Every November on the island of Thisby, those brave enough race in The Scorpio Races. But they aren’t racing on the type of horse you or I are familiar with. They race on capaill uisce, water horses that won’t hesitate to attack each other or eat human flesh. Sean Kendrick is more than good at handling and communicated with these wild horses, and he is desperate to win this year’s race so he can buy his horse, Corr.

Kate “Puck” Connolly has always been scared of the capaill uisce, but she needs the money from the race to save her family’s house. Puck decides to race on her own horse, Dove. Worried that the capaill uisce will attack Dove, but knowing she is faster than any water horse, Puck asks Sean to train her for the race and help her overcome her fear of the sea creatures. The stakes are high for both Sean and Puck, but who will ultimately win The Scorpio Races?

This action packed book is the perfect read for a chilly November day. Maggie Stiefvater pulls you into Thisby and the lives of those living there. You’ll be constantly torn between rooting for Puck or Sean, and you’ll be both excited and terrified at the idea of meeting these magical water horses. While it is a stand alone novel, you’ll find yourself wishing for a sequel.