In The Scorpio Races Maggie Steifvater blends myth and magic with the modern world to create a really wonderful read. The story in really interesting with the water horses of Irish legend coming to life on the tiny island of Thisby which is located, I would imagine, somewhere in the Atlantic. Stiefvater mixes magical elements with real life facts to make a believable story about flesh eating horses who emerge from the ocean each November to both terrify and enchant the locals. As the water horses (called Capaill Uisce by the natives of Thisby) surface each November brave and foolish riders try to capture them to use as mounts in the annual Scorpio Races.
The story is told from the perspective of two prospective competitors in the races. Kate who goes by Puck and Sean Kendrick. Sean is a returning participant who has won the races for a number of years running, Puck is racing out of desperation. Both desperately need to win the race, Sean to finally own his beloved water horse and Puck to save her family's home. If she races Puck will be the first girl ever to do so and she faces not just the challenge of finding and taming one of the incredibly dangerous Capaill Uisce (who happened to have killed and eaten her parents), but also the challenge of overcoming the discrimination of her neighbours.
There is of course a love story woven into The Scorpio Races, but refreshingly there is no love triangle and Puck's feelings for her love interest are clear and simple. It is a small part of the story, but does create a lovely side plot and make for an interesting end to the story.
All in all a very original read!
Enjoy!
The story is told from the perspective of two prospective competitors in the races. Kate who goes by Puck and Sean Kendrick. Sean is a returning participant who has won the races for a number of years running, Puck is racing out of desperation. Both desperately need to win the race, Sean to finally own his beloved water horse and Puck to save her family's home. If she races Puck will be the first girl ever to do so and she faces not just the challenge of finding and taming one of the incredibly dangerous Capaill Uisce (who happened to have killed and eaten her parents), but also the challenge of overcoming the discrimination of her neighbours.
There is of course a love story woven into The Scorpio Races, but refreshingly there is no love triangle and Puck's feelings for her love interest are clear and simple. It is a small part of the story, but does create a lovely side plot and make for an interesting end to the story.
All in all a very original read!
Enjoy!
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