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

Brilliant. Gorgeous. Frightening. Fierce.

Still gorgeous, and brilliant. This is also one of the 10 books I'd grab before being stranded on a deserted island. I have a feeling those 10 books would be more like 25. . .

This is one of my favorite standalone YA fantasy novels. It just has so much texture, depth, and heart. Plus it's brutal, which is always a hit with me.

Previous review still stands.

PREVIOUS REVIEW:
Brilliant. Gorgeous. Frightening. Fierce.

The definition of love. The explanation of longing. The reason why humanity is enthralled by that which cannot be tamed or owned. The exploration of loss. The justification for facing down fears and having courage in light of unimaginably poor odds. The argument for both digging up your roots and letting them grow deeper. This story is everything all at once.

Wonderfully creative tale

What did you love best about The Scorpio Races?

Description was great, story was inventive and Maggie definitely built a new and interesting world. The characters were interesting.

Which character – as performed by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham – was your favorite?

The story switched back an forth between the male and female characters this was a very nice surprise. There were two readers and I loved the way they told the story together.

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

Yes

Enthralling and different

Would you consider the audio edition of The Scorpio Races to be better than the print version?

I haven't read the print version, but I enjoyed the audible version immensely, especially the narrators and the surprise at the end!

What did you like best about this story?

The two main characters, the setting of the island its history, and the frightening and fascinating water horses.

Which character – as performed by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham – was your favorite?

All, but particularly Sean, Puck and the American fellow.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

Both at different points, but I loved it and will listen to it again.

Any additional comments?

Maggie Stiefvater's writing is wonderful. The story is a refreshing change from the usual YA fantasy fiction and well worth reading.

Absolutely amazing!

Where does The Scorpio Races rank among all the audiobooks you’ve listened to so far?

This is one of my top 3 audiobooks. The performance is amazing. This is one of the few books I would read a second and third time. After it was over, I felt withdrawal. I cannot believe there is not a sequel!

Captivating!

I was unsure about listening to this book but “read” it on the recommendation of my book-loving daughter. I usually don’t listen to this genre and the idea of flesh-eating horses was not particularly appealing to me! It didn’t take long, however, to become captivated by the story and the writing. I thoroughly enjoyed it and recommend it.

Both narrators were excellent and I enjoyed the dual perspective in the writing and the narration.

Phenomenal Storytelling

This is, without a doubt, my favorite love story. The mythos of water horses, the island, and the people who love them both is so rich and intriguing that the reader is enveloped in a world so complex as to be real. I want to see the Scorpio Races someday and see the children of Puck and Sean tearing up the sand below the cliffs in the chilly November wind.

Leaps and bounds beyond Mercy Falls.

What did you love best about The Scorpio Races?

The originality. I have never heard a story like this before and I was hooked at the beginning. The voices were fantastic, and I fell in love with the characters.

What did you like best about this story?

I liked that the main character was not your typical starry eyed, romantic girl. She is strong and stubborn. I loved the history behind the island and the races.

Have you listened to any of Steve West and Fiona Hardingham ’s other performances before? How does this one compare?

I have not, but I loved their voices.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

There were plenty of moments that moved me, but I don't want to ruin the story for anyone. It's an easy book to get caught up in, their world is enchanting. The very end had me in tears.

Awesome Book

The book is great and I love the sort of Celtic feel of the mythology. The music at the beginning and end of the audiobook composed and performed by the author is amazing and really puts you in the story. Awesome characters and plot, awesome book. Audible 20 review sweepstakes entry.

Beautiful story with just enough of everything

This story is about a girl who lives on a small imaginary island, scarmouth. She loves to ride her pony Dove. This story is about how she enters a race filled with flesh eating horses and how her life intertwines with a boy named Kendrick.

The book switches back and forth from the girl, Kate or Puck conolly and the boy Shawn Kendrick.

I his has an amazing plot and it written very well. I recommend this book greatly and if you read it definitely read Maggie’s funny authors note! Loved it!!!!

Wildly imaginative and captivating

I felt pulled to the island like I was there. I really appreciated the description of the water horses and the strong pull of the ocean. The island felt harsh and cold but the residents close and drawn together.