The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (2011)

YA Fiction | Contemporary | Myth & FantasyBlurb:

“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. ”
–Goodreads

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pooled ink Review:

Dear Maggie Stiefvater,

This is my favorite book you’ve ever written. I bought this book on a 100% whim and that is not at all like me. I didn’t even know anything about it beyond the cover art (which I love) and the description on the back cover (which obviously did its job). I’ve heard that this too is one of your favorite books that you’ve written and that’s not surprising to me because I felt a lot of heart in this story and that’s something that cannot be faked.

I wrapped myself up in a warm hand-knitted blanket, made some tea, and curled up to read this book in the low glow of the Christmas lights strung around my room nestled and safe from the icy winter winds blowing outside my window. I had settled in to read a book that called to me from the bottom of a YA shelf in Barnes & Noble and hoped that it was as good as it sounded but what I got was so much richer and better I find it difficult to describe with words.

I honestly don’t quite know what it is that makes this one of my favorite books ever. I mean the writing skills were obviously there, the world building was vivid and clear, the characters were grounded and real, the plot was comforting yet exhilarating…no all of these things made it a good book but it takes that little drop of mysterious magical something to make it great and, well, whatever it is this book has it.

I read almost the whole book in one day. I could have finished it all in a day but I was almost nervous about how it would end because it was written so well and I was so swept up in the story that I could not even begin to predict the ending. I kept putting it off and yet kept yearning to finish it. I finally steeled myself and read those last few chapters and I couldn’t help but smile and cry at the same time. It was perfect.
All I have to say is that The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater is a VERY good book.

Cheers.

P.S. Check out a Runrig inspired Pandora station because there’s loads of good music that comes up and also keeps up the mood and atmosphere of this book (: Oh and I’m definitely going to be trying out the November Cakes recipe soon as well! Who knows, maybe one day I’ll win one of Maggie’s amazing art pieces! Well, here’s hoping but let’s not get carried away. Just read the book! You won’t regret it.

Review originally posted on Goodreads on February 2, 2014

 Purchase here: The Scorpio Races 

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Meet Maggie Stiefvater!

All of Maggie Stiefvater’s life decisions have been based around her inability to be gainfully employed. Talking to yourself, staring into space, and coming to work in your pajamas are frowned upon when you’re a waitress, calligraphy instructor, or technical editor (all of which she’s tried), but are highly prized traits in novelists and artists. She’s made her living as one or the other since she was 22. She now lives an eccentric life in the middle of nowhere, Virginia with her charmingly straight-laced husband, two kids, two neurotic dogs, and a 1973 Camaro named Loki.
-Goodreads

Website | Twitter | Goodreads

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November Cakes!

A special bonus that Stiefvater has gifted us with is a delicious recipe of her own invention. So now you can not only read about the Scorpio Races and the festive November Cakes but you can bake & eat them!!! And let me tell ya, they are ridiculously good (: The recipe is included in the back of the book!

 

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