Until recently, YA horse stories felt kind of old school and dated:
Then came ... The Scorpio Races. At first I was like: huh? A race with flesh-eating water horses? But I really enjoyed the book. Fantasy + horses = something that clearly works.
Now I see that in 2016 there are not one but two YA books that seem to involve horses. Titans features mechanical horses. Maybe a sort of steampunk horse race? Riders has something to do with the Four Horsemen of the Apocalypse. Both sound intriguing.
How do you feel about horse books? Do you have any favorites?
I've read several Four Horseman of the Apocalypse stories but none of them ever really mentioned the horses now that I think about it.
ReplyDeleteI've been meaning to read The Scorpio Races. I got Kevin's whole family to read it (they all loved it) but I haven't gotten to it yet.
Karen @For What It's Worth
Hmmm. Well, I think a book called Riders with a horse on the cover should mention the horses. But maybe this is like that book with the dragon on the cover that had no dragons in it?
DeleteI love watching them -- But I adore Scorpio races and I want to read Riders too. What can I say that I love Horses :)
ReplyDeleteI love horses too. I mean, I'm rarely around them, but I wish I were!
DeleteI have been meaning to read the Scorpio Races too. But there are older fantasy horse books that are my favorites, The Heavenly Horse of the Outermost West by Mary Stanton (and the sequel Piper at the Gate), DunLady's Jess by Doranna Durgin in particular, because the focus is on the horse(s) as the MCs. A lot of books, use horses as accessories, or at best sidekicks, which isn't as much fun for me.
ReplyDeleteThanks so much for that list -- as I don't read much fantasy, I hadn't heard of those.
DeleteYes, I love horses - in fiction and life. The Scorpio Races is an amazing piece of fiction. I just re-read Black Beauty - with my son :) Still tearing up... So, I say, go horses!
ReplyDeleteIsn't that book about horses that are mistreated? Not sure I can handle that one!!
DeleteI have been obsessed with horse books since I was a child & THE SCORPIO RACES is in my top 5 favorite books ever! Old school, new titles, all of it. BRING THEM ON. PS. I am DYING to read RIDERS. I'm all over that title.
ReplyDeleteI totally hadn't noticed the horse trend. I am not sure they really interest me though but they do look interesting!
ReplyDeleteI can honestly say I'm not a horse person. But I'm looking forward to Veronica Rossi's next book, and I've been meaning to read The Scorpio Races for ages!
ReplyDeleteI loooooved The Scorpio Races and I'm dying to read Riders! Titans sounds really cool but it reminds me a lot about TSR... so, we'll see.
ReplyDeleteThe Scoprio Races was my first Maggie Stiefvater book...and then it was all STIEFVATER FAN from there on out. :') hehe. I don't know how I feel exactly about wild horses?! Because TSR is the only one I've really read. I'd like to read Titans though!!
ReplyDeleteThe Scorpio Races was pretty good, and I'm also excited for Riders and Titans! Who knows, horses might be the next big thing. ;)
ReplyDeleteOh, wow. I love Veronica Rossi's work, but had no idea she was publishing a new book. With horses! This sounds like a really intriguing trope; will definitely have to check it out :)
ReplyDelete