Book Review by Aarene Storms: Titans

Titans by Victoria Scott

Astrid's family is falling apart: her grandfather is dead, her father lost his job a few years back, and gambled away all the savings, her older sister is hanging out with a guy who is definitely bad news ...and the rest of her family members seem to be drifting further apart every day.

Then, Astrid gets the chance of a lifetime: the opportunity to ride a Titan --a fabulous mechanical racehorse --and win up to two million dollars.

That's enough money to retrieve the house from mortgage default, and to help Astrid's best friend's family too. But first, she has to race. And then, she has to win.

This book strongly echoed Maggie Steifvater's Scorpio Races; of the two, I think Steifvater's book is better.

But then, I can always be counted on to choose the magical carnivorous horses over the helpful mechanical horses.

Who can blame me?

Having said that, I did love the complete lack of teen romance in Titans. There's a wonderful friendship worthy of celebration, and some nice social commentary.

Excellent racing sequences, great action, very little cussing, and a sweet if somewhat abrupt ending.

If only I could educate authors about the value of riding helmets. Sigh.

The events may not have happened; still, the story is true.  --R. Silvern

Aarene Storms, youth services librarian

Richmond Beach and Lake Forest Park Libraries, KCLS