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alisarae's review against another edition
5.0
Murder horses. High stakes betting. Dirty rivals. Also, romance.
mymiddlename123's review against another edition
4.0
The Scorpio Races totally took me by surprise. I went into this thinking that I would end up being one of the many haters because of the pure fact that it’s so different than what we get from Maggie in the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. So I figured that those differences would make me not like it. But this one was so good.
I first off want to suggest that if you’re thinking of reading this, listen to the audiobook instead. I decided to try it out since I’ve been on an audiobook kick lately and it is by far the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. The narrators chosen were perfect for the roles and brilliant at portraying the characters and the emotions going on. I especially loved Fiona Hardingham as Puck. I think she’s new to the narrator scene because there aren’t any other audiobooks on Audible with her as the narrator. But I do hope she does more because I’ll be following her and making sure to listen to all her audiobooks. Her voice is so soothing and lovely and she just sounded like I would imagine Puck would sound.
But anyways, onto the story. This was really good. I think I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have appreciated the book as much if I had read it instead though because it is a slower paced book for most of it. But listening to it had a soothing feeling to it that relaxed me and helped me to appreciate the slow pace more.
Both Puck and Sean were amazing characters, mature and brave. Even though there were times when you knew Puck felt like she was in over her head, she just has this air about her that you can’t help but admire. She has a lot of spark and life in her and I was proud of her every step of the way. Sean is the kind of character who has every reason to be cocky but isn’t. Instead he’s calm, cool, and collected all the time. At first Puck and Sean together would seem sort of unlikely. But the more these two were explored the more I came to understand them.
The romance in this one is very different from the Shiver trilogy, but not in a bad way, just a different way. The romance between Grace and Sam was more electric and fast burning. Whereas the romance between Puck and Sean is subtle and sweet and shy. They were both not used to their feelings so it was so adorable to watch them together.
Overall, this was a great book. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. It adds to the beautiful story that Maggie Stiefvater has written here. For people who are not fans of the Shiver trilogy, still try this one. Although I am a fan of them, I noticed with this one that Maggie’s writing seems to have matured and the story is quite lovely.
I first off want to suggest that if you’re thinking of reading this, listen to the audiobook instead. I decided to try it out since I’ve been on an audiobook kick lately and it is by far the best audiobook I’ve ever listened to. The narrators chosen were perfect for the roles and brilliant at portraying the characters and the emotions going on. I especially loved Fiona Hardingham as Puck. I think she’s new to the narrator scene because there aren’t any other audiobooks on Audible with her as the narrator. But I do hope she does more because I’ll be following her and making sure to listen to all her audiobooks. Her voice is so soothing and lovely and she just sounded like I would imagine Puck would sound.
But anyways, onto the story. This was really good. I think I can honestly say that I wouldn’t have appreciated the book as much if I had read it instead though because it is a slower paced book for most of it. But listening to it had a soothing feeling to it that relaxed me and helped me to appreciate the slow pace more.
Both Puck and Sean were amazing characters, mature and brave. Even though there were times when you knew Puck felt like she was in over her head, she just has this air about her that you can’t help but admire. She has a lot of spark and life in her and I was proud of her every step of the way. Sean is the kind of character who has every reason to be cocky but isn’t. Instead he’s calm, cool, and collected all the time. At first Puck and Sean together would seem sort of unlikely. But the more these two were explored the more I came to understand them.
The romance in this one is very different from the Shiver trilogy, but not in a bad way, just a different way. The romance between Grace and Sam was more electric and fast burning. Whereas the romance between Puck and Sean is subtle and sweet and shy. They were both not used to their feelings so it was so adorable to watch them together.
Overall, this was a great book. I highly recommend listening to the audiobook. It adds to the beautiful story that Maggie Stiefvater has written here. For people who are not fans of the Shiver trilogy, still try this one. Although I am a fan of them, I noticed with this one that Maggie’s writing seems to have matured and the story is quite lovely.
aandrus's review against another edition
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
mybooksarenovel's review against another edition
5.0
Excuse me!? This was so incredible! I don't even know where to begin because this story was an experience that I absolutely loved every minute of.
It contains Irish/Welsh folklore, and island people. The cold dark coastal atmosphere is so moody and I love it so much!
The protagonist Kate/Puck goes from being a naive child to a responsible young woman, The protagonist Sean fights till the bitter end to take back what is rightfully his and free himself fully from the shackles that hold him.
What did I love? Everything!
This felt like the Secret of Rhone Innish and The Folk Keeper. But instead of Selkies it was Kelpies! Carnivorous horses from the sea caught and kept and raced in a deadly horse race for money and prestige.
One of my top standalones I've read this year.
As an aside, Steve West narrates Sean's POV and I can get lost in that voice.
It contains Irish/Welsh folklore, and island people. The cold dark coastal atmosphere is so moody and I love it so much!
The protagonist Kate/Puck goes from being a naive child to a responsible young woman, The protagonist Sean fights till the bitter end to take back what is rightfully his and free himself fully from the shackles that hold him.
What did I love? Everything!
This felt like the Secret of Rhone Innish and The Folk Keeper. But instead of Selkies it was Kelpies! Carnivorous horses from the sea caught and kept and raced in a deadly horse race for money and prestige.
One of my top standalones I've read this year.
As an aside, Steve West narrates Sean's POV and I can get lost in that voice.
sjiang12's review against another edition
4.0
The four-star rating is specifically for the audiobook which features music by the author.
secretmagic's review against another edition
5.0
I loved this book! I think part of what made me love it so much wasn't just the exciting plot, the fantasy-like aspects with the water horses, and the fun/easy-to-love main characters. No what really stuck with me was it being a stand-alone novel. I think it took the pressure off the book a bit. You knew everything was going to be wrapped up here for us. I definitely thought that was awesome.
I'll admit to being a little confused at the start. I thought it was a full-on fantasy novel, with the horse races and dangerous water horses...and then someone mentioned a car and I had to readjust my thinking. It was like a world within our own, but where a particular type of supernatural being is well known around the world.
The Capaill Uisce (water horses) fascinated me. Although I'm kicking myself a bit, thinking they were this crazy, awesome new invention...until I read Maggie's Author Note at the end of the book and she mentioned similar faerie myths and Kelpies - Of course! Water horses that want to eat you!
5/5 stars
I'll admit to being a little confused at the start. I thought it was a full-on fantasy novel, with the horse races and dangerous water horses...and then someone mentioned a car and I had to readjust my thinking. It was like a world within our own, but where a particular type of supernatural being is well known around the world.
The Capaill Uisce (water horses) fascinated me. Although I'm kicking myself a bit, thinking they were this crazy, awesome new invention...until I read Maggie's Author Note at the end of the book and she mentioned similar faerie myths and Kelpies - Of course! Water horses that want to eat you!
5/5 stars
cass1699's review against another edition
3.0
3.5 stars!!!!
so after a slow start, i found that i really did enjoy this book. first of all, maggie stiefvater’s prose is absolutely unmatched. she brought a rare sophistication to this story that just made it all the more compelling. secondly, i really loved how puck and sean’s romance was borne out of respect for each other, and not necessarily attraction. it just made it feel so genuine, and the slow-burn (despite being a subplot) was very much worth the wait.
THE ENDING MADE ME CRY LIKE A BABY. first with the fact that finn was the one who bet on puck (like seriously, finn connolly, i love you so much
so after a slow start, i found that i really did enjoy this book. first of all, maggie stiefvater’s prose is absolutely unmatched. she brought a rare sophistication to this story that just made it all the more compelling. secondly, i really loved how puck and sean’s romance was borne out of respect for each other, and not necessarily attraction. it just made it feel so genuine, and the slow-burn (despite being a subplot) was very much worth the wait.
THE ENDING MADE ME CRY LIKE A BABY. first with the fact that finn was the one who bet on puck (like seriously, finn connolly, i love you so much
galaplanas's review against another edition
adventurous
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
danoreading's review against another edition
5.0
This was lovely. And I'm not even a horse person - in fact, the idea of man-eating, bloodthirsty horses fits nicely with my perception of horses in general.
I may have cried a bit in the end.
I may have cried a bit in the end.