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

amazing !

I just fell in love with this story! never a dull moment ! love it !

Even if you hate fairy stories, read this!

I was determined to not read this story. I don't like fairy stories and I'm not keen on animal tales either, but so many good things had been written about this book I gave it a chance. I fell in love with the written story, so I had to listen to it as well. It is now an all time favorite of mine and I am always pointing people in the direction or this wonderful novel.

The story follows Puck (Kate) and Sean, and is told in their alternating points of view. They are both competing in the annual Scorpio Races; a dangerous, free for all race involving captured fairy horses. Puck is not only the first girl to ever compete in the races, but she plans on riding her non-magical island pony. Puck is trying to save her family home and Sean hopes to win the ownership of Corr, the sea horse he has won the race with in the past. Instead of becoming adversaries, they begin training together and learning from one another. The contrast in their personalities is sharply drawn. Puck is brash, irrepressible, and always willing to pick a fight; whereas Sean is a quiet but strong presence at all times. My favorite scene that shows the contrast is when they wish each other luck before the race.

The rest of the novel works as well, from the setting (an island with a distinctly Irish feel), to the supporting characters. You feel as though Ms. Stiefvater just took up residence there, sat around the pub and listened to local folklore.

The actors who read the parts did a wonderful job. They never tried to take over or overact the roles. They just let the story flow in it's own elegant manner.

This kept me surprised up to the very last line and had me thinking about it for days. It is Ms. Stiefvater's best work yet.

Best Audio Ever

Would you listen to The Scorpio Races again? Why?

I usually wait years before rereading a book, but after finishing this audio, I immediately started over from the beginning and am enjoying it even more the second time.

What did you like best about this story?

Everything. This story is amazing. The characters are all so real and everything fit together perfectly.

Which scene was your favorite?

I loved the scene where Puck and Sean ride Cor together. Everything about it was just intense and wonderful. (Please don't hold it against me if I've spelled Cor wrong... I haven't yet read the paper copy I have.)

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

All of them. I can't remember the last time I was so invested in a book.

Any additional comments?

This is hands down the best audiobook I have ever listened to. The narraters were both amazing and fit the story perfectly. They added a special magic to an already extraordinary book.

Get This Book

This book is beautifully written. There seems to be a lot of reviews that are comparing this to the author's previous work. This is the first book I've read from Maggie Stiefvater so I guess I had no expectations. It seems people either love it or hate it. Add me to the 'loved it' side.

The world building is exquisite. The island seems to be a main character in itself. The story is told from two points of view and both protagonists are strong and likeable in their own ways. I am usually annoyed about the cliched 'boy and girl compete and fall in love' but I found it didn't bother me as much in this story because it wasn't the main focus. While told from these viewpoints, the real story is about the horses. I found myself engrossed even though I wouldn't consider myself a "horse person" at all.

There are major complaints because there is a lot of build up and not a lot of action. The actual race doesn't take place until the end of the book. I had no problem with this. I loved the story and character building. It really is an enjoyable book.

I found the two readers, Steve West and Fiona Hardingham, added so much to the book.They really bring this story to life.

Excellent All Around

The Scorpio Races is a beautifully written urban fantasy built loosely around the Irish sea horse myth. The author wisely jettisoned a lot of the hoarier aspects of the myth and instead concentrated on our two protagonists, Sean and Puck, and their relationship with the creatures.

On the remote British island of Thisby, the inhabitants are menaced by bloodthirsty creatures in the form of horses who emerge from the sea yearly. But the humans have learned to control the creatures - and even ride them in a yearly high stakes, life and death, race. Sean Kendricks is one of the most gifted grooms of the sea horses. But they have also scarred his life and he is a young man with only one goal: to own the sea horse with whom he has a special bond. Meanwhile, also on the island is Kate "Puck" Connolly. Like Sean, she lost her parents to sea horse attacks and is just trying to survive the harsh conditions of the island. But the family isn't making ends meet and she will be forced to enter the Scorpio race and defeat the reigning champ, Sean, if her family is to survive.

While I'm typically not a fan of books in which the plot is going to center on a final event, The Scorpio Races bucks the conventions that normally would make this a tedious read. For one, there is no 'great romance' getting in the way of the plot. People are greatly centered and act appropriately for the conditions in which they live. As well, there are no moustache twirling villains; no person is altogether good or bad. They are each making their way on the island. And the end race is built up to in such a way that the meat of the story (and the redemption of the characters) happens long before the event.

The writing is effective - easy to follow but also layered and nuanced. Stiefvater never feels the need to overwrite the scenes and all of the characters live very much in the 'now'. Both Puck and Sean are strong characters, driven but also flawed in important ways that only enhance, and not detract, from the story.

I've enjoyed all of Stiefvater's books and this one is no exception. I really especially liked that this is a story all contained within one book instead of dragged out over a series.

I listened to the audible version and it was well done.

15/10

I read this book for the first time years ago, and loved it then. I never knew I could love a book anymore than I do now. You will not regret buying/listening to this book. It is easily one of my top 5 favorite books of all time. It is funny, beautiful, and heartbreaking all in one, and I will always come back to this book- whether it is reading it or listening to it.

Once it gets its teeth into you

Takes a little while to get going, but once it gets its teeth into you it never lets go. Like Stephen King and John Ervin the author manages to capture the atmosphere of a small community. Like any small community the island is populated with quirky characters, some lovable and some most certainly not. The story is at times touching and poignant, brutal and unforgiving. After reading the novel I feel like I’ve been to the island, smelled the sea, tasted the salt and heard the horses. Any book that can transport you so completely has to be doing something right and this book is doing much more than that. Highly recommended.

Haunting and beautiful and wonderfully narrated.

That was INCREDIBLE. I loved everything about this story - the characters, the setting, the plot; all were just what I wanted.

If I had to name one complaint, it would be that the ending wasn't drawn out or complete enough, but then again, I'd probably want another entire novel's worth.

So, SO good. Five stars, a spot on my favorites list, and I will DEFINITELY be rereading this sometime soon.

The narration was flawless and really added an extra oomph to this story.

Stop everything and read this book!

This book has so many different layers. It is so rich with stories and sub themes that it is impossible to not be enthralled. The characters elevate this journey as they start with their own story and merge into a tale as wild as the horses that move us through each chapter.
The love story is beyond love- it elevates the the writing ( which needs no help). This kind of love makes a reader understand that the capacity to love is only as deep as one is true to themself. Beautiful!

Wonderful story, wonderful narration

I enjoyed this story so much! I literally listened around the clock it was just that engaging and exciting. The dual narration was perfect for this story. Each character was fully developed and I was cheering for both of them. The ending was all one could want for two beloved characters whose trials and tribulations we got to witness first hand as it were. Sadly, the other works by this author feature a narrator I do not prefer or have a story line with too much emphasis on romance. Since she is very prolific and since she occasionally does have UK narrators, I hope that I may one day find another one of her books to listen to.