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The Edge of the Silver Sea
A wild and fantastical middle-grade adventure that is steeped in Celtic folklore – perfect for fans of Sophie Anderson and Neil Gaiman.
An island all alone at the edge of the silver sea.
In a place like this, anything could happen...
Forced to move to the remote island of Roscoe, Blair Zielinski is determined to get back to her old life. Then one of the island's darkly magical fey folk offers her an irresistible deal.
As she unravels the island's secrets and makes new friends, both human and otherworldly, Blair discovers that a promise to the fey cannot be broken. Can Blair save the wild isle that she's come to call home?
An island all alone at the edge of the silver sea.
In a place like this, anything could happen...
Forced to move to the remote island of Roscoe, Blair Zielinski is determined to get back to her old life. Then one of the island's darkly magical fey folk offers her an irresistible deal.
As she unravels the island's secrets and makes new friends, both human and otherworldly, Blair discovers that a promise to the fey cannot be broken. Can Blair save the wild isle that she's come to call home?
278 pages, Kindle Edition
Published August 20, 2024
6 people are currently reading
90 people want to read
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Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews
August 15, 2025
Thirteen year old Blair's parents have been saving up forever to buy a property on a remote Scottish island and transform it into a Bed and Breakfast. Blair wants to go back to her old school in England, and makes a bargain with a mysterious fae woman who promises to fulfill her wish after she completes three tasks. Blair's new friend Alasdair doesn't believe there really are fae or kelpies, but agrees to help Blair. When Alasdair’s family is upended by one of the assigned tasks, Blair realizes she made a bad bargain, but it is too late to back out. Can she survive without causing any more harm, or will the fae woman triumph? Recommended for anyone who enjoys young adult fantasy. Thanks to Edelweiss and the publisher for the ARC.
January 30, 2025
My first Middle Grade read of the year, and here we are already headed in a positive direction! I will always wax poetic about how many beautiful stories get glanced over because they're written in the MG sphere. Adults see the age group marker, and assume that the story is not for them. Friends, MG books are for EVERYONE. The Edge of the Silver Sea is a perfect example of that.
What first struck me was how much I saw myself in Blair, our main character. As a person who also cares deeply about the environment, I loved how passionate Blair was about her activism. The fact that she was so knowledgeable, and wanted to share that knowledge with others, made my heart happy. Now, I know that older readers like myself will see Blair's sass towards her parents and remember that we may have once been there too. After being pulled away from her school, her friends, and deposited into a place so utterly different from home, who can blame Blair a bad attitude?
Scottish folklore is at the forefront of this story. If you're not familiar with these stories, Mullarky does such a stellar job of bringing the explanations in seamlessly. I'll pause here to praise Alex Mullarky for how well the writing brings the island of Roscoe to life. From the woods, to the wide open spaces, all the way to the small town and its vibrant inhabitants. Half of what made me fall in love with this book was that the characters, with the island included, came alive.
To avoid any spoilers, I'll simply say that what's truly important about this story is that Blair really does grow and learn. I'm a reader who is all about character development, and this book has that in spades. As Blair navigates her new home, and all the lush tapestry of folklore that comes along with it, she comes to understand what things are really important to her. She starts to see life from other points of view too, and it's absolutely lovely.
Long story short, I enjoyed this immensely. It's a quick read, and one that I think a lot of readers will very much resonate with. To loop back to what I said earlier, Middle Grade reads are truly for everyone. So don't be afraid to give this one a shot.
What first struck me was how much I saw myself in Blair, our main character. As a person who also cares deeply about the environment, I loved how passionate Blair was about her activism. The fact that she was so knowledgeable, and wanted to share that knowledge with others, made my heart happy. Now, I know that older readers like myself will see Blair's sass towards her parents and remember that we may have once been there too. After being pulled away from her school, her friends, and deposited into a place so utterly different from home, who can blame Blair a bad attitude?
Scottish folklore is at the forefront of this story. If you're not familiar with these stories, Mullarky does such a stellar job of bringing the explanations in seamlessly. I'll pause here to praise Alex Mullarky for how well the writing brings the island of Roscoe to life. From the woods, to the wide open spaces, all the way to the small town and its vibrant inhabitants. Half of what made me fall in love with this book was that the characters, with the island included, came alive.
To avoid any spoilers, I'll simply say that what's truly important about this story is that Blair really does grow and learn. I'm a reader who is all about character development, and this book has that in spades. As Blair navigates her new home, and all the lush tapestry of folklore that comes along with it, she comes to understand what things are really important to her. She starts to see life from other points of view too, and it's absolutely lovely.
Long story short, I enjoyed this immensely. It's a quick read, and one that I think a lot of readers will very much resonate with. To loop back to what I said earlier, Middle Grade reads are truly for everyone. So don't be afraid to give this one a shot.
June 14, 2025
Oh my goodness, can I please move to a Scottish island where I can swim in the sea every morning and frolic about with my magical pet horse and owl friend? As long as I don't make any deals with the fey, things should go fine.
That's the ultimate feeling that I was left with upon finishing this book, which is surprising because it was almost chucked on the DNF pile. Completely for reasons involving Blair, our main character. Starting out, I did not like her. At all. Even when I was the age of this book's target audience, I couldn't stand main characters that mouthed off to their parents, especially when those parents were as warm, loving, and caring as Blair's parents are.
Now that I'm a grown-up, I get annoyed when people from younger generations point the blame finger at every generation that came before them for screwing everything up, even though previous generations also cared just as much as they do. They'll get it someday when they're getting the blame finger pointed back in their face from someone younger than they are. Which I realize makes me sound like a stodgy old fuddy duddy, BUT ANYWAYS, all of this to say that as a grown-up reading this book, I just felt like I was getting shrieked at by a little brat who also mouthed off to her parents a lot, and I just couldn't take it.
But then she made a deal with a faerie and I was like, "Well that was dumb, can't wait to see her reap the consequences of her own actions," and I kept reading.
YES, I kept reading out of SPITE. Against a 13-year-old girl. I'm a great person.
Blair goes on quite a journey of growth and development, and I came to enjoy who she was very much by the end of the book. She learned to become a better friend and a kinder daughter, and she never lost sight of what was important to her. She also learned - through actually listening to her mom - that maybe her generation is not the first one to care about these things, and I loved that she took that to heart. And then of course, I loved all the Scottish-ness and the folklore and the Gaelic and the sudden urge to buy a ramshackle house on a Scottish island away from it all so I could swim in the sea and watch seals and whales and play with my magical owl guardian friend and ride my kelpie-turned-moor-pony every day.
I also ultimately like the message to encourage young people to stand up for what they believe in, but also since I am now a stodgy old fuddy duddy, I kind of want to use this space to encourage eco-anxious folks of all ages to get involved in hands-on ways, too - not just waving signs. Get involved with local conservation organizations that are working to improve habitat - volunteer your time with them cleaning up litter, planting trees and wildflowers, tagging wildlife, or whatever else they do. Take the money you were going to spend on paint and posterboard and polar bear costumes and donate it to climate organizations or clean energy research. Write letters to representatives about the causes you are championing (and KEEP writing!!). These, too, are activism, and they are important.
And whatever you do, don't make a deal with a faerie.
That's the ultimate feeling that I was left with upon finishing this book, which is surprising because it was almost chucked on the DNF pile. Completely for reasons involving Blair, our main character. Starting out, I did not like her. At all. Even when I was the age of this book's target audience, I couldn't stand main characters that mouthed off to their parents, especially when those parents were as warm, loving, and caring as Blair's parents are.
Now that I'm a grown-up, I get annoyed when people from younger generations point the blame finger at every generation that came before them for screwing everything up, even though previous generations also cared just as much as they do. They'll get it someday when they're getting the blame finger pointed back in their face from someone younger than they are. Which I realize makes me sound like a stodgy old fuddy duddy, BUT ANYWAYS, all of this to say that as a grown-up reading this book, I just felt like I was getting shrieked at by a little brat who also mouthed off to her parents a lot, and I just couldn't take it.
But then she made a deal with a faerie and I was like, "Well that was dumb, can't wait to see her reap the consequences of her own actions," and I kept reading.
YES, I kept reading out of SPITE. Against a 13-year-old girl. I'm a great person.
Blair goes on quite a journey of growth and development, and I came to enjoy who she was very much by the end of the book. She learned to become a better friend and a kinder daughter, and she never lost sight of what was important to her. She also learned - through actually listening to her mom - that maybe her generation is not the first one to care about these things, and I loved that she took that to heart. And then of course, I loved all the Scottish-ness and the folklore and the Gaelic and the sudden urge to buy a ramshackle house on a Scottish island away from it all so I could swim in the sea and watch seals and whales and play with my magical owl guardian friend and ride my kelpie-turned-moor-pony every day.
I also ultimately like the message to encourage young people to stand up for what they believe in, but also since I am now a stodgy old fuddy duddy, I kind of want to use this space to encourage eco-anxious folks of all ages to get involved in hands-on ways, too - not just waving signs. Get involved with local conservation organizations that are working to improve habitat - volunteer your time with them cleaning up litter, planting trees and wildflowers, tagging wildlife, or whatever else they do. Take the money you were going to spend on paint and posterboard and polar bear costumes and donate it to climate organizations or clean energy research. Write letters to representatives about the causes you are championing (and KEEP writing!!). These, too, are activism, and they are important.
And whatever you do, don't make a deal with a faerie.
August 25, 2024
I really loved this book.
I love reading YA, and this is the perfect cosy YA read especially heading into Autumn.
What I liked:
I was able to relate to both the main character Blair and her parents. I was once Blair who wanted to remain in the city and be amongst the crowds, and now as someone who is the same age as her parents in the book, I too want to live in the middle of nowhere with only deer and wild horses for company.
The island of Roscoe (sadly not real, but I understand is based on the Hebrides) is a wonderful place, the way Alex wrote the island made it come to life, and feel like you were there, it was nice to be familiar with all the creatures which inhabit the area.
Scottish Folklore 😍, I love a bit of folklore and this book was like a greatest hits list of it all. Although I am concerned that most of the mythical creatures want to eat you or drag you to their watery gloom.
Blair’s character development, as an adult I had to get my head back into the mind-frame of being Blair’s age. To see her grow and become an understanding and ‘big picture’ thinker by the end of the book was wonderful, otherwise I feel like I might have wanted to shake her a little to get her to wake up.
Explanation of the climate crisis, although not in depth, we do discuss the climate crisis and it was interesting to read it from a teenagers perspective. Climate anxiety is something young people do experience in this day and age, and I didn’t realise how bad it can truly affect them until I read this book. There is help for this mentioned at the back of the book
Inclusion, it was seamless and perfect. Exactly like it should be in all books and media, people were just themselves. Finding your true self or as it was beautifully put your true ‘name’ , was one of the big takeaways from this book for me
What I didn’t like:
I don’t have a pet owl (but I would like one)
I don’t have a pet horse (but I would like one)
I would have liked to have heard from Blair’s parent’s perspective. But to be honest that could be a whole other book (hint, hint)
I love reading YA, and this is the perfect cosy YA read especially heading into Autumn.
What I liked:
I was able to relate to both the main character Blair and her parents. I was once Blair who wanted to remain in the city and be amongst the crowds, and now as someone who is the same age as her parents in the book, I too want to live in the middle of nowhere with only deer and wild horses for company.
The island of Roscoe (sadly not real, but I understand is based on the Hebrides) is a wonderful place, the way Alex wrote the island made it come to life, and feel like you were there, it was nice to be familiar with all the creatures which inhabit the area.
Scottish Folklore 😍, I love a bit of folklore and this book was like a greatest hits list of it all. Although I am concerned that most of the mythical creatures want to eat you or drag you to their watery gloom.
Blair’s character development, as an adult I had to get my head back into the mind-frame of being Blair’s age. To see her grow and become an understanding and ‘big picture’ thinker by the end of the book was wonderful, otherwise I feel like I might have wanted to shake her a little to get her to wake up.
Explanation of the climate crisis, although not in depth, we do discuss the climate crisis and it was interesting to read it from a teenagers perspective. Climate anxiety is something young people do experience in this day and age, and I didn’t realise how bad it can truly affect them until I read this book. There is help for this mentioned at the back of the book
Inclusion, it was seamless and perfect. Exactly like it should be in all books and media, people were just themselves. Finding your true self or as it was beautifully put your true ‘name’ , was one of the big takeaways from this book for me
What I didn’t like:
I don’t have a pet owl (but I would like one)
I don’t have a pet horse (but I would like one)
I would have liked to have heard from Blair’s parent’s perspective. But to be honest that could be a whole other book (hint, hint)
March 31, 2025
Some books turn people off if they feel like there’s a heavy-handed message, and this book goes in that direction by establishing that the main character is an activist and considers activism one of her top priorities. However, if readers who might be initially unhappy about that keep reading, they might find out how well that works with this story. The place she lives in the perfect intersection of Scottish folklore and Blair’s passions for activism, and her passions make the island and her actions make sense and work together seamlessly. While climate change and climate activism have a key part of the book, those issues are blended well with character growth, folklore, strong characters, and a magical setting.
Blair goes through a lot as a character. She’s very unhappy about being pulled away from her friends and the causes she cares about to an island she knows nothing about. In her frustration and focus on the things she cares most about, she makes some selfish and short-sighted decisions. She doesn’t always think things through, and she at times doesn’t care about how her words and actions will affect other people because she thinks she’s right. However, she grows a lot and learns how to think more broadly about the things and people she cares about.
This is a fun read for both young climate activists and people who enjoy stories about folklore. It also deals with how family relationships can be complicated sometimes and growing up is hard. While this book won’t be for everyone, it’s an enjoyable book for learning about both Scottish folklore and climate change.
Blair goes through a lot as a character. She’s very unhappy about being pulled away from her friends and the causes she cares about to an island she knows nothing about. In her frustration and focus on the things she cares most about, she makes some selfish and short-sighted decisions. She doesn’t always think things through, and she at times doesn’t care about how her words and actions will affect other people because she thinks she’s right. However, she grows a lot and learns how to think more broadly about the things and people she cares about.
This is a fun read for both young climate activists and people who enjoy stories about folklore. It also deals with how family relationships can be complicated sometimes and growing up is hard. While this book won’t be for everyone, it’s an enjoyable book for learning about both Scottish folklore and climate change.
January 28, 2025
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.
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.
January 30, 2025
Thank you to netgalley and the publisher for this e-ARC in exchange for an honest review!
DNF @ 23%
2 stars
I think this is very much a situation of "not for me." The book has a huge focus on activism, which is great, but not what I went into the book expecting/in the mood for. I think the book is a lot less fantastical and a lot more grounded, using the fey aspect as an arc/nature point (just from my understanding in the first 23%). This is in no way bad, but the book doesn't do a great job presenting itself as such. I went in expecting a lot more fun fantasy adventure with lots of magic and stuff, not the overall pretty grounded, pro-activist tale.
Again, none of this is bad. This book has great importance, and I definitely think people should read it and will enjoy it. Just not for me right now, maybe ever (but that's more because I don't vibe with the writing style).
I think the book could really use some blurb adjustments, because climate activism is very important, and it's important to draw in the right crowd. Which that isn't ALL the book is. There's also a strong family dynamic/struggle aspect and such. So I think that the blurb could just use some tinkering to really sell this book for what the book stands for rather than just the plot that is built around that.
DNF @ 23%
2 stars
I think this is very much a situation of "not for me." The book has a huge focus on activism, which is great, but not what I went into the book expecting/in the mood for. I think the book is a lot less fantastical and a lot more grounded, using the fey aspect as an arc/nature point (just from my understanding in the first 23%). This is in no way bad, but the book doesn't do a great job presenting itself as such. I went in expecting a lot more fun fantasy adventure with lots of magic and stuff, not the overall pretty grounded, pro-activist tale.
Again, none of this is bad. This book has great importance, and I definitely think people should read it and will enjoy it. Just not for me right now, maybe ever (but that's more because I don't vibe with the writing style).
I think the book could really use some blurb adjustments, because climate activism is very important, and it's important to draw in the right crowd. Which that isn't ALL the book is. There's also a strong family dynamic/struggle aspect and such. So I think that the blurb could just use some tinkering to really sell this book for what the book stands for rather than just the plot that is built around that.
March 2, 2024
I have been one of the lucky people to get an advanced copy of this magical new novel. Having been whisked away to the fantastic world of folklore Cumbria in their previous novel, The Sky Beneath The Stone, I wondered what would await me this time. Once again I was swept into a beautiful, slightly alternative world that is so wonderfully written, seems credible. I was there, on Roscoe, with Blair and Alasdair. I could see the landscape and feel the weather and the magic all around me.
Not only does this story take you back to a time of Fae creatures and folklore, it has many modern themes and references, some of which are just gently included without any fuss.
An enlightened story for the youth of today.
Not only does this story take you back to a time of Fae creatures and folklore, it has many modern themes and references, some of which are just gently included without any fuss.
An enlightened story for the youth of today.
September 1, 2024
A beautiful story which will inspire us all to embrace nature, your local surroundings and a little bit of magic ✨ This book was full of adventure and mystery, whilst at the same time embracing the feeling of comfort and cosiness of home and family. If you're a fan of animal or mythical companions you will love this! I highly recommend this book to readers of all ages.
September 2, 2024
Alex has done it again with a fantastic tale filled with magic, adventure and Scottish folklore! I love this book, possibly even more than their debut novel (also 5 stars go check it out)! If you are looking for adventure and to remember why you should be careful when bargaining with the Fey, this is the book for you.
April 6, 2025
Nice little adventure on a remote Scottish island, has an awful lot packed in there and over-egging the pudding takes away the flavor. Some good use of folklore and nature elements and a nice analogy between selfies and trans folks, but a bit of a pc slog it's painful so therefore will be suspicious to a younger reader allergic to eggy pudding!
October 20, 2024
Themes of identity and climate anxiety are woven into a well-plotted, smoothly paced story. Highly recommended.
February 17, 2025
Another gem from Mullarky. They’ve quickly become a must buy author for me
February 23, 2025
Rounded up
June 2, 2025
Review is just my notes: Entertaining children's fantasy, Irish/Scottish vibes, identity & moving home themes, climate change & environmentalism as well
July 27, 2025
Delicately captures the magic of the Hebrides, the icy joy of sea swimming & the dangers of making deals with faeries
October 23, 2025
Great exploration of some Scottish folklore although the final climax feels a little bit unearned or underdeveloped.
Displaying 1 - 17 of 17 reviews