the lookout for this one!

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  27. This one sounds really good. I like the elements of the novel. I love character-driven novels, too. I'm adding this one to my list. I've only read one of Stiefvater's novels, but i love her writing style.

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  28. This one definitely sounds interesting! Awesome review! :)

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  29. U want to get my hands on this one! I really enjoy Maggie's brain... :)

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  30. I'm glad I read your review! I didn't like Shiver at all (couldn't even finish it!) and so I didn't give much thought to this book. I like the sound of these two characters, especially the way you describe the guy (Sam's weenie-ness was a huge turn off for me).

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  31. 5 out 5?! Wow! I'm sooo glad to hear that this is as good as the hype!

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  32. You've given me hope. I wasn't a fan of the Shiver series at all. But I LOVE the premise of this one and with your great review, I know I have to try it now. Thanks!

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  33. So jealous you got this one early! I liked the Shiver series but did not by any means love it. I really like the sound of this one though!

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  34. Great review! This sounds super cool. I’m so glad I snagged an ARC at ALA!

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  35. I'm already loving the sound of this book and the characters. Is it October yet?? ;)

    Fabulous review, Melissa!

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