The Silver Road (Paperback)

Steeped in rich mythology and distinctly Irish in all the best possible ways, The Silver Road is a thrilling tale of bravery, unlikely friendships, and new beginnings. Magnificent! The Silver Road has everything I want in a book: Myth, legends and old magic woven together with real life environmental concerns and brimming with imagination and wonderful characters. Absolutely loved it! Sinéad O'Hart's finest piece of work to-date, masterfully and respectfully weaving the powerful lore of Ireland's ancient past with a modern-day story brimming with heart and adventure. A powerful, intense and dazzling saga, magically bridging the gap between the ancient past and life as we know it today. Pure gold. I read The Silver Road gripped, heart in my mouth, as Rose's journey into a world of old magic unfolded. Readers of all ages will treasure this tale, that establishes Sinéad O'Hart as one of the great storytellers of modern children's classics, reminiscent of Susan Cooper, Alan Garner and Garth Nix. Readers will adore following the wonderful Catshee into a world of myth and magic. This is a timely exploration of how our ancient connection to the old stories is also our connection to the natural world, and a sacred thread that in turn connects us back to ourselves. O'Hart reminds us that this thread must never be broken. A magical adventure that catapults ancient Irish mythology into the 21st century, with a heroine full of heart and courage, all stitched together, like The Silver Road of the title, with themes of friendship, family and environmental conservation. O' Hart's writing sings from the pages, like a love song for old Ireland, remixed for a modern generation. My children's book of the year. Phenomenal. Sinéad O'Hart's best book yet. The Silver Road is a breathtaking journey through the magic and myths of Ireland, shining like the Road itself. Casting the same sort of magical spell as Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising, I expect The Silver Road to become one of those classic books that children and adults return to time and time again. This is brilliant, elk-galloping storytelling and weaves together the parallel worlds of Rose's struggles with a new secondary school and her discovery of ancient magic and the forces of evil. The Silver Road is an absolute breathtaking page turner, but as you cling on for the ride it also makes you think about the big, universal themes of friendship, environmental destruction and the importance of stories that are passed down through generations. This is a special kind of book. It's absorbing, captivating, and exquisitely written - everything a children's book should be. Nothing has consumed me quite like this since The Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper. It's heady, thrilling, timeless. And Sinead has some of the magic, herself. Wonderful. Hart skilfully mixes Irish mythology and old magic with the new to create an outstanding tale of courage, bravery and friendship. The Silver Road is a thrilling tale of Irish legends come to life. It has everything you could possibly want in a children's novel packed into a fast-paced narrative - a call to adventure for an unlikely hero, a school bully you hope will get her come-uppance, a loyal group of magical allies, and a roller-coaster ride of a magical ending that will have you on the edge of your seat. This is an absolute must for school libraries, legend lovers, and anyone who enjoys an exciting tale of peril and bravery. Packed with magic, mythology and magnificent mayhem, this is a wonderful story drawing on Ireland's rich and ancient language and legends. O'Hart's deep knowledge of Irish mythology, history and language as well as her sparkling imagination make this a unique and stunning read. The Silver Road has all the makings of a classic. It's a roller-coaster of a story for fantasy lovers, big and small! Nobody makes me turn pages faster than Sinéad O'Hart. The Silver Road has everything: a gutsy heroine to root for, danger, on-the-edge-of-your-seat action, brilliant characters and Celtic folklore that's been brought to life by Sinéad's vivid imagination and accomplished storytelling. A must-read for all those who crave adventure and magic in their lives. Young readers will find a highly imaginative setting with larger-than-life villains and fascinating creatures in this page-turning middle grade novel. Together with an underdog protagonist and the fate of the old world in her hands, The Silver Road is an enjoyable read.