Book Review: Scorpio Races by Maggie Steivfever

Maggie Steivfever has done it again, created pure magic, weaving a story that is both terrifying and beautiful. From the fiercely independent Kate Connolly to the dark brooding Sean Kendrick, by the end of the story, each character felt like a dear friend and I hated to say goodbye to them.

The November Sea around Skarmouth is treacherous, not because of winter storms or rough tides, the danger lies beneath. Savage water horses, capaill uisce, emerge from the foamy deep ocean surrounding the island of Thisby, hungry, keening, wild. Each horse uniquely beautiful, fast, and deadly. To tame one and ride it in the Scorpio Races is a dangerous game, but to four-time winner, Sean Kendrick, winning isn’t all about the money, it’s about his connection and his passion for these wild and fearsome beasts. With one foot on the land and one in ocean, he’s the only man on the island capable of holding and taming the capaill uisce, and what he wants more than anything is to call Corr, the blood-red water horse he rides and loves more than anything, his own. They only way he can do that is win, one last time, for his freedom and for Corr’s. But there’s someone else determined to win. Kate Connolly (Puck) angers the town by defying tradition. She’s a girl racing on an ordinary pony among men and un-ordinary horses. But to keep her home and save her family, she must face her fears and race to win. Little does he know her fate and Sean’s will collide as they race for their life on the blood soaked beach of Skarmouth.

I loved this book, adored it. Maggie Steivfever creates the perfect blend of magic and myth in this tale loosely based on Celtic and Scottish Kelpie mythology. From the first sentence, she transported me to the harsh and beautiful landscape of Thisby. I could smell the sea air and hear the beat of the hooves on the beach. The world painted in Scorpio Races is so vivid and true that I felt I was standing in the middle of the story myself. The characters are unique and real. Puck is a wonderfully spirited and brave. She lets nothing get in her way and stands up for what she believes in. Rough around the edges, like the island itself, she may be an ordinary girl, but she’s a force to be reckoned with. Her relationship with Sean grows organically and although it’s important, the story doesn’t revolve around their love, which is refreshing.

The one negative thing I have to say is that it ended too quickly. Not that it ended on a cliff-hanger or anything, but I wanted a little more time with Kate and Sean and a little more resolution. I needed time to say goodbye.

All in all I give Scorpio Races 4.5 Chocolate Bars. I loved it and it will be a book I read over again.