A review by thebalancedbookshelf
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

5.0

This is a unique book. It blends fantasy and reality a way that you’re not quite sure where you are and what year it’s supposed to be. I forgot how much I love Maggie Stiefvaters work and don’t know why it took me so long to pick up another one of her books. I love the way she writes, her quotes and characters are so memorable. 

The capall uisce are a powerful force but are also revered on the island. I love how this story focuses on a bloody competition with deadly mythological water horses but really isn’t about that at all. It touches on so many other aspects that just makes this book that much more meaningful.

I love the characters and the connection they had with each other and the island. They have so much depth to them and that only adds to the storyline.  Each person had their own struggles and internal motivation to enter the game and I loved seeing how their characters evolved. Puck especially went from just joining to get her brother to stay to having something to prove. Being the only female rider to ever enter she sees the importance of not backing down and standing up for her rights. She like everyone else belongs to this island and deserves the respect and right to be in the competition. I love how her and Sean’s bond forms and how they see each other as equals. 

My only complaint is the time period and setting. It makes mentions of places like California, the Atlantic sea, and Americans but also doesn’t quite explain where they are. I was getting hints of Ireland and Scotland and wasn’t quite sure where the story had landed. There are cars also but no mention of phones and at the end they make a comment about the woman’s suffrage movement which through me off even more. If places like America were going to be called out I think there should have a been a clear location and year mentioned throughout the book. 

This book captivates you in so many ways. It’s magical, heartfelt, and even vicious. While this story is a standalone you get so much out of the characters and the storyline. I feel like this book is going to stick with me for a long time and I look forward to reading more from this author in the future!