Love this series!

I first read it as a young teen in school. It immediately captured my imagination with its unique blend of magic, mystery, drama, and love.

As an adult, when I rediscovered this series, I didn't hesitate to buy it again. I have read it multiple times, and each time I find something new and exciting.

The magic in the series is truly enchanting, transporting readers to a world full of wonder and possibility. The mystery elements keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to uncover the secrets hidden within the story.

The drama adds depth and emotion, making you feel as if you are a part of the characters' lives. And the love stories are both heartwarming and passionate, touching your heart in ways you never thought possible.

This series has everything you could ever want in a book. It is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy, mystery, drama, or romance. I highly recommend it to readers of all ages.

Long before the captivating world of Harry Potter emerged, there was Will Stanton.

Once again, my aunt Michele, who is perhaps barely speaking to me at the moment (apologies again), was the amazing person who bestowed this book upon me. She gave it to me for my 11th birthday. Additionally, someone else gave me scented pillows, and to this day, whenever I open the book, I can still detect the aroma of those pillows. Sadly, my copy has finally fallen apart, so I will have to replace it once more before Christmas of this year.

This book is truly wonderful, filled with magic, mystery, and great villains. One can't help but wonder who would prevail in a showdown - The Dark Rider or Voldemort. It is a series of books that continues to enthrall me even now.

If you have a penchant for Harry Potter, then you are certain to love this.

I read these books as a preteen.

At that time, I was completely immersed in the wonderful worlds created by the authors. I really loved them with all my heart.

The stories were so captivating that they left a lasting impression on me.

Since then, I have re-read most of these books.

Each time I pick them up, it's like going on a familiar yet exciting adventure all over again.

I still think they are great.

They not only entertained me but also taught me valuable lessons about life, friendship, and courage.

These books are truly a part of my childhood and will always hold a special place in my heart.

I am grateful to have discovered them and will continue to cherish them for years to come.

Faint shades of Enid Blyton in “Over Sea Under Stone” deepen in “The Dark Is Rising” to begin to approach the skill and imagination of Alan Garner. The enchanting world created in these books is truly captivating. It's as if a magical spell is cast upon the reader from the very first page.

No holiday in North Wales has ever been quite the same after I read “Silver On the Tree”. The vivid descriptions of the Welsh landscapes and the mysterious events that unfold make one feel as if they are actually there, experiencing it all.

These books are not only very imaginative but also grippingly good to read. They keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to discover what will happen next. The characters are well-developed and the storylines are full of twists and turns that keep you engaged from start to finish.

This is literally my favorite fantasy book in the entire world.

It takes me on a magical journey through a land filled with mythical creatures, powerful wizards, and breathtaking landscapes.

The story is so engaging that I find myself completely immersed in it, forgetting about the real world around me.

The characters are well-developed and have their own unique personalities and motives.

I root for them as they face various challenges and overcome obstacles.

The author's imagination is truly remarkable, creating a world that is both fantastical and believable.

Every page is filled with excitement and adventure, keeping me on the edge of my seat.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves fantasy and wants to be transported to a different world.

I have finally created a Goodreads Group that was long overdue for this. Come and join this group and help spread the word about this truly remarkable sequence of stories.

Additionally, I highly recommend the box set (or The Dark Is Rising as a single, introductory volume) as a Christmas gift for an 11-year-old boy. In the group discussions, I have provided suggestions for related merchandise to go along with it. While a huge dumping of chaos-causing snow would be the perfect accompaniment to the title book, unfortunately, we can't always get everything we want, right?

Boy, if you happen to know anyone with forging skills, a handmade iron sun cross / Odin's wheel would make the most amazing keepsake ever!!!

It would add an extra touch of magic and authenticity to the whole experience. Imagine the excitement on an 11-year-old's face when they receive such a unique and special gift along with the wonderful book.

So, don't hesitate to join the group and explore all the possibilities. Let's share our love for this amazing sequence of stories and make it even more popular.

I remembered it from my youth as a reasonably fun adventure series. It was something that had captured my imagination back then.

Later in life, I picked them up again, starting with "Over Sea, Under Stone", which I had somehow missed the first time around. OSUS was quite likable, with its engaging story and interesting characters.

However, everything afterwards -- the main "Dark is Rising" series -- wasn't as enjoyable for me.

Some of this is idiosyncratic. I tend not to like the kind of world building where 'normal people are portrayed as easily manipulated weaklings, looked after by Übermensch'. It just doesn't sit well with me.

But also, there's the trouble that if the Übermensch have such miraculous, ill-defined powers, one has to wonder why don't they use them to do X/Y/Z instead of just advancing the author's plot? This lack of logical consistency in the use of their powers sometimes detracts from the overall reading experience.

I have never read the Narnia books as an adult, and likely never will. The reason? I'm afraid. I've heard tales from adult-first readers who found them flat, with poorly-developed characters and rife with Christian proselytizing. Yet, to me, they remain the most magical books of my memory. The simple concept of finding a door to a world of talking animals in the back of a wardrobe still intrigues me to this day.

When people feel this way about 'The Dark is Rising', I don't blame them. However, I read them for the first time nearly three decades after leaving childhood, and it wasn't the ideal setting for me. On almost every level, they fail. I hoped 'Over Sea, Under Stone' was a harbinger of better things, but alas, it contains the best of the lot in terms of writing quality, characterisation, plot, and most importantly, active participation by the protagonists. From then on, each character is the same. There's a weak attempt to introduce discord between Simon and Will in 'Greenwitch', but it's not developed properly. The magic is vapid and vague, expanding or contracting as the plot demands. Will learns magic too easily, and the lack of character arcs makes it all very boring. The 'bad' and 'good' sides have no distinguishing traits, and the only villainous act we see is carried out by a 'Good Guy'. Cooper doesn't believe in descriptions, and the Arthuriana element is wasted potential. The children stay the same age, and there's no emotional weight to their decisions. The Stantons' confrontation of Mr Moore's racism is the only good passage, but it has nothing to do with the plot. In conclusion, if you think MacGuffins are the best part of any fantasy epic, this is the book for you. Otherwise, it's as dull as watching someone else play a video game. I think I'll go do that instead.

"Real is a hard word," he said. "Almost as hard as true or now…"

This is a wonderful series that I adored in my youth and which still stands the test of time. It is a great blend of Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology, combined with excellent, evocative writing. The frequent use of the words "husky" and "huskily" adds a certain charm. The clever use of time slips makes the books engaging and propulsive from start to finish.

Of all the books in the series, I have the most vivid memories of "Over Sea, Under Stone." However, I think "Greenwitch" and "The Dark is Rising" were my absolute favorites. Although I feel the ending of the series may have stumbled a little and become a bit convoluted, it is still an amazing journey.

And while it is never necessary to make comparisons, this series is far superior to a certain other series featuring a magical kid. It has its own unique charm and depth that sets it apart from the rest.

I think I loved this when I read it at the proper age -- 12 or so, I suppose.

I know I read the series, and still have all of them.

Almost 40 years later, though, it appeals to me much less.

The presentation of the "old ones," the Light vs the Dark, etc., just seems simplistic and pretentious.

Long on mythic symbols and swirling mists and short on compelling story.

My kids seemed to enjoy it, though (I read it aloud.).

Actually, my son particularly enjoyed Will's nearly instant acceptance of his role.

"Usually the character questions himself and is all conflicted when he finds out that he is a hero who has to save the world, but not Will!"

I think he found this funny.

Bumped my rating up from 2 stars to three because I'm so far beyond the intended audience age group, but, as I said, if I'd rated this when I first read it I imagine I'd have given it a 4 or 5.

Looking back, it's interesting to see how my perception of this book has changed over the years.

As a child, I was completely enthralled by the magical world and the adventures of the characters.

However, as an adult, I can't help but notice the flaws in the story.

Still, it's nice to see that my kids can enjoy it in the same way that I did when I was their age.

Maybe one day, when they're older, they'll have a different perspective on it too.

It’s been years since I first picked up this book series, but the memories of my enjoyment still linger vividly in my mind.

Each page was like a gateway to a magical world, filled with captivating characters and thrilling adventures.

I would lose myself in the story, eagerly turning the pages to see what would happen next.

The movie adaptation, on the other hand, was also quite enjoyable.

It managed to capture some of the essence of the books and bring the characters to life on the big screen.

Although it couldn’t include every detail from the books, it still told a compelling story that kept me entertained.

Overall, both the book series and the movie hold a special place in my heart, and I’m grateful to have experienced them.

I would definitely rate this book 5 out of 5 stars as I truly relished every moment of it.

The story setting and writing style bear a remarkable resemblance to those of both C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien, presenting a captivating and highly creative tale.

I wholeheartedly recommend that this book be read to children and/or taught in schools.

This book, along with others of its kind, delves deep into the human mind.

One prominent theme that I discerned throughout the story is the concept that fate determines how we will conduct our lives.

It is truly fascinating how numerous characters are aware of their predetermined fates and simply accept them as they are.

P.S.

I only realized later that this book is part of a series. However, it can be read independently. "Over Sea, Under Stone" is the first book, followed by four others.

I have not yet had the opportunity to read the remaining books, but I eagerly anticipate doing so one day.

"The Dark is Rising" is the second book in the series.