Thursday, November 3, 2011

Advance Reader's Edition Review of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater


                   Overview
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.


About The Scorpio Race
Hardcover: 404 pgs.
Published: October 18th 2011 by Scholastic Press
 For This Review:  *Advance Reader Book Copy (ARC) Provided Through Dark Faerie Tales blog Giveaway*
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 curiosity 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 Stiefvater'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
                                                             
Buy the Scorpio Races!
                                     


About the Author

 Maggie Stifvater is the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the novels, Shiver, Linger, and Forever. She is also the author of Lament: The Faerie Queen's Deception, and Ballad: A Gathering of Faerie.  She lives in Virginia with her husband and two children. Visit her online at maggiestiefvater.com
Find her newest book right now which is The Scorpio Races at thisisteen.com/scorpioraces.

5 comments:

RJ @ RJ Does Books! said...

Great review Cassandra!! I can't wait to start this one!!

RJ @ RJ Does Books

Andy H said...

...this book looks fascinating, the art work is truly a compliment to the story, luv that..thanks for the post

Cassandra @ Book & Movie Dimension a Blog said...

Hi R.J.
Glad you liked the review. Yes, start the Scorpio Races, it's so good.

Cassandra @ Book & Movie Dimension a Blog said...

Andy

The artwork can add to images in our head while we take in the story.I would say fascinating:)

Nora Weston said...

The Scorpio Races looks really good! It does sound different...which makes it even more appealing. Wonderful review!

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