Book Review: Scorpio Races

The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

My rating: 5 of 5 stars


I didn't expect to like this book overly much. I never read her Wolves of Mercy Falls series, so I didn't walk in knowing what to expect. I just knew there had been alot of great reviews of it. So I figured I'd give it a shot. I fell in love with this story, and it wasn't what I'd expect to love. It's a fairly slow paced, very atmospheric tale of family issues, coming of age, and even a little unconventional romance that just happens to have a fantasy element. I strongly recommend it to readers of historical fiction or lovers of traditional fantasy.



The story is filled with genuine - not artificially dramatized - family angst and a true exploration of the "Who am I?" question that every young person deals with. That's what makes this tale work. The (truely) monsterous water horses are simply a great means to tell the tale. As I read, I found myself feeling the weight of the tension as it grows through the tale. And yet, it wasn't oppresive to me, but rather made me empathise with Puck & Sean (the main characters). I don't normally relate to characters who are terse and emotionally inexpressive. But what Stiefvater did so superbly is to allow us to see and sense the emotions of these characters through their actions and allowing us to feel it through the way she built the tension in the tale. (And not knowing if the horse you're riding is going to rip out your throat does add some stress.)



This book was wonderfly subtle and a masterwork of storytelling. I liked it so much that I had to buy a copy of my own to keep.



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