Titans
by Victoria Scott
Science Fiction
Suspense
Thriller
Young Adult
* * * * Stars (Great!)
Astrid Sullivan would do anything to keep her family from falling apart, but her grandfather’s and father’s gambling have put them in a precarious position and they stand to lose everything. A chance meeting with a cantankerous elderly engineer (Rags) at the racetrack, gives Astrid new hope when he asks her to be the jockey for a Titan 1.0 – a never-before-released/raced mechanical horse. Astrid will ride her Titan – Padlock – along with a host of newer models (3.0s) for a purse that will get her family out of debt and then some. There are a few obstacles to Astrid’s plan – lack of experience, money, sponsors, a father who’s going to be VERY angry when he finds out what she’s doing, and fear that she might lose more than a few races (racing is extremely dangerous). But she’s got a lot of youthful exuberance and hubris on her side, and she’s determined to win. Exciting and fast-paced, there’s lots to love about Astrid and her best friend Magnolia, and horse enthusiasts will be pleased with the detailed descriptions of Padlock’s equine behaviors.
Reviewed by YA Librarian
