The Edge of the Silver Sea - by Alex Mullarky (Paperback)

About the Book

"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?"--

Book Synopsis

"A hundred miles from the mainland, half in the sea, half out of it. The rules are different here..." This wild and fantastical middle-grade adventure is steeped in Celtic folklore and is perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson.

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 cell 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?

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 with themes of environmentalism. This is the captivating US debut from Alex Mullarky: a bold new voice in children's fiction.

Review Quotes

'A magically transcendent adventure that blends climate concerns with Celtic lore.' --Kirkus Reviews, Starred Review

'Readers will be captivated by a tale that weaves mythology, conservation, magic, and friendship into one engaging story that they will immediately read cover to cover... This is a book to be shared again and again. --School Library Journal, Starred Review

'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

'The captivating US debut from a bold new voice in children's fiction.'--Children's Book Council

'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

'A clever twist on Scottish folklore... If you like faery bargains, fantastic creatures and wild magic, you will love this book!' --Skye McKenna, author of Hedgewitch

About the Author

Alex Mullarky is a writer and veterinary nurse whose work with wildlife inspires their stories about nature and magic. They can often be found wild swimming, playing roller derby, or running along the beach with their dog Finn. Alex lives with their family near Edinburgh, Scotland.