- Hardcover: 416 pages
- Publisher: Scholastic Press (October 18, 2011)
Goodreads Description:
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.
**********************************
Immediately after I finished reading The Scorpio Races I tried to describe it to someone and found that I just couldn't. This book is difficult to sum up. There were paranormal elements to it but I would hesitate to call it paranormal; there is a little bit of romance, but I definitely wouldn't call it romance. There is a bit of bleakness and desperation similar to the mood of dystopian but it can't be classified as dystopian. Although I can't categorize this book, I can definitely say that it is amazing.
The writing style of the author is very distinct. If you have read her Mercy Falls series you will definitely recognize it. But where I found it depressing and boring in her werewolf books I found it to have an almost musical or poetic quality in The Scorpio Races. It really fit well with the content and the atmosphere. Although I am not really a fan of the author's previous series I found myself intrigued by the very vague description of the book. I wanted to know what the Scorpio Races are. I am not a horse person. I don't like horse books and I don't like horse movies. You would think because of that I would have been deterred from reading this book, but no, I HAD to know what the Scorpio Races are. I am so very glad I gave this book a try. I wasn't sure what to expect but it blew me away. I've read a lot of books and I can honestly say that this book is now in the top 5 best books I have ever read in ANY genre. When I finished reading the book I was so excited about what I had just read. I also am so glad that this is a stand alone. It does not need a follow up. It is perfect the way it is.
I don't want to really write about what happens in the story because I think the vagueness of the book description helped me to enjoy the story. Basically, I liked that the whole plot wasn't given on the back of the book. I do however want to address the romance part of the story. Yes, this is a YA book and yes there is a romance. It isn't annoying though (something I find a lot of YA romances to be). The story's focus isn't really on that. In my opinion it is kind of in the background.
Who would this book be perfect for? I don't know. Everyone? This story can't be defined or categorized. Teenagers, adults, male, female...it doesn't really matter because this is something so many people will enjoy. Hopefully, most will read it and walk away with the same feelings as I did.
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.
**********************************
Immediately after I finished reading The Scorpio Races I tried to describe it to someone and found that I just couldn't. This book is difficult to sum up. There were paranormal elements to it but I would hesitate to call it paranormal; there is a little bit of romance, but I definitely wouldn't call it romance. There is a bit of bleakness and desperation similar to the mood of dystopian but it can't be classified as dystopian. Although I can't categorize this book, I can definitely say that it is amazing.
The writing style of the author is very distinct. If you have read her Mercy Falls series you will definitely recognize it. But where I found it depressing and boring in her werewolf books I found it to have an almost musical or poetic quality in The Scorpio Races. It really fit well with the content and the atmosphere. Although I am not really a fan of the author's previous series I found myself intrigued by the very vague description of the book. I wanted to know what the Scorpio Races are. I am not a horse person. I don't like horse books and I don't like horse movies. You would think because of that I would have been deterred from reading this book, but no, I HAD to know what the Scorpio Races are. I am so very glad I gave this book a try. I wasn't sure what to expect but it blew me away. I've read a lot of books and I can honestly say that this book is now in the top 5 best books I have ever read in ANY genre. When I finished reading the book I was so excited about what I had just read. I also am so glad that this is a stand alone. It does not need a follow up. It is perfect the way it is.
I don't want to really write about what happens in the story because I think the vagueness of the book description helped me to enjoy the story. Basically, I liked that the whole plot wasn't given on the back of the book. I do however want to address the romance part of the story. Yes, this is a YA book and yes there is a romance. It isn't annoying though (something I find a lot of YA romances to be). The story's focus isn't really on that. In my opinion it is kind of in the background.
Who would this book be perfect for? I don't know. Everyone? This story can't be defined or categorized. Teenagers, adults, male, female...it doesn't really matter because this is something so many people will enjoy. Hopefully, most will read it and walk away with the same feelings as I did.
5/5
I received this book for review. Any opinions expressed are my own.
2 comments:
Thanks for the great review.
Stopping by from Cym's Book Review Party.
Elizabeth
http://silversolara.blogspot.com
Thanks for letting me borrow your copy! I have enjoyed what I've read so far. I think it's gonna be one of those "I don't want it to end!" kind of books :)
Loved your review Raelena!
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