The Dark Is Rising Sequence

My all-time favorite fantasy series is truly a masterpiece.

I make it a point to re-read this series every single year. The reason is simple - it allows me to fully immerse myself in Cooper's enchanting rendition of old Celtic myths. These myths are skillfully twined through the eyes of an eleven-year-old protagonist, adding a unique and captivating perspective.

Cooper's prose is nothing short of seamless. It flows effortlessly, drawing the reader in and making it impossible to put the book down. Her story is equally compelling, filled with adventure, mystery, and a touch of magic that lingers long after you've turned the last page.

If you have a penchant for fantasy that focuses on well-developed characters while still maintaining an aura of magic, then I dare you to pick up this series and try to put it down. I guarantee you'll be hooked from the very first chapter.

This is probably my favourite series of books of all time.

"Over Sea Under Stone" is the first book and is aimed at the youngest audience of the five. However, it's still highly readable with lovely prose. The characters are instantly recognizable as children, not the mini-adults some writers create. They're easy to identify with, and Barney is particularly charming. There's real suspense in the book, especially when Barney and Simon are crawling through the tunnel. A more detailed review can be found here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The second book, "The Dark Is Rising", seems to be for a slightly older audience. It constantly amazes me how well even minor characters, like Paul Stanton, are developed. Will Stanton is both human and alien, as he should be. His coming of age is very realistic, one moment accepting his power and the next still a young boy setting fire to things. I have a more detailed review here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

"Greenwitch" is the shortest book and focuses more on Jane. I found myself caring more about her in this one. The characters are again amazingly believable, with real tension and suspense. A longer review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

"The Grey King" is a lovely addition. It introduces the final member of the Six, Bran Davies, and is set in Wales, which I love. The characters are all believable and spectacular. The very end, where Owen and Bran stand together, always brings a lump to my throat. A proper review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

"Silver On The Tree" is the final book. Everything comes together here, with more tension, glorious characters, and a wonderful ending that makes me want to kill Susan Cooper for what she did to some of my favourite characters. A full review is here: http://www.goodreads.com/review/show/...

The background mythology is extremely interesting and drawn from all parts of the UK. The movie, unfortunately, stripped all of this away, among other things, so I boycotted it.

(Sorry my html wasn't working; the links would've looked more elegant...)

The given text presents a captivating and mysterious poem that seems to hold the key to a hidden adventure. The lines describe a situation where when the Dark comes rising, six elements or forces will turn it back. These include wood, bronze, iron, water, fire, and stone. The poem further elaborates on the significance of each element, such as iron for the birthday, bronze carried long, and so on. It also mentions that six Signs will mark the circle and the grail has gone before.

The text then compares this series to Lloyd Alexander's "Prydain" chronicles, stating that both are steeped in the rich world of Welsh myth. However, the "Dark is Rising" sequence is said to be dark and haunting, in contrast to Alexander's books. It is also noted that the first book, "Over Sea, Under Stone," feels more like a prequel to the other four. This comparison adds an interesting layer to the understanding of the series and piques the reader's curiosity to explore further. Overall, the text creates an atmosphere of mystery and adventure, inviting the reader to delve into the world of the "Dark is Rising" sequence.

When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back;
Three from the circle, three from the track;
Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone;
Five will return, and one go alone.

Iron for the birthday, bronze carried long;
Wood from the burning, stone out of song;
Fire in the candle-ring, water from the thaw;
Six Signs the circle, and the grail gone before.

'Fire on the mountain shall find the harp of gold
Played to wake the Sleepers, oldest of the old;
Power from the green witch, lost beneath the sea;
All shall find the light at last, silver on the tree.

Like Lloyd Alexander's \"Prydain\" chronicles, this series is steeped in the rich world of Welsh myth. Unlike Alexander's books, the \"Dark is Rising\" sequence is dark and haunting. Be aware that the first book, Over Sea, Under Stone feels more like a prequel to the other four.

C. S. Lewis was a highly influential figure in the literary world, and he had several contemporaries who also made significant contributions.

One of his contemporaries was J. R. R. Tolkien, with whom he had a close friendship. Tolkien's works, such as "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, were as epic and imaginative as Lewis's.

Another contemporary was Aldous Huxley, known for his thought-provoking novels like "Brave New World." Huxley's work often explored themes of society, technology, and human nature, much like Lewis's.

Lewis himself was a prolific writer, with works that ranged from children's literature, such as "The Chronicles of Narnia," to theological and philosophical treatises. His writing was characterized by its clarity, depth, and engaging style.

Together, these contemporaries of C. S. Lewis helped to shape the literary landscape of the 20th century and continue to inspire readers and writers alike today.

One of the classics that introduced me to the enchanting world of fantasy and mythology during my childhood is truly a gem. I still find great pleasure in re-reading it even now. The writing style is not only simple but also elegant and vivid, which makes it a joy to read. The characterisation in this book is far more detailed and complex than what one would typically anticipate from books targeted at children. Each character has their own unique personality, motives, and flaws, making them feel real and relatable. Moreover, the descriptions of the settings are always precise and accurate. They are so vivid that you can almost smell the scents and feel the textures of the places described. It's as if you are being transported into the story itself. This classic has truly stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers of all ages.

Over See, Under Stone: I have just discovered this remarkable book. Set in England, it follows the adventures of two boys and a girl who encounter a white-haired man. He leads them on a thrilling quest for treasure, all while evading a shape-shifting dark and evil man.

I'm aware that there's nothing quite like it! It's truly amazing.

Written decades before a certain well-known HP book series, this novel does everything simply, which is its greatest asset. Having the confidence to avoid over-the-top magic, unicorns, or other worlds, yet still maintaining a simmering fantasy feel, is no easy task. If you're in need of dragons with names like Smilthragordeelzpurp, there are countless books to fulfill that purpose.

The pacing of the book is flawless, and the white-knuckle denouement is page-turning at its finest.

The Dark is Rising: Okay, this is the last time I'll mention Harry Potter. Since Susan Cooper has freely incorporated English folk tales and legends into these books, I believe Rowling did the same with Cooper and other fantasy writers. You can observe correspondences, homages, and corollaries throughout. The main difference lies in the scope of the writing. Harry Potter is like a modern cruise ship, with different levels dedicated to magic, adventure, or school/teen issues, while Cooper's work is a fast cutter focused solely on the story.

The second book is even better than the first. Set in Midwinter England, a time of magic around the Solstice, reading it during the summer wasn't the ideal choice. I can envision the effect being enhanced if you were surrounded by snow, as in the book.

There is more fantasy in this book, but it's a believable, down-to-earth kind. I particularly liked the character of Hawkin, who bears a resemblance to Smeagol/Gollum.

Greenwitch: The characters from the first two novels reunite in the Cornish town where "Over Sea, Under Stone" took place. The "magic" quotient is介于 those of the two previous novels. The action occurs near the vernal equinox and involves an ancient ceremony of the Greenwitch, an offering to the Lady of the Sea to protect and enrich the village fishermen in the coming year.

The grail is stolen from the British Museum at the very beginning of the book, and of course, we know from the first book who is responsible. The personification of nature and how the ancient Celts revered and feared these nature demons pervades this book. The scenes involving the Lady of the Sea and the rising of the Greenwitch were truly wonderful.

The Grey King: In a past life, I climbed Cader Idris, the lair of the Grey King. A woman had just left me, though via Heathrow rather than disappearing into the mists of time like the mystery woman in this novel. In any case, a friend from Aberystwyth invited me to stay for a weekend to recuperate, not unlike Will in the novel. Apparently, we hiked that mountain.

I say apparently because it wasn't until I looked up Cader Idris online and saw a very familiar picture that I realized I had taken the same photo! Now, knowing that I've been there and walked those landscapes, I want to read the book again.

Because the landscape, like in the previous novels of the series, is a significant part of the story. Cooper's lovely writing as she describes the rough and rocky land around Cader Idris evokes the mystery of the place. One can easily understand how a legend of the Grey King could have emerged in ancient times.

Silver on the Tree: In the tradition of seemingly all fantasy series finales, this is a narrative smorgasbord. The author has the task of 1) tying up all the loose ends mentioned, hinted at, or developed in the previous books, 2) bringing back all the characters and giving them something to do, and 3) saving the universe from the rising of the Dark.

"Silver on the Tree" is not as focused as the previous books. There is a great deal of suspense as you don't know precisely what or how the Six will defeat the Dark. This is in contrast to Tolkien's quest, which always involved destroying the One Ring. In this series, we don't know what defeating the Dark will entail.

The big surprise for me, and a welcome one, was the infusion of the King Arthur saga as the overarching legend for the series. With the other books, I had the impression that Cooper was simply using any folktale or legend, but there wasn't a single one that served as the basis. However, unlike other Arthurian fantasy books, Cooper uses only what she needs and only hints at the huge events involved in the King Arthur story. For example, the affair between Lancelot and Guinevere is only hinted at between the lines if you know to look for it, perhaps due to this being a Young Adult novel.

The only criticism I have of the series is that the Dark was vanquished in 1977. If this is true, how can we explain the subsequent years of Disco, Acid Wash Jeans, and Dick Cheney? Obviously, the Dark is still lurking out there.

First, I must admit that I didn't actually read the official boxed set edition. However, I do have all the individual books. Assuming there were no revisions, they should be the same books.

As a kid, I read all of these except for the very first book (I thought there were only 4 books). Then, recently, once I discovered the existence of the first book, I read it, and of course, had to read the rest all over again.

It's a classic good vs evil storyline. However, it does assume that the reader is very familiar with the Arthurian legend of the British Isles. If you don't know this legend, you won't catch all the forewarnings and significance.

What I loved about this book when I was a kid was that the main protagonist(s) was a kid, and this child was born with an important destiny. Wise elders step in with crucial guidance and assistance, but ultimately, the most important events rely on the mettle and the choices of the young characters.

Fantasy and magic blend with daily reality, and we see the young characters developing through both having otherworldly experiences and still having to be regular kids in the mundane world. I would call this very much in the tradition of Celtic-style storytelling.

It is a little dated in some ways (it was written in the 1960s and '70s, I believe), but in others, it is still a relevant and engaging fantasy. I'll probably read this again in a couple of decades.

I read this series when I was 12, I think.

I’m looking forward to reading it again! I vividly remember crying when it was over and missing the characters as if a good friend had moved away. It is truly one of those reads that made me fall in love much more deeply with reading.

I’m reviewing from memory because, 30 years later, I still remember how it made me feel. The first book reads like a stand-alone adventure. It’s really quite fun, engaging you from the start.

Then, in The Dark is Rising, the real story begins to unfold beneath the surface. It’s creepy, but in a way that is both fun and keeps you turning the pages, even keeping you up all night.

Each book has a slightly different angle, and they gradually bring the whole story into view, a piece at a time. If you enjoy easy-to-binge fantasy and well-known legends made real in the present, this series won’t disappoint.

However, except for the end. It’s not a disappointment in the sense of being badly chosen or executed. It’s just that kind of thing that feels like a knife to the heart, making you exclaim, “you can’t do this to me, Cooper!”