The Scorpio Races

By: Maggie Stiefvater

Narrated by: Steve West, Fiona Hardingham

Length: 12 hrs and 6 mins

Publisher's summary

With her trademark lyricism, Maggie Stiefvater turns to a new world, where a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff—with more than just their lives at stake should they lose.

©2011 Maggie Stiefvater (P)2011 Scholastic Audio

Love Horses? This is it!

I was taken aback by how the author incorporated the old myths of the water horses. My favorite subject I hadn't visited since I was a child. Now add a race, the love of the sea, and just the relationship of horses to their humans. Author brought to life everything a horse lover is all about and with such vividness! I will read this again and again and be so happy when I'm stuck behind a desk rather than on the back of my favorite red horse! Wow! It's so beautiful as I ride along the beach with my red kryptonite.

Wonderful story with talented narrators

This is one of my most favorite books. If it feels slow in the beginning, stick with it. It's a fantastic tale with lots of action and humanity.

The narrators embody the characters so well.

Fantastic

This was my first Maggie Stiefvater listen/read and it was a fantastic modern mythical tale. I loved the narrators and the characters and could not stop listening! Didn’t want it to end!

Reminds Me of Steinbeck With A Better Ending

This was a wonderfully told story of life on a fictional island with magical water horses. It is told from the perspectives of Puck and Sean whose lives and struggles are relatable and hard, despite the magical horses that wash up on their beaches every year. The story unfolds in a natural and unhurried way. You get to know the island and it's colorful inhabitants while falling in love with both Puck and Sean.
This is not a typical childish, emo, YA book. The story has a classic coming of age feel. The details about the island, the history, and day to day life makes you feel like these people are real, that this is real life. I usually read fast paced action adventure, keep you on the edge sci/fy or fantasy book. The thing that makes this story exciting is that you are so invested in these characters that you want them to succeed, but just like in real life, you are never sure what's going to happen.
The narrator's were both perfect. I've never listened to an audible with multiple narrators that fit the characters exactly. Well done.

Fantastic book! Amazing and different.

Really glad I downloaded this book. Thank you to all who praised it, so that I would chose to buy it. The characters had so much depth and purpose. I felt that I knew them and was experiencing what they were experiencing. The story was very imaginative and believable. I often questioned whether there really were "water horses" somewhere. Great choice of location for the story, very descriptive. Don't hesitate -- listen to this book.

Captivating

I loved this book. The writing was beautiful, the characters and the setting were perfectly realized and the story was compelling. There is a romance aspect to the story - but it is more subtle than in many other YA titles and I didn't find it overbearing.

The dual narrators do excellent jobs. I loved the ending sentences of this book, partly because of the writing but also in large part due to the narration.

This is the first book by this author that I have tried, and I am now going to go back and go through her back catalogue. Highly recommended.

Get this for the narration alone

A wonderful story (especially for horse-lovers) and the narration made it even better. Steve West and Fiona Hardingham brought the characters to life. One of my favorite audiobooks.

A little slow to draw me in.

What did you love best about The Scorpio Races?

Beautifully written, almost poetic.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Scorpio Races?

I can't say my favorite moment or it would be a spoiler.

What about Steve West and Fiona Hardingham ’s performance did you like?

I loved their voices, the rhythm and cadence.

Was this a book you wanted to listen to all in one sitting?

I had a hard time getting into the story at first, then I was drawn into the islands world and listened all day til the story was complete.

Any additional comments?

I did not like the cover, looked like a kids book. Was a story about teens/ young adults but was very enjoyable for adults.

Exciting and unique book

I'm not really going to write much of a review. I had a Book Bingo and needed a book suggested by a friend. My 25 year old had been trying to get me to listen to this for three years.

For me the story is a 4.5. My 25 year old would give it 7 stars if possible. The narration is great. This book is unique. End of review

Highly Recommend

Really enjoyed this audiobook (great narrators) and story. It was weird, but in a good way. It's my first book by this author, and it definitely won't be my last. I didn't cry like I expected based on other people's reviews; I did get misty eyed though. Sean and Puck were great characters, and I loved the romantic aspect of the book...although it was a little less than I was expecting. The whole island of characters were pretty entertaining. I'd highly recommend this story, especially via audiobook.