The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

One of my most recent reads, The Scorpio Races is a must read for any self-respecting book worm. Oh what a fantastic journey this book has taken me on. I knew this book was one of my favorites because I read it cover to cover in less than 24 hours. I devoured the fascinating world Stiefvater sucked me into with love, death, and relatively untouched mythology. The story follows two different personalities, Sean and Puck, whom have one thing in common, they are contenders for the deadly Scorpio Races that take place on their small island, Thisby, every November. The race is a gamble as some riders live and many die due to the violent nature of their mounts, the elusive capaill uisce, also known as water horses. These horses, whom are irrevocably tied to sea, often kill their riders, but that is the the allure of the races. I won't give away too much of the story, it's a read you'll have to check out yourself if you're looking for a break from the overdone "vampire falls in love with a infuriatingly stupid human girl" books. Thanks a lot Twilight for ruining that idea. Anyways, back to books worth reading... In my opinion, Stiefvater did an excellent job at attempting to create a story around the myth of the water horses. The story keeps you intrigued and for once the heroine isn't annoying. Anyways, I thought I'd post an excerpt from one of my favorite moments in the book below. Enjoy!

Excerpt from chapter 32:

I lift my chin again and say, “Kate Connolly. Dove. By my blood.”

           

I find Sean Kendrick in the crowd again. He’s turned as if he’s going, but he looks over his shoulder at me. I hold his gaze. I feel like everyone in the crowd is watching this moment, like to hold Sean Kendrick’s eye is to promise something or to get into something I’m unsure of, but I don’t look away.

           

“By their blood, let the races being,” Peg Gratton says to the night and to the crowd, but they aren’t watching her. “We have our riders, let the races begin.”

           

Sean Kendrick holds my gaze a second longer, and then he strides away from the crowd.

           

Two weeks until the races. Everything starts tonight. I can feel it in my heart.

Keep imagining, bookworms.

Meagan <3