Mundie Moms

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

Book Review & Giveaway: The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater



Published by: Scholastic
Released on: October 18th, 2011 TODAY
Source: ARC from publisher to review
4.5 stars: I Really Enjoyed It

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 - quoted from Goodreads

There's something magical about Maggie Stiefvater's writing. She has this ability to capture my attention with her beautiful lyrical writing, relatable characters and creative story telling. Much like her fey and wolf series, Maggie has a talent for taking a well known lore and making it her own. She does this by taking a mythology that's been around for ages and gives it a fresh, unique, engaging re-telling that's all her own.

The Scorpio Races rich mythology is based on water horses, also known as the capall uisce in this story. This deadly water horse is most active in November, which the races are set around each year on the island of Thisby, a prized thing to capture, if it's captured at all. It's during this time that the men gather their best horses, some of which they've captured from the ocean and learned to control, in hopes of being crowned the winner. This race is one that not only requires great strength, but a keen understanding of your surroundings, as the stakes are high and not everyone lives to tell about it. One of the unique things about Maggie's water horses is their ability to attack and often time kill those who enter their waters.

Along with a heart pounding race is two alternating story lines from four time Scorpio Race winner Sean Kendrick and Puck, also called Kate who's the first girl to ever take part in these races. I really liked the way Maggie not only brought these two characters together, but I loved the way their relationship developed. Sean is the quiet, full of wisdom type. He's also extremely intelligent when it comes to horses and the water horses. He's not just a racer, but a horse trainer and the partnership he has with his wildly tamed horse Corr was my favorite relationship from this story. High fives to Kate! I loved this stubborn girl who didn't let others phase her in her decision to take part in what's known as a man's race. This girl can hold her own, despite the crap she takes from some of the guys and her own personal reasons for entering the race. It takes more than two great main characters to tell a story and Maggie's included some fantastic secondary characters as well.

This is s story that's truly unique, I know I keep saying that, but I can't compare it to anything else I've read. Maggie does such a suburb job with her fantasy. She brings a story to life that has this timeless feel to it. I love it when a story feels that way. I also like that she wasn't afraid to tackle the issues of gender, class structure and I loved the theme of loyalty which went for both the human friendships and the relationships they had with their horses. This story has a lot of great elements to it and it's truly a great fantasy read. There's danger, adventure, family relationships, friendships, a subtle romance, mild violence, a breath taking setting and an element of magic to it. This is a story I'd definitely recommend to readers 13 years and older.


See Maggie's research pictures
Buy a SIGNED copy here
See her on tour here
Visit the This Is Teen facebook page for more, including an awesome giveaway

Don't forget to ENTER TO WIN @this_is_teen's #ScorpioRaces Twitter Sweepstakes! Prizing includes limited edition custom necklaces & autographed copies of the book. Go HERE for more details.

THANK YOU to Scholastic, we have an AWESOME giveaway for MM's! We are giving away a copy of The Scorpio Races along with this beautiful custom made bracelet!


To enter, please fill out the form below:

* 1 entry per person
* US addresses only (if you live outside the US, you must provide a US mailing address to send the goodies to)
* You must be 13 yrs & older to enter (if younger you have your parent's/guardian's permission to enter)
* This giveaway will end on November 1st, 2011

45 comments:

  1. https://twitter.com/#!/JennplaysGuitar/status/126356005897519105

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  2. Excellent review! I can't wait to dive into The Scorpio Races =)

    -Wendy from A Cupcake and a Latte: YA Reviews

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  3. I really really want to read this book! I <3 Maggie!

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  4. Sounds like another winner from Maggie!

    http://twitter.com/#!/creativedeeds/status/126376958656393217

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  5. Jenn- Thank you!

    Mocha- Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it. If you're a fan of Maggie's I think you'll love it.

    Mommy2Noah- It's a great read!

    Creativedeeds- It definitely is

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  6. Thanks for the giveaway! The book seems interesting and I loved the Wolves of Mercy Falls series. I love the bracelet. I like that it has horses on them, I'm obssesed with them :) Wish me luck.

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  7. I can't wait to read this I love Maggie's books!

    I tweeted: https://twitter.com/MissyRissy_rox/status/126412534474481665

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  8. Thank you so much for the giveaway here is me link.
    -Brittany Burton

    https://www.facebook.com/permalink.php?story_fbid=165194583572461&id=100000016609247

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  9. I'm so excited for The Scorpio Races. I posted to Facebook: http://www.facebook.com/home.php?

    Natalie
    rmarma2@yahoo.com

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  10. What a fantastic review! I finished the book yesterday and wow... it's so amazing! I hope to have a "real" copy of The Scorpio Races before too long. Thanks for the giveaway!

    https://twitter.com/#!/litzalou/status/126450540040298496

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  11. Angie- Good Luck! If you love Maggie's writing and horses, than you'll love TSR!

    Holly- I'm excited for you to read it.

    BBurton- YOu're so welcome!

    Natalie- Thank you! I can't wait for you to read it.

    LitzaLou- Thank you so much! I really appreciate that. I'm so glad you loved it! I can't wait to get my hands on the published copy either. Good luck with giveaway :)

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  12. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Tweeted - http://twitter.com/#!/darkangel231988/status/126471040934227968

    darkangel231988(at)gmail(dot)com
    Memrie

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  13. Thank you for the giveaway!

    https://twitter.com/#!/Sare_Bee/status/126479560714878976

    sbrown2991(at)yahoo(dot)

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  14. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/BookishAndrea/status/126485484011651072

    andreat78@yahoo.com

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  15. Awesome giveaway, thanks!

    Tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/bookishbaggins/status/126502921293676544

    Baggins

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  16. http://twitter.com/#!/CherryBomb_xox/status/126576958111875072

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  17. Awesome giveaway! Thank you!

    lag110 at mchsi dot com

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  18. Thanks for the giveaway!!
    http://twitter.com/#!/Saii15/status/126613625271099393

    ebbith0115[at]gmail[dot]com

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  19. I find it funny that these people put their twitter link in their comment when there's a box for it in the form.
    I love the trailer. It reminds me of Mulan.
    Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

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  20. Thanks for the chance! I would love to get my hands on this one!

    Mary
    http://twitter.com/#!/SweepingMe/status/126644479556980736

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  21. What a wonderful review! I love, love, love Maggie's writing. She is definitely one of my favorite YA authors. I'm not entering the contest (Scorpio Races is on it's way to me now in the mail! Woot!), but I have to say that is a very cool bracelet :-) I tweeted this giveaway for you:

    https://twitter.com/readingaddict17/status/126655799928950786

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  22. Thank you for the chance to win!
    methom@earthlink.net

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  23. Love this review. I cant wait to read this book. Maggie is INCREDIBLE and i love her writing so much. thank you for the chance to win the book and GORGEOUS bracelet!!

    Tweeted!
    http://twitter.com/#!/fangedmom73/status/126675958106296322

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  24. Thanks so much for the chance to win! I've really been wanting to read it since Maggie announced she was writing it.lol

    Tweeted:http://twitter.com/#!/betweenbookends/status/126704856953126912

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  25. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/MT0089/status/126709422071365633

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  26. Thanks for the awesome giveaway!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/tiffanydearxo/status/126733051383394305

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  27. The bracelet looks stunning!! Thank you for hosting this giveaway!! =)

    GFC Follower: SpadesHighReads
    Entrant: Tezza

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/SpadesHigh/status/126733773256654849

    Have a great week!! =D

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  28. Sounds like a great read!

    Tweeted: https://twitter.com/#!/SilverRose313/status/126749013188935680

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  29. Can't wait to read The Scorpio Races! I agree, "There's something magical about Maggie Stiefvater's writing".

    "Shiver", "Linger", and "Forever" are gorgeous books. I think Maggie Stiefvater is one of the best writers around. Her books are totally unputdownable!

    http://twitter.com/#!/mimicross/status/126757637592326144

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  30. Ladies, you are FABULOUS for having this giveaway. And, well, a lot of other things too, except you don't want to get a big head, do you? ;)

    I absolutely cannot wait to get my hands on this book!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/MostImportantL/status/126802380154081281

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  31. Ahhhh! Oh my dear!!! I have been waiting to get mu hand on this book for so long!!! :D

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  32. My daughter and I can't wait to read The Scorpio Races. We love Maggie's books!!!

    I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/ReneeRearden/status/126808500524421120

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  33. Thanks for the giveaway!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/bookishinabox/status/126827082524262400

    whatinabox at gmail dot com

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  34. Thanks for the opportunity to win this book!

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  35. Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Rogue237/status/126854092927680512

    mljfoland AT hotmail DOT com

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  36. moms, i'm loving your new header! <3

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  37. You guys are so welcome! Good luck to everyone!

    Amber- Thank you so much! I hope you enjoy it!

    Mindy- Thank you! I agree, I adore Maggie's writing.

    mimicross- I agree! Her books are very hard to put down.

    Maidenveil- THANK YOU!! I"m really excited about it. :)

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  38. I was lucky enough to see Maggie at a book signing and she is a hoot! Love her. I would LOVE to win this one....for me whatever Maggie touches is pure gold....so talented. Writing, music, artwork, Is there ANYTHING this women can't do? I think not! Thanks for a chance at a great giveaway.

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  39. I tweeted: http://twitter.com/#!/whitewolfreads/status/127448800670392320

    Thanks for the giveaway, I can't wait to read this!

    whitewolfreads AT gmail DOT com

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  40. There is something special about Maggie's writing. I would probably read just about anything she wrote.

    Tweet: https://twitter.com/emma015/status/127497522905227264

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  41. Thank you so much for the giveaway! :D

    Here's my Twitter link: http://twitter.com/#!/creatingfantasy/status/127530919513960449

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  42. I'm so devastated this isn't open to Candians. I've wanted to read this since I found it on Goodreads and I haven't been able to find it anywhere. Plus the bracelet is gorgeous. Damn. Good luck everyone!

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  43. Thank you for the giveaway!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Rachel498/status/129022920323371009

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  44. Thanks for the amazing giveaway!

    Tweet: http://twitter.com/#!/Caymanian_girl/status/129654032238264321

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  45. you guys are so welcome!! Good luck to everyone!

    Anonymous- I hope you're able to find TSR in your area. With giveaways, publishers (in any country) aren't able to send goods for giveaways outside of their own country. If you know someone who lives in the US and wouldn't mind you using their US addresses, please enter.

    ReplyDelete

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