THE SCORPIO RACES by Maggie Stiefvater
Every October, the water horses return to the island. The beautiful predators are both feared and respected. Many have lost a parent to a horse’s fierce teeth. Puck Connolly lost two. When her older brother announces that he’s planning to move to the mainland, Puck announces that she plans to ride in the Scorpio Races–a deadly race of water horses along the shore line. Maybe she can win enough money to support herself and her younger brother. And maybe she can convince Gabe to stay. If she survives, that is. Sean Kendrick is riding in the races, too. He and his water horse, Cor, have won four years straight. No one can communicate with the horses like Sean can, and no horse understands Sean like Cor. But Cor belongs to Sean’s employer, Benjamin Malvern, and the more Sean wins for Malvern, the more Malvern’s son, Mutt, hates him for it. For Sean and for Puck, the first woman to ride in the races, the danger will come from more than just the teeth of the water horses.
Suspenseful, heart-wrenching, and beautifully written, The Scorpio Races is one of the most unique and compelling fantasy novels I have read in a while. Stiefvater immerses readers in the island culture and creates nuanced characters that you can’t help but love. I highly recommend the audiobook, performed by Steve West and Fiona Hardingham!
Susan the Librarian 