I received an eARC from the publisher through NetGalley in exchange for an honest review. It has not affected my opinion.
Genre: Fantasy Age Range: MG Star Rating: 4 stars Series: standalone
Blurb:
The seandraiocht – the Old Magic – isn’t remembered like it once was. Its power is fading…
When Rose is entrusted with a powerful stone by a Frost Giant, she is swept into an adventure full of danger. The stone can be used for great good or great evil, depending on its keeper. It leads Rose to discover the magic that runs through all of Ireland. A magic that is threaded together beneath the the Silver Road. But the Silver Road is under threat.
Now Rose must keep the stone from falling into the wrong hands and embark on a quest to find its rightful owner and keep the magic alive . . .
Blurb taken from Goodreads. Add to your shelves here.
Review:
THE SILVER ROAD is an engaging Middle Grade weaving Irish mythology into the modern world in a tale of good against evil.
There has been increased interest in mythology-filled books for children in the last ten years, where instead of retelling the tales set in their original time periods, the magic and monsters are brought into the modern day, and the children have to be the heroes. THE SILVER ROAD does this with Irish mythology.
It’s a short book but it brings so many myths to life, weaving them into the story. I loved how these references that might only appear for a few pages really helped give an impression of just how large the body of Irish mythology is – one that’s given far less prominence than, say, that of the Ancient Greeks. It’s a great way to get kids aware of it and interested to learn more. The glossary/myth crib sheet at the end is also another great way to start kids off on that journey too.
It’s also a story of friendship as two girls who do not get on learn to trust and rely on one another after discovering what makes them similar. The intense magical events works as a nice catalyst to speed up what would, in real life, likely be a much longer process, allowing for a more intense emotional arc between the girls.
Read my reviews of other books by Sinéad O’Hart:
Standalones:
Sifa Elizabeth Reads 