Review of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Check out this Review of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater. This 2000s YA fantasy book has a unique setting, a competition element, and a fairy tale quality.

Jen’s Quick Take on The Scorpio Races

• Magical, fairy tale feel
• Exciting horse races
• Competition element
• Romance but not front and center
• Standalone, which is unusual for a 2000s YA Fantasy Book

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The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Published on October 18, 2011 by Scholastic Books

Plot Summary for The Scorpio Races

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.

At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.

Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Review of The Scorpio Races

 

I wasn’t sure what to expect from this book. The blurb was a little cryptic.

Now that I read the book, I understand why. The book is a little hard to sum up. Here’s my best one sentence attempt: on the island of Thisby, carnivorous wild horses come out of the ocean, and the bravest of the island residents race them on the beach.

I really enjoyed the book. Maggie Stiefvater’s writing is beautiful. The story had a mythical, fairy tale quality. The setting is evocatively described. The pacing is slow but deliberate. Bit by bit, the book drew me in. But by the climactic race scene, I was holding my breath.

There is a romance, but it’s not the main focus of the story. If you’re looking for a 200s YA fantasy book that is really different, then I think The Scorpio Races could be the perfect pick for you!