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robinboiwonder's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-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? It's complicated
4.25
coco127's review against another edition
4.0
So atmospheric and cool. I want to live in this place even with the terrifying monster horses. The romantic tension was also *chef's kiss.* This book was a little slow for me, so it didn't quite make 5 stars but the race at the end was so good, huge payoff.
dunder_mifflin's review against another edition
3.0
This book had such a good premise and so much potential but sadly it wasn't fulfilled. It was too slow moving, the characters didn't interact with each other enough, and the whole book was building up to the Scorpio Races which only lasted a couple of pages. It could have been executed so much better.
eventing_joy's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
slow-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
4.0
sam_hartwig's review against another edition
4.0
My first thoughts of this book when I started reading were that the writing was so beautiful but I couldn't connect with the story.
I read "The Wolves of Mercy Falls" (also by Stiefvater) and was interested at the idea behind the story but I didn't really connect with the main characters. It was the same feeling I had when I was reading this, such a unique idea to write a story about sea horses that eat people but the people still go ahead and 'tame' them to ride them in the "Scorpio Races". It took me 300 pages before I started to love the book, it took an interesting turn and I started to feel for Puck & Sean.
We read the book from two characters points of view; Puck (aka Kate Connolly) & Sean. The book doesn't go backwards and forwards between characters, as in one chapter Puck the next Sean. At times you will read three consecutive chapters from Puck's point of view. This I found a little confusing at times when I didn't concentrate on which character I was reading, at times it was quite funny because I would think I'm reading Sean's part when in fact it was Puck. The times when I did this the most was at the end because I wanted to rush through to find out what happened next.
I have to mention Corr. Corr is Sean's waterhorse that he has ridden in the last 4 'Scorpio Races'. Sean has created a close bond with this beast and I couldn't help but fall for Corr by the end. I think it's because we see Corr through Sean's eyes and see the love that's there.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned in previous reviews before but I'm not a crier. I rarely cry in movies or books and if either of these achieve tears then they must be good! Well I didn't cry at the end but my eyes did well up. I don't want to give too much away but it felt like losing a pet and them finding their way back to you.
I have taken a star off mainly because I didn't have that connection to begin with but it got there in the end. On a side note, I liked how the book threw you in the deep end when it came to the story behind the waterhorses or 'capill usice', as you read you learn bits and pieces of background mythology.
Also on my blog
I read "The Wolves of Mercy Falls" (also by Stiefvater) and was interested at the idea behind the story but I didn't really connect with the main characters. It was the same feeling I had when I was reading this, such a unique idea to write a story about sea horses that eat people but the people still go ahead and 'tame' them to ride them in the "Scorpio Races". It took me 300 pages before I started to love the book, it took an interesting turn and I started to feel for Puck & Sean.
We read the book from two characters points of view; Puck (aka Kate Connolly) & Sean. The book doesn't go backwards and forwards between characters, as in one chapter Puck the next Sean. At times you will read three consecutive chapters from Puck's point of view. This I found a little confusing at times when I didn't concentrate on which character I was reading, at times it was quite funny because I would think I'm reading Sean's part when in fact it was Puck. The times when I did this the most was at the end because I wanted to rush through to find out what happened next.
I have to mention Corr. Corr is Sean's waterhorse that he has ridden in the last 4 'Scorpio Races'. Sean has created a close bond with this beast and I couldn't help but fall for Corr by the end. I think it's because we see Corr through Sean's eyes and see the love that's there.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned in previous reviews before but I'm not a crier. I rarely cry in movies or books and if either of these achieve tears then they must be good! Well I didn't cry at the end but my eyes did well up. I don't want to give too much away but it felt like losing a pet and them finding their way back to you.
I have taken a star off mainly because I didn't have that connection to begin with but it got there in the end. On a side note, I liked how the book threw you in the deep end when it came to the story behind the waterhorses or 'capill usice', as you read you learn bits and pieces of background mythology.
Also on my blog
fantasynovel's review against another edition
5.0
4.5 stars
Simply put, this book was a joy to read. It's a PERFECT fall read. Reading it transported me completely to the island of Thisby, which was as much a character as any of the human ones. I felt like I was on that beach, with the cold sea air sparking my face, a horse's back rippling beneath me while my thighs ached from holding on and my hands gripped the reigns. I could practically taste those delicious November-cakes and could feel the slippery rocks of the beach caves beneath my feet. And I got to experience Sean and Puck falling in the love, and it was every bit as enjoyable and adorable as you might think. A secretive, quiet boy with a horse and a brash, determined girl, also with a horse.
Just thinking about it makes me melt all over again. Stiefvater's ability to tie the setting into magic into a beautiful romance is just as alive in this book as in the wonderful Raven Cycle.
Simply put, this book was a joy to read. It's a PERFECT fall read. Reading it transported me completely to the island of Thisby, which was as much a character as any of the human ones. I felt like I was on that beach, with the cold sea air sparking my face, a horse's back rippling beneath me while my thighs ached from holding on and my hands gripped the reigns. I could practically taste those delicious November-cakes and could feel the slippery rocks of the beach caves beneath my feet. And I got to experience Sean and Puck falling in the love, and it was every bit as enjoyable and adorable as you might think. A secretive, quiet boy with a horse and a brash, determined girl, also with a horse.
Just thinking about it makes me melt all over again. Stiefvater's ability to tie the setting into magic into a beautiful romance is just as alive in this book as in the wonderful Raven Cycle.
3lissanicol3's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
mysterymom40's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.5
leafblade's review against another edition
4.0
ME DUELE EL ALMA QUE ALGUIEN ME COMPRE UN PONI
Ok. Como hasta la mitad del libro estuve leyendo con cara de ¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿? y pensando que si tanto bardo iban a hacer por las carreras, por qué tardaban tanto en llegar. Pero me olvidé en algún punto que probablemente esté relacionado con el bendito Sean Kendrick.
Me gusta cómo se centra en los personajes más que en los caballos, la carrera o cualquier otra cosa. El development que tienen todos es un poco obvio, pero no está mal. Me gusta cómo Maggie presenta las relaciones entre los personajes (resalto la de los hermanos Connolly y la de Corr y Sean. just. precioso) y cómo se describe siempre a los caballos y al ambiente de la playa. Me encanta.
Pero... ok, las carreras. Tanto bardo, tanta anticipación, tanto entrenamiento y al final duran... qué, dos capítulos? Y de los cortos. Va, sí, que duran cinco minutos nada más, pero ese es justo mi problema. Entrenan a los caballos mil años para sólo cinco minutos? Dame un circuito que recorra toda la isla o algo. No sé. Meteme más en las carreras.
That's it. Léanlo. Vale la pena.
Ok. Como hasta la mitad del libro estuve leyendo con cara de ¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿?¿? y pensando que si tanto bardo iban a hacer por las carreras, por qué tardaban tanto en llegar. Pero me olvidé en algún punto que probablemente esté relacionado con el bendito Sean Kendrick.
Me gusta cómo se centra en los personajes más que en los caballos, la carrera o cualquier otra cosa. El development que tienen todos es un poco obvio, pero no está mal. Me gusta cómo Maggie presenta las relaciones entre los personajes (resalto la de los hermanos Connolly y la de Corr y Sean. just. precioso) y cómo se describe siempre a los caballos y al ambiente de la playa. Me encanta.
Pero... ok, las carreras. Tanto bardo, tanta anticipación, tanto entrenamiento y al final duran... qué, dos capítulos? Y de los cortos. Va, sí, que duran cinco minutos nada más, pero ese es justo mi problema. Entrenan a los caballos mil años para sólo cinco minutos? Dame un circuito que recorra toda la isla o algo. No sé. Meteme más en las carreras.
That's it. Léanlo. Vale la pena.
maddie_reads_stuff's review against another edition
4.0
A girl, a boy, a race of barely-tamed kelpie-like creatures, small town intrigue. Altogether a sweet story.
A+ audiobook narration.
A+ audiobook narration.