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.
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.
So, a few weeks ago I was challenged by Aylee over at Recovering Potter Addict to read a few books (ten to be exact, and you can see the list here). I had originally thought that I would read the books of that list in order, and Maggie Stiefvater's The Scorpio Races was number five on the list, so I thought it would be a while before I got around to it. But it showed it's face at the library and I jumped on the chance to read it.
SO- here I am, I have finished The Scorpio Races and I have some thoughts.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is the fifth book I have read by her. I was first introduced to her writing a few years ago when I read The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy- and to be honest, I was not a big fan of those books. I then read The Raven Boys and liked it better, but there was still something about the story that kept me from reading more of the series. Before Aylee encouraged me to read this book, I was pretty certain that I wasn't going to read anything else by Stiefvater, I had basically decided that her novels weren't for me. Now, having given her writing a go one more time I am pretty certain that her books aren't something that I will be quick to pick up. However, I have a new appreciation for her writing.
The thing that kind of sort of bugs me about Maggie Stiefvater's books are that I feel like the plot never really makes sense, I have consistently found myself a little while reading, trying to figure out what the heck is going on.Which is a bit frustrating. But she also writes these amazing characters, and she has such a unique and beautiful way of writing. But I seem to struggle with the plots she presents. I noticed this some when I read The Wolves of Mercy Falls trilogy, and I for sure experienced it when reading The Raven Boys, and again more recently with The Scorpio Races. To many metaphors? To much imagery? To much symbolism? I don't know. Something doesn't work for me.
I will tell you this. The Scorpio Races was my favourite of the fives books I have read that Maggie Stiefvater has written. Is this because it's a stand alone? Maybe. But I do know that my enjoyment of this novel is largely due to Puck and Sean.
I have never been so smitten by a couple of characters as I was by these two. And it wasn't just them together. It was how they were separately. Sean was this broody intense type- that is the best way I can describe him. But he wasn't shy, and he wasn't passive either. Puck on the other hand, wasn't all that likeable at the beginning, but once you became familiar with her situation and what she had to deal with, it was easy to love her. I also loved Sean and Puck together. I loved all the scenes that they were in together. I loved their dialogue and I loved how they slowly grew to care for each other. It was so endearing. I loved it. I know I am not telling what it was specifically that made these two so great, it really is hard to explain, and you need to read the book to get what I mean.
As I mentioned before, I wasn't super sure what was going on through the majority of the story. I mean I did, but I wasn't all that invested in it. What were these water horses? What were these races that people were talking about. I thought the races took place in the water and the horses swam. This could be mostly my mess up. The story was a bit slow in the beginning and I may have become distracted while reading.
Overall, I enjoyed The Scorpio Races. It was the best Maggie Stiefvater book I have read. I think she did a brilliant job with the characterization, but I wasn't sure about the overall plot. Thank you Aylee for you recommendation. I am excited to see where the other books in the list will take me.
Happy Reading Everyone!
