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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
I found this book to be completely immersive but in a different way than most novels I enjoy. There was something enchanting about the way the author described someone smiling or the way hair flicked around in the wind. It caught and kept my attention. The descriptions were always so different and unique, but not out of place or awkward. And, although I only spent about 11 hours here and there listening to this book, I felt like I had spent a long time on this island, with these horses, with Puck and Sean. So many of the scenes are everyday occurrences, which usually bores me a bit in other novels but not in this one. I felt like I was another person living on the island day to day, week to week.
And I enjoyed how the romance was subtle.
A very good standalone novel that gave me a needed refresh on my desire to read.
Also, as a side note, this will probably be the last book I'll finish before I finish my degree. Seems kind of special.
And I enjoyed how the romance was subtle.
A very good standalone novel that gave me a needed refresh on my desire to read.
Also, as a side note, this will probably be the last book I'll finish before I finish my degree. Seems kind of special.
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
funny
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I grew up on horse stories. The first novel I ever read was [b:Misty of Chincoteague|17461|Misty of Chincoteague (Misty, #1)|Marguerite Henry|https://d.gr-assets.com/books/1388279096s/17461.jpg|847402], and I proceeded to devour everything Marguerite Henry ever wrote shortly after. Walter Farley's Black Stallion books weren't far behind. As a kid, my philosophy was pretty much that animals were way cooler than people. It was a long time before I grudgingly admitted that people could be interesting too... occasionally.
Many years later, along comes The Scorpio Races: evoking the wind-tossed island life so reminiscent of Misty along with the timeless horse-and-rider connection that Alec and the Black shared. Instant nostalgia! Except Stiefvater deviously crosses these familiar elements with the Irish/Scottish water horse myth (killer horses that come out of the sea, and might just take you back with them). The Scorpio Races contains the thrill, perfected by Farley, of an impending high-stakes horse race, but here it's amplified by the fact that these horses could very well decide to kill you instead of carry you across the finish line.
This alone would be a special kind of kryptonite for me, but it's all told through the eyes of two expertly-drawn lead characters. Puck and Sean give the story voice, life, and purpose. I cared as much as they cared about Thisby, about Corr and Dove, and their personal stakes in the races. Stiefvater's prose is fashioned beautifully here; Thisby truly feels like a world, with its own history and logic and heartbeat. And everything ends on just the right note, without pandering or convenience.
At some point while reading, I thought: this book loves me. I loved it right back.
Many years later, along comes The Scorpio Races: evoking the wind-tossed island life so reminiscent of Misty along with the timeless horse-and-rider connection that Alec and the Black shared. Instant nostalgia! Except Stiefvater deviously crosses these familiar elements with the Irish/Scottish water horse myth (killer horses that come out of the sea, and might just take you back with them). The Scorpio Races contains the thrill, perfected by Farley, of an impending high-stakes horse race, but here it's amplified by the fact that these horses could very well decide to kill you instead of carry you across the finish line.
This alone would be a special kind of kryptonite for me, but it's all told through the eyes of two expertly-drawn lead characters. Puck and Sean give the story voice, life, and purpose. I cared as much as they cared about Thisby, about Corr and Dove, and their personal stakes in the races. Stiefvater's prose is fashioned beautifully here; Thisby truly feels like a world, with its own history and logic and heartbeat. And everything ends on just the right note, without pandering or convenience.
At some point while reading, I thought: this book loves me. I loved it right back.
adventurous
challenging
dark
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I have a lot of thoughts about this book, and while I might actually give the pacing 4 stars, the CHARACTERS and the EMOTIONS and the BEAUTIFUL WRITING are well above 5 stars. Every choice of words was a treasure. Brave and fierce Puck is a joy to behold. Quiet and thoughtful Sean is a breath of fresh air. Together, they're perfect. Finn is a cinnamon roll. Peg is an icon.
What a moving and interesting and thrilling story. I wish there was more of it.
What a moving and interesting and thrilling story. I wish there was more of it.
My star rating probably doesn't reflect how much I thoroughly enjoyed reading this book - I loved it enough that it may even deserve 5 stars, only lacking the 'I want to reread this' aspect that I typically require for a 5 star rating.
Minimum angst coming of age and understated romance and mythic horses in an almost believable setting (everything except, if this is a tiny island and the water horses really kill that many people & animals, and so many people leave, how is ANYONE still there?) Beautiful writing.
Minimum angst coming of age and understated romance and mythic horses in an almost believable setting (everything except, if this is a tiny island and the water horses really kill that many people & animals, and so many people leave, how is ANYONE still there?) Beautiful writing.
This first half of the book was slow for me but I’m so happy that I stayed with it. I absolutely fell I love with the second half. Although not the main point, this book beautifully presents the moments of two people naturally gravitating to each other. I loved the two scenes where they kiss, especially just before the race where Sean gives puck a good luck bracelet and and kisses her wrist and in return puck gives him a kiss for good luck.
Also loved the scene of the two of them riding corr together. It was so special for so many reasons.
I didn’t mind the open ending of the book. Not exactly the same, but similar to the end of spirited away.
Also loved the scene of the two of them riding corr together. It was so special for so many reasons.
I didn’t mind the open ending of the book. Not exactly the same, but similar to the end of spirited away.
challenging
emotional
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No