Reviews

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

missteddybearears's review

5.0

This book is perfection. Set on the fictional isle of Thisby, The Scorpio Races tells a tale of the capaill uisce, the water horses. Captured from the sea, each November riders take their chances at glory by riding these horses in a life or death race. The story is told as a dual narrative. The two narrators are Sean Kendrick and Puck Connolly.

Plot: If you don't enjoy a character-driven plot, you probably won't enjoy this book. This book offers some of the most amazing and seemless world-building I've read. Fantasy is so flawlessly intertwined with history that Thisby became a real setting to me. Personally, I didn't have any issue with the slow-build to action because Stiefvater provided so much background, character development, and description.

Characters: Puck is delightfully spunky. Sean is reserved; a true "still waters run deep" type of character. I found myself rooting for both of them. The minor characters were fun, lively, and clearly expressed.

Overall Impression: My one critique of the book would be that I wanted to know more. I felt like I could spend so much more time in this world. I wanted to know more about this history of the race, I wanted a more in-depth peak into the lives of some of the secondary characters. That being said, there is elegance in not over-stating things. I did not come away from reading this feeling that it was lacking or that I was dissatisfied. Stiefvater's writing is exquisite, and this book made me eager to read her other work.

bex_martel's review

challenging emotional hopeful inspiring fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

5.0

holyk's review

adventurous emotional fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? N/A
• Flaws of characters a main focus? No

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Content Warnings

Graphic: Animal death and Blood

Minor: Death of parent

whatshereads727's review against another edition

adventurous challenging dark emotional hopeful mysterious sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

5.0

hellorocketship's review

adventurous emotional hopeful tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

asl4u's review against another edition

5.0

Awesome... One of the best horse stories I've ever read... and as I'm just now planning a trip to an Island off the shores of NB Canada... there are parts of this story that are just scarey enough to carry with me...
Definately worth the read (listen - I read the audio version)...
I really enjoyed this book - will definately read again!

medievil_'s review against another edition

5.0

ER. MAH. GERD.
Ponies! Monsters! Gratuitous death on the beach! And kissing!
How can a book GET any better?

desertlover's review

4.0

4.5 STARS

Stiefvater is such a beautiful storyteller with a unique style and quirkiness that makes her unique in the YA world. I haven't read a book from her yet that I didn't love.

mayareadsinenglish's review

adventurous sad tense fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.25

Too many names! Too many first names! Too many last names! Too many first and last names!!!!!

meaghanward's review

adventurous emotional medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0