A classic story "The British Isles": Here are the events of the chivalric literature that refer to Arthur and the Grail, but also some family and fantastic events seen in other fantasy works written by writers from this specific region of the world. Good and evil clash through 5 volumes that fit perfectly into that kind of great design put together by names such as C.S. Lewis or J.R.R. Tolkien. I recommend it especially to those who have not yet exhausted their eyes in front of stories of this type, but I believe that even the most experienced readers can find something pleasant to read in these books. The prose of Susan Cooper is undoubtedly pleasant and by no means trite.

The effective judgment is 3.5.

This story takes us on a journey through the rich and enchanting world of British Isles literature. It combines the elements of chivalry, fantasy, and family drama to create a captivating narrative. The references to Arthur and the Grail add a touch of mystery and legend to the story.

The 5 volumes of this work are well-structured and fit seamlessly into the larger design established by renowned authors like C.S. Lewis and J.R.R. Tolkien. It offers a unique perspective on the battle between good and evil, with engaging characters and thrilling plotlines.

Susan Cooper's prose is a delight to read. It is smooth, engaging, and full of life. Her ability to bring the story to life through her words is truly remarkable.

Overall, this is a great read for both new and experienced fantasy readers. It offers a fresh take on the classic themes of good and evil, and is sure to keep you entertained from start to finish.

Okay, the first and foremost thing to bear in mind is that Susan Cooper penned these books way before JK Rowling started writing. So, if you notice the parallels of an English boy uncovering his magical powers on his eleventh birthday, well, you simply have to accept it and admit that Cooper did it first.

These books are truly AMAZING. I was attempting to figure out which one I liked the most, but they are all so excellent! They are much darker than the majority of children's fantasy. Extremely scary. When I was 10 years old, I couldn't sleep for days after reading "The Dark Is Rising". Also, you can read the first two books in a different order. Most people seem to read "The Dark Is Rising" before "Over Sea Under Stone". They will give the impression of being written by two distinct people, as "Over Sea Under Stone" is like a lighthearted children's adventure story, while "The Dark Is Rising" is much more, well, DARK.

Moreover, the stories are very closely linked to the legend of King Arthur, if that's what interests you. I won't say any more. You just have to read it for yourself!

This was an extremely fun and highly entertaining series.

It had such a charm that every time I had to take a break from it, I eagerly looked forward to finding an excuse to dive right back in.

It was satisfying in a way that was somewhat reminiscent of both Harry Potter and A Wrinkle in Time. However, it lacked the balance of strong female characters that those other two remarkable books had no difficulty in incorporating.

Nevertheless, it was still classic good vs evil stuff that provided us with a wonderful escape from the daily battles of good and evil in our own world.

It allowed us to immerse ourselves in a fictional realm where the lines between right and wrong were clearly defined, at least for a little while.

This series truly had the power to transport us and make us forget about the chaos and challenges of our real lives, if only for a brief moment.

I vividly remember having a profound love for this when I was a young person.

It seemed to hint at a deep and mysterious mythos, as well as the complex human psyche.

However, when I attempted to read it again as an adult, it simply didn't have the same impact.

I found that it had become somewhat dated, perhaps due to the passage of time and the evolution of my own perspectives.

Nonetheless, I still believe that it is a wonderful read and would highly recommend giving it a try.

After all, it is a classic that has withstood the test of time and continues to be relevant in many ways.

So, don't be deterred by its age or any initial impressions.

Open the pages and allow yourself to be transported into a world of imagination and exploration.

You might just be surprised by what you discover.

Too Sophisticated and Confusing for Its Intended Audience (2 stars)

This series of five young adult books was published in the late 1960s and early 1970s. Several of these books won awards, with the fourth book, The Grey King, even receiving the prestigious Newbery Medal.

The story features two main groups of characters. In the first book, we are introduced to Simon, Jane, and Barney Drew, three younger children who team up with Merriman, a character who appears throughout the series. The second book brings in Will Stanton, who discovers on his eleventh birthday that he is one of the Old Ones. Eventually, the stories converge, leading to an epic battle between the forces of Light and Dark.

There is much to like about this series. The clever way it draws on age-old Celtic and Arthurian myths, as well as Norse mythology and English folklore, gives it literary credibility. However, this may not be fully appreciated by the intended audience of children and young adults. In fact, the mythological elements can be very confusing, such as The Hunt, and sometimes things happen inexplicably. This means that important parts of the plot will only make sense to those already familiar with the myths, leaving average kids and young adults perplexed. While Cooper deserves credit for her intelligent use of these legends, unfortunately, all this symbolism may put off many in the intended audience. It is simply too sophisticated for young adults and might have been better suited as a series for intelligent adults who can truly appreciate it.

For me, the occultic themes in this novel were also too strong to make it suitable for children. Unlike the Harry Potter and Narnia series, everything felt uncomfortably real rather than fictional and fantastic. Cooper's concept of Light and Dark seems to have more to do with paganism than Judeo-Christian values. There is also considerable use of God's name as an expletive, which I did not appreciate. I had high hopes for this series, but sadly, I don't think I will be returning to re-read it anytime soon.

I read the first two books of Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising sequence approximately twenty years ago. What I can recall from that period is the contrast between those two books. The first one was a rather familiar holiday adventure story featuring three fairly standard adventure-age siblings. On the other hand, the second was a deeply atmospheric midwinter fantasy story set in a timeless English village where not much seemed to occur. In a sense, this contrast defines the series. There is the pull of the fairly standard adventures of the Drews siblings and the mysterious, atmospheric prose of Will Stanton's story. They alternate for the first four books and then come together in the fifth. I believe both were essential for my enjoyment. The quests that Simon, Jane, and Barney Drews undertake add impetus and action. Meanwhile, Will and later Bran exist in stunning landscapes and mystical surroundings but often seem to drift through that space without having much influence over their own actions.

I emphasize the atmosphere because these are some of the most atmospheric books I have ever read. The settings are always vivid, ranging from the fictional Cornish town of Trewissick, through Will's home in Buckinghamshire, to the mountains of Gwynedd which I am more acquainted with. These regions have remarkable weather, buildings, wildlife, and so forth, which contribute to a vivid impression of the world in which these stories take place - a world I inhabited, as it is Britain. I think that more than the Manichaean battle of the Light and the Dark, the atmosphere is what drew me back to these books and made them compelling to read.

So, it is quite evident that JK Rowling HAD to have read at least this first installment in The Dark is Rising sequence. This would have been well before Harry Potter even set foot in Hogwarts. Once you read about young Will and his truly strange and original adventures in battling the dark, Harry doesn't seem quite as original anymore.

I have to admit that at times, I thought the story was a little heavy or perhaps even over the top. However, there was one saving grace. I kept picturing Merriman as Snape, which added an interesting layer to my reading experience.

On the Midwinter Day which marks his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton makes a remarkable discovery. He realizes that he is the last of the Old Ones, those immortals who are committed to preventing the world from being dominated by the forces of evil, known as the Dark.

Will soon finds out that he is no ordinary boy. Instead, he is the last-born of the Old Ones, with the crucial task of keeping mankind free from the clutches of the Dark.

Before long, Will is drawn into a great battle. He is joined by his ageless master, Merriman, as well as three ordinary children who, despite being mortal, have an important role to play. Additionally, there is a strange albino boy named Bran.

One thing that I really like from this book is when everyone comes together to finally destroy the Dark Ones once and for all. It is a moment of great unity and heroism, as all the characters put aside their differences and work towards a common goal. This scene showcases the power of teamwork and the importance of standing up against evil.

The book is truly remarkable.

I thoroughly enjoyed reading it.

My favorite characters were the old ones.

They are essentially gods and immortal, which adds an element of mystery and awe to the story.

However, the only drawback for me is that I don't have a natural inclination towards reading.

If I were more of a reader, I would rate this book a solid 5 out of 5 stars.

The author's writing style is engaging, and the plot keeps you hooked from start to finish.

The descriptions of the characters and their powers are vivid, making it easy to imagine them in your mind.

Overall, it's a great book that I would recommend to anyone who enjoys a good fantasy story.

Even if you're not a big reader, give it a try and see if it can change your perspective on reading.

The Dark Is Rising holds a special place in my heart, and it is the first review I'm writing on GoodReads simply because it truly deserves it.

I can look back over more than 20 years of my insatiable love for reading, and in the distant past, these books shine brightly as they were the ones that started it all for me. It's not that I didn't read before encountering Susan Cooper's works, but I had never been so deeply emotionally attached to a story.

In the character of Will Stanton and his intense friendship with Bran Davies, there are still elements that resonate with me to this day. Together with the Drew kids, they experience courage and fear, loss and triumph, horror and beauty.

As a boy, every day I spent reading these pages was filled with wonder and a longing for the world to be as magical and mysterious as Will's. When the story ended, I vividly remember the real sense of loneliness, knowing that I would never again follow these friends into a new adventure.

However, there was also delight, as I had experienced a truly wonderful story that would never be forgotten.

Over the years, many things have changed, but I still return to these stories again and again. I've read them aloud to my first child, and I can't wait to do the same for my two younger children. It's not just about sharing the magic with my daughters and son; it's also about revisiting the fictional friends who anchor me to the wonder and magic of my youth.

I'm sure most of you friends who might end up reading this review have already read this series. However, for those who haven't, these books are the pre-Potter classics. They might have truly ignited J.K.'s passion for reading when she was a girl. In fact, I do recall reading a particular article where Rowling mentions Susan Cooper as a favorite hero.

So, Shelly Radmall and I were chatting about being Anglophiles during a girls' night out. I inquired if she had read these books as they surely satisfy an English and Welsh longing for all things classic. It involves the battle of good vs. evil, wholesome children following an age-old mystery related to ancient British lore, and the exquisite details of the European countryside. She expressed her desire for me to post this series so she could give it a try. And here they are! Enjoy! I can't wait to share these with Rees in four or five years.

(They are so skillfully written that they should really be regarded as adult literature. But usually, they are labeled for kids since the main characters are children. However, they are rather mature and intellectual kids...)

This is the most underrated fantasy series ever.

I have reread it every year since 6th grade, and this reread is super special because I finally bought my own copy with my scholarship money. :3

This series has taught me so much about Arthurian and Welsh legends. It has made me really want to go to Wales now. The prose is easy to read, yet it is vivid and rich in imagery and subtle symbolisms. 20th century prose just has a different charm. On the surface, it's just a battle between good and evil, but it actually explores so much about humanity, family, friendship, loyalty, and even identity. It is really worth a read.

The children, especially Will and Bran, have a mature side, but they still have a childlike heart, which I really appreciate. In most fantasy stories, once the teenage main characters are pushed into the plot, they lose their innocence.

I love this series with all of my heart. It is legitimately better than Narnia. My friends may laugh at me for reading it so much, but it is genuinely that good.