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Three siblings are spending their summer holiday in a seaside town. One day, they accidentally discover an ancient treasure map. Excited by the find, they decide to embark on a thrilling adventure to unlock its secrets. However, they soon realize that they are not the only ones after the map. The forces of the Dark are also hot on their trail, determined to claim the treasure for themselves.

This is a book that I have always been intrigued by and finally got the chance to read. I was not disappointed. Susan Cooper's writing is truly masterful. She vividly describes the long, lazy vacations in the seaside getaway, making the reader feel as if they are right there. The geography of the place is filled with mystery and promise, just like in my own childhood beach vacations. The story has a touch of fantasy, but it is not the main focus. Some readers may be disappointed by this, but I found the quality of the story and the writing to be so excellent that it didn't matter. In fact, many reviewers have said that the series gets even better in the later installments, so I'm really looking forward to reading more.

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I very much so disliked this book.

I rarely dislike books, but this one was an exception. I have no intention of reading any of the sequels as I simply lack the interest to continue.

The story had numerous loose ends and many aspects that could have been enhanced. For instance, the language could have been more elaborate, or more details could have been added in certain areas to make important elements stand out.

I believe the author should have given more thought to their writing before publishing. Additionally, this copy had a significant number of typos. I found words that made no sense as they were, but with a simple correction of one letter, they would have been perfect.

Moreover, I don't enjoy childish mysteries like this one. It was hardly complicated at all. It was so easy to understand that a six-year-old could have read it and grasped the text perfectly.

Overall, I simply didn't enjoy this book. If you have a preference for really simple books with a touch of mystery, you might like it, but it just wasn't for me.

First of all, it wasn't BAD. It's similar to what The Magician's Nephew is to Narnia; the prologue of sorts.

It's slow, but it's setting that foundation for the future books. Whether I actually read them or not remains to be seen.

I really liked Barney. He was a smart, funny kid. I liked everyone else well enough, but it was more than nothing was happening very quickly or explained well that knocked a few stars off.

I feel like if I was a kid in the midst of my Narnia/Harry Potter phased, I'd have LOVED it.

To expand further, the story had its moments of charm. The way Barney interacted with the other characters was quite endearing. However, the pacing could have been better. There were times when I found myself waiting for something significant to happen.

The world-building was also a bit lacking. While the author tried to set the stage for what was to come, more details and explanations would have made it more engaging.

Overall, it was an okay read. It had its strengths, but also its weaknesses. If you're a fan of the Narnia or Harry Potter series and are looking for something similar, it might be worth giving a try. But don't expect it to be a masterpiece.

This was an extremely charming story that was set in a small seaside village in England.

The story follows three children who unexpectedly find themselves deeply involved in a mystery. As the plot unfolds, there are some delicate fantasy elements that gradually emerge.

I truly admired the way the author dealt with the fantasy aspects. The author always seemed to leave just enough room for more questions to arise, which kept me engaged and eager to discover more.

Moreover, the author also left some space for the readers' own interpretations. This added an extra layer of depth and interest to the story.

Overall, it was a very enjoyable read. I would highly recommend this story as a quick and delightful read for both the young and the old. It has the ability to capture the imagination of readers of all ages and transport them to a world of mystery and fantasy.

Simon, Jane and Barney Drew go to the charming Cornish fishing village of Trewissick for their summer holidays. Their Great Uncle Merry has arranged a holiday home for them and their parents. The village has many attractions, such as a bustling harbour, beautiful beaches, scenic walks and a lively carnival with the famous Floral Dance. There's even a friendly dog, Rufus, to make the fun complete.

However, not everything is as it seems. The boy they meet on the harbour quay is strangely hostile. Are Norman and Polly Withers really as nice as they appear? Why should Jane be cautious of the vicar, Mr Hastings? Is the housekeeper, Mrs Molly Palk, truly as friendly as she seems? And why does Great Uncle Merry keep vanishing?

The stage is set for the Drew children to have an unexpected adventure. They arrived at St Austell train station looking forward to a relaxing holiday, but little did they know what was in store for them.

Apparently, "Over Sea, Under Stone" was written in response to a competition for family-adventure stories in the style of E Nesbit. There are also elements that remind one of Enid Blyton's Famous Five stories. But things quickly take a darker turn, with ancient mythic conflicts and supernatural phenomena.

This is a story with a mostly sombre tone. The distant parents and the suspicious townspeople add to the sense of menace. The children face kidnaps, chases, an underground journey and the threat of drowning. The underground journey is a familiar trope in children's literature and adds to the suspense and anxiety.

Their quest for the grail is not easy. Barney's wise words at the beginning prove true. Their exploration of the attic will set off a chain of events that will involve them in the author's The Dark is Rising sequence and Arthurian legend.

Trewissick seems to be a combination of two real locations. Much of the action can be located in Mevagissey, which has many similarities to the fictional village. The prosaic ending in a national museum is a nice touch, highlighting Cooper's use of Arthurian elements.

Overall, I did enjoy this book in many ways. However, the oppressive tone and long dialogues were a bit wearing at times. Despite these caveats, it is a cleverly crafted and exciting fantasy.

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A fairly straightforward children's thriller, this book serves as an introduction to the richer themes present in the other four books that make up The Dark Is Rising series. The Dark Is Rising series offers a world of mystery and adventure for young readers.

A mysterious "great-uncle" deliberately positions three children in an old house in Cornwall. He then leaves them mostly on their own to solve a significant mystery, discover a lost treasure, and combat the malevolent forces of the "Dark". Naturally, they are successful in their endeavors.

This is my fourth reading of this book. The reason is that I truly渴望 to return to Greenwitch once again. Jane is not only crucial in this first volume but also in the third one, which makes her character all the more interesting and engaging.

This book is truly a remarkable and engaging read.

Among all the characters, Barney stands out as my absolute favourite. His unique personality and charming traits make him a joy to follow throughout the story.

The way he interacts with other characters and the challenges he faces add depth and excitement to the narrative.

I am now eagerly looking forward to delving into the rest of the series. I can't wait to see what adventures Barney and the other characters will embark on next.

The author has done an excellent job of creating a captivating world and interesting characters that keep the readers hooked from start to finish.

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good read.

Read multiple times as a child, around 1994: rating *****

Re-read in 2022: ****

This article seems to be a simple review or reflection on a book or some other piece of work. The initial rating of five stars when read as a child in 1994 indicates that it had a significant impact and was highly regarded at that time. Perhaps it was a story that captured the imagination, taught valuable lessons, or had some other quality that made it stand out. However, when re-read in 2022, the rating has dropped to four stars. This could suggest that with the passage of time and the reader's own personal growth and changing perspectives, the work may not have had the same level of appeal or may have been seen in a different light. It could also imply that there were aspects of the work that did not hold up as well over time. Overall, this short review provides an interesting snapshot of how our perceptions of a particular work can change over the years.

I first read this book in fourth or fifth grade.

It was recommended to me by a librarian at the public library. I remember being intrigued and dismissive at the same time.

I thought I read a lot of books, and I doubted that this person knew about a series that I didn't.

Of course, I was wrong. Susan Cooper's series blew me away.

I'm re-reading it now to see how it holds up and to judge whether my 10-year-old son would like it.

I'm glad to report that it holds up very well indeed.

It's a slower, subtler fantasy adventure story, but Ms. Cooper's ability to build tension and hold it at the breaking point for pages and pages is impressive.

"Over Sea, Under Stone," the first in her "Dark is Rising" series, follows two brothers and a sister as they vacation in southern England.

At times it feels Narnia-esque in its setup because of that. And while the siblings' stumbling onto a map and a quest is well-worn ground, what makes the book so interesting is that the action never leaves the real world.

At no point are you asked to suspend belief. So as fantastical things occur, real-life fears - adults do hurt children - mingle with the more mystical - good battling evil through the eons and King Arthur and so on - to create quite a unique story.

This series is truly a gem that has stood the test of time and continues to engage readers of all ages.

This is truly a remarkable start to a juvenile series. It follows in the same excellent vein as The Chronicles of Narnia by C.S. Lewis and The Chronicles of Prydain by Lloyd Alexander.

The story has a charm and magic that is simply captivating. It takes the reader on an exciting adventure through a world filled with wonder and mystery.

Even after fifty years since I first read it as a kid, it still holds the same appeal and quality. The characters are well-developed and engaging, and the plot is full of twists and turns that keep you on the edge of your seat.

It's a book that can be enjoyed by both children and adults alike, and it's sure to become a classic in the juvenile literature genre. If you haven't read it yet, I highly recommend giving it a try. You won't be disappointed!

Reading this for the first time in my sixties! It's truly a remarkable experience. This book came out when I was a schoolgirl, yet I can't fathom why I never encountered it back then. I was so deeply immersed in the works of John Masefield, Edith Nesbit, Tolkien, Alan Garner, CS Lewis, and many others.

I really enjoyed reading this book, and I'm looking forward to reading the others in the series. However, I have to admit that I think Masefield's The Midnight Folk has an edge over this one. But then again, as I've already mentioned, I didn't come to this as a child. If it had been the very first book of this genre that I'd read all those years ago, I most likely would have had a completely different perspective.

It's interesting how our tastes and perceptions change over time. Maybe as a child, I would have been more captivated by the magic and adventure in this book. Now, as an adult, I have a different set of expectations and comparisons. Nevertheless, I'm still glad to have discovered this book and added it to my reading list.