Titans

I wanted to read Titans because I loved Victoria Scott's first series and wanted more of her writing, characters and world building. Astrid is the main character and she is smart and driven and very interested in the Titan races. it's something she loves because of the horses which are a blend of animal and machine from what I understand that about 10% through. she loves The mechanics, the how and why to things so the build and the computer coding to get the animals to race and be good at what they're doing is right up her alley. it's also something that she hates because she is in a lower class family and it feels like the Titan races are where the rich get richer and poor bet all they have on the races. not only her grandfather has lost catastrophically his way of life, his home where she and her family were staying, he lost everything to betting when Astrid was young, leaving them on the streets. They were slung okay once Astrid's dad found a job at a factory but on top of it all 'dad has just lost his job. There is the family dynamics and friendship and it was complex but fascinating to read about. As far as family dynamics go, Astrid's dad is pretty overbearing and he is bitter about not having work and it creates a rift in the family at times. Astrid has 2 sisters Dani and Zara. they all three are pretty different Dani is dating a guy and she is pretty obsessed with him and she uses barbs like he would never let them lose their house or lose their job that he would protect them against their dad. Zara is the younger sister and she depends a lot on Astrid. their mom is both present and absent if that makes any sense. she holds the family together and she make them dinner and keeps house running and listens to them but when things get tough she kind of disappears into garden which is her main hobby. as far as friendship Astrid's best friend is Magnolia and I guess that's the case in some aspects of opposites attract because magnolia is very fashion and accessory oriented but their friendship still makes it because they share an interest in watching the Titan practices and races and they have been next door neighbors for forever so that was also a glue that holds them together. Along with the fact that Magnolia's dad used to work with Astrid dad and they have both lost their job and are looking for new ones now, there is a lot that holds then together, and they know they have someone who gets it. I also appreciated that there wasn't romance in this one. Astrid gets more focused on her family, friendship, and the help (from Rags and his friend) that comes from the most unexpected places. Most of all, she gets used to her unique Titan, and wanting to win the races, and therefore help her family and discover a lot about herself. Now, while I love a good romance, it is refreshing to have one without it. There is enough going on with the characters and the action of the Titans. I really enjoyed watching Astrid bond with the Titan aka Padlock and realize its limits as well as hers. She wants to believe that it's just a machine and that there's no cognizance or emotions or feelings but the more she's around him the more she begins to question that. There's one moment on their first run where she completely forgets what she's doing and how to do it and they're barely dodge a tree and what she finally gets her wits about her and gets down she says she swears she sees the Titan looking at her with an expression of you're an idiot. The companionship, understanding, and respect that they formed was wonderful to watch. Astrid and Padlock had a one up relationship, they would joke and play around, but then they shared a seriousness and a vision of winning, and of the thrill of the race. I really appreciated how Rags, Barney, and Lottie all took in Astrid and Magnolia. They offered their technical help, as well as helping them to learn to be a part of the world. Lottie is a woman that has money, but she has class, and she ended up helping them to have that as well, learning courtesy, etiquette, and also showing them when to ignore what she's taught them and to have inner strength. I devoured this one, the alternating action and then the character building, and the family dynamic changing and evolving throughout the story. Realizing when to accept help and when to support and encourage each other. I also loved the ending. It all came together well, wrapped up well, and I was happy with it. Some things were sad, others happy, and others hopeful. I love Scott, and will read any future books. Source: earc from Scholastic via Edelweiss Disclaimer: I received this book as an ARC (advanced review copy). I am not paid for this review, and my opinions in this review are mine, and are not effected by the book being free. Bottom Line: Couldn't put it down, loved the characters, action, and sense of family and friendship.

My wife rides her horse Jet almost every week – and I’ve always been a fan of science fiction - so the horse racing Young Adult novel “Titans” attracted my interest. The novel is an exciting, gripping and poignant book built around mechanical race horses and a young lady who rides as if her life, or livelihood, depended upon a victory. Which it does. In all honesty, I did not buy the rational for the computerized steeds, which I don’t think holds up under scrutiny. But readers generally give an author a bit of leeway in her setting and then judge what she does with it. In this case, author Victoria Scott gallops like American Pharaoh winning the Triple Crown last year. Ms. Scott is a very good writer. During the races the sparks fly, and the mechanic grunting, the dirt and sweat are so vivid the reader can feel them. My only quibble is she uses about every word in the dictionary to substitute for “said.” Sometimes that works but sometimes not… The book tells the story of 17-year-old Astrid who, by sheer luck, finds a “Titan,” – the name for the mechanical horses - and is able to ride him. Astrid’s family lives in Detroit in poverty and she sees the winning purse as a way into a better life, both for her and her family. She is surrounded by friends, a trainer but a father who disparages his daughter’s ambitions. Science fiction, as a genre, is often criticized for a lack of characterization. The authors are dealing with ideas and intergalactic concepts. Flesh-and-blood humans often take a backseat to the story. But there are no one-dimensional characters in this racehorse book. Even if Padlock – Astrid’s horse – isn’t a living, breathing animal, he still becomes a wonderful character in the novel. The ending will touch your heart, if it already hadn’t been touched by Astrid’s grit and gallantry.

Da ich „Rot wie das Meer“ von Maggie Stiefvater im letzten Jahr so mochte und ich diesen Sommer plötzlich Lust auf etwas Ähnliches bekam, durfte Titans letztendlich bei mir einziehen. Titans wird oft mit dem genannten Buch von Maggie Stiefvater verglichen und ja, ich muss zugeben, dass es einige Gemeinsamkeiten gibt. Natürlich sind da einmal die gefährlichen Pferderennen, das Preisgeld und das Mädchen, das teilnimmt um ihre Familie vor dem Ruin zu retten. Im Grunde war das dann aber auch schon alles. Und man hat definitiv zwei komplett unterschiedliche Bücher vorliegen, die beide auf ihre Weise wirklich wundervoll sind. Titans wird nur aus der Perspektive von Astrid erzählt und enthält keinen weiteren Point of View Charakter. Außerdem fehlt jede Romanze mit der Protagonistin. Dafür gibt es kleinere Liebesgeschichten rund um die Nebenfiguren, die aber nie Überhand nehmen und die rein zur Stimmung beitragen. Außerdem baut das Buch nicht auf ein einziges Rennen am Ende hin, sondern enthält mehrere Rennstrecken. Und jedes einzelne Rennen beinhaltet seine eigene Spannung, neue Überraschungen und neue Gefahren. Aber das Beste und Interessanteste an dem Buch ist definitiv die Interaktion zwischen den einzelnen (wirklich gut gestalteten) Figuren und der Interaktion zwischen Astrid und Padlock, ihrem Pferd. Gerade diese Szenen, zwischen Mensch und (mechanischem) Pferd haben mich emotional sehr angesprochen. Es wirkte echt, nicht gestellt, authentisch und einfach wunderbar. Außerdem mochte ich die Familiendynamik in dem Buch, weil auch sie sehr ehrlich, ungeschönt und vor allem realistisch dargestellt wurde. Dazu kommt die wunderbare Mädchenfreundschaft zwischen Astrid und Magnolia. Eine solche ehrliche Freundschaft sieht man selten in Jugendbüchern. Das Ende war vielleicht ein bisschen zu viel des Guten stellenweise, aber dennoch gab es Momente, die mir die Tränen in die Augen trieben und die mich emotional äußerst angekratzt zurück gelassen haben. Fazit Im Großen und Ganzen war das Buch für mich tatsächlich, wenn auch unerwartet, ein richtiges Lesehighlight. Ich war traurig, das es so schnell zu Ende war. Und abschließend kann ich nur sagen, dass sich alles sehr gut ineinander fügt, ein schönes Gesamtwerk ergibt und vermutlich ein Buch ist, das ich gerne auch noch ein zweites Mal lesen werde.

This was an interesting take on the typical pony book genre. Teenage girl finds horse, learns to ride and forms bond with horse that no one else has. In the background there is the underdog making good to save her family. The difference here is that the horse was a machine and the races more like computer games than horse races. Victoria Scott writes very well and I enjoyed the Fire and Flood series. However as a rider, there were a few things that really bugged me about this book. Firstly I kept thinking why would anyone bother creating a machine that basically does the same thing as a horse. Secondly and I know Padlock is different, how come it looks and behaves like a horse even when the autopilot is off. If it’s a machine, would it not just stand about in its stall? Also I’m not sure mechanically you could hold tightly to handles and stay on well. Not gripping is one of the first things you learn when you start to ride and I’m not sure you also could lean into the bends the way she describes. It’s a horse not a motor cycle and even if it’s a machine, I think the 4 legs would make it function the same way - ie It would just lose its feet and fall over. You normally cut corners by taking a directer line. And if she stopped at speed in the jams as described, she’d probably end up in hospital. Sorry but of a rant but little things like that really bothered me, particularly as the writing is otherwise good. If you aren’t a rider, it may not bother you as much, if you are prepare to suspend belief for a bit!

What a talented author, what great story. So glad I read it. Now I want a Titan! But seriously: Do read this heartwarming, thoughtful, brilliant written novel!