Cethlen, the witch, is using all her powers against the ice giants to avenge the death of her husband, Balor, at the hands of the gods, including the ice giants. She has pushed Oighir, king of the ice giants over the cliff leaving only Sioc standing against her. Incredibly Oighir manages to clamber back up the cliff and hold Cethlin long enough for Sioc to take the tahtlum, a powerful red stone, from her and flee with Cethlin in pursuit. In Carriganawn the author, Sinead O'Hart, introduces her young readers to Rose. Rose grew up in a council estate but instead of going with her friends to the local secondary school she gains a scholarship to the grammar school where she is looked down on an bullied by the other girls led by Emer. Although her old friends don't respond to her messages Rose has made friends with an older man and woman, Gracie who's a cobbler and Nellie who has a sweet shop. The ice giant Sioc knows he cannot escape Cethlin so finds his way to Rose and entrusts the stone to her. The Silver Road is a wonderful advnture story combining Irish myths and legends with a dash of magic. This is a great read and sure to be a favourite with the older children who the book is written for and, I suspect, with quite a few adults as well.