Genre: YA Fantasy
Pages: 409
Published: 2011
My Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐
Publisher’s Synopsis:
“It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses long enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn’t given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition — the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.”
My Review:
This is the story of the island’s mysterious and dangerous sea horses, caught and trained for a deadly race, and the fate of two teens. A girl fighting for her place in a male dominated sport. And a boy gifted with a special connection to the greatest stallion. We get to see the story unfold from both of their perspectives. The vibes are part historical, part magical realism, and part contemporary, like National Velvet meets The Black Stallion, with the writing of Stiefvater that we all know and love.
As a life-long horse owner, that aspect is what drew me into the plot. I was struck by how young Puck (the female protagonist) seems in her thoughts and actions, though I think her immaturity speaks mostly to her sheltered upbringing. But I think it contrasts well with Sean (the male protagonist) who seems wiser and much older than his years. I wouldn’t say this is my typical go-to type of fantasy but I still really enjoyed it nonetheless. It was a very emotional read. The characters are truly endearing and you will be rooting for their budding relationship the entire time
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