Full of heart, drama and beauty, this sweeping fantasy inspired by ancient folklore will draw you into a secret world within Britain’s waterways.
'This book is a gift of rare imagination and luminous writing. A classic in the making’ KATYA BALEN
‘I loved this book so much. It feels like a contemporary classic’ ALICE WINN
‘Bishop’s writing transforms Britain into a magical network of rivers, channels and lochs that will fill you with wonder’ ANN SEI LIN
Kelda has always protected her little sister Isla from danger on the rivers, and from the suspicions of their community. For Isla cannot breathe underwater – and so her very existence is forbidden by silvermen’s Lore. Now the rivers of England are growing monstrous creatures are awakening and a fierce torrent of blame falls upon Kelda’s family. When betrayal comes, the sisters escape on a desperate journey upstream. Joining forces with a mysterious boy, Kelda discovers the darkest depths of her kind’s secret history. But to save both her sister and the very life of Britain’s waterways, Kelda will have to make a sacrifice – one that will change her life forever.
Sylvia Bishop spent an entire childhood reading fiction, dreaming up stories and pretending. She then tried very hard to get to grips with the real world by studying politics and going in to social science research. This was a shock. Thankfully, she discovered improvised comedy at university, which allowed her to carry on making up stories for at least 30% of her waking hours.
Now she writes her stories down, preferably by lamp-light with tea. She only ever really writes the bad ones: the good ones write themselves without warning, generally when she was planning to go to bed.
Sylvia now lives in London, where she continues to work in research, and is one half of improvised comedy duo the Peablossom Cabaret. Her first book for young readers, Erica’s Elephant, was published by Scholastic in 2016, followed by The Bookshop Girl in April 2017. Sylvia’s third novel, The Secret of the Night Train, is out now.
I did not expect myself to love this book as much as I did, but it was amazing. The writing style was a bit different, but it worked so well with the story and the water and river related terms used throughout made it magical and otherworldly. You were truly immersed in the story, especially with the amazing lore the author gave us. I loved how myths and legends were worked into the story, making the race of Silvermen almost seem like something that could have come from our myths and legends too. The info we got at the beginning of some chapters were a great help to get into the lore and even that had a twist to it, I certainly hadn’t expected. There was action, but mostly it was drama and I was so here for it. It felt so daily and yet it was mixed so well with the supernatural element. People facing daily problems in a turmoil of supernatural events and the ways of their own society. The characters were extremely real and relatable and I throughly loved the dynamic of the main characters family. I felt for each one of them and rooted and worried over them all the way. This book gaveme sooo many feels and I gladly admit I cried over bits of it. And the twists that came towards the end. I was not ready for this book to be so intense, but it was incredible. Highly recommend reading.
Silvermen are the people who can swim and breathe through their skin. That’s Kelda Pades and her family but her little sister, Isla, is different. On Isla’s seventh day, she was thrown into the river and could not breathe underwater. Suspicious rose among the community including his brother Firth!
According to their belief, Isla must be terminated from the community to not aggravate the River’s health, which is their only home. Kelda, who loves her sister so much, took the task to protect her from their people. Along the way, they were helped by kind Peter, Judith, Maggie and the mysterious Douglas, to escape.
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I must say that the whole idea of the story is very brilliant! I am impressed with the cover, and the map and I must say you cannot miss the extracts from The Waterways: Essays On a Hidden World, these pages will get you to understand the book better (you will be surprised to know the writer)
This book opened my eyes to get to know British waterways, from river to canal to the sea. I am not familiar but checking the author’s ig @sylviabishop, where she shares visuals, does help! This story also introduces readers to mythical creatures I never heard of i.e. lavellan, fuathan, peg-a-lantern, white water spirits and many more!
The plot twist, revelations and family drama add spice to the plot. You will be surprised and devastated as to how Kelda felt. However, I feel that the grief of losing someone dear to the family was quickly dismissed. I’d also add that this book contains kissing scenes and I wish Kelda did not lose her attire while transforming back and forth.
Saltwater intrusion is a threat to the silvermen as well as unusual tides from rising seawater. Pollution by landmen is also mentioned in the book. These are threats to silvermen but in real life, it is also a threat to humans especially those who live near the river and depend on the river for food and water supply. I was visualizing the ending as Kelda fighting global warming in the form of a water monster.
For now, I will keep my eyes on this book. Who knows if this book is going to be made into a safe, kid-friendly movie, it will be awesome! Thank you #Pansing @ definitelybookskids for this copy, available at all good bookstores.
I DNFd this book at 69% and the only reason it has two stars is because Douglas is actually funny but since he was introduced in the second half it was still pretty boring. And I am sorry but I feel like everyone in this book is just stupid
Kelda's family were so excited to have a new baby girl in the family, until they discovered she wasn't like them. It is normal practice in the Silverman world to throw their newborns into the river on their seventh day. But little Isla didn't swim or relish the water like all Silverman do. She was fished out floppy and with lips turning blue. Kelda was the only one who jumped to her little sister's aid and they have been inseparable ever since.
Their family know Isla is different. They also know to keep this to themselves, as according to Silverman Lore, anyone different is to be not only banished but destroyed in order to keep the natural balance of the rivers they live in and upon, in their house boats. But she is much-loved and protected, especially by Kelda. Her differences might spark a simmering discontent between her parents from time to time, but Kelda's first and foremost priority is always Isla.
But keeping Isla safe suddenly becomes difficult. A boy Isla considered a friend has been asking questions, but only after someone close betrays them. This betrayal strikes Kelda hard, but soon even this has to be swept aside as their entire family are under threat. Leaving all they know and love behind, they strike out for friends among Landman, who know the Silverman ways and lore and will shelter them.
The rivers are behaving strangely, adding more fuel to the rumours, superstitions and myths that a child not fully Silverman will upset the water. The sea is forcing its way up the rivers.
Kelda must not only try and protect Isla, but team up with strangers to fight her Silverman community, and mythical creatures she believed were only ancient stories. She has choices to make about who or what to believe and whether she can make her own sacrifice to help all who she loves.
I was instantly intrigued by Kelda's world. There is a plethora of magical worlds on the bookshelves, but this was definitely something I hadn't experienced before. I could easily imagine Kelda's world and was drawn in, awed, worried for her and her kin and was shocked at an event I never saw coming.
A new friend for Kelda was a balm for her and the story, and it provided a layer of mystery throughout. The mythical creatures are truly terrifying, as is the wrath of a community of the Silverman people. They have silver tints to their eyes, a shine to their skins (that can breathe underwater) and they know little but the rivers they live on. Landman (us mere mortals on land) are distrusted and mostly avoided.
Although woven thickly with a mythical element, this novel is more suitable for older tweens or young teens.
Some stories pull you into their current and refuse to let go. Sylvia Bishop's On Silver Tides is one of those books—a stunning, immersive journey through Britain’s waterways, drenched in folklore and brimming with heart. It’s rare to find a book that so seamlessly blends the mystical with the personal, but Bishop has crafted something truly magical.
From the moment we meet Kelda, a fiercely protective older sister battling to shield Isla from a world that sees her as a threat, I was hooked. The premise of the silvermen—beings with glimmering skin who breathe underwater—felt entirely fresh, and the lore surrounding them was exquisite. Each chapter enriched this world, layering myths and histories that made me believe, for a moment, that such creatures might really exist, hidden beneath the rippling surface of our rivers.
The relationship between Kelda and Isla was the beating heart of this story. Kelda’s unwavering loyalty, even when faced with impossible choices, tugged at my emotions. The stakes were gut-wrenchingly high, and the tension never let up, especially as monstrous creatures and silvermen secrets began to unravel.
What truly elevated this book, though, was Bishop’s writing. It’s lyrical without ever feeling overwrought, like the flow of a river itself. The environmental themes—saltwater intrusion, pollution, and the delicate balance of ecosystems—were interwoven with grace and urgency, giving the story real-world weight.
Yes, the darker undertones of sacrifice (both human and animal) make this more suitable for older readers, but they add a depth that is often missing in fantasy for younger audiences. This is a story that doesn’t shy away from the tough questions: What does it mean to belong? To sacrifice? To protect those you love at all costs?
The twists floored me. Just when I thought I’d caught my breath, another revelation would strike, leaving me wide-eyed and clutching the book tighter. And the ending? Poignant, powerful, and utterly unforgettable. On Silver Tides is a masterpiece of atmosphere, heart, and imagination. It swept me away and left me pondering its depths. For lovers of richly woven tales with a touch of darkness, this is not to be missed.
Rating: 🌟🌟🌟🌟 (4.5/5)
Recommended for: Readers aged 14+ who love atmospheric fantasy with deep lore and emotional stakes.
On Silver Tides by Sylvia Bishop is such an original and imaginative tale that weaves folklore and magic through the pages, just like the story flows through the waterways and rivers of Britain.
With the ability to swim and breathe through their skin, yet also to live on land, Kelda's family of silvermen are distraught when her young sister Isla is thrown in to the river on her seventh day only to discover she cannot breathe underwater. Their people believe strongly in folklore and that the existance of little Isla can only bring them bad luck and sickness to the waterways. With the whole family now in grave danger, they set off to find santuary in Scotland. With their own community hot on their tail, they face many hurdles along the waterways from dangerous dilemas to battling mystical sea creatures.
This is a story about family ties and commitments, betrayal and disappointment, it is also gripping, and so captivating. From the cosy cabin of their family boat to the watery world of the rivers and canals, I really enjoyed this mythical read from the factual exerts at the beginning of each chapter right to the frantic chase to the end. There is a great cast of characters who all gradually reveal their own secrets, but I would say this is a book for aged 10+ as it is quite an intense read to understand this mythical world. With a fabulous cover...all printed on lovely thick paper...this was a fascinating and unusual read!
Kelda and her family are silvermen - a group of travelling people who live on houseboats. When Kelda's sister is born they discover that, unlike the rest of her family, she can't breathe underwater. Kelda saves her by breathing air into her lungs and from that day onwards she acts as her sister's protector - keeping her safe from the superstitious silvermen who believe that Isla's very existence is a threat to their way of life. But when the river they live on begins to fail, silvermen lore says that Isla is the reason and she must be sacrificed to make the river healthy again. Kelda and Isla must travel across the country to find a safe place for Isla and to find out what is really behind the deterioration of the rivers.
This is one of the best books I've read this year - lyrical and haunting, a strikingly unique story full of memorable characters, reminiscent of a Frances Hardinge. A captivating blend of mystery, folklore, romance and adventure, with a stunning ending - highly recommended.
Thank you to Netgalley, the publishers and of course the author for gifting me this advanced reader copy in exchange for an honest review.
I found this was an enjoyable read about Kelda who is protecting her sister Isla from danger (the monstrous creatures that are awakening in the rivers of England) but Isla cannot breathe underwater so Kelda has to pull out all the stops to help protect Isla. I really enjoyed how this was set in England rather than a fantasy setting as I felt I could imagine the story taking place more which made it more fun. The story wasn't waffley and was easy to follow and I was able to read it really quickly. I hope that there would be more stories to come to follow on from this one.
I loved it! De worldbuilding was fantastisch, uitgebreid zonder infodump. De auteur heeft dit op een hele slimme en sfeervolle manier in het verhaal verwerkt. Het "magiesysteem" was top. De schrijfstijl was prettig. De personages waren onderscheidend, complex en herkenbaar. Er zaten plotwendingen in die ik had kunnen en moeten zien aankomen, maar ik was toch compleet verrast. Ik zat er vanaf de eerste pagina helemaal in. Alleen in het begin was het ietsje traag, maar daarna was het ontzettend spannend met een fijn tempo en kon ik het boek echt niet meer wegleggen. Zeker een aanrader! Ik ga dit boek nog veel vaker lezen.
This is a beautiful book. Well written, likable characters, an interesting storyline. But it just wasn't my cup of tea. The plot was too light for my liking. It's not a bad book by any means, but I think I would enjoy it more if it were a movie. A very well structured book overall, but not for me. Loved the sisterly bond, though. That was my favorite aspect of this book because it felt very realistic.
It would be irresponsible of me to review a friend's book, but this is very much worth the read. I am way above the target age, but it was engaging, with as many turns as the rivers the story's set on. Bishop has clearly done her research and a lot of thought has gone into the hidden world she's created.
If you have a young person who's after something that treats them seriously like His Dark Materials, then this is a book to give them
I was given an early copy to read, and it quickly became one of my absolute favourite books of the year. It immediately drew me in to its magical, watery world, and from there I was totally immersed*. It has strong John Wyndham's Chrysalids vibes for me. Loved every word. 100% recommend!
Probably a 3.5 but I rounded it up. I enjoyed the fantasy journey and the journey of the girls, fighting against all odds. Unfortunately, the terms and scenarios used in the fantasy world can be difficult to grasp without explanation. Said explanations were only provided after each chapter, would have preferred to have it before the chapter.
Absolutely gorgeous middle grade/young YA novel. Lyrical writing, intriguing story, heartfelt characters. Amazing setting — the waterways of Britain. Gave me vibes of Pullman’s “Northern Lights” (aka “The Golden Compass”), but at the same time it’s 100% its own thing. I don’t even really know how to describe it, probably best just to experience it.
DNF at page 61. This story drops you into the middle of their world with a dying baby, and no explanation as to what is going on. By the 60th page, I did not care about the characters or that the child was going to be sent away. The language used is easy to read but has the same concept of "dumbing it down" so you can "doomscroll" as well.
I loved this book. The main family works so well, the world building is excellent, there is character growth and there was drama and some surprises. It also felt like a good exploration of how fear is handled and the horrible and noble things fear can drive people to.
This book was written so calmly and with sentences I wish I could come up with. I had to look at an invisible camera a few times because I couldn’t believe how well she wrote it. Besides that and the beautiful world building were the plot and theme refreshing as familiar. Truly amazing.
Beautiful, clever writing revealing a fully realised world with its own rich mythology. Emotional heft delivered with elegant, economic prose. Despite the chilly watery world it portrays, this book is full of warmth and love.
Reading this for the Staffordshire YTF awards and this is my favourite so far!! Such a cool concept, stakes high enough to make me tear up towards the end (no spoilers) and really wonderful characters! A big recommend from me!
I don't have a valid reason to hate this book because the only problem is that I struggled to really connect with it, and it was hard to keep up with, I just kept getting lost. 2.5 ⭐️