The Edge of the Silver Sea
by Alex Mullarky
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Pub Date Feb 04 2025 | Archive Date Feb 04 2025
Publisher Spotlight | Kelpies
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Description
"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 and Neil Gaiman.
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.
Advance Praise
Kirkus Reviews (12/15/2024):Starred Review
A young teen's hasty bargain with a Celtic deity jeopardizes the natural order of an island community. After deciding to turn a fixer-upper on the remote Scottish island of Roscoe into a bed-and-breakfast, 13-year-old Blair Zielinksi's parents uprooted her from her home in the English city of Carlisle. Blair's plans for a summer spent raising climate crisis awareness are a bust, especially without internet or cell service. But she discovers Roscoe's literal enchantments when she makes a deal with the goddess Cailleach: She'll complete three tasks, and Cailleach will grant her wish to return home. As she engages with the island's residents, including teen naturalist Alasdair, who's cued trans, and Rosemary, a vibrant older woman, Blair must navigate her growing affection for the local people that conflicts with her promise to Cailleach. Mullarky transports readers with their enchanting descriptions of the island and its flora and fauna, both real and legendary. The events build at an easy pace that allows for Blair's development. Cailleach's backstory and misguided guardianship affirm the importance of biodiversity and serve as an apt allegory for human communities: "You belong here. Weall belong here." Blair's mother is English, and her father is Scottish and Polish; his Polish cultural heritage is woven into the story. A glossary with a pronunciation guide defines English and Scots vocabulary and Celtic folklore terms. The author's note cites climate anxiety and gender identity resources. A magically transcendent adventure that blends climate concerns with Celtic lore. (map)(Fantasy. 9-12) COPYRIGHT(2024) Kirkus Reviews, ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
Featured Reviews
Tricia W, Reviewer
This was a fun middle grade fantasy steeped in Celtic myth that will appeal to a wide range o young readers. It's full of fantastic creatures, grand adventures, an unhappy teenage protagonist, and the beloved quest trope.
Blair is an environmental activist who cares about nothing so much as saving the planet along with her friends. Her plans are thwarted, however, when her parents move the family to a remote island to open a bed and breakfast. Blair feels like her life is ruined until she meets one of the islands inhabitants who offers to send her home in exchange for her help with some strange creatures. Blair will meet people, have adventures, and make difficult choices along the way; and the reader will be right there with her in this atmospheric town with all of these intriguing characters.
Although I had some difficulties with the book as an adult, namely Blair's attitude half the time; I think it will appeal to it's target audience quite effectively. Children will get a taste for the mythology and folklore of the region and will enjoy the island setting. I also think that, despite her slightly overzealous nature, there are good lessons to be learned here about caring for the environment and standing up for one's beliefs. I would recommend this to middle grade fantasy or mythology readers for sure.
Jaime G, Reviewer
Wild, whimsical, and ever so cozy, readers will feel like they have been swept to a Scottish Island.
This is a story that is so timely. It's a thoughtful look at the natural world we live in and how we interact and care for it. While it's themes are important and relevant the story itself isn't preachy or heavy handed, instead readers are treated to evocative tale that is threaded with magic and folklore.
The Edge of the Silver Sea will be a story I gift again and again to the young folks in my life.
Kathryn M, Reviewer
I really enjoyed this as a story with Celtic folklore being told, it had that element that I was looking for and enjoyed getting to know the characters in this world. I was engaged with what was happening and thought the element worked with them. Alex Mullarky has a strong writing style and am excited for more.
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