The Scorpio Races in The Random World of Reading

Nov 07, 2011 Michelle [Helen Geek] rated it liked it

Shelves: ntm_authors_2012, 3-5-stars, buddy-read, ya

3.5 Stars

This book wasn't even on my radar until I had to assign a buddy read for a monthly readers challenge. Megan had this book on her "to read" pile and it fit the requirements. It was intriguing and the author was one I've heard much about, so I a "buddy read" it became.

What I know about horses, I've learned via osmosis from my husband. He has trained and loved horses much of his adult life. One lesson he has taught, the love a good horse is a powerful thing. Some people may never relate to 3.5 Stars

This book wasn't even on my radar until I had to assign a buddy read for a monthly readers challenge. Megan had this book on her "to read" pile and it fit the requirements. It was intriguing and the author was one I've heard much about, so I a "buddy read" it became.

What I know about horses, I've learned via osmosis from my husband. He has trained and loved horses much of his adult life. One lesson he has taught, the love a good horse is a powerful thing. Some people may never relate to people the way they relate to horses. And, young girls, if interested in horses, don't do half measures. They are over the top about their steeds. All of this proves true in this story. But, it is intriguing because these horses aren't your typical "eat a bit of grain and hay" horses, these are flesh eating horses and the Scorpio Race is a killer; literally.

There are things I really liked about this book:
1 -- I liked this writers style. Each chapter has the focus and the POV of the character in the chapter title. Keeps the story very focused and structured for the reader.
2 -- The authors way of drawing a picture of the landscape and the environment. I felt like I could clearly see the house where Puck lived, the sea shore where they practiced for the race, Finn and all his mechanics. Very rich detail and I really enjoyed this.

Before I discuss those things I wasn't overly enamored with, I want to first remind myself and the reader of this review, the book targeted a young adult audience; I'd say 13 and over.

There are things I think just okay about this story:
1 -- The author took quite a bit of time to get to the point. And, I think in the end I came up with my own point [tell you in a bit] because I was frankly tired of waiting for the author to reveal it to me.
2 -- The depth of the characters. Relates to #1 above, but I didn't get a good feel for why they were doing what they were doing when they were doing it. The character painted for each person wasn't enough to help me understand the driver. I may be muckling this a bit, but I couldn't intuitively tell you why Sean was doing what he was doing. The depth just wasn't there for me. Too much of a puzzle, but don't think this was the intention of the author.

Overall, a read you could enjoy. I think if you were 13 or so, you may get bored faster than I did and find yourself skimming a bit, maybe not. It does have horses throughout the story and this may be enough to hold a horse crazy person's interest.

Oh, yes, almost forgot. What do I think the message of this story is? Remember, I made up my own, not sure if this was the authors intended message or not... Sometimes we underestimate love and the people around us. We get beaten up enough [not necessarily in the literal sense], we don't expect much. Sometimes the goodness in people surprises us. Just like the saying, if love is strong enough, trust it, turn it loose, and it just may come back to you. This is my take-a-way message, this is what I took from this story. Not sure if it was the message I was supposed to have, but there you have it...

Happy Reading! ...more

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Aug 22, 2011 Megan rated it it was amazing

I was warm, dry and generally comfortable when I began reading this book, but after the first few pages, I began to feel a chill in the air; my cheeks felt rosy from being lashed at by a biting wind that I could only reckon had come from the ... fireplace? I could smell sea water in the air, feel sand chafing between my toes, sense that greasy film of ocean salt in my hair. Except ... when I checked myself I was still warm, dry and virtually clean. The vent to the chimney was closed! And the Bat I was warm, dry and generally comfortable when I began reading this book, but after the first few pages, I began to feel a chill in the air; my cheeks felt rosy from being lashed at by a biting wind that I could only reckon had come from the ... fireplace? I could smell sea water in the air, feel sand chafing between my toes, sense that greasy film of ocean salt in my hair. Except ... when I checked myself I was still warm, dry and virtually clean. The vent to the chimney was closed! And the Bath and Body Works plug-ins evenly distributed around my house reassured me that those briny smells had been nothing more than mere figments of my imagination. Or better: Maggie Stiefvater's imagination. Which could only mean that I'd been transported to the Isle of Thisby (off the coast of Ireland, I think?), and considering it's a fictional island, I found this quite remarkable. So, that's kudos number one.

Kudos number two: Descriptions of the community and the characters themselves. From Gratton's butcher shop to Fathom and Son's (props to the fertility goddess just inside the door) to their noteworthy owners - husband and wife duo: Tom and Peg Gratton, and sisters: Dory Maud, Elizabeth and Annie (the blind sister). Everyone is such a unique individual with their own identifiable personalities. I could go on and on about Puck's brothers, Gabe and Finn; Sean Kendrick; Benjamin and Mutt Malvern; and the beloved American, George Holly. But it's time to move on.

I'm done counting kudos too, because I'm pressed for time. I just wanted to write a quick blurb on why I liked this book so much because I've seen a few mediocre ones (and from people I follow, no less) and I have to disagree. Scorpio Races reminded me of reading an old classic, and honestly, I think it will be one day. At least I hope. This isn't your typical YA, quick fix novel. It's a beautifully written, poignant story of (view spoiler). This book isn't a hurried romance - if it is one at all, which I sort of doubt - but a book about friendship. Of all kinds. It isn't a action packed thriller. If you pick up this book, and I suggest you do, try to focus on the artistry of the words, the depth of each character's soul. Allow yourself to slow down a minute and really read this book. Don't rush through it waiting for the boy and girl to meet and hoping whatever it is you hope for main character/love interests in books. Enjoy the freaking journey, get to know who you're reading about.

Anyway, that's all I have time for. Good job, Mags. Many, many kudos. ...more

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Sep 11, 2012 Trish Lockhart rated it it was amazing

I absolutely loved this book. It is up there, just under my favorites. The characters are all believable and passionate about their lives. The romance is perfectly uncertain. The main character is strong and vulnerable. Her struggles, abilities, and weaknesses are believable, no Lara Crofts here.

If you like cowboys, you'll love this. But if you don't, don't let that discourage you.

Oh and you will not be able to guess the ending. ...more

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Dec 03, 2011 Leigh rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

I can't say enough about this book to tell you how amazing it was. It's like Maggie went screaming through my brain and pulled out my deepest dreams and desires and wrote it in a book.

Ireland, Horses, The Sea, Fairies, Mythology...It's all there. I was like a little girl reading "Misty" for the first time with this book. It was exciting, and scary, brought tears to my eyes and has left me wanting more but..... strangely satiated at the same time.

I think I'm gonna go ride my own water horse now, ...more

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Mar 29, 2011 Kate rated it it was amazing

This review has been hidden because it contains spoilers. To view it, click here.

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Feb 24, 2012 Jessica rated it really liked it

Appeal Characteristics: Horses, Magical Horses, England-y feel, Village, Coastal Region, Small Hometown...

I really like the character development between Puck and Sean. Puck's family history (and family members) in general, were definitely interesting. I'm not much of a horse fan or reader...but this definitely held my interest. The magical flesh-eating horses had enough appeal to make this book marketable all around. The plot development moved and the tone while had that 'eerie dark' feeling. ...more

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Aug 23, 2011 Becca Kirkman rated it it was amazing

Shelves: favorites

So I really love the author, and I wanted to read this book but I had no idea what is was about. So then I read the little summary, and it really doesn't give this book justice. I loved it- it is really different. It was tough for me to get into at first, I really didn't start liking the book till the middle. It felt like it dragged on and was depressing. But once I got to the middle, I was really hooked with the characters, and I fell in love with the story. It is a semi-realistic fairy tale ty ...more

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