The Scorpio Races written by Maggie Stiefvater Scholastic Press 2011 Lillie Busch Pre-IB 9 2A
“Some riders live. Others die.” The setting is the fictional island of Thisby. Each November, capaill uisce {singular is capall usice } – or water horses – come from the sea and are captured. Men train them for two weeks before the Scorpio Races begin. The races are dangerous, because the sea calls to the carnivorous mounts during November more than any other time in the year, thus making them more uncontrollable than ever. The book’s plot starts moving along when the protagonist is faced with her brother’s choice to leave.
Kate “Puck” Connolly Mount: Dove, regular mare Puck is the middle Connolly sibling, and cares for her brothers. She is also either really stupid or really brave to be the first female to take part in the Scorpio Races – on a regular horse no less.
Sean Kendrick Mount: Corr, capall usice stallion Puck’s protagonist counterpart. He has a job at Malvern stables, and is basically a capall usice ’s version of a horse whisperer. Also the four-time winner of the Scorpio Races on Corr. Stubborness is a quality both he and Puck share.
Matthew “Mutt” Malvern Mount: Skata, mare capall usice The antagonist of the story, Mutt is son to Mr. Malvern and Sean’s envious rival. He is usually not the sharpest person around.
“It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die.” –Sean Kendrick Puck is perfectly content riding Dove and merely living on Thisby, until her older brother announces that he is leaving for the mainland. In a desperate ploy to make him stay, Puck says that she is going to ride in the Scorpio Races. She is quickly faced with prejudiced men who’d do almost anything to keep her out of the races, but she slowly finds an ally in quiet and loner Sean. She can either win, and have Gabe and the prize money, or lose and give Sean a chance to get what he had always wanted. Dying is a possibility, too; her chances of casualties are higher than normal.
Mr. Malvern Mount: none He’s Thisby’s richest man as well as the owner of Malvern Stables. Plays the parts of Sean’s boss, Mutt’s father, and Corr’s official owner. Mr. Malvern’s not exactly cruel, but not completely nice, either. He can stand his ground.
Peg Gratton Mount: none Wife to the Skarmouth butcher. She’s considered beautiful and is adored by every man on the island because she could “cut [his] heart out neat.” Is skeptical – and does not approve - of Puck’s choice to enter the Races, but does eventually assist her.
George Holly Mount: none He’s a pleasant and prosperous American who comes to Thisby at the time prior to the Races. Befriends Sean and Finn – which is an accomplishment in itself.
Connolly brothers Gabriel “Gabe” Connolly Mount: none Gabe yearns to leave Thisby for the mainland. He holds the title of the oldest living Connolly. He also works odd jobs to earn money for the family - mainly at the docks. Finn Connolly Mount: none, unless the Morris car counts Youngest Connolly. Loves tinkering with things. Doesn’t like being thanked/complimented/revea ling happiness.
Finn Connolly Gabe Connolly
What the Critics Say “An utterly compelling read.” – Publishers Weekly, starred review “An utterly compelling read.” "[A] thrilling book that’s as unusual as it is alluring." — The Los Angeles Times "[A] thrilling book that’s as unusual as it is alluring."
What I Say. {slight – obvious - spoilers} Before I Read It: Skeptical, for I did not enjoy the author’s earlier works. Admittedly hoped that Puck and Sean wouldn’t end up together, and would just be friends. Thought that the races would be more prominent. After I Read It: Definitely better than the Shiver trilogy (previous books written by Stiefvater). The descriptions were amazing. The romance was all right; if you’re expecting make-out sessions at every page, you are wrong. Took a while to get into.
Not on my READ OR FOREVER BE NOT ENLIGHTENED LIST, but if you’re looking for a light read, it’ll work.