Book Review: Scorpio Races by Maggie Steifvater
Without the knowledge of the Irish legend surrounding the uisce (pronounced ish-ka) or Water Horse, this story starts out a little hard to imagine. Instead of focusing on the story, I was focusing on the possibility of such creatures. You mean, there are horses that eat people? How is that even possible without canines? They live underwater? Do they have gills?
However, the minor details that surround the existence of the capaill usice (kap-al ish-ka), water horses that come out of the sea each November, are soon swept away in the romance and grip of the story.
Puck – Kate – Connolly is going to race her horse, Dove, among the viscous water horses in the Scorpio Races in order to save her home. She is the first woman to ever ride in the races. Competing against her is 4-time winner of the Scorpio Races, Sean Kendrik, whose prize for this race is his beloved capaill Cor, a fierce red stallion. Both of them ride for their most precious possession, but will their blossoming relationship be the end of them both?
This was a magnificent story. I was pleasantly surprised with the ending, which I thought could only end with the most dire consequences. It didn’t feel forced, and I was completely moved. Brilliant and original.
