Book Review: Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

**I received a copy of this book from ARC Book Tours for review**

Synopsis (from Goodreads):  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 Thoughts:  Every November there is a dangerous race on the island of Thisby.  This is when the water horses, who feed on blood and magic, emerge from the sea.  Only the best attempt this race as the water horses can turn on their riders at a moments notice.

Kate "Puck" Connolly decides to enter the Scorpio Races after her parents are killed and her older brother decides to leave her and her younger brother Finn.  Kate needs to win in order to keep their house and hopefully, keep her brother from leaving.  She has trained Dove (who is not a water horse) to race against the capall uisce.  Puck is strong and determined and I liked this about her.  She knows what she needs to do to save her home and her family.

Sean Kendrick works for Benjamin Malvern and Benjamin's son, Mutt. Sean is entering the race and hopes to win to be able to buy Corr, the capall uisce (water horse) that is his family.  Sean is a four time champion and is simply drawn to the race. Sean is quiet but smart.  He can communicate with all the water horses but has a special connection with Corr that I enjoyed. 

The best part about this story was that there was no "insta-love"!  This happens so often in YA books so I was glad to see that it wasn't love at first sight.  I also liked how the romance was in the background of the story.  There is so much more to the story than the romance and I was glad it was there but even happier it wasn't the main topic. 

I was not sure who I wanted to win the races and I loved both characters so much.  If Puck doesn't win, she loses her house and if Sean doesn't win, he loses Corr.  Of course, I'm not going to spoil anything by telling you what happens here but I had to keep reading just to find out what happened!  I love the alternating narration and how you get to know each character better through it. 

This book was action packed and I couldn't put it down!  You won't regret reading this one!