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.
Thoughts:
5/5 stars.
Yeah, yeah, two 5 star reviews in a row. But I don't care. Because this book really surprised me, what with its flippin' awesomeness and such.
It did take me awhile to finish this book (school and useless shit take the blame for this), but that didn't mean this book wasn't near extraordinary. Stiefvater is also the author of the Shiver trilogy, which I wasn't too much of a fan of, mainly because I felt the series could have been summed up in the first book , the other books taking a turn into repetitive lane. But this novel was much different from the lovey-dovey-ness that was Shiver. This not only had some romance, but it had triumph, death, and issues that made it not just another YA romance novel.
Puck, to me, was a likable character, mainly because she wouldn't let any of her emotions toward Sean stop her, even if she did love him. They were both competing head-to-head, both having liable and equally important reasons for winning, but Puck always put herself first. She didn't give up her soul for him, which is something you don't see too often in YA novels. I also enjoyed the American featured character, though his name has slipped my mind. I didn't realize this book wasn't set in America, so it was nice to be informed on that subject.
The horses were a matter I'm still sort of confused on. Though Stiefvater described the capaill uisce or whatever they were called wonderfully, I just didn't understand the purpose of them, or how they were created and such. Though this didn't deter me from lowering its high ranking, I would've liked a bit of a better understanding of them. Also, I was a bit confused on what time period this book was featured in. My librarian said, it was set back in time, but they had cars. Nataly confused. AND, where were they set in the world?
Either way, this book was lovely to read because of the such livid and imaginative writing. AND PLOT. I mean, who comes up with the idea of weird-ass horses and the race to death they take? Not only that, but there were many side plots that really added more to the characters and how they developed, such as Puck's brother's soon voyage out of her and her younger brother, Finn's life. I just think Maggie Stievater is one crazy imaginative lady.
Wonderful book. I would recommend you read it, fellow.
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