Wednesday, October 12, 2011

Review: The Scorpio Races

THE SCORPIO RACES
Maggie Stiefvater
Paranormal Young Adult
416 pages
Scholastic
Available October 18th
Received at BEA

THE STORY
Puck Connolly can't imagine living anywhere else but Thisby, watching as year after year people escape to the mainland to get away from the tragic deaths caused by the water horses that climb from the sea each year and attack anything in their way. Though both her parents fell prey to these beasts, she still has no desire to leave.

When her older brother Gabe informs her that he's abandoning both her and their younger brother Finn to go the mainland, Puck makes a desperate attempt to get him to stay by signing herself up for the Scorpio Races, a yearly event every November where those who have caught and trained some of the water horses race them in a bloody sprint for a substantial purse. Hoping the extra money from her win will sway Gabe's decision, Puck begins training on her regular island pony Dove.

Sean Kendrick has won the Scorpio Races four years in a row on his magnificent red mount Corr. Fascinated despite himself by the presence of Puck, not only the first woman to enter the race but also the first person to enter on anything other than a water horse, he begins to spend time with her and Dove. At first hoping to dissuade her from a race that will surely get her killed, Sean begins to admire Puck's determination, wanting to help them win even though losing himself will cost him what he wants most.

MY THOUGHTS
Quiet yet completely absorbing and intense, The Scorpio Races gradually draws us into a reality similar to ours but different in one shockingly fascinating way: the existence of water horses. Resembling regular horses in appearance aside from some more unusual colors like vibrant red, these creatures of the sea are predators to their core, attacking and killing humans or enchanting them with their magic and drowning them in their beloved sea. This story is not explosive or action-packed, progressing so slowly and evenly that at times we question our connection to the characters and plot, feeling as though we are traveling through a dense fog knowing we are surrounded by Puck and Sean and their horses, yet they slip through our fingers easily when we try to touch. It's not until we read further that we realize the swirling mist we thought we were desperately chasing has turned to solid shackles without our conscious knowledge, beautifully binding us to the outcome of the race as our investment becomes deep and moving and unforgettable.

Sean is one of the main reasons our attachment to this book takes us by surprise, his reserved quality and air of coolness and calm at first creating a wall between us since we can't seem to relate to such quietude when we're so used to noise. Once we continue with the story however, we develop the ability to read his stillness, understanding that he is neither detached nor unresponsive, but is rather telegraphing his emotions as loudly as if he were screaming, we just weren't listening correctly in the beginning. Every word spoken is laden with meaning given he speaks so few, an added weight placed on each syllable uttered that causes us to hold our breath while he's talking lest we miss even the tiniest piece of himself a small gesture or simple inflection might reveal. We learn to revel in his silence, knowing it's as ripe with feeling as if he had spoken aloud, and we find ourselves overwhelmed by his stunningly gorgeous simplicity.

In addition to the haunting and slowly-developed relationship between Puck and Sean, we also have the pleasure of experiencing their individual connections to their horses. Each animal is a reflection of the character who loves them–Corr's innate strength and desire to be free echoed in Sean just as Dove's determination and fear of the race shines through in Puck. Though they don't speak audibly, engaging us with words and conversations, their personalities are distinct nonetheless, bleeding through the pages and seeping into our hearts as surely as if they belonged to us personally. Our stomachs tie themselves in knots when we come to fully understand the stakes for both Puck and Dove and Sean and Corr in the race, and our eyes remain glued to the pages, wanting to stop reading before anything bad happens but unable to find any bliss in our ignorance due to the depth of our involvement.

Those looking for a page-turner will likely find themselves a touch bored with this tale, but those who love a story that shocks them with the the intensity of their emotional reaction will glory in the beautiful richness of a flavor that stems from something slowly simmered. Having experience with horses and being familiar with the joy a bond between horse and rider can bring, The Scorpio Races perhaps affected me more personally than it may some, ensuring its place on my shelf of favorites for some time to come.

Rating: 5/5

Me and Alibi




44 comments:

  1. Wow, Jenny! When was that photo taken? I wish I knew how to ride horses.
    I'm super excited for this one. None of Maggie's books are page turners. The writing is so beautiful and full that the books need to be carefully enjoyed.

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  2. I just pre-ordered this last night! I can't wait to read it. I can't wait to read more about Sean! I love boys like that. ;) I love Maggie's style of writing - it's always so beautiful even if it usually isn't a pageturner you're eager to get through - I feel she always writes something I want to sit and savour. Lovely review, Jenny!


    Liza @ Book Crook Liza

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  3. I always wanted to ride when I was younger...ok I still want to ride. There is just something about horses and books about horses

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  4. Wow, that is quite the positive review. I've been unsure about this book as most "animal" books end up with the animal dying. I'm such a mush that the death of any warm fuzzy makes me cry. But I'm willing to reconsider it since you loved it so much.

    And that is an awesome picture of you and Alibi!

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  5. As a kid I wanted nothing more than to own and ride. I even had a collection of horse statues instead of stuffed animals. While the story sounds less action-packed than I normally like, I think I will have to test the story simply because of the horses. Loved the pic of you and Alibi, very cool!

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  6. Oh my gosh, you read this book! I've been seeing Maggie's novels everywhere lately and I (admittedly and shamefully) haven't read any of them yet, but I definitely want to! I was wondering if this one was any good and I'm SO GLAD you like it. It's added to my TBR list now! :)

    Awesome review, Jenny!

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  7. This one is getting some amazing reviews! I wasn't sure if it sounded like my kind of thing, but I will have to check it out soon with all these stunning reviews!

    Great photo too! x

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  8. Awesome review. I love that it really connected with you.

    And that photo! Is that you? You look fabulous! So professional and focused. I love it!

    Thanks for sharing your thoughts and insight.

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  9. Fabulous review.....I loved The Scorpio Races. There is something about the way Maggie crafts a story that just stands out.

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  10. "those who love a story that shocks them with the the intensity of their emotional reaction will glory in the beautiful richness of a flavor that stems from something slowly simmered."

    That's EXACTLY how I feel with all of Maggie's books till date. While you are reading, the story and characters slowly seep through your conscience and before you know it you are sucked into their world. I just think Maggie is a wonderful writer and I can't wait to read this one.

    By the way, that photo is awesome!

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  11. Alison - That was my senior year of high school, so about 10 years ago:( I don't ride much now since I had to sell Alibi before college, but I'll always love it:)

    Liza - YAY! True non of her books are page turners and this story would have felt all wrong if it was:) The slowness just fit.

    Blodeuedd - So true. Going to the barn to seem him always made everything better:) And this book just blew me away, I adored it.

    Jennifer - I was worried about the exact same thing! I knew I'd be a mess if anything happened to those horses, it's a beautiful story I thought, I hope you give it a try!

    Jan - I had a huge collection of all things horses too:) I think I'm one of the few people that couldn't quite get into her Mercy Falls series due to the slowness, but that same style just worked for me with this book:)

    Mimi - I loved this book! It was just so beautiful and different and the water horses were so interesting:)

    Leanna - I'm ready to read this one a second time, it's a new favorite:)

    Juju - Me too. This one just hit home for me and made me wish I still had Alibi so I could go visit him:)

    LIbrary Gal - I completely agree! I adored this one:)

    Rummanah - LOVED! Can't wait to see what you think of it:) The story she tells is just really beautiful.

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  12. Great review and I agree that I totally loved the stillness and each horse. Wow great picture. This book made up for Forever for me. :)

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  13. Eeeep! You gave it a 5! Now I must read! Thanks so much for the review! I'm excited to get my hands on this book!

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  14. I was super bummed I didn't get this book at BEA and it sounds like a fantastic read! I love that pic of you and Alibi at the end - I'm a sucker for pictures in black and white :)

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  15. That's a nice photo. I only skimmed your review but I'm super excited for The Scorpio Races and can't wait until I read it.

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  16. Ohhhh a 5 outta 5, those dont come easy from you do they. I love Maggie, I think she is one of the coolest YA author gals out there.....

    I used to dream of riding horses and owning horses when I was a little girl, if I got on horse today it would probably launch me off him...LOL....

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  17. That's an awesome picture!
    The Scorpio Races was a bit too quiet for me; I found it hard to keep picking it up (towards the end it got easier, though). I agree that Puck and Sean were really great characters, though! Thanks for the review, Jenny! :)

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  18. Julie - Thank you! I just loved everything about this one:)

    Savy - Hope you like it as much as I did!

    Tara - There was a mad dash for it wasn't there? I had the moms with me though and they were book collecting ninjas:)

    Jenny - Thank you:) Looking forward to seeing what you think of it!

    Tina - They definitely don't. I think this will be a big hit or miss for people though. It's very slow and very quiet, but Puck and Sean and their horses just got to me:)

    Lauren - Thanks! I put it down about halfway as well thinking I just wasn't quite getting into it, and then I just got addicted and attached and couldn't put it down.

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  19. Holy Whoa! Look at your. That picture is unreal! It's like the perfect shot! I want a framed copy for my home. I could tell everyone it's me. They'd believe me. I know it. hehehe

    And what tastes better than a slowly simmered meal? That's right, nada! This one definitely sounds like it's for me.

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  20. Sounds amazing and I love that photo! :)

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  21. WOW! What a stunning photo of you! I have many students that ride horses and are obsessed with them---I teach out near many horse farms...so I think they may really enjoy this book! I will have to get a copy for my classroom library. Thanks for the great review, Jenny!

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  22. Love that photo!! I never rode English nor jumped, but I did ride my cousin's horse western style.

    Oh this sounds like a good book. The slow building can be wonderful and the romance sounds perfect. I'm so getting this one!

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  23. I loved horse stories when I was little so I love the fact that the horses in this one are even more deadly. I wasn't a huge fan of Stiefvater's The Wolves of Mercy Falls series but will probably give this one a try. It's awesome that the author is able to give her characters that don't talk a distinctive feel.

    Lucky you, knowing how to ride a horse! I desperately wanted to do that when I was little and it still remains a goal of mine. Hopefully I get to do it someday.

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  24. Im reading this right now. Great review girl.

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  25. Can't wait for this one to appear in my mailbox. I love Maggie's writing -- you're right, she's not usually one for action-packed. She tends to be a lot more lyrical, slowly building tension. Awesome review!

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  26. Thanks for the thoughtful review Jenny! I'm even more excited now to read The Scorpio Races after hearing such good praise! :)

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  27. I have heard SO many good things about this book! I love Maggie, and I can't wait to get my hands on this book. :) Thanks for sharing your thoughts on the book, I'm so excited to get a copy!

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  28. I had borrowed an ARC of this one and just wasn't feeling it and was having a hard time picking it up. I ended up sending it back without finishing it and I'm thinking I'll definitely have to give a try again because I keep reading all these fabulous reviews. Yep, I think you convinced me to give it another try!

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  29. Holy WOW Jenny. I am going to have to put everything aside to read this one!!! OMG Sean sounds soo amazing!! And water horses...haven't seen anything like that it YA.

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  30. What a wonderful review! I have this book pre-ordered. Maggie is one of my favorite YA authors. She writes so beautifully. I'm really looking forward to reading this book, even more now after reading your review. :-)

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  31. YAY! I'm planning on starting this one soon!! Glad to see you loved it so much!!

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  32. I believe this is the first review I've read. It sounds really good! I love the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I'm looking forward to something different from Stiefvater...though I haven't read her faerie series yet. I love horses, but I've always been deathly afraid to ride them. I think it's because I'm so small (4'10"). I also had a bad experience in Girl Scouts. But I enjoy watching horse racing. Great picture of you!

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  33. I usually like a faster pace but we have horses so I think I'll give this one a try.

    Awesome picture!

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  34. Well, when I read you couldn't get into her Mercy Falls series, but could this one, that cinched it for me. Jenny, you have got to stop doing this. I cannot afford all these books!

    That was a really great review!!

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  35. Oh wow, that's an awesome picture, Jenny! Amazing review as well. I wasn't so sure I wanted to read this one, but now I'm intrigued!

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  36. Firstly, amazing picture! Secondly, I think this book sounds pretty epic. I am really looking forward to falling in love with the character, especially the horses, and I love how the horses and characters resemble each other personality-wise. Pretty cool. :)

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  37. Love the picture with you and Alibi! I feel so lame... I live in the country (and have for my entire life) and I have never ridden a horse before! Anyways, back to the books... I love Maggie and I was somewhat hesitant about this new book, but a 5/5 from you? :O! I must check this out!

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  38. I love the picture!!

    I'm a big fan of this author and was nervous to see how her new book reviewed. I'm soooo relieved to see that you didn't just like it, you loved it. Can't wait to get my hands on this one!

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  39. LOVE the picture! I've heard nothing but AWESOMENESS about this book so I'm going to have to get myself a copy. I'm a new follower of your blog too.

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  40. Such a beautiful picture! I miss taking horseback riding lessons but I currently don't have the time or money, unfortunately.

    This sounds beyond amazing; I just know I'll love it just based on the concept. Glad to hear it completely drew you in despite the slow pace. I'm usually pretty tolerant of slow pacing so I don't think that'll be a problem for me.

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  41. This is the first review I've seen of this, and I'll def have to read it.
    Great pic by the way!

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  42. Ample action and well-developed characters make this book worth reading for teens and adults alike! I would recommend this heartily.
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  43. 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.

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  44. This book was absolutely phenomenal and I recommend it to anyone and everyone.

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