Author: Maggie Stiefvater
Rating: I really liked it
Recommendation: Teens
“Some race to win. Others race to survive”. Author Maggie Stiefvater’s own quote best encapsulates the essence of her novel, The Scorpio Races, While a story about a tiny island may appear underwhelming, the entrancing legend of the water horses will leave readers on the edge of their seat. What differentiates this novel from others of a similar genre is not just the legend it tells, but Stiefvater’s method of displaying the relationships that define a person. She shows us love in family, in community, for an island, for a horse, and a bloody adoration with risk itself.
The story is by no means light, with the occasional violence and constant turmoil, but Steifvater gives a new meaning to hope, redefining it as the characters develop and find their own paths. Through vivid descriptions of the fictional island of Thisby she transports the reader to a world you just can't let go of. Annoying siblings, tentative romance, and mouthwatering desserts paired with the unfamiliar legends of the water horses allow the reader to relate to the story while simultaneously being entranced by it’s unfamiliarity. Along the way readers see into the minds of both protagonists, Sean and Puck, and Stiefvater’s consistent switch between perspectives allows us to see the island through two sides of the same coin. Despite the book’s relatively short timeline of a few weeks, Steifvater’s pacing is initially a bit slow because she tells her story through details, which enriches the overall plot.
Often we watch movies about superheroes or inhuman creatures because regardless of absurdity they tell transcendent stories about humanity. Stiefvater’s novel stands out among others of its genre in this manner, applying a dangerous legend to a vibrant world, while seamlessly integrating touching story lines that revolve around love, loss and survival.
Reviewed by: Anonymous