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4.16 AVERAGE
4.16 AVERAGE
adventurous
hopeful
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:
No
I seriously could not put this book down. I love this author I love everything she does. She writes dynamic compelling and nuanced characters as well as beautiful stories. And the way she chooses the present the books is amazing. Its full of whimsical fun and sorrow and her books always inspires my creativity
Main characters: 5/5
Puck and Sean were well-developed characters that demonstrated a wide range of motivations and emotions that I could connect to. Puck was a little more hot-headed than Sean, which I liked. Even sometimes when I wanted to bang their heads against a wall, I still liked them as individuals. And better yet, they were realistic (even when the plot was fantastical).
The romance between them was even better. It was a slow romance, and I really appreciate that. Sean and Puck didn't fall instantly in love, in fact it was more like instant dislike. The way they slowly became friends, and then more, was perfectly done.
I think the best part is how the characters were interwoven into the plot. Have you ever read a book where you feel like the conflict could be the same if you interchanged any character in the story? That's not the case with Puck and Sean. Their conflicts are entirely unique to them and to the story.
Secondary characters: 4/5
I was slightly torn on the secondary characters. I loved Puck's brother Finn: he was amusing and fun and added a lot to the story. I was a little concerned about Gabe because I felt he was very one-dimensional for most of the story (although much of this may have been because we only saw him through Puck's POV).
Similarly, Mutt and Benjamin Malvern, while excellent villains, sometimes lacked realism because I didn't feel any redeeming or human qualities. They were pure evil, which doesn't create relatable conflict.
But then on the other hand, Stiefvater created characters like the Maud sisters and George Holly, who were just a hoot to read. Just as Steifvater brought Puck and Sean to light in the context of Thisby, she did the same with the other islanders, and used them to create the world, and vice versa. The integration of plot, characters and the setting was phenomenal.
Writing style: 4/5
I loved the writing style of The Scorpio Races. Somehow, Steifvater made me feel the vibe of the island and understand the setting better through her writing. Incredible. Steifvater has a way of describing Thisby that makes you feel like you're there with Puck and Sean and the waterhorses. Her style is atmospheric and evocative, and I loved every little bit of it.
The pacing was maybe the only weak spot. As interesting as the plot and the characters were, sometimes the pacing moved too slow and I started to get a little bored. I thought the races would be longer (literally longer, like days or weeks) rather than a 5 minute race, so I was expecting the description of the race itself to take up a lot of the book. Instead it was a very tiny little section at the end, and most of the book was lead-up to the race. I wish there had been a little bit more action.
Plot: 4.5/5
The plot of The Scorpio Races was fabulous. The combination of the legend combined with the realistic and complex society and the interpersonal conflict was fascinating. The way that Steifvater combined the fantasy aspect with the conflict that occurred between characters creates multiple layers of plot, which I loved. It definitely kept me interested.
World-building= yes. Stiefvater came up with so many minute details about the world and the Races that made me feel like I was actually there.
Bonus: I also love horses, horse racing and mythology, so the subject matter of The Scorpio Races was right down my alley.
The only weak side (as I mentioned earlier) is that there was a lack of major plot elements. The book sometimes felt like one long exposition and the Races themselves made up such a minute aspect of what actually happens. I would have liked to see more details of the race itself: more action.
Ending: 3/5
I was lukewarm about the ending. There was a lot to appreciate and feel excited about, but I also felt like it was wrapped up in a nice little bow and everything worked out perfectly. That didn't feel realistic, especially after all the lead-up conflict. But yes, okay, I did cry a little still. So.... mixed feelings on this ending.
Best scene: Probably the race itself or the very end scene
Reminded Me Of: Hidalgo
Positives: Strong characters and development, slow romance, world-building, writing style
Negatives: Pacing, pure-evil villains were unrealistic, the ending was a little too perfect
Cover: Not my favorite. I don't particularly understand the red color scheme and I think the font and image are both pretty boring.
Verdict: Fantastic world-building and characters make up for the slow pacing of this unique fairytale
Rating: 8.2 / 10 (5 stars)
Puck and Sean were well-developed characters that demonstrated a wide range of motivations and emotions that I could connect to. Puck was a little more hot-headed than Sean, which I liked. Even sometimes when I wanted to bang their heads against a wall, I still liked them as individuals. And better yet, they were realistic (even when the plot was fantastical).
The romance between them was even better. It was a slow romance, and I really appreciate that. Sean and Puck didn't fall instantly in love, in fact it was more like instant dislike. The way they slowly became friends, and then more, was perfectly done.
I think the best part is how the characters were interwoven into the plot. Have you ever read a book where you feel like the conflict could be the same if you interchanged any character in the story? That's not the case with Puck and Sean. Their conflicts are entirely unique to them and to the story.
Secondary characters: 4/5
I was slightly torn on the secondary characters. I loved Puck's brother Finn: he was amusing and fun and added a lot to the story. I was a little concerned about Gabe because I felt he was very one-dimensional for most of the story (although much of this may have been because we only saw him through Puck's POV).
Similarly, Mutt and Benjamin Malvern, while excellent villains, sometimes lacked realism because I didn't feel any redeeming or human qualities. They were pure evil, which doesn't create relatable conflict.
But then on the other hand, Stiefvater created characters like the Maud sisters and George Holly, who were just a hoot to read. Just as Steifvater brought Puck and Sean to light in the context of Thisby, she did the same with the other islanders, and used them to create the world, and vice versa. The integration of plot, characters and the setting was phenomenal.
Writing style: 4/5
I loved the writing style of The Scorpio Races. Somehow, Steifvater made me feel the vibe of the island and understand the setting better through her writing. Incredible. Steifvater has a way of describing Thisby that makes you feel like you're there with Puck and Sean and the waterhorses. Her style is atmospheric and evocative, and I loved every little bit of it.
The pacing was maybe the only weak spot. As interesting as the plot and the characters were, sometimes the pacing moved too slow and I started to get a little bored. I thought the races would be longer (literally longer, like days or weeks) rather than a 5 minute race, so I was expecting the description of the race itself to take up a lot of the book. Instead it was a very tiny little section at the end, and most of the book was lead-up to the race. I wish there had been a little bit more action.
Plot: 4.5/5
The plot of The Scorpio Races was fabulous. The combination of the legend combined with the realistic and complex society and the interpersonal conflict was fascinating. The way that Steifvater combined the fantasy aspect with the conflict that occurred between characters creates multiple layers of plot, which I loved. It definitely kept me interested.
World-building= yes. Stiefvater came up with so many minute details about the world and the Races that made me feel like I was actually there.
Bonus: I also love horses, horse racing and mythology, so the subject matter of The Scorpio Races was right down my alley.
The only weak side (as I mentioned earlier) is that there was a lack of major plot elements. The book sometimes felt like one long exposition and the Races themselves made up such a minute aspect of what actually happens. I would have liked to see more details of the race itself: more action.
Ending: 3/5
I was lukewarm about the ending. There was a lot to appreciate and feel excited about, but I also felt like it was wrapped up in a nice little bow and everything worked out perfectly. That didn't feel realistic, especially after all the lead-up conflict. But yes, okay, I did cry a little still. So.... mixed feelings on this ending.
Best scene: Probably the race itself or the very end scene
Reminded Me Of: Hidalgo
Positives: Strong characters and development, slow romance, world-building, writing style
Negatives: Pacing, pure-evil villains were unrealistic, the ending was a little too perfect
Cover: Not my favorite. I don't particularly understand the red color scheme and I think the font and image are both pretty boring.
Verdict: Fantastic world-building and characters make up for the slow pacing of this unique fairytale
Rating: 8.2 / 10 (5 stars)
I gave this book a hug when I finished reading it. Seriously. I enjoyed the characters and, since I am not familiar with most fantasy, I found the story unique and fun to read. I am so disappointed that Miss Stiefvater isn't going to write another one!
adventurous
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
A YA really emblematic of Stiefvater- dark and broody with a real sense of place. I liked it a lot even though I was unsure of the reasons for some of the characters choices that ultimately drive the narrative- mainly Pucks decision to race at all. Really want one of those November cakes though
adventurous
challenging
reflective
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
3.5 ⭐️
i really enjoyed the central characters, puck and sean, and the descriptions of place and atmosphere. maggie stiefvater writes the land in a way that gives it so much life. like puck, i grew to love thisby as i read this.
the plot unfortunately dragged on in a lot of places for me, which is why i cant give this book a higher rating. i also felt that the final race itself was a bit boring, which was a let down as the entire plot was building up towards that.
but i’ll end with this: i’m pretty sure that one horse riding scene between puck and sean did more for me than anything sjm has ever written
i really enjoyed the central characters, puck and sean, and the descriptions of place and atmosphere. maggie stiefvater writes the land in a way that gives it so much life. like puck, i grew to love thisby as i read this.
the plot unfortunately dragged on in a lot of places for me, which is why i cant give this book a higher rating. i also felt that the final race itself was a bit boring, which was a let down as the entire plot was building up towards that.
but i’ll end with this: i’m pretty sure that one horse riding scene between puck and sean did more for me than anything sjm has ever written
adventurous
challenging
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
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
Five SCREAMING stars for this masterpiece. I last read this when it came out, and rereading it now 14 years later makes me appreciate and love it even more than I did then. Stiefvater's writing shines bright in this book in particular, and through it I felt for the two lead characters who are incredibly strong and easy to empathize with. Something that really struck me was how easy it was to tell the difference between the different POV chapters. Puck and Sean are incredibly well written, and I could tell the author had a strong handle on each character. The story itself is magical and a little sad, fast-paced and something I would have cheered out loud about if I was at home. The Scorpio Races was definitely worth this last reread, and the many rereads I am sure to come. This was certainly one of the best book that I've read this year, and I think it's Steifvater at her absolute best.
adventurous
dark
sad
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix