The Dark Is Rising is truly a remarkable piece of work.
Each and every word is placed so precisely and perfectly, as if it was destined to be in that exact spot.
And I have been in love with this story for such a long time, truly cherishing the company it provides.

Young Will is a source of great delight for me. His innocence and bravery are truly endearing.
Merriman, on the other hand, is like a heart of gold. His wisdom and guidance are invaluable.
The Christmas cheer that pervades the story fills my heart with joy.
All of this is thanks to the wonderful lady Cooper.

She has always been ready at my hand,
granting me what I often crave:
A wintry chill across the land,
villains dark and a child brave.

The Black Rider is another delight. His mysterious and menacing presence adds an element of excitement to the story.
Maggie Barnes is like a heart of gold, kind and gentle.
The Christmas menace is a source of joy, as it keeps the story tense and thrilling.
And the tragic Walker stings the soul, making us feel the pain and loss.

The battles between the Dark and the Light,
where Time and Space twist madly,
are truly epic.
The tender but never trite family in the story is also something I cherish gladly.

In conclusion, Young Will is my delight,
Merriman is my heart of gold,
Christmas cheer is my heart of joy,
and all thanks to Susan Cooper for creating this wonderful world.

The Dark is Rising is a captivating and imaginative fantasy novel by Susan Cooper. Published in 1973, it's the second in a series of five contemporary fantasy books that form an Arthurian quintet. The story pits the forces of the Dark and the Light against each other in a battle for humanity. Will Stanton, the seventh son of a seventh son and an Old One, is the protagonist. He must seek the six magical signs of power to enable the Old Ones to triumph over the evil forces of the Dark.

Cooper's writing is steeped in mythology and Celtic folklore, especially the Welsh "Mabinogian". Her descriptions are powerful, and the story has an underlying sense of menace. The book begins on the eve of Will's 11th birthday, and strange things start to happen. People behave oddly, and Will catches sight of mysterious figures. The next morning, he wakes to find that his family can't see or hear him, and he embarks on a strange adventure.
As the story progresses, Will meets other key figures, such as Merriman and "The Lady", who explain his destiny as one of the Old Ones. He learns about the six signs of the Light and must find them before Twelfth Night, when the Dark will be at its peak. Will struggles with his new identity and powers, and readers see him mature as he faces difficult choices. The book is full of exciting events, including a battle with a deadly surprise and a paradox.
The Dark is Rising is a well-written and engaging story that combines fantasy, folklore, and mythology. It explores deep themes such as good and evil, free will, and the power of choice. Cooper's prose is beautiful, and the story is flawlessly structured over the twelve days of Christmas. This is a must-read for fans of fantasy and adventure stories.

Vague, wordy, and lacking in detail, this is a typical hero's journey that fails to truly compel the reader. The plot summary is rather lackluster. You're a normal boy who hits puberty and discovers you're special. You're the only one who can save the universe by going on a quest. A wise sage is there to help, but not really. You have to defeat a big, evil thing in an undefined amount of time. There are these "Old Ones" with Signs that create a Circle of Signs. There are also other Things of Power that don't really factor in. The enemy is called The Dark. Will and his siblings have the most interesting names. The writing is dull, the plot is vague, and the character development is lacking. Will doesn't really struggle with his new identity. There are no consequences for his mistakes. The Lady sacrifices herself and then comes back. There are too many ambiguities. Once Will hits puberty, he suddenly has all these abilities and just accepts them. He defeats the Darkness with little effort. The writing style is not engaging. I just couldn't take this book seriously. On to Greenwitch.

I'll admit that some parts of the story were compelling, but it's stunted by the lack of details and obscure names. The only "evil" thing The Dark does is make it snow on Christmas. The character development is non-existent. Will never really grows or learns. The story is full of convenient plot devices and deus ex machinas. I don't see how this book could have a fan base. It's just not that good.

Overall, this is a disappointing read. The concept has potential, but it's not executed well. The writing is amateurish, the plot is predictable, and the characters are one-dimensional. I would not recommend this book to anyone.

So I am currently working my way through the Dark Is Rising sequence. At present, it is the turn of The Dark Is Rising itself. I am truly struck, and I mean really struck, by the ferocious nature of Cooper's prose throughout these books. Her prose is both eloquent and vicious, raging passionately against the dying of the light and the darkness that pervades the worlds.

The Dark Is Rising is Will Stanton's story. In a sense, it is a story that he was always destined to have and to be at the very heart of. There are echoes within this story, echoes of lives that have been lived and those that are yet to be lived, and Will is one of those echoes. He is an Old One, and as such, he is pre-destined to be a part of the battle between the Light and the Dark. Will Stanton has a very specific role to play in this struggle, and play it he will, and indeed he must.

Cooper's wildly eloquent, occasionally vicious, and fearless prose hit me right from the first book and now, spectacularly, it has reached new heights. She shows no fear of fear itself, or of terror, both for Will and for the reader. The Dark Is Rising is richly filled with fear. It is simply impossible to not be unnerved by this book, this magnificently edgy book that manages to make snow terrifying and birds, especially the formed-of-shadows rook, something spectral and horrific.

I am completely caught by this series and by the richness it offers. The way Cooper throws her story out, like a fisherwoman casting a net, and then draws you back with it, into it, and makes you an integral part of it is truly captivating.

I first read this remarkable book when it was released, approximately 40 years ago. At that time, I was already in my late teens. However, I have never regarded age as an obstacle to reading excellent books, regardless of the age range for which they were intended.

The entire sequence of this work is truly terrific. But this particular book is the one that I always return to, often during Christmas, as that is when the story is set. The description of Will Stanton's 11-year-old leap from simple boyhood into a world filled with mysticism and magic is done brilliantly. Moreover, the story progresses at a perfect pace, keeping the reader engaged from start to finish.

What more can I say? I highly recommend that you read it. It is a book that has stood the test of time and continues to captivate readers of all ages with its enchanting tale and well-crafted narrative.

The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper presents a rather lackluster start to what is supposed to be a grand fantasy saga. Will Stanton, a twelve-year-old from a large English family, discovers he is an Old One with mysterious powers. Assisted by Merriman Lyon, who masquerades as an archaeology professor, Will sets out to aid The Light in their struggle against The Dark. However, the plot is so forgettable that I, having read it just nine months ago, can't recall it, let alone its point.

Cooper's prose is strong, making the reader believe they are reading a meaningful and sensible book. But as one delves deeper into the series, it becomes clear that it is "full of sound and fury, signifying nothing." The characters are one-dimensional, with little distinction between the behaviors of the supposed good and evil sides. Both use power, violence, and deception, and view ordinary people as collateral damage.

Will, in particular, is a bland and unlikable character. He shows little love or interest in his family, and has no discernible interests outside of being an Old One. His powers are acquired too easily, and he lacks any inquisitiveness or personality. The concept of being an Old One is also poorly developed, with the methods of saving the world being rather absurd.

The anti-Christian sentiment found in this book is also concerning. It seems to suggest that God and gods are superstitions and the Old Ones are the real deal. This is a trend that has continued in much of contemporary fantasy.

Overall, this book and series are a disappointment. They lack character development, plot, theme, and story. The only redeeming factor is the presence of the Drews in the next book, Greenwitch. I wonder what the Newbery committee was thinking when they selected this book. It does not deserve the title of "classic" and is not recommended.

This is a book that I first read during my childhood.

It left a truly profound impression on me back then.

To the extent that whenever the first snow falls, my kids and I would curl up together and read it aloud.

The setting described in the book and the characters within it are so vivid and vibrant.

The magic and the intense atmosphere in the tale still manage to cause a familiar shiver within me even as an adult.

Undoubtedly, this book has become a favorite within our family.

It holds a special place in our hearts and is a source of great joy and comfort for us all.

We often return to it, eager to be immersed once again in its enchanting world.

It is a book that has stood the test of time and continues to bring us together as a family.

Will Stanton is the seventh son of a seventh son. On his 11th birthday, a remarkable discovery awaits him. He realizes that he is an Old One, a member of a special race bestowed with magical abilities. Their purpose? To safeguard humanity from the clutches of the Dark. Will embarks on a journey of training under Merriman Lyon, the modern-day Merlin.

He is then dispatched on a perilous quest through time to retrieve the Signs, which hold the key to helping the Light fend off the menacing Dark Rider.

This series is truly a gem! The books are far superior to the lackluster movie adaptation. With each reread, the beauty of the magic and the intricate relationships between the Old Ones, particularly Merriman and Will, become even more evident. The writing is flawless, and Will's large and eccentric family adds a touch of warmth and fun.

In 2023, upon reading it for the third time, I find myself even more captivated by this enchanting series. Every chapter is filled with magic, and the imaginative setting transports readers into a world of wonder.

The character development is outstanding. As Will undergoes training and faces numerous tests in his quest, he gains wisdom and evolves from an ordinary boy doing Christmas shopping to a being with the knowledge and understanding of an Old One.

The scope of the story is truly remarkable, as the Light and the Dark engage in a fierce battle for the souls of men. Will must outwit the tricks and lies of the Dark Rider while trying to protect his family. However, his ultimate allegiance lies with the Light, even if it means making the ultimate sacrifice. I adore the profound moral messages within the book and the way the mythology of the magic is intertwined with the eternal struggle between good and evil.

2.5 stars. I had high expectations for this book, truly believing that I was going to like it more than I actually did. The writing was of good quality, and the premise of the story seemed interesting enough to draw me in. However, as I started reading, I just never really got fully immersed in the story. I found myself constantly waiting for something truly exceptional to occur, something that would grab my attention and make me eager to turn the pages. Unfortunately, that moment never came. Despite this, it's important to note that it wasn't a bad book by any means. It had its merits, and being relatively short, it didn't take an excessive amount of time to get through. Overall, it was an okay read, but it just didn't live up to my initial hopes and expectations.

This rereading did not excite me as much as the first three times. However, the opening scenes and the encounters with English folklore throughout are still very good.

It's like taking a trip back in time and experiencing those magical moments once again. The descriptions are vivid, and you can almost picture the characters and the settings in your mind.

Now, I'm on to Greenwitch. I'm curious to see what new adventures and mysteries await in this installment of the series.

I borrowed this book from the library, and I'm looking forward to delving into its pages and getting lost in the story. I hope it will be just as captivating as the previous books.

The struggle was truly intense with this one, you all! I actually had to go back multiple times as the concepts just weren't sinking in. And when I had only an hour left, I made the decision to go all the way back to the beginning and start over, but at a much faster playback speed. Surprisingly, this did prove to be helpful.

I think what initially threw me off was the seemingly very Christian themes. Maybe I should have expected this for a book that draws inspiration from Arthurian legends. It took me a while to overcome that initial impression. (After the way Narnia concluded, I really didn't want to embark on that path again with another children's fantasy series.) However, this is not Christian fiction. In fact, it does highlight the hypocrisy of the "Light" being both willing and capable of using the same kinds of techniques as the "Dark" to achieve victory.

But even after restarting, I still had difficulties fully immersing myself in the story. This could potentially be due to the narrator. Don't get me wrong, the narrator was perfectly fine. But sometimes, a narrator's voice and cadence can make it challenging for me to concentrate. It's a shame because when I was able to focus, the prose was really excellent. The characters, on the other hand, were a bit lackluster, which didn't exactly help matters. There are far too many children in this family, and I didn't even attempt to keep them all straight. Will is the one you need to keep track of, so just worry about him, lol. The author also seemed to be incorporating everything from English mythology into the mix, and at times, this felt a little overcrowded.

I might give this another try when I can obtain a copy of the ebook, but I can't say I'm in a rush for it. And I highly doubt I'll continue to read the other books in this series.

A Gem of a Book!

Absolutely enchanting, this book is truly a masterpiece. It serves as a blueprint for all fantasy lovers out there. From the moment you open its pages, you are transported into a world filled with magic, mystery, and wonder. The vivid descriptions bring the characters and settings to life, making you feel as if you are right there beside them. The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat, eager to find out what happens next. Whether you are a seasoned fantasy reader or new to the genre, this book is sure to capture your heart and imagination. It is a must-read for anyone who loves a good adventure and a touch of the supernatural. So, pick up this gem of a book and prepare to be swept away on a journey like no other.