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Seaward

susan cooper

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His name is West. Her name is Cally. They speak different languages and come from different countries thousands of miles apart, but they do not know that. What they do know are the tragedies that took their parents, then wrenched the two of them out of reality, into a strange and perilous world through which they must travel together, knowing only that they must reach the sea. Together West and Cally embark upon a strange and sometimes terrifying quest, learning to survive and to love and, at last, the real secret of their journey.

180 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published September 1,1983
Literary awards
vermont golden dome book award, 

This edition

Format
180 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published
April 28, 1987 by Aladdin Paperbacks
ISBN
9780020421900
ASIN
0020421907
Language
English

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About the author

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susan cooper

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Susan Cooper's latest book is the YA novel "Ghost Hawk" (2013)

Susan Cooper was born in 1935, and grew up in England's Buckinghamshire, an area that was green countryside then but has since become part of Greater London. As a child, she loved to read, as did her younger brother, who also became a writer. After attending Oxford, where she became the first woman to ever edit that university's newspaper, Cooper worked as a reporter and feature writer for London's Sunday Times; her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming.

Cooper wrote her first book for young readers in response to a publishing house competition; "Over Sea, Under Stone" would later form the basis for her critically acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence, "The Dark Is Rising." The fourth book in the series, "The Grey King," won the Newbery Medal in 1976. By that time, Susan Cooper had been living in America for 13 years, having moved to marry her first husband, an American professor, and was stepmother to three children and the mother of two.

Cooper went on to write other well-received novels, including "The Boggart" (and its sequel "The Boggart and the Monster"), "King of Shadows", and "Victory," as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays, many in collaboration with the actor Hume Cronyn, whom she married in 1996. Hume Cronyn died in 2003 and Ms. Cooper now lives in Marshfield MA. When Cooper is not working, she enjoys playing piano, gardening, and traveling.

Recent books include the collaborative project "The Exquisite Corpse Adventure" and her biography of Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Her newest book is "Ghost Hawk."

Visit her Facebook pages: www.facebook.com/SusanCooperFanPage
www.facebook.com/GhostHawkBySusanCooper

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Community Reviews

Rating(4 / 5.0, 100 votes)
5 stars
37(37%)
4 stars
24(24%)
3 stars
39(39%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
100 reviews All reviews
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kelvinz29
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a rather typical YA fantasy piece.

The characters within it seem to lack significant depth, being only about a millimeter deep.

There are numerous instances of "suddenly" throughout the story.

These sudden occurrences often feel rather forced and do not flow smoothly within the narrative.

It gives the impression that the author is relying too much on these abrupt changes to drive the plot forward instead of developing a more organic and engaging storyline.

While the concept of a YA fantasy may be appealing, the execution in this particular case leaves much to be desired.

The lack of character development and the overuse of "suddenly" make it a less than satisfying read for those who are looking for a more immersive and well-crafted fantasy experience.

Perhaps with some revisions and a greater focus on building more complex characters and a more coherent plot, this could have the potential to be a better piece of YA fantasy literature.
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Musdamag
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I read this book on the recommendation of the same friend who recommended The Winter Prince to me. However, this one didn't achieve as much success in my opinion.

I truly adored the first half of the book. It had a mysterious urgency and perils that kept me on the edge of my seat. Just like Callie and West, I was struggling to understand the rules of this new world and the reason for their journey. Everything related to the mysterious castle was marvelous and coherent.

Nevertheless, once Callie and West's journey through the desert began, the tension seemed to drop. Additionally, the allegorical ending was a bit too obvious for my taste. The gender roles sometimes bothered me, but it appeared that the book and the characters were aware of this issue.

The ending reminded me of a less brutal version of The Amber Spyglass, a book that I absolutely love. I can't help but wonder if Seaward had any influence on that ending.

Overall, while there were some aspects of this book that I enjoyed, it didn't quite live up to my expectations.
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yasinshehata
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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I originally read this book as a middle schooler, having fallen in love with Cooper's The Dark is Rising series. After that, I reread it countless times. However, the story didn't have the same staying power for me as TDIR. I suspect it was the romance and some surprisingly steamy parts that made this an adolescent favorite.

The book does have echoes of TDIR. Tyrannis and Lugan mirror The Rider and Merriman in certain ways. The theme of young strangers navigating a larger-than-life quest is also familiar, along with some roots in Celtic mythos (hello, selkies!). But Seaward is definitely aimed at an older crowd (and did I mention those sexy bits?). It also has a much broader symbolism.

On my reread, I noticed that Westerly and Cally are cute together, although perhaps a bit underdeveloped considering they are the protagonists. They are very funny (West's brand of sarcasm is particularly enjoyable to read). But since we meet them just as they are thrust into this world, we don't get to know them much beyond their survival and growing love for each other (and even that isn't explored in great depth beyond two teens in dramatic circumstances). The book is definitely for those who prefer their literature to be heavy on theme and setting rather than character.

I'm glad I reread it. It was a nice comfort read after a long year of demanding work-related book requirements. But I'm not sure if I'd need to revisit it again. It really pales in comparison to TDIR. Cooper's work truly shines when she can really delve into the characters she creates (Lugan can't hold a candle to Merriman, the best of the old wizardly mentors in my humble opinion). And the circumstances that Cally and West encounter seem like fleeting moments compared to the rich adventures that Will Stanton and the Drew children embark on.

Still, top marks for those sexy bits.
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flufferpupper
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This is a great little story.

It may not reach the same height as "The Dark Is Rising", but it is still a good and enjoyable young adult story.

The plot is engaging and keeps the reader interested from start to finish.

However, I do have one small criticism.

I just wish that Cooper didn't feel such a strong need to soapbox and moralize.

Good storytelling should be able to convey its message and values without the direct intrusion of the author.

The story itself should be able to speak for itself and allow the reader to draw their own conclusions.

Despite this minor flaw, I would still recommend this story to anyone looking for a good YA read.

It has its own charm and appeal, and is sure to entertain and engage readers of all ages.

Overall, it is a solid effort that shows promise for future works by the author.

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catalox
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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The summary I perused stated that the main protagonists were the heirs hailing from two distinct warring kingdoms.

Had this been the actual scenario, the narrative would have boasted more depth and potentially warranted a solid 4 or even a 5 rating.

However, as it stands, the main characters are merely random individuals who find themselves in a strange land by happenstance.

Yes, their parents possessed some distant magical roots, but this only serves to transport our characters into this foreign realm.

The novel abounds with metaphor and likely allegory, so do not anticipate a typical storyline - but this, of course, is characteristic of Cooper.

It is one of those novels where the joy lies in the journey, and I rate it higher than "The Alchemist" (a work with which you are probably more acquainted).

I would not be astonished to discover that the author of the Hunger Game series (whose name eludes me at the moment) had read this and drawn inspiration to fashion her depictions of the Games.
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MorningStorm64
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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A fantastical, meandering world of meaning and self-discovery is envisaged by Cooper. It is a world that takes the reader on a journey through the complex emotions and experiences of the characters. Perhaps the story is a little heavy handed with its weighty themes, such as the evolution of West and Caly's love. However, it is this very intensity that makes the story so engaging and thought-provoking.


The love between West and Caly is not a simple one. It evolves over time, through trials and tribulations, and is tested by the challenges they face. Their relationship is a microcosm of the larger themes explored in the story, such as the search for meaning in life and the inevitability of grief.


Despite the hardships and heartaches, the story ends well. It is a bittersweet suspension of the promise of hope and the certainty of grief. The reader is left with a sense of both sadness and optimism, knowing that life is full of both joys and sorrows, but that there is always the possibility of finding love and meaning in the midst of it all.

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armnkhn
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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This work presents an extended metaphor that is, for the most part, beautifully crafted.

However, it does have its flaws. There are moments when it comes across as a bit cheesy, and there are some awkward plot holes and leaps that can't be ignored.

Nonetheless, when I consider my overall experience, it's likely a combination of nostalgia and my deep love for Cooper's 'The Dark is Rising' series that drives me to rate this one a solid 4 stars.

The power of nostalgia often has a way of clouding our judgment, making us overlook some of the imperfections and focus more on the aspects that resonate with our memories and emotions.

In this case, despite the noted flaws, there is still something about this work that speaks to me on a personal level, and that's what ultimately led to my relatively high rating.

Perhaps others may view it differently, but for me, it holds a certain charm that I can't quite put into words.

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asterr259
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
July 15,2025
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Ah, Susan Cooper.

I truly had no idea what to anticipate from this novel. Clearly, what I had in mind wasn't present. (This is my third book for the Middle Grade Madness August 2022 MG Reading Challenge.) I wrongly thought it might have a maritime or nautical essence, and I could check off related tasks. But no.

Instead, it was a coming-of-age/quest story. There were two separate, recently bereaved teens. A male, West (Westerly), and a female, Cally (Calliope), who were leaving their innocence behind. It included selkies, Rhiannon, Tir n'An Og, stone giants, and a lot of travelling or fleeing through various natural landscapes, always seaward (thus the title), in a desperate attempt to reach the sea.

This book would make an excellent movie or series, considering the graphics capabilities of today. I think my favorite character might be Peth the... yeah, I still don't know what kind of creature he was (one of "Lugan's folk", which doesn't narrow it down much). And Rhiannon's leaf magic was easily the most captivating scene for me. But there's quite a lot here. From impassable deserts to unclimbable rock faces to enchanted buildings, bone divination, first sexual stirrings, forces of nature, weather magic, death, life, the afterlife(s).

It's partly a romantic coming-of-age read and partly a "meaning of life" philosophical book, all wrapped up in Cooper's Celtic/British Pagan-mythological subtext (similar to one of my all-time favorites, The Dark Is Rising Sequence). If you could only read one of hers, make it The Dark Is Rising. This one was good, but didn't reach 'greatness' by my reckoning.
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