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Ashley's Reviews > The Scorpio Races
The Scorpio Races
by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author)
by Maggie Stiefvater (Goodreads Author)
Originally reviewed on my blog, Books from Bleh to Basically Amazing.
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater was a book I was really excited to read. I've heard almost nothing but good things about Maggie's Shiver series, and the early talk I'd heard about this book was also quite positive. And, it was a book about hard-core, killer water horses... Sounds fascinating! But alas. I was seriously disappointed in this book, mostly because I didn't actually feel like anything really happened. I read this book a while ago and here is my initial reaction, as recorded by Goodreads-
Meh. That's almost all that I can say about this one. I don't know what it is/was about this book, but I didn't connect with it at all. Stiefvater is a good writer, but there was no emotion, no feeling, no... anything to this story. I own Shiver, and now I'm kinda nervous to read it. If it's anything like this one, I can expect another 400 pages of Sigh... Am I done yet? :(
Honestly, I don't know that I need to say anything more about this book. I spent 400 pages of killer water horses eating people thinking- When is the action going to start? When is this book going to get good? When will something make me care?! And honestly, that never happened. Ever. I never cared about the story line, or about the characters. I mean, I can't even remember a single characters name. That never happens to me. I always remember at least one characters name (usually a lot more) but this time, I got nothing. (and honestly, I don't care enough about the book to even take the time to look it up). The main girl character was a bit whiny and clingy and I never really liked her. She was selfish and kind of stupid. I did prefer the main male character's voice, but even then, I just wanted him to get over himself.
As for their relationship, I was left totally lost there as well. I couldn't really see the draw that either of these two held for each other. We never got to see their relationship develop, at least not romantically. I can easily believe that they become mutually respectful friends with each other based on their interactions and the emotions we got to see tied into those, but really, it was strange. Not even insta-love, but more of a- let me trick you into thinking you are getting a developed relationship here when really... I got nothing.
I know I'm giving out a lot of negatives right now, but there really wasn't much that I liked about this book. The only thing this book has going for it is Maggie's writing. While the story bored me and I never believed in the characters, I did appreciate the writing. I don't really know how to explain it, because given all my complaints I shouldn't be thinking the writing is good, but there is something in the way the words flow that really shows a lot of talent from Maggie. So, I'm both hopeful and wary of the Shiver series now. Hopeful, because Maggie's writing really is lovely, but wary because I just did not enjoy this book, at all. I don't want to spend another 400 pages begging the book to just end!
So, while this book definitely wasn't for me, I do know that there are others out there who have really loved it so far and many more who will most likely appreciate this story very much (especially if you really like horses. I feel like this could be a great book for horse lovers) but me, I just couldn't do it. Link me to your reviews if you did love it, or share your thoughts in the comments! I'd really love to hear what you thought!
The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater was a book I was really excited to read. I've heard almost nothing but good things about Maggie's Shiver series, and the early talk I'd heard about this book was also quite positive. And, it was a book about hard-core, killer water horses... Sounds fascinating! But alas. I was seriously disappointed in this book, mostly because I didn't actually feel like anything really happened. I read this book a while ago and here is my initial reaction, as recorded by Goodreads-
Meh. That's almost all that I can say about this one. I don't know what it is/was about this book, but I didn't connect with it at all. Stiefvater is a good writer, but there was no emotion, no feeling, no... anything to this story. I own Shiver, and now I'm kinda nervous to read it. If it's anything like this one, I can expect another 400 pages of Sigh... Am I done yet? :(
Honestly, I don't know that I need to say anything more about this book. I spent 400 pages of killer water horses eating people thinking- When is the action going to start? When is this book going to get good? When will something make me care?! And honestly, that never happened. Ever. I never cared about the story line, or about the characters. I mean, I can't even remember a single characters name. That never happens to me. I always remember at least one characters name (usually a lot more) but this time, I got nothing. (and honestly, I don't care enough about the book to even take the time to look it up). The main girl character was a bit whiny and clingy and I never really liked her. She was selfish and kind of stupid. I did prefer the main male character's voice, but even then, I just wanted him to get over himself.
As for their relationship, I was left totally lost there as well. I couldn't really see the draw that either of these two held for each other. We never got to see their relationship develop, at least not romantically. I can easily believe that they become mutually respectful friends with each other based on their interactions and the emotions we got to see tied into those, but really, it was strange. Not even insta-love, but more of a- let me trick you into thinking you are getting a developed relationship here when really... I got nothing.
I know I'm giving out a lot of negatives right now, but there really wasn't much that I liked about this book. The only thing this book has going for it is Maggie's writing. While the story bored me and I never believed in the characters, I did appreciate the writing. I don't really know how to explain it, because given all my complaints I shouldn't be thinking the writing is good, but there is something in the way the words flow that really shows a lot of talent from Maggie. So, I'm both hopeful and wary of the Shiver series now. Hopeful, because Maggie's writing really is lovely, but wary because I just did not enjoy this book, at all. I don't want to spend another 400 pages begging the book to just end!
So, while this book definitely wasn't for me, I do know that there are others out there who have really loved it so far and many more who will most likely appreciate this story very much (especially if you really like horses. I feel like this could be a great book for horse lovers) but me, I just couldn't do it. Link me to your reviews if you did love it, or share your thoughts in the comments! I'd really love to hear what you thought!
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Reading Progress
| 06/24/2011 | page 144 |
|
35.0% | ":( My first Stiefvater book. The writing is beautiful, but to be honest- I'm rather bored. The book feels cold and emotionless and I'm just sort of marking time, waiting for something to happen. Feeling rather meh about this one so far. Again- :(" 2 comments |
Comments (showing 1-12 of 12) (12 new)
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I haven't heard whether it's stand-alone yet. Given the way it ends, I'm going to assume it's a stand-alone with the potential/possibility to become a series. :P I've heard a lot of great things about this from other people. I haven't read the Shiver books, so can't comment there. And, I do recognize that her writing is quite good. But, I didn't have any connection to the characters and was really quite bored throughout the whole book.
i just finished this book and everything you said is true. the book was ehh... but I will tell you that I loved the Shiver series!!
I read this book too and also disappointed by the plot. Thankfully shiver has a great plot and characters I care about. You should try shiver, you will probably like it better.
I couldn't agree more. There was no character development, and the plot moved at a snail's pace. I don't see what all the fuss is about.
I couldn't agree more. There was no character development, and the plot moved at a snail's pace. I don't see what all the fuss is about.
That is exactly the way I felt about this book. I think the Shiver Trilogy is way better. Believe me, Grace and Sam are a much better couple than Sean and Puck ever dreamed of being. I don't know what Maggie was thinking.
I am totally opposite here. I really did not like Shiver and only read this because my book club chose it. I thought Scorpio Races was much better, thought still not amazing.
I'm probably only one hundred or so pages into it, and I find myself not even wanting to read it in my free time. It's just boring! And after hearing that the races don't actually start until 12 pages before the end of the book . . . discouraged! Not a fan.
I agree with you about the lack of action throughout the book. I too kept asking myself, when is the action going to start? However, I did like the story leading up to action and it was fascinating to see how the relationship between Puck and Sean unfolded. In addition, although most of the book had no action, the ending was intense. I don’t know about you, but I couldn’t put the book down towards the end; I just had to know what happened. I can understand why you didn’t like the book, but I thought it was still really good.
(2) This makes me a sad bunny. I love Stiefvater's writing and I've been hoping that her post-Wolves of Mercy Falls book would be worthy of her talent. I liked Shiver, but the plot (especially in the beginning) tended toward the RIDICULOUS