Title: The Scorpio Races
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN: 9780545224901
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: October 2011
Age Group: Young Adult
Synopsis:
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:
I am in two minds about this book. The horse lover in me thought it was fantastic, especially considering it is not easy to find horse related novels for young adults or adults. Overall though, I was mildly disappointed. It was not the adventurous page-turner that I was hoping for. In fact most of the novel was just setting up for the race and to be perfectly honest if it wasn't for the fact that love horses I probably would have stopped reading before I got to the race.
Written in the same alternating point of view that gave her Wolves of Mercy Falls so much depth, with some gorgeous descriptions thrown in makes the slow pace easier to overcome.
I recommend this book only to the serious horse lover who is looking for a nice gently paced read.
Title: Linger
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN: 978-0-5451-2328-0
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2010
Age Group: Young Adult
Synopsis:
In Maggie Stiefvater's Shiver, Grace and Sam found each other. Now, in Linger, they must fight to be together. For Grace, this means defying her parents and keeping a very dangerous secret about her own well-being. For Sam, this means grappling with his werewolf past . . . and figuring out a way to survive into the future. Add into the mix a new wolf named Cole, whose own past has the potential to destroy the whole pack. And Isabelle, who already lost her brother to the wolves . . . and is nonetheless drawn to Cole.
My Thoughts:
Linger picks up nicely where Shiver left off. Written in the same captivating style as the previous novel, it was everything I was expecting it to be and more. The addition of being able to see the events unfold in the eyes of Isabel and Cole and intriguing dimensions into the plot.
A very engaging story and despite some slow areas in the middle it ended fantastically and left me eager to find out what will happen in the next installment.
Title: Shiver
Author: Maggie Stiefvater
ISBN: 978-0-5451-2326-6
Publisher: Scholastic
Published: 2009
Age Group: Young Adult
Synopsis:
the cold.
Grace has spent years watching the wolves in the woods behind her house. One yellow-eyed wolf—her wolf—watches back. He feels deeply familiar to her, but she doesn't know why.
the heat.
Sam has lived two lives. As a wolf, he keeps the silent company of the girl he loves. And then, for a short time each year, he is human, never daring to talk to Grace...until now.
the shiver.
For Grace and Sam, love has always been kept at a distance. But once it's spoken, it cannot be denied. Sam must fight to stay human—and Grace must fight to keep him—even if it means taking on the scars of the past, the fragility of the present, and the impossibility of the future.
My Thoughts:
An interesting twist on the werewolf/shape-shifter myth, focusing on a more realistic type wolf rather than the typical angry beast scenario.
The romance aspect of the novel was a bit too sweet for my tastes but it was not enough to make me want to stop reading. I found Sam to be a little too sensitive although I found Grace to be easy to relate to.
The short chapters and changing perspectives made the story progress at a steady pace, keeping it fun and fresh. I enjoyed being able to read both Grace's and Sam's point of view, it gave a wonderful insight into both characters.
Overall it was a nice, easy read with just enough suspense to keep the pages turning.
