4.25 stars.

I listened to the audiobook read by Alex Jennings. It was truly fabulous!

Alex Jennings' narration brought the story to life in the most captivating way. His voice was rich and full of character, perfectly matching the tone and atmosphere of the book.

With his skilled delivery, he was able to convey the emotions and nuances of the characters, making it easy for me to become fully immersed in the story.

The audiobook itself was well-produced, with clear sound quality and a seamless flow.

I found myself eagerly listening to each chapter, unable to put it down.

This audiobook is definitely a must-listen for anyone who loves a great story and excellent narration.

I highly recommend it!

I vividly remember reading this particular book back in either fifth or sixth grade. It was truly a remarkable and wonderful piece of literature.

To my great delight, I discovered that there were four additional books in this series.

The story involves three kids and an old man named Merriman.

Now, the question arises: Who exactly is Merriman? In the first book of the series, his true nature might not be immediately obvious.

However, as the story unfolds through the five books, it becomes clear that Merriman is a key figure.

The way the story develops and reveals his character is just... wow!

It offers a really cool and creative take on British mythology, presenting a unique and engaging world that keeps readers hooked from start to finish.

Overall, this series is a must-read for anyone interested in adventure, mythology, and a great story.

“You remember the fairy tales you were told when you were very small - 'once upon a time...' Why do you think they always began like that?”
“Because they weren't true,” Simon said promptly.
Jane said, caught up in the unreality of the high remote place, “Because perhaps they were true once, but nobody could remember when.”

This passage read like a lost chapter of Narnia with some Goonies vibes sprinkled in. I was truly surprised to have never heard of this series until recently. It appears to be a staple of British Literature. Maybe the setting didn't resonate as strongly with American readers? There were indeed lulls in the story here and there. However, overall, this was a solid introduction to the series. From what I can gather, it seems that book two is the favorite among fans. It's crazy that it was published 8 years after this one. She really made people wait for it, but it sounds like she delivered. It might be challenging to convince myself to read the rest of the series after finishing that one, knowing that it is the clear favorite. I do wonder if this would be very palatable to the middle grade students it was intended for. Like a lot of older literature, I'm not entirely sure I would recommend it to a child. But I imagine this series has inspired many writers over the years and will continue to have an impact on literature.

“Oh honestly, Jane,” Simon said. “You can't find a treasure map and just say, 'Oh, how nice,' and put it back again.”

I selected this particular book with great anticipation as I aimed to read "The Dark is Rising" for my "NPR's Top 100 Young Adult Books" reading objective. However, I felt a strong urge to read an earlier book first. But unfortunately, I was left rather disappointed by it.

The pacing of this book is extremely slow. I really did not take any pleasure in reading it, and I failed to discover anything remarkable or worthy of note within the story. In fact, on numerous occasions, I dozed off while attempting to persist in reading it. As a result, I don't recall a great deal of the plot.

I have decided that I will simply seek out its summary elsewhere and then promptly move on to "The Dark is Rising". After all, one should not waste precious time rereading a book that he or she does not have any affection for. It's time to focus on the next book and hope for a more engaging and enjoyable reading experience.

I had reached page 99 and simply had to come to a halt. I was so enraged that I was on the verge of hurling the book across the room.

I detest it when the characters engage in such idiotic behavior just to advance the plot.

The bad lady sort of confronts the good kids. They manage to persuade her that they have no clue what she's referring to. She then departs. But then they go in the very direction she went and proceed to completely forget that she's in the area. They take out the item she's been searching for and asked them about. And while they are busy looking at it, she stealthily sneaks up behind them.

Seriously? REALLY?!? If they are that stupid, they truly deserve whatever comes their way! I'm also extremely annoyed that it's not at all clear who has the guide book. Did Jane retrieve it from the vicar? Or does the vicar still possess it? The uncle inquired about it, but Jane never gave him a response! I loathe these dangling plot points that are blatantly ignored by the author and are left to wither away until they either decay or the author decides to bring them up again when it suits their convenience.

I will read the next book as it is a classic, but if that one also turns out to be a Did Not Finish (DNF), I'm not going to bother with the rest of the series!

After hearing a great deal about this series, I was extremely disappointed in its pedestrian nature.

Perhaps the remainder of the series is superior, but this particular installment was highly formulaic and not especially thrilling.

Taking after C.S. Lewis's The Lion, the Witch, and the Wardrobe, it commences on a rainy day with a group of British kids who are bored and playing in a large house.

They embark on their adventure by discovering an attic behind a wardrobe rather than within it.

At one point, the dark side endeavors to seduce one of the children, but of course, the child does not yield.

It rather simply adheres to numerous plot elements without the fantastical magical elements and the moral dilemma that would add depth.

As far as fantasy is concerned, the magical content is so minimal that it is almost nonexistent, being restricted to a few mysterious happenings such as a dog howling strangely and a hypnotic voice.

The connection to Arthurian tales appears tenuous, merely serving as some sort of pretext for a back-story and a Peggy Parish style kids mystery.

Overall, it fails to capture the essence and excitement that one would expect from a fantasy series.

It was an absolute treat to revisit this book and begin again on the Dark is Rising journey.

Cooper's writing is truly captivating. Her characters are vivid and the sense of place she creates is both strong and immersive. But what lies beneath the surface of her words is a profound connection with our history and heritage.

I have a particular weakness for anything related to monoliths and megaliths, and this book is filled to the brim with such elements. Not only that, but much like The Weirdstone of Brisingamen, there is a search and connection with an ancient past that I find truly enchanting.

The character of Mr Hastings also evokes a deep sense of fear, and the battle between good and evil is not a simplistic one. It is not dumbed down for the child reader but rather rooted in something more primal.

Although some of the language and dialogue between the characters may have become a bit dated, the story still holds true and is more engaging than most. It is a timeless tale that continues to captivate readers of all ages.

It'll come as no surprise to those who know me that I'm once again delving into this set of books at this time of the year.

Over Sea, Under Stone is perhaps more of a summer read, yet the one most firmly anchored in a specific season is The Dark is Rising, the second book, which is set in winter. (The Grey King, set around Samhain in autumn, would be a close runner-up.) So, I envision that a few more reviews of these books will be added to my tally before the year concludes...

This time, I devoured Over Sea, Under Stone in one sitting. Besides the Enid Blyton-esque flavor of the boys' own adventure elements, there are still a couple of aspects that niggled at me. For instance, why would Merriman leave them alone atop the hill? Why wouldn't he inquire more about who was attacking them? Why...

But perhaps it's best not to pose such questions to this, the earliest and least nuanced book in the series. There are numerous delicate touches that I adore in the later installments, but this one is decidedly less sophisticated. That's not to say it doesn't have some extremely powerful sections: the last two chapters build an almost unbearable level of tension that still affects me even at the age of twenty-four. Mostly, I love that the characters feel genuine, bicker and support one another, and have fears and weaknesses like real children, real siblings. Simon is such an uppity brat, yet he's all the more real for it. Jane, I think, is a bit stereotypical: she's more easily scared than the other two, totes around "practical" items like a roll of cotton (but there's no mention of a sewing kit?), and isn't interested in male pursuits like fishing and sailing, etc. But even that isn't too bad - she's not Blyton's Anne or George, but something closer to a well-rounded individual.

(Has anyone penned an essay positing that each member of the Famous Five represents a facet of a single psyche, or something along those lines? Because I just conjured up that idea on the fly, and I'm too lazy to explore it myself.)

And, finally? Barney's "cleversticks" remains the best pseudo-insult ever.

This classic series has, for one reason or another, remained unread at times. However, the upcoming hint gave the impetus to grab the first part of the series. And I didn't end up being disappointed. Since the overabundance of fantasy is a constant threat, I especially liked in this work that the fantasy elements shine through as a reference in the background and the adventure is completely traditional adventure with its twists and turns. Refreshing! The following parts of the series have been moved to the reading list with a "sometime" schedule.

It's always exciting to discover a new classic series. In this case, the anticipation leading up to reading the first part was palpable. Once I started, I was immediately drawn in by the story. The way the fantasy elements were incorporated in a subtle way added an interesting layer to the traditional adventure. It made the whole experience more engaging and unique. I can't wait to get to the next parts of the series and see where the story takes me.

I'm sure that as I continue reading, I'll uncover more hidden gems and enjoy the journey even more. This series has definitely piqued my interest and I'm looking forward to seeing what else it has in store for me.

This is very much a cosy Cornish escapade.

It has a tone somewhat similar to that of the Famous Five (from what I recall of those books, which I last read in my distant childhood).

I'm currently on the second one in the series, and it significantly deepens from there.

I had remembered loving these books, but I retained nothing, so I'm revisiting them.

In some places, there's a little bit of folk horror (very gently, of course), and the rare descriptions sparkle.

It's very much of its time, so it's important to keep that in mind when reading.

Overall, it's a charming and engaging series that offers a delightful escape into a world of adventure and mystery in the beautiful Cornish countryside.

Whether you're a fan of classic children's literature or simply looking for a good read, these books are definitely worth checking out.

Very few people

who know me at all are unaware that The Dark Is Rising is possibly my favourite series of books in the history of ever.

Still, I haven't done a series of proper reviews for them, which is a horrible shame, and I'm going to do that this time through.

This is probably the fifteenth time I've read Over Sea, Under Stone, give or take a few times.

Someone I knew recommended skipping it, since it's the most childish book in the series -- written, if I recall correctly, well before the other four, and most definitely aimed at kids.

The scenario reminds me a little of a faintly Arthurian Enid Blyton story: three kids are on holiday and stumble into a mystery.

On the other hand, it's much fuller than an Enid Blyton story. It's a fantasy story, at its most basic, really: the Dark vs. the Light. There's hints at an underlying story about King Arthur.

Character-wise, at this point it's relatively simple. Simon, Jane and Barney are pretty typical kids: the bossy older one, the practical and prepared girl, the youngest daydreamy boy.

Still, they're endearing: Barney would have had my heart from the moment he opens his mouth and calls his big brother "cleversticks" -- if he hadn't had it already from being as devoted to King Arthur as I am.

They may be simple characters, but they're also realistic. They get scared about what they're getting into, they doubt things, they underestimate the danger...

The writing itself is lovely. Not too fancy, and yet still describing things well.

There's a real sense of ominous danger in parts of it, and yet the writing also brings across a feeling of childhood, summer vacations and sunburns and going to see the sea.

All in all, reading it now and knowing what the rest of the series is like, I look for the hints and things that will connect up, later.

Something I've noticed this time through especially is the hints at Barney being something special, which is followed up on in Greenwitch and Silver On The Tree.

It's interesting how often he knows or intuits things which seem hidden from everyone else.

Over Sea, Under Stone isn't my favourite book of the sequence, but it's still worth reading if you can get into it for the light it sheds on the later books.

Now, onto The Dark Is Rising itself! Spending a book with Will and the other Stantons feels like a lovely idea right now.

Reread again in December 2009. Oh, Barney Drew...

Over Sea, Under Stone is a captivating classic tale that has its roots firmly in the Arthurian legend.

It beautifully showcases how the power of kids can often outshine that of adults. Moreover, it delves deep into the complex relationships between the forces of good and evil, demonstrating how these can give rise to intense conflict, and at times, even war.

The story follows three kids, Barney, Simon, and Jane, who go on vacation with their parents to visit their enigmatic Great-Uncle Merry, also known as Professor Merriman Lyon or “Gumerry”. While exploring the Grey House, their vacation abode, they stumble upon an ancient manuscript that is crumbling with age.

Eager to uncover its secrets, they join forces with Gumerry. However, their path is not without obstacles as there are people who try to stop them, making their quest far more challenging than they initially anticipated.

This novel is an absolute delight for all those who have a passion for adventure and mystery reads. It is one of my personal favorites. Over Sea, Under Stone is the kind of book that will keep you on the edge of your seat, compelling you to tell yourself, “You are going to finish this series, whether you like it or not!!”

It truly is a must-read for anyone seeking an exciting and engaging literary experience.