The Edge of the Silver Sea
Quick Look
- Thirteen-year-old Blair Zielinski plunges into a magical world of fey creatures and troubling secrets when she makes a deal with one of the fey folk
- A gripping upper middle-grade fantasy novel that weaves a magical adventure with themes of environmentalism and the balance between humans and nature
- Inspired by Celtic mythology and folklore and set on a remote Scottish island
- From Alex Mullarky, the captivating voice behind The Sky Beneath the Stone
Forced to move to a remote island, Blair is miserable. When an otherworldly woman offers an irresistible deal, Blair discovers that her new home is a darkly magical place, and a fey bargain cannot be broken. From the author of The Sky Beneath the Stone.
Description
"A hundred miles from the mainland, half in the sea, half out of it.
The rules are different here..."
All 13-year-old Blair Zielinski wants is a way off the remote Scottish island her parents have dragged her to. Roscoe is home to thousands of deer, a couple of hundred people, a complete lack of phone signal, and some unusual violet-eyed creatures.
Blair is miserable, until an otherworldly woman with antlers, one of the island's darkly magical fey folk, offers her an irresistible deal: complete three tasks and Blair's wish will be granted.
As she unravels the island's secrets, Blair soon discovers that a fey bargain cannot be broken, and her wish has put everyone on Roscoe at risk. Can Blair find a way to save her family, and the place at the edge of the silver sea that she has come to call home?
From the author of The Sky Beneath the Stone, this wildly magical upper middle-grade fantasy explores family and friendship, the balance between humans and nature, and the people and places we embrace as our own. The Edge of the Silver Sea deftly weaves Celtic mythology and folklore -- from kelpies and selkies, to will-o'-the-wisps and river spirits -- with themes of environmentalism, in Alex Mullarky's trademark captivating style.
Reviews
'An exploration of the power of place... Against the beautiful Scottish landscape and its charismatic beasties (mythical and otherwise), Blair holds her own.'
-- Foreword Reviews
'I absolutely adored this glorious book! The perfect follow up to The Sky Beneath the Stone -- with a clever twist on Scottish folklore, a nuanced exploration of environmental concerns and, at its heart, a relatable story about finding home. If you like faery bargains, fantastic creatures and wild magic, you will love this book!'
-- Skye McKenna, author of Hedgewitch
'Sparkling with myth, magic and the wonder of wild places, this enchanting tale will make readers look at the world with glittering eyes.'
-- Sophie Anderson, Carnegie-shortlisted author of The House with Chicken Legs
'Evocative and atmospheric and full of magical creatures from Scottish folklore... Highly recommended.'
-- Ravenbooklover (Instagram)
Praise for the Sky Beneath the Stone:
'Beautiful, bright and brilliant -- a perfect blend of magic, adventure and heart.'
-- Sophie Anderson
'A beautifully written adventure.'
-- Ross MacKenzie, author of the Nowhere Emporium trilogy
Author
Alex Mullarky is a writer, veterinary nurse and the author of The Sky Beneath the Stone. They transport injured seals as a Marine Mammal Medic and scan the sea for whales and dolphins with Shorewatch. Their work with wildlife inspires their stories about nature and magic.
Alex lives on the edge of Edinburgh with their family and loves to explore Scotland's wild coasts and islands in their free time. They can often be found wild swimming, playing roller derby, or running along the beach with their dog Finn.