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"It is the first day of November and so, today, someone will die."
THE SCORPIO RACES is a novel based on Celtic water horses. Every November on the island of Thisby, the fierce and feral capaill uisce are born from the black ocean water to race along the hard sand of the beach. And every November, the men of Thisby capture these horses to ride them in a deadly race.
“Tell me what it's like. The race."
"What it's like is a battle. A mess of horses and men and blood. The fastest and strongest of what is left from two weeks of preparation on the sand. It's the surf in your face, the deadly magic of November on your skin, the Scorpio drums in the place of your heartbeat. It's speed, if you're lucky. It's life and it's death or it's both, and there's nothing like it.”
The capaill uisce are not your normal horse. Larger, wilder than their terrestrial cousins, predatory and mercurial, the water horses are dangerous beasts at any time of the year, but especially dangerous in November, when the ocean sings in their blood. Hard to tame and unpredictable as the weather, the Scorpio Races are a mixture of celebration and deadly spectacle.
"These are not ordinary horses. Drape them with charms, hide them from the sea, but today, on the beach: Do not turn your back."
Nineteen-year-old Sean Kendrick is a four-time champion of the Scorpio Races. Year after year he has brought home the purse to his employer, Benjamin Malvern, the man who owns a stable of sport horses he exports to the mainland. This year, however, Sean has more than just his love of the capaill uisce driving him to race. This year, he races for the freedom to leave Malvern Yard, and for the joy of finally owning Corr, the red capall uisce he rides in every race.
“I've grown up alongside Corr. My father rode him and my father lost him, and then I found him again. He's the only family I have.”
Katherine "Puck" Connolly never meant to ride in the races. Since both her parents died in a capall uisce attack, she has had no desire to join that reckless, deathly sport. Her brothers Gabe and Finn, her pony Dove, and their house in Thisby is all she needs. But now there is a real danger that the three Connollys are going to lose their home. In order to save her home, Puck joins the Scorpio Races, pitting her little land pony against the wild tempers of the water horses in a gamble to take home the purse.
"There is nothing special about the mare, nothing at all. A fine enough head, good enough bone. As a pony, she is a beauty. As a capall uisce, she is nothing. The girl too, is nothing special - slight, with a ginger ponytail. She looks less afraid than her mare, but she's in more danger.”
There is initial friction - Puck is the first girl to ride in the races, and she expects to race docile little Dove against the fearsome, meat-loving capaill uisce. Sean, understanding the moods of the water horses, knowing how the salt water makes them as intemperate as the ocean itself, at first resents Puck's intrusion into the races. He knows her danger, knows the probability of her failure and the possible outcome of her death. But Puck is indomitable.
“My mother always said that I was born out of a bottle of vinegar instead of born from a womb and that she and my father bathed me in sugar for three days to wash it off. I try to behave, but I always go back to the vinegar.”
The two eventually form an alliance. Sean understands the water horses. He especially understands the mood and heart of his own fierce Corr, and in knowing such things has the ability to train Puck and Dove in learning what it takes to beat the capaill uisce. "This time of year, I live and breath the beach. My cheeks feel raw with the wind throwing sand against them. My thighs sting from the friction of the saddle. My arms ache from holding up two thousand pounds of horse. I am so, so alive."
The stakes are high for the two of them.If Sean wins, he will have the money to buy Corr and start his own Yard. If Puck wins, she can save her home.
But it is a race, and only one can win.
“I say, 'I will not be your weakness, Sean Kendrick.' Now he looks at me. He says, very softly, 'It's late for that, Puck.'
*****
Surprisingly, I really enjoyed this book. The water horses are fierce and terrifying creatures, meat-eaters from the sea. They will kill you as soon as look at you. But there is something gorgeous and free in their ocean souls. When I read about them, I understood Sean's love and distrust of them. They are magical and dangerous and wonderful at the same time. There is a little bit of island magic in the handling of the water horses, and Sean is a really well-written, quiet, vulnerably invincible kind of character. I really liked him.
Puck is a pretty good female character too. She is spunky enough to be brave, and humble enough not to be annoying. For the most part I really enjoyed the way she played off Sean, even though he was my favourite.
The writing is quite lyrical. You can feel the pulse of the ocean in your blood, smell the ocean air mixing with the saltier stench of the water horses. You can feel the rush of wind and the sense of uncertainty in each line. It's really quite good.
There are some brief suggestive sentences, never anything over the top, but the occasional line that makes you know exactly what the speaker is getting at. There is some language, but for the most part I never found it totally offensive.
If you're looking for a book about races, high stakes, and very subtle, almost-not-there romance, then this is the book for you.
“He is slow, and the sea sings to us both, but he returns to me.”
The number of Americans who have a tablet or e-reader (jumped significantly between December 2011 and January 2012, thanks to robust holiday sales, according to Pew Research. In fact, among Millennial adults, tablet ownership — at 24%... Read the rest of this post
René Kirkpatrick has been a bookseller and book buyer, specializing in children's and teen literature, for many years.She has a degree in elementary education and reads widely across all genres. She is currently a buyer at Third Place Books.
We're honored to have her here as part of the rgz SALON, a feature where four of the top kidlit experts clue us in to the best YA novels they've read recently. Here's René, discussing Scorpio Races, by Maggie Stiefvater.
"This was, hands down, the Children’s Book Department’s favorite book this year. How can you not keep reading when the first line in a book is, 'It is the first day of November, and so, today, someone will die'.
"On a small island wreathed in fog and mist, two people prepare to race their horses for a massive pot of money. Sean and Puck have very different reasons for wanting to win the race but they are both determined to do it, only Puck is the first girl to ever sign up, and she wants to race her pony, and Sean has never lost a race on his water horse. As the two of them begin to get to know each other, we learn more and more about the lives they live on the island and how they are all entwined with the water horses that come out of the icy sea searching for flesh.
"So deliciously fabulous, so atmospheric and romantic in all the definitions of the word, it is a book for breathing in and reading slowly. I read it in one long draught and carried it with me everywhere I went after I was done. It is a definite re-read and should be on every horse lover’s shelf. But, please, even if horses aren’t your favorite animal, pick it up and read it just so you can enjoy the way Maggie writes." 14 and up. $17.99. Scholastic.
Yesterday, I shared that Andrew Henry's Meadow has been turned into a screenplay by none other than Zach Braff. Today, I learned that The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater - and it JUST came out - has already been optioned by Warner Brothers. Oh my!
I grew up reading all of Walter Farley's wonderful horse books. - Well, I thought they were wonderful. I have revisited The Black Stallion since then and it is still wonderful. Some of the later titles turned into formula books - scrappy jockey and/or trainer takes underrated loser horse and turns her or him into a WINNER!!! YAY!!
Reading The Scorpio Races brought all that excitement back. HOWEVER, the Scorpio Races don't end in just a win or losses. They always end in death for one or more jockeys. And their mounts are the predators! So take Farley and add Bram Stoker and throw in a signature Stiefvater strong female character, some struggling siblings and a lad enslaved to his magical mount and its owner and you have...breathlessness. Intense page-turning breathlessness.
I hope they do justice to this book. This is a film I want to see.
BTW, The Lorax is being turned into a new animated feature - very colorful and 3-D-ish - due out in March, 2012. What would Hollywood do without books?
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.
Thanks to Scholastic and This is Teen, one lucky reader will win a copy of The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater (hitting shelves today!) PLUS a custom saddle-leather bracelet (picture coming ASAP)!
To Enter:
You MUST leave a comment on this post (with your email address!) telling me what you think of the Scorpio Races book trailer (embedded below).
+1 for sharing this giveaway (via Twitter, Facebook, etc -- must leave a direct link in your comment)
Following is not required, but greatly appreciated
US Only -- prize will be shipped from the publisher
Good luck, and may the odds be ever in your favor.
From Maggie Stiefvater, the #1 New York Times bestselling author of the Shiver series (over 1.7 million copies in print!), comes a brand-new, heart-stopping novel. With her trademark lyricism, Maggie Stiefvater turns to a new world where a pair are swept up in a daring, dangerous race across a cliff – with more than just their lives at stake should they lose.
4 starred reviews:
“A taut, chilling, romantic adventure [that] comes to a pitch-perfect conclusion. Masterful. Like nothing else out there now.” - Kirkus, starred review
“A book with cross-appeal to lovers of fantasy, horse stories, romance, and action-adventure, this has a shot at being the next YA blockbuster.” - Booklist, starred review
“As a study of courage and loyalty tested… it is an utterly compelling read.” - Publishers Weekly, starred review
“Stiefvater sets not one foot wrong as she takes readers on an intoxicating ride of their own.” - Horn Book, starred review
Twitter Sweepstakes
Scholastic's This is Teen is also launching a Scorpio Races sweepstakes on Twitter TODAY. Check out the details below:
15 Comments on Giveaway: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater + Bracelet, last added: 10/21/2011
I love that the trailer is animated and that it is constantly moving like a race : ) Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/iheartmykindle/status/126300302029750272 e(dot)baker219(at)gmail(dot)com
The music and the artwork fit so well together, but I was most impressed at finding that Maggie did it all herself. If I read that right at the end, WOW!!
The animation!! for book trailers they always put people who look NOTHING like the characters or where it's super awkward with random pictures and just words.... yeah I just exit out of those but this is a unique way to make a trailer!
I love you, Casey, so much for this giveaway! And, well, for other things. :D
I loved that book trailer! The music was awesome, the artwork was fantastic, and oooooooh, I like that blood. And wow, Maggie's really talented -- not only with writing!
The whole thing remind me of Mulan and Chinese calligraphy. I love Mulan, and Puck reminded me of her. Strong and daring. In a way, I see this book kinda like a retelling of Mulan, except she doesn't doesn't have a sword and isn't battling the entire Hun army.
The jerky, rhythmic style of the animation goes really nicely with both the music and the subject matter (i.e. a horse race). I look forward to reading it, whether it's this copy or another one! :-)
(Erm, if it's okay...I'd rather not post my email address here. But you have it, so you know how to reach me if necessary.)
That was one of the coolest trailers I have ever seen!! I loved how the drawings transformed like when the horse's tail became birds! [email protected] tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/TessMWatson/status/127543258019672064
Our first Trailer Tuesday post features the highly anticipated fourth book in Julie Kagawa's epic Iron Fey series, The Iron Knight.
To survive in the Iron Realm, Prince Ash must have a soul and a mortal body. But the tests he must face to earn these things are impossible. And along the way Ash learns something that changes everything. A truth that challenges his darkest beliefs and shows him that, sometimes, it takes more than courage to make the ultimate sacrifice.
And we couldn't help but add in the amazing stop motion animated trailer by Maggie Stiefvater for her latest novel, THE SCORPIO RACES, hitting stores October 18th, 2011.
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.
How awesome is that?! As usual, Maggie did it all herself (with help, of course, but it's all her anyway). I'm dying to get this book and have already pre-ordered it (the perks of having a debit card!).
Here's the summary if you don't know what the book is about:
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. (Taken from Goodreads).
Maggie's having a contest on her blog where you can win an ARC of TSC. Click here to enter.
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Love the trailer and I can't wait to read this book! I will tweet about this contest @teacher6th
[email protected]
I just like the fact that everything is the trailer is drawn. Very interesting. Thanks for the giveaway!
+1 tweet- http://twitter.com/#!/ohaiitschey/status/126192653552463872
mcrs_venin(at)hotmail(dot)com
I love that the trailer is animated and that it is constantly moving like a race : )
Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/iheartmykindle/status/126300302029750272
e(dot)baker219(at)gmail(dot)com
The music and the artwork fit so well together, but I was most impressed at finding that Maggie did it all herself. If I read that right at the end, WOW!!
Would love to read this!!
+1 for comment
+1 for tweeting about giveaway.
Thanks
The music. THE MUSIC. 100% the music! <3
+1 comment
mdesmondobrien (at) yahoo (dot) com
I love that little blood splatter on the corner when it shows the date!
+1 Comment
+1 Tweet: https://twitter.com/#!/DRoshini/status/126386374545907713
I really liked the music. I was jamming out there for a second!
tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Emma015/status/126425444856770561
findjessyhere at gmail dot com
Racquel (A Book Barbie)
[email protected]
The animation!! for book trailers they always put people who look NOTHING like the characters or where it's super awkward with random pictures and just words.... yeah I just exit out of those but this is a unique way to make a trailer!
-thank you&come again.
I love you, Casey, so much for this giveaway! And, well, for other things. :D
I loved that book trailer! The music was awesome, the artwork was fantastic, and oooooooh, I like that blood. And wow, Maggie's really talented -- not only with writing!
Twitter link! http://twitter.com/#!/MostImportantL/status/126451854807797764
Linda @ Most Important Letter
[email protected]
http://mostimportantletter.wordpress.com/
The whole thing remind me of Mulan and Chinese calligraphy. I love Mulan, and Puck reminded me of her. Strong and daring. In a way, I see this book kinda like a retelling of Mulan, except she doesn't doesn't have a sword and isn't battling the entire Hun army.
+1 twitter http://twitter.com/#!/Tayte5/status/126455590384975873
GFC-TayteH
thanks so much! this giveaway is the best one yet!
[email protected]
I loved how the created the trailer with simple drawn artwork. It does make you curious as to what happens in the book.
aliciaeflores1 @ yahoo.com
The jerky, rhythmic style of the animation goes really nicely with both the music and the subject matter (i.e. a horse race). I look forward to reading it, whether it's this copy or another one! :-)
(Erm, if it's okay...I'd rather not post my email address here. But you have it, so you know how to reach me if necessary.)
Oh, and I tweeted too: http://dft.ba/-11ku
I don't want to pick one specific thing since so much work was put into this trailer as a whole... and I'm very indecisive.
I'm a follower!
http://twitter.com/#!/whitewolfreads/status/127428146785034240
Thanks for the giveaway!
whitewolfreads AT gmail DOT com
I love how artistic the trailer is. It's one of my favorite things about all Maggie's book trailers!
brookea_2006 at yahoodotcom
That was one of the coolest trailers I have ever seen!! I loved how the drawings transformed like when the horse's tail became birds!
[email protected] tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/TessMWatson/status/127543258019672064