A book that left me with a bit of a lackluster taste (albeit the redundancy), the main reason being that the characters are passive, allowing themselves to be carried along by events.

In my opinion, the best juvenile/children's stories should have reactive characters who respond to what happens and take their own paths.

I also take into account that it's not so easy to implement this when the story is like "the search for the treasure".

Perhaps the author intended to show a different side of the characters' development, but for me, it just didn't quite hit the mark.

However, it's important to note that everyone has their own preferences when it comes to literature, and what might not work for me could be a great read for someone else.

Overall, while this book had its flaws, it still had some redeeming qualities that made it an interesting read.

I listened to this (unabridged) a while back.

My wife, on the other hand, enjoyed them far more than I did. I must say this to be fair. My ratings are based solely on my own views and feelings. To be honest, I really wasn't that impressed with these books, not as much as I might have expected to be.

If my children were still young, I probably would not direct them towards these books. It's really up to you to decide.

I found the first book to be fairly interesting, interesting enough that I decided to move on to the next one. However, throughout the entire series, I wasn't entirely satisfied with the way the story progressed. I always had the sense that it could have been better, that there was untapped potential within the narrative.

Perhaps others will have a different experience and find these books to be captivating and engaging. But for me, they just didn't quite hit the mark.

I have read this book countless times. I am rereading it now because I will be teaching it next week.

I am truly enamored with the Arthurian backdrop of this, the first installment in the Dark is Rising sequence. It is strikingly different from the subsequent four novels, in part because it was inspired by the works of E Nesbit, and one can clearly observe the connections. Inevitably, it is somewhat dated as it was written in 1965, yet it also deliberately conjures up an image of the childish innocence of an earlier era.

I penned an article about it for ‘Slightly Foxed’ - https://foxedquarterly.com/susan-coop...

You can peruse the full article on my blog -

https://www.sophiebreese.com/single-p...

The book holds a special charm that keeps drawing me back, and I look forward to sharing its wonders with my students next week. I believe they will also be captivated by its unique blend of mythology, magic, and the evocation of a bygone era of innocence.

I am currently on a serious childhood nostalgia bender over here. Let that be a warning to you.

This series came back to me like a bolt from the blue on a perfectly normal day last week, and I suddenly had to read it right now. I thought it would be no problem as I originally read these books on cassette. The good old National Library Service for the Blind cassettes in their snap plastic cases. And the NLS has been digitizing the collection, and I was sure I saw these books go up.

Indeed, the NLS had digitized four out of the five, and I was confident I could find Greenwitch. So I snagged the first one and put it on my handheld to listen to while grooming the dog.

And then I turned on the book. To my dismay, it was not my narrator. I remember her very clearly. She was British, a contralto with a gentle delivery but full of life for the children, especially Barney, and even more gravitas for Gumerry. She read this book to me countless times between the ages of eight and thirteen, and she was perfect.

Sometime in the last few decades, the NLS re-recorded the books and reissued the titles. I'm sure the old cassettes were wearing out. But the new narrator was not okay. He was American and doing his best, but he was not right.

This consumed my attention throughout the entire book, so I don't have much to say aside from outraged nostalgia. The story seemed younger and lighter than I remembered. It's a quest story with simple us/them dynamics and cute kids, reminding me of Arthur Ransom. I was also interested in the lack of magic considering the powers at work. It made me think about how the rest of the series keeps the Drews, the mortals, separate. But the narrator was wrong.

I had heard from a friend that the second book in this series, The Seeker, was a rather good read.

Consequently, I made the decision to commence from the very beginning.

The book indeed presents some interesting concepts.

However, a significant portion of it is so lacking in excitement and flavor that I encountered great difficulty in reaching page 120, where I ultimately ceased reading.

I had anticipated it to be similar to the Chronicles of Narnia.

Yet, it seemed to expend an excessive amount of time merely attempting to initiate the story, which rapidly rendered it tiresome.

I found myself halting on multiple occasions, pondering whether it would soon improve.

Ultimately, I managed to reach page 120, but I was simply too bored.

I would highly recommend the Chronicles of Narnia, Lois Lowry's books, or Michael Ende's Never Ending Story to anyone long before suggesting this particular book.

It appears that this book fails to live up to the expectations set by its contemporaries in the realm of engaging and captivating literature.

I first read this series when I was approximately ten or eleven years old. Now, some thirty-odd years later, returning to them has been an unadulterated delight.

These books were the ones that initially captivated me with the Arthurian myth and ignited my passion for British folklore.

If you are a devotee of fantasy and/or outstanding children's books, you truly MUST give this series a try!

Oh, and in case you had the misfortune of witnessing the atrocious movie adaptation from a few years ago, PLEASE do not let that abomination deter you from reading the original novels!

The books offer a rich and immersive world that is sure to enchant readers of all ages. They are filled with magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters.

So, don't miss out on this wonderful series. Pick up the first book and let yourself be transported to a world of knights, castles, and heroic deeds.

You won't be disappointed!

I don't know how many times I've read this book.

It's truly a worthy contender for the discussion in the Feedback forums regarding the organization of multiple reading dates.

I must've read it at least twenty times, I imagine.

And one day, I'll probably exhaust all the editions on GoodReads to shelve. But never mind.

Of course, I really have nothing novel to say about this book.

For me, it's top-notch comfort reading.

I think I once said that since this is the most juvenile book in the sequence, it could be skipped.

But to be honest, I'm not so sure anymore.

It introduces four out of the six main characters we encounter at the end and offers a distinct perspective on things that we don't get again.

It's an innocent kind of view that Will and Bran never possess.

The struggle between Light and Dark as seen from the outside, from an ordinary person's standpoint...

whereas in the next book, Will becomes a part of it; he couldn't escape it even if he desired to.

Moreover, there are really excellent parts, and it's well-written.

Barney is so endearing that all in all, I truly can't recommend skipping it.

I initially gave this a five-star rating. However, the ending of the series was catastrophically bad, and as a result, I no longer truly recommend it.

Simon, Jane, and Barney Drew accompany their parents to Wales for a summer vacation. While staying with the mysterious Uncle Merry, the children discover some artifacts in his attic that seem to point to the Holy Grail itself. At first, the siblings think this sounds like a great adventure, but it quickly becomes evident that dark forces (Cooper literally refers to them as The Dark) are also aware of the Grail's existence and desire it for themselves. Merry, an ancient and powerful being hiding among humans, intervenes to protect them.

The book was written in 1965 in England and is very much a snapshot of its place and time. The kids use adorable British expressions, and the distinction between good and evil (which Cooper muddles in the sequels) remains unspoiled here, albeit not particularly well-defined. Cooper's confused beliefs are just a hint in this early work, like dark minnows darting in and out of clear shallow waters.

Cooper's prose is elegant and evocative, her pacing smooth, and she is adept at creating a mood. The tension in this book is sufficient to satisfy a teen reader, yet the menace is vague enough that a much younger child can read it without being exposed to graphic violence and grotesqueness.

I really enjoyed Over Sea, Under Stone when I read it, and even after the drawn-out disaster that is the rest of The Dark is Rising, I still have a fondness for it. This fast-paced little book reads like a prologue to something magnificent and epic, a journey to Faerie as rich and profound as The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings.

Regrettably, the sequels are rather contaminated with Cooper's incoherent beliefs about good and evil, complete with snide little jabs at Christianity and strange little glimmers of the occult. Perhaps due to the confusion underlying it, the plot completely falls apart, and the charming Drew kids are ultimately forced to wait on Will Stanton and Bran Pendragon, two of the most disturbing young characters I have ever come across in fiction.

In conclusion, although I like this little book on its own, I cannot recommend it. The series it initiates, despite its superficial grandeur, has a terrible plot and is philosophically chaotic.

What can I say?

It's winter; we're snowed in; temperatures will be plummeting.

Time to reread, even if it means returning to a children's series that I only discovered as an adult.

This is the first of the Dark is Rising series.

Although I've read the second book, The Dark is Rising, more than once, I thought this time I'd indulge myself and start at the beginning and read them through.

They are quest stories, rich in Arthurian lore, with bits of magic, history, and artifacts thrown in.

And while they may have been written for children, their appeal is universal.

Great stories live on and satisfy us no matter our age.

This introduces us to the Drew children - Simon, Jane, and Barney - who return later, and to their uncle Meriman Lyon, whose name ultimately suggests a more familiar Arthurian figure.

The children find a manuscript and a map but must battle the forces of evil to save the object of their quest.

It's a lovely series for those of us who enjoy Arthurian legends, quests, and intriguing puzzles.

In fact, knowing how books sometimes disappear, I ordered the set for my 4-month-old grandchild - and look forward to sharing it with him! Eventually.

These books offer a wonderful escape from the cold winter days, transporting us to a world of magic and adventure.

The characters are engaging, and the storylines are full of excitement and mystery.

Whether you're a child or an adult, the Dark is Rising series is sure to captivate your imagination and keep you entertained for hours on end.

So, snuggle up with a warm blanket, a cup of hot cocoa, and these amazing books, and let the magic begin!

A Nancy Drew-esque adventure unfolds as some kids with the last name Drew embark on a quest to find the Holy Grail.

"Another book on the Arthur legend?" I groaned, followed by a hearty dismissive snore. I must admit, I didn't read the description closely enough on Goodreads or on the back of the book. I knew it was a Young Adult (YA) novel, but I was hoping for magic. Even a sampling of it. Sadly, this was not the fantasy novel I was seeking.

These days, reading about three English kids frolicking around the Cornwall seaside in search of King Arthur's grail simply doesn't appeal to me. Don't misunderstand me; it's a really good book! I believe that if I were growing up in the 1960s when this was published, I would have been ecstatic to get my hands on "Over Sea, Under Stone". However, now there is a vast array of much more exciting fantasy to explore.

I truly relished this story.

I am well aware that it is targeted at a young reading group, yet it was thrilling and entertaining.

There was an ample amount of mystery and danger that kept me eager to listen.

The elements of mystery and danger intertwined seamlessly, creating a captivating narrative that held my attention firmly.

I am now eagerly anticipating the next book in the series.

I can't wait to discover what lies ahead for the Drew children and their Great Uncle Merry.

Their adventures have been so engaging thus far, and I have no doubt that the next installment will be just as exciting.

I am excited to see how their relationships develop and what new challenges they will face.

Overall, this story has left me with a sense of anticipation and excitement for what's to come.

My Rating: 3.5 of 5 stars

--Book read as part of the Dust off your Classics challenge!! Click HERE for my full post about it.

Abridged Review
So, I finally managed to finish this book! I'm truly proud of myself. It's not because the book was awful; in fact, it was definitely a solidly good one.

Rather, it's because all the reading time I've had lately has been completely dedicated to grad school readings. These readings are extremely long, thick, critical, and just blah. By the time I'm done with them, I'm so exhausted that the mere thought of reading, even an easy and breezy book like this one, makes me feel blah.

Anyway, the first three-quarters of this book were truly wonderful. It just flew by, and I really enjoyed reading about the three kids as they spent their holiday in Cornwall with their Great Uncle Merry (who was an excellent character, by the way...aka GunMerry lol).

As the adventure unfolded (and it did so fairly quickly, considering this book is under 200 pages), I got more and more into it. It really reminded me a lot of Narnia, specifically: The Lion, The Witch, and The Wardrobe. Since that's one of my favorite books, it's not a criticism but rather a compliment.