The Dark is Rising was an integral part of an international "read along" that commenced on the eve of the winter solstice in 2017 and extended through the 12th night, closely adhering to the timeline presented in the book.

It holds the position of the second part within the sequence, yet it has the remarkable ability to stand alone, just like the other installments.

This captivating work of fantasy and adventure weaves together elements of folklore, myth, magic, and ecology.

As readers, we are drawn into the world of Will and his family, accompanying them on their arduous battle against self-doubt and the forces of evil.

The story unfolds with thrilling twists and turns, keeping us on the edge of our seats as we witness Will's growth and development in the face of seemingly insurmountable challenges.

Through the exploration of these themes, The Dark is Rising offers a profound and engaging reading experience that appeals to audiences of all ages.

I read this series when I was a kid.

It held a special place in my heart back then. So, when I came across it recently in a used bookstore, I simply had to buy it.

However, upon rereading, I didn't love it as much as I remembered.

Still, it's a solid fantasy story. It features the classic good-vs-evil tropes that have always been popular in the genre.

The writing is quite strong, with a vivid and engaging style.

Throughout the narrative, there are a lot of interesting moments that keep the reader hooked.

Although it didn't have the same impact on me as it did when I was younger, it's still a worthwhile read for fans of fantasy literature.

It reminds us of the power of imagination and the enduring appeal of classic storytelling.

Overall, it's a book that I'm glad to have in my collection.

I never had the opportunity to read this series during my childhood. In retrospect, I truly wish it had been more accessible to me back then, when I could have fully grasped and appreciated the magic and wonder that the series holds. As it is now, reading it for the very first time as an adult, I found that there were certain aspects that worked extremely well, while other parts simply did not resonate with me at all. Overall, The Grey King stands out as my favorite and, in my opinion, the best of the entire series. However, I must admit that I also thoroughly enjoyed the ending of the last book.

This series is indeed worth reading, but if you are like me and approaching it as an adult, it is important not to have expectations on par with those of Tolkien, Lewis, or Rowling. :)

My comprehensive reviews for each individual book can be found on my blog (without spoilers for each book). The links are provided below:

\\n  \\n    Over Sea, Under Stone\\n  \\n
\\n  \\n    The Dark is Rising\\n  \\n
\\n  \\n    Greenwitch\\n  \\n
\\n  \\n    The Grey King\\n  \\n
\\n  \\n    Silver on the Tree\\n  \\n

Happy Reading!

3.75/5 stars

The book under review is a captivating tale that follows the life of a young boy. On his birthday, he makes a startling discovery - he is part of an ancient organization known as the Old Ones. This revelation sets him on a path filled with mystery and adventure.

As he embarks on his journey, he uncovers many secrets about himself and the world around him. He realizes that he has a long and arduous quest ahead to save the world from the powers of the dark. Along the way, he gains a wealth of knowledge and discovers his own inner strengths.

The book has its own charm. The beginning might seem a bit strange, but as you get deeper into the story, it becomes highly entertaining. The fictional elements act as a hook, drawing you in and making you lose track of time. The adventures of the young boy, as he tries to save his family and the world, are truly engaging and spike your curiosity.

In conclusion, I would highly recommend this book to a friend, but only if they have a penchant for fictional books. It caters to a specific group of people who enjoy this genre. However, if you are a bookworm, you are likely to find this book interesting regardless. - Mary

I was given these as a Christmas present by a friend who knew I had a penchant for things that evoked the feeling of old English winters.

There's something truly magical about the mythology that underpins these books. It has the power to transport you to a world where you can imagine hiding indoors by a roaring fire, while the winter winds blow cold and fierce outside.

It's as if Lloyd Alexander's enchanting tales have been transposed to the modern day, or perhaps it's a reflection of the wonderful works of Alan Garner.

These books are easy reads, clearly written with kids in mind. However, the stories they tell are timeless. They have the ability to captivate readers of all ages, taking them on adventures filled with magic, mystery, and wonder.

Whether you're young or old, these books are sure to bring a touch of the old English winter into your life and leave you with a sense of warmth and nostalgia.

This series is truly fantastic, yet it has been horridly overlooked.

It seems particularly unjust considering that our current culture is so fascinated with all things Potter. However, The Dark Is Rising is nothing like Harry Potter - not at all.

It is thickly steeped in Celtic and Arthurian legend, and it relentlessly explores a myriad of layers of history and time.

It simply reeks of magic. I have loved this series for years.

Within the past two years, I introduced these books to my wife, and she seethed with anticipation for the next time we would sit down so I could read to her.

Given time, I'll do the same with my daughter - I'm really looking forward to that.

If you're a fan in any way of L'Engle's A Wrinkle in Time series, I have a feeling you'll dig these books.

They are very much their own work, but I'm trying to give you a place to leap forth from.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful series that offers a unique and enchanting reading experience.

There are five novels in this sequence, catering to young readers, perhaps those nine years old and upwards, I'd guess. The jackets suggest ten. I unfortunately missed them in my childhood. The first one, Over Sea, Under Stone, must have been published in the early seventies. By then, I was already seventeen or eighteen and had read The Lord of the Rings several times, along with a wide range of science fantasy for adults. However, had I been ten when it was first printed, I would have adored it.

I would have loved it because I had a weakness for anything involving magic. Now, looking back, I have some concerns. Some of the things I loved back then were neither well-written nor well-conceived. At nearly fifty-nine, I wonder if some adult influence might have introduced me to the mysteries of science rather than science fiction. But my imagination was my master, and to some extent, that still holds true.

I imagine that anyone who read this sequence at the right age and loved it would fight tooth and nail in its defense. Even at my age, I can attest to the fact that the pace is captivating, the style is smooth and convincing, and there is at least one strong female character (thank goodness). Of the five novels, The Dark is Rising is the second, Greenwitch the third, The Grey King the fourth, and Silver on the Tree the last.

So, what's the plot? Will Stanton, the youngest of the children in the series, is also one of the 'Old Ones', similar to a Time Lord in Doctor Who. He is the seventh son of a seventh son, and he is the character most kids would identify with, unless you're a girl, in which case you might be stuck with Jane Drew. I'm not so sure about Jane. "The world where we live is a world of men, ordinary men, and although in it there is the Old Magic of the earth, and the Wild Magic of living things, it is men who control what the world shall be like."

Okay, and... "Beyond the world is the universe, bound by the law of the High Magic, as every universe must be. And beneath the High Magic are two... poles... that we call the Dark and the Light. No other power orders them. They merely exist. The Dark seeks by its dark nature to influence men so that in the end, through them, it may control the earth. The Light has the task of stopping that from happening."

Needless to say, Will (who is young but Old) is on the side of the Light, as are the other children and their great uncle "Merriman" who disappears into the twilight at the end (sorry, that's a spoiler, though you probably would have guessed anyway) and is also likely Merlin. There's a lot of Arthurian influence in this sequence, but also various other mythological threads, and Herne the Hunter makes more than one appearance. (Herne really gets around in children's fiction, and perhaps one day someone will draw some conclusions about that.)

"From time to time the Dark has come rising and has been driven back," and this sequence focuses on the biggest rising of all. For the children, the task is to "drive it back, so that the world of men may be free."

Yes, it is a bit vague, but on the other hand, the Dark is not exactly bad, and the Light is not exactly good, which is in Susan Cooper's favor. There are bits of prophetic poetry here and there, from which the favorable outcomes can always be predicted. And some of the tried-and-true recipes for children's fiction are at work: no parents in sight, for example. Children pitted against villains and defeating them. Children with insights that adults lack. And lots of mystical language and allusion. In two of the novels, Welsh names and terms are particularly evocative.

I think, of the five novels, the title novel – The Dark is Rising – where Will Stanton comes into his own, is the strongest. It is set at Christmas in England, and the Dark brings about massive snow (among other things), and the pace is wonderful. But all five books are readable, enjoyable, and do that thing, whatever it is, that creates a spell.

I have some concerns about the mixing of myth in children's fiction. While reading this, I had in the back of my mind Alan Garner (who also draws on the Mabinogion, but in a far more disturbing and consistent way, and as he progresses, he is not really writing for children); J R R Tolkien (because you can't read this without being aware of his influence); E Nesbit; J K Rowlings; John Masefield; and C S Lewis. Of course, this is by no means a comprehensive list.

On balance, I think Lewis is strengthened by being able to draw on one consistent myth – the Christian story, which he believed in, though many of his readers may not. Tolkien, to me, is head and shoulders above the rest because he creates a whole world of his own in a way that has never been paralleled (but then I would say this because I have been his devotee since I was about ten years old). Rowlings scavenges scraps and remolds them, and they are scraps that work again and again: witches, Old Stuff, and no parents nearby. Masefield also invokes Herne the Hunter, but also history, poetry, and dreams.

I don't think Susan Cooper believes in Arthurian legend in the same way that Lewis believes in Christianity, though there may be a credible pantheistic element at play. I don't know a great deal about Susan Cooper, but I think it is to her credit that she conceived this sequence as five short novels and stuck to that. No sequels. No spillage. No merchandising.

On the downside, she uses the words'malevolent' and'malevolence' an awful lot. When the Dark creeps up, a feeling of imminent malevolence follows. It takes over everything. Something mischievous in me wants to counter this by poking a bit of fun, and I'm reminded that Joss Whedon, who exploits the whole nineteenth-century vampire myth collection, manages to have fun at the same time.

So, in the end, I'm not sure how good I think these novels are. I'm only sure that I'm now the wrong age to judge. But when I was the age to have enjoyed them, I'm certain they would have held me spellbound. I hope I would have emerged with my sense of humor intact, but I'm not 100% sure.

I listened intently, completely engrossed in the experience. The sounds were so imaginative, as if they were painting vivid pictures in my mind. It was like being transported to a different world, a world full of mystery and wonder. The mystical quality of it all was truly captivating. I found myself lost in the moment, fully appreciating every note and every nuance. It was an experience that I will not soon forget. The power of music to evoke such emotions and create such a unique atmosphere is truly remarkable. I felt a sense of peace and tranquility wash over me as I listened, and I knew that this was something special. I am so grateful to have had the opportunity to listen to such beautiful and imaginative music.

This sequence was truly interesting.

I happened to start with Book 4 by accident, and it turned out to be the best among the books.

It has an enchanting air of a classic children's fantasy series, making it a truly enjoyable read.

However, there is a valid reason why it doesn't reach the upper echelon of children's books.

The main problem with this series is that the characters lack volition.

They almost never have any say or real stakes in the story.

Instead, they are merely following the (admittedly very interesting) plot.

I'm glad that I took the time to read it, but I don't think I'll be adding it to my permanent library.

It's a decent read, but it doesn't quite have the depth and substance to earn a permanent place on my bookshelf.

Perhaps for some readers, the interesting plot is enough, but for me, I look for more in a children's book.

Nonetheless, it was still an experience that I'm not entirely disappointed with.

Maybe if I was 7 years younger, this book would have been more captivating.

The plot line in every single book is extremely simplistic. They spend the majority of the story dealing with seemingly ordinary events that they know are tied to the dark.

In the end, they do confront the dark, but it's brief and not exciting at all. Cooper tells you that the dark is evil but never gives it an obvious motive for their so-called "evil deeds" which, in fact, don't really exist.

Cooper uses beautiful imagery, but that's the only redeeming feature I can think of. I forced myself through all five books, with the exception of a chapter at the end of the fifth book, because I was tired of pretending I was interested.

Cooper seems to promise more details about the seemingly epic battle of good and evil, but then fails to do so or even give a backstory that's truly helpful. I really wanted to like these books so much, but they just don't deliver.

However, with a stronger plot and better details to give motivation to her characters' actions, Cooper could potentially rival Rowling.

I have read this article and I will definitely re-read it! It is truly a remarkable piece that I highly recommend to everyone.

The content within the article is engaging, thought-provoking, and filled with valuable insights. It presents ideas in a clear and concise manner, making it accessible to a wide range of readers.

Whether you are looking for inspiration, knowledge, or simply an enjoyable read, this article has something to offer. It has the power to captivate your attention from the very beginning and keep you engaged until the end.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful opportunity to explore the ideas and perspectives presented in this article. Give it a read, and I'm sure you'll be glad you did!

I've read this series more than once and it truly holds up each time. There is a remarkable richness of connected stories that are skillfully woven together by the enchanting tapestry of myth, especially that of Wales. The characters are vivid and engaging, including the Drews, Will, Merriman Lyon, Bran, and a rich supporting cast. This cast features Arthur the Pendragon, the Old Ones, and the rest of those of the Light, as well as those of the Dark.

Despite consisting of 5 novels, it feels like one seamless story. Just as The Lord of the Rings concludes and the Chronicles of Prydain come to an end, the world is left in our hands. It is our responsibility to take good care of it. We should cherish the lessons and the beauty that these stories have imparted and strive to make the real world a better place, just as the characters in these tales fought for the light and the good.

Let us be inspired by their courage and determination and continue to pass on the magic of these stories to future generations.