The Edge of the Silver Sea

“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?

Floris Books, August 2024
Cover art by Ramune Kregzdyte

Add to Your Shelves

StoryGraph – Goodreads

Where to Buy

Kelpies
Blackwells
Waterstones
Barnes & Noble (US)
Or ask at your local bookshop or library

Blackwells Book of the Month, September 2024

Scottish Book Trust Bookzilla Book of the Month, October 2024

Summer Reading Challenge Booklist selection 2025

  • This is a guide to content in The Edge of the Silver Sea that some readers may find triggering. Please be aware that there are inevitably some spoilers.

    • Climate anxiety

    • Accidental misgendering/misnaming of transgender person

    • Post-natal depression

    • Magical threat

    If you’ve read the book and have been pointed here by the final note, visit Silver Sea Resources.

  • Activities for teachers
    Available through Kelpies

  • Character Art Activity

A Note From the Author

The Edge of the Silver Sea is inspired by the landscape and folklore of Scotland, a place I’ve now called home for longer than I have anywhere else. I love visiting the islands, and in 2023 I went on a sailing expedition around the Small Isles.

When this book was published in 2024 I went on a book tour by bicycle, cycling 200 miles through the Outer Hebrides and visiting schools to deliver free creative writing workshops along the way. You can read all about it here.

I think there is something magical about islands, cut off from the mainland, surrounded by ocean. One day, I would love to live on one of Scotland’s islands.

Playlist

The colour palette for this website was taken from the photo of the machair used as the header of this page. The green of the grasses, the blues of the sea and sky, and the pink flowers.

  • "A magically transcendent adventure that blends climate concerns with Celtic lore."

    Kirkus (starred review)

  • "Beautifully written and accompanied by a glossary and a map of the island, this is a book to be shared again and again. Highly recommended for all libraries."

    School Library Journal (starred review)

  • "A compelling fantasy drama, infused with Celtic mythology."

    The Bookseller

  • "Absolutely adored this glorious book… with a clever twist on Scottish folklore, a nuanced exploration of environmental concerns and at its heart – a relatable story about finding home."

    Skye McKenna, Carnegie-nominated author of the Hedgewitch series

  • "This enchanting story sparkles with everything I love – myth, magic, and the wonder of wild places. It’s one of those tales that will make readers look at the world afresh, with excitement glittering in their eyes."

    Sophie Anderson, Carnegie-shortlisted author of The House with Chicken Legs

  • "A story that crackles with an authentic sense of old magic while also acknowledging contemporary issues. "

    LoveReading4Kids