Books by Sylvia Bishop
Sylvia Bishop is a British author. She writes fiction for children and teens, and runs workshops for children, teens and adults. Her latest book is On Silver Tides, a sweeping YA fantasy novel inspired by ancient folklore.
“On Silver Tides uses the folklore of rivers and lakes in particular. Mythic water creatures appear in horrifying, mutually contradictory accounts, but also show up in more commonplace ways – Jenny Greenteeth, for example, is a river hag who snatches children, but also a name for duckweed. This made it easy to create that half-remembered, hidden-world effect that I love so much. Here, the hidden world belongs to ‘silvermen’: a secretive amphibious community, living on houseboats and protecting the river. The story follows Kelda as she guards her little sister, Isla. Isla can’t breathe under water, and should have been sent away from the family’s boat at birth. When the waterways sicken, Isla is blamed, and they flee.” Read more...
“A lot of the comparisons in the reviews mention Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, and there is a comparison in that there’s a competition—but there the similarity ends.” Read more...
Zoe Greaves, Children's Author
Interviews with Sylvia Bishop
Award-Winning Sci Fi Novels of 2024, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
Award-winning sci fi books this year have ranged from deep-sea dives to space operas to goats. Our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop talks us through the winning titles.
Award-Winning Fantasy Novels of 2024, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
This year’s award-winning fantasy books offer something for every taste, from melancholic fairy tales to gripping horror. Our fantasy and sci fi editor Sylvia Bishop introduces the winning titles.
The Best Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels, as Chosen by Fans: the 2024 Hugo Award, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
Every year, members of the World Science Fiction Society nominate writers for the Hugo Award, then vote for the winner. All speculative fiction is eligible – fantasy as well as sci-fi – and the shortlist is one of the most prestigious for both genres. Here, Sylvia Bishop introduces us to the nominees for the title of the best speculative novel of 2024 – and the page-turning champion. See all our best science fiction books, fantasy fiction, and best novels of 2024 recommendations.
New Sci-Fi & Fantasy Novels: The 2024 Nebula Awards Shortlist, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
Every year, members of the Science Fiction and Fantasy Writers Association nominate and vote for the best works of speculative fiction published over the previous year. Here, Sylvia Bishop introduces us to the books shortlisted for the 2024 Nebula Award for the best new novel – and the “astonishing” debut that ultimately triumphed. See all our science fiction, fantasy and best novels of 2024 recommendations
The Best Science Fiction & Fantasy Books of 2023: The Hugo Awards, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
The Hugo Awards, first presented in 1953, were originally known as the ‘Science Fiction Achievement Awards.’ But, in practice, their shortlists encompass speculative fiction as a whole, including fantasy—and is considered one of that genre’s most prestigious prizes. Here, Sylvia Bishop offers an overview of this year’s nominees in the ‘Best Novel’ category, which represent the most popular sci-fi and fantasy books of 2023.
The Best Teen Fantasy Books Set in Britain, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
Britain offers rich pickings to writers: wild and windswept locations, peculiar folklore, a treasure trove of odd histories and even odder place names. Taking Britain as a starting point, many fantasy authors have produced stories that are at once wonderfully strange and hauntingly plausible. Our fantasy interviewer Sylvia Bishop picks out her top five fantasy books set in Britain for teen readers.
Interviews where books by Sylvia Bishop were recommended
The Best Tween Books of 2017, recommended by Zoe Greaves
It’s a golden age for books for 8-12 year old children—aka ‘Tweens.’ Our children’s editor, Zoe Greaves, picks some of the year’s best.
The Best Teen Fantasy Books Set in Britain, recommended by Sylvia Bishop
Britain offers rich pickings to writers: wild and windswept locations, peculiar folklore, a treasure trove of odd histories and even odder place names. Taking Britain as a starting point, many fantasy authors have produced stories that are at once wonderfully strange and hauntingly plausible. Our fantasy interviewer Sylvia Bishop picks out her top five fantasy books set in Britain for teen readers.
