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
July 15,2025
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I have read this book countless times, perhaps even a thousand times over. And yet, my love for it shows no sign of waning. In fact, it has firmly established itself as one of my absolute favorite books of all time.


Each time I pick up this book, it's like embarking on a new adventure. The words on the pages seem to come alive, painting vivid pictures in my mind and transporting me to another world.


The story is so engaging, filled with interesting characters and a captivating plot that keeps me on the edge of my seat from beginning to end. I find myself completely immersed in the narrative, experiencing every emotion along with the characters.


This book has had a profound impact on me. It has taught me valuable lessons, inspired me, and made me think about life in a different way. It's a book that I will continue to cherish and reread for years to come.

July 15,2025
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Really great fantasy story, but I never expect anything less from Susan Cooper.

You get dropped right in the middle of this strange and enchanting world along with West and Cally. They are completely bewildered, not understanding the world they have landed in or the mysterious rules that govern it. All they know is that they are embarked on a journey and must doggedly continue it.

As they progress, the mystery deepens. By the time they reach the end of their arduous journey and everything is finally explained, I still hadn't quite managed to fully grasp where they were or who Taranis and Lugan truly were.

The ending, for me, was a bittersweet concoction. It was sad because they couldn't remain together, but there was a glimmer of hope as well, for they would surely find each other again in the future.

This story is a captivating blend of mystery, adventure, and a touch of melancholy that keeps you hooked from start to finish.
July 15,2025
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I don't know what it is about this book.

But even the very first time I read it, I had this strange feeling that I'd read it before.

It was as though it were a very old story, one that had been passed down through the ages and retold in such a unique way that I simply can't figure out what the original version might have been.

The words seemed to flow over me, familiar yet mysterious.

I found myself getting lost in the pages, trying to untangle the web of familiarity and discover the true essence of the story.

Maybe it was the way the author described the characters or the settings, or perhaps it was something deeper, something that tapped into my subconscious and唤醒 memories I didn't even know I had.

Whatever it was, this book had a hold on me from the very beginning, and I couldn't wait to see where it would take me.

July 15,2025
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Lyrical, haunting, engrossing - these are the words that immediately come to mind when describing this remarkable piece of writing.

It is beautifully written, with every sentence crafted to perfection, transporting the reader to a fascinating world that is both otherworldly and yet strangely familiar.

The story is allegorical, filled with hidden meanings and symbols that invite deep reflection, and yet it feels very immediate, touching on themes that are relevant to our lives today.

From the very first page, I was drawn into this captivating narrative, unable to put it down until I had reached the end.

And even then, I found myself thinking about it long after I had finished reading, eager to return to its pages and discover new nuances and interpretations.

This is truly a book that I will be rereading and rereading, each time uncovering something new and wonderful.
July 15,2025
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By far my favorite book by Susan Cooper is truly a remarkable piece of literature.

It takes the reader on an extraordinary journey filled with adventure, mystery, and magic.

The story is so engaging that once you start reading, it's hard to put the book down.

Susan Cooper has a unique way of creating vivid characters and a captivating plot that keeps you hooked until the very end.

The book is not only entertaining but also thought-provoking, making you reflect on various aspects of life.

It's a book that can be enjoyed by readers of all ages, as it has something for everyone.

Whether you're a fan of fantasy or just looking for a great read, this book by Susan Cooper is definitely worth checking out.

I highly recommend it to anyone who loves a good story.

It's a book that will stay with you long after you've finished reading it.

July 15,2025
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The story truly held my attention right from the start. It was filled with numerous creative and thought-provoking ideas that really made me stop and think.

However, it had its flaws. The story was rather uneven, with some parts flowing smoothly and others feeling a bit disjointed.

Unfortunately, it did not quite live up to the high standards set by Susan Cooper's best works. I had expected more from this particular piece.

As a result, I couldn't help but feel a sense of disappointment. It had so much potential, but it just didn't quite reach that level of excellence that I have come to associate with Susan Cooper's writing.

Overall, while the story had its闪光点, it ultimately fell short of my expectations.
July 15,2025
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This is a really nice book. It is beautifully written and can be read quite quickly.

However, I didn't think it was as revolutionary as the Dark is Rising series. But then again, I'm reading this book now in my forties, rather than when I was ten years old.

One thing I really love about this book is the way the author describes her worlds. She does it in such a vivid and detailed manner that it makes it extremely easy to picture them clearly in your mind.

It's like you can almost step into those worlds and experience them for yourself. The descriptions really bring the story to life and add an extra layer of depth and charm to the whole reading experience.

Overall, while it may not be the most earth-shattering book I've ever read, it's still a very enjoyable and engaging read that I would recommend to others.
July 15,2025
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Sneaky, Sneaky Cooper

This is a little-known Cooper gem that has undoubtedly been overshadowed by Cooper's classic "Dark is Rising" sequence. It lurks in the shadows, waiting to be discovered by Cooper completists. Cooper has written other books too, like her successful Boggart books for younger readers, which is why "Seaward" keeps drifting lower on the search return list. Congratulations on finding this book. But what exactly have you found?

This book is both different from and similar to the "Dark is Rising" books. In those, the heroes step back and forth between a here and now reality and a world of myth and legend, with the tension arising from the interaction of the two. "Seaward" takes a different approach. In chapter 1, our hero Westerly appears in a strange land. In chapter 2, our heroine Callie falls through a mirror and enters the same out-of-time and out-of-place world. The action unfolds in this vaguely threatening and often confusing world, without the anchoring of a comfy reality, giving the book a dreamy and unsettling atmosphere throughout.

Similarly, the "Dark is Rising" books portray a clear battle between good and evil. In "Seaward", however, almost every character has two aspects and every choice could go either way. It's more about deciding what's right rather than simply knowing.

But still, the apple doesn't fall far from the tree. In "Seaward", we find similar themes of love, duty, honor, grief, free will, and even love. Our heroes are followed by a man and a woman with great magical power, whose regal presence touches on the noble aspects of high fantasy and Celtic myth. They are unnamed until the end and not tied to a specific Celtic tale, but are undeniably part of the same tradition as the "Dark is Rising" books.

This is a brief and dreamy book, but it also has thrills, adventures, and gripping action scenes. You can read it as fantasy-adventure, romance, allegory, part of a life/death myth cycle, or even as a mystery. All these approaches work because Cooper has packed so much into it. It's a gem with many facets.
July 15,2025
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This book presents a rather complex situation.

On one hand, it is interesting as I made a great effort to engage with the story. The real charm lies in Susan Cooper's remarkable command of the language and her extraordinary talent for crafting eloquent phrases that can strike a chord with almost any reader.

However, unfortunately, there is a significant drawback. The events in this novel are disjointed, and for the first two-thirds of the book, the reader is likely to find himself constantly trying to figure out what is actually happening.

Perhaps it was my affectionate memories of the Dark Is Rising sequence that motivated me to pick up this book. But that might have been its undoing. I was anticipating a similar fantasy but in a more concise form. Instead, I discovered (sorry, if this is a slight spoiler) a highly psychological metaphor about dealing with grief. I'm not entirely convinced by the lesson it attempts to convey either.

I would have awarded this book only 1 star, were it not for Cooper's beautiful prose that elevates it to a level where you feel compelled to read it all the way through.

Overall, it's a book that has its strengths and weaknesses, leaving the reader with a somewhat mixed impression.
July 15,2025
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This experience took me on a remarkable journey that I am highly unlikely to ever forget.

It was truly magical, with a lyrical quality that added a touch of beauty and charm. The story was also epic in scale, encompassing grand adventures and sweeping landscapes.

The main characters were extremely well-rounded. They were heroic in their actions and deeds, yet they were also very much flawed. There were moments of doubt, fear, and perhaps even self-pity. However, despite their flaws, I still couldn't help but root for them.

Overall, this was a 4.5 stars for me. I really liked it and then some. It had a certain something that made it stand out from other books I've read. I would highly recommend it to anyone looking for a captivating and engaging read.

I'm already looking forward to seeing what the author comes up with next.
July 15,2025
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Genuinely, audaciously strange - basically an allegorical dreamscape full of weird set pieces.

It is a world filled with arresting images that seem to leap off the page. The sense of the unexplained and perhaps inexplicable pervades every corner of this story.

Cooper, the author, is never afraid to leave some things up to the imagination. In the world she creates, as well as in her characters' stories, there are mysteries that are left unresolved.

This gives the reader a sense of wonder and invites them to explore their own interpretations.

I really have not read a children's book like this before. It challenges the traditional notions of what a children's book should be and takes the reader on a journey that is both exciting and thought-provoking.

It is a book that will stay with you long after you have turned the last page.
July 15,2025
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I really enjoy Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising sequence. It has always been one of my favorite series. Due to my great love for it, I had a strong desire to explore another one of her books. And I'm so glad I did!

This particular book turned out to be a very good story. The pacing was excellent, keeping me engaged from start to finish. The plot unfolded in a way that was both exciting and unpredictable.

Moreover, Susan Cooper's writing is truly remarkable. Her descriptions are vivid and detailed, allowing me to easily picture the scenes and characters in my mind.

If you are a fan of Susan Cooper's unique style, then this book is an absolute must-read. It will surely satisfy your literary cravings and take you on an unforgettable adventure.
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