waiting on wednesday (14): the scorpio races

"Waiting on" Wednesday is a weekly event courtesy of Breaking the Spine

that showcases much anticipated upcoming releases.

(from goodreads 11/18/2011):

It happens at the start of every November: the Scorpio Races. Riders attempt to keep hold of their water horses enough to make it to the finish line. Some riders live. Others die.
At age nineteen, Sean Kendrick is the returning champion. He is a young man of few words, and if he has any fears, he keeps them buried deep, where no one else can see them.
Puck Connolly is different. She never meant to ride in the Scorpio Races. But fate hasn't given her much of a chance. So she enters the competition - the first girl ever to do so. She is in no way prepared for what is going to happen.

Although I have no other idea of what this is going to be about, I've been entranced with this book since I first saw the cover. I can't get the idea out of my head that it looks like a fresco - and since I spent a lot of my life studying Mediterranean art it's all I can think of! If this is set in the Roman period I think I'll just melt into my chair with happiness. That timeframe has so much potential, and with the lyricism of Maggie's words it's strife with possibility. This is a book that I very much cannot wait to get my hands on and experience.