The Scorpio Races by Maggie Stiefvater

Sean Kendrick, who works at the stable of the wealthiest man on the island, has ridden and won the races the last four years in a row. He seems to have the same magic that calls to these mythical horses in his blood—he’s the only one on the island who can handle them when they’re at their wildest and most violent.Kate “Puck” Connelly has never ridden in the races, and has never wanted anything to do with the horrific horses, especially in light of the fact that they killed her parents. Her desperation to keep her orphaned brothers together in their home drives her to the mad act of entering her island mare, Dove, in the races this November.This story is not just about paranormal creatures, or an exciting race (although both of these elements are MORE than satisfying). It is about a courageous girl with a huge heart, a boy who is a legend amongst the water horse riders, and their allied fight to make something positive out of this year’s Scorpio Races.
5 Reasons to come along for the ride in The Scorpio Races

1. A horse-whispering lead

Sean Kendrick is the ultimate rider of both land and water horses. He seems to speak to the horses like no other human can, and he has a special bond with his water horse, Corr, which is touching and inspiring, especially when you realize how disloyal these creatures can be during October/November. Whenever there’s trouble on the beach with a horse (of which there is a LOT), you hear the cry “where’s Sean Kendrick?”

2. Girl power

When Puck enters her name in the races, she is discouraged by nearly everyone on the island from going through with it. Luckily, she is too fierce/stubborn to put much stock in other people’s opinions. During the island parade, she has a ridiculously unfair showdown in which the men of the island stand up and throw hissy fits about her ruining the race. She is bullied and unfairly tormented during training and during the race itself. Like any female trailblazer, she bears it all and keeps going, for her own reasons, and also a little bit because they tell her she can’t, of course.

3. Quaint and quirky town

Skarmouth is a quirky little village, full of Personalities, including our main characters, Sean and Puck. The characters are so unrepentantly themselves, with the kind of quaint notoriety that can only be found in a small town. I especially love Peg, the butcher’s wife, who charms the men of the island with her ability to cut their hearts out with a knife, and Puck’s brother Finn, who, much like a fairy, doesn’t abide compliments.

4. Powerful magic

The magic of the horses, the water, the relationships between the humans and their horses, and the tense alliance they have during race month is breathtaking to read about. Maggie’s writing lifts off the page and weaves frightening but beautiful images into movement, and it is a strange, foreign, and captivating magic.

5. Spare but touching romance

Sean and Puck are each devoted to their respective horses, the island, and most of all, freedom, so it’s a natural fit for them to be friends and ultimately, even more. There are no passionate makeout sessions or flowery declarations, but their romance is one of the sweetest I’ve read about in a long while, because I really BELIEVE that they would be in love if they randomly ran into each other in a grassy field here in the real world. And part of the beauty of their romance is that they are essentially rivals, so they both have to give something up in order to lift the other up.

This standalone story will get your heart pounding with adrenaline, but it will be bursting with warmth by the end.