Two good things about this book stand out. Firstly, when I was a young and impressionable ten-year-old, it ignited my interest in Welsh folklore. This was a truly remarkable experience as it opened up a whole new world of myths and legends for me. Secondly, it created in me a soft spot for snarky, awkward albino teenage characters. This particular affection is perhaps the root cause of my obsession with Dave Strider from Homestuck.

However, aside from these two aspects, this book, and indeed most of the others in the series, is rather horrible. There is a distinct lack of character development, with the characters remaining static throughout the story. Additionally, the plotting lacks logic, with events unfolding simply to resolve narrative obstacles in the quickest and most convenient way possible. The characters often suddenly speak in resonant tones and behave like adults, which feels forced and unnatural. The ever-present threat of The Dark looms, only to be conveniently dispatched on the next page, usually by some Deus ex machina that involves nonsensical rules made up on the spot. Overall, it's a rather disappointing read.

It is truly fascinating to me that the very first book to bring a halt to my headlong and joyous consumption of this series was the one set in Wales, the fourth installment of the series, immersed in the thin grey rain of Snowdonia. It's not solely the Wales aspect that arrested me (although, to some extent, it is, given the density of those mythological references that, when they held no meaning for me, they truly meant nothing). Instead, it was the way this book seemed to hold no significance for me until those final few pages when, all of a sudden, it meant everything. And I find this so utterly captivating, the way my perception of a book can pivot so completely on a denouement, on the drawing together of threads to create a tightly woven masterpiece.

So, Cooper is indeed excellent, isn't she? If you've perused my previous reviews of this series, you'll be well aware of that. You'll be familiar with her soaring, graceful, and double-edged prose. In a sense, reading these books is teaching me a great deal more about writing and my stance towards it. At the moment, it's not just a fantasy series for me; it's a series that delves into that grey area between the worlds of reality and imagination, exploring those places where we stumble through and touch the stories that have shaped us and led us to where we are. And that is truly amazing, wondrous, and something quite extraordinary, something that will also compel me to keep reading even through pages where not much seems to occur because I know that, at some point, everything, absolutely everything, will happen.

This is the most mythic of all the books in the series, and thus it's the one that appeals to me the most. Once again, there is an astonishing sense of place, this time that of a golden autumn. And once again, Will blunders into situations, succeeds by chance, and causes collateral damage.

This is the most Arthurian book in the series: Bran is his son, and Arthur actually appears as a lord of High Magic, in one of the most improbable riddle games ever played. But there's a great dog, with "eyes which see the wind", which also showed up in The Last Enchantment.

I don't believe a book can be considered successful when the collateral damage makes me care more than the plot itself. The plot is simply too random, a series of convenient twists and turns of phrase. The farmers fighting fire and mysteriously dead sheep are engaging, but what are they compared to the power of the Grey King and the urgent need to raise the Sleepers? The unbalanced quest works against itself and leaves me wondering what, in the end, is of utmost importance here... and the answer is the human beings. And the dogs.

I recall this being more - more mythic, more extensive, more captivating. Less remote. Less cold. Less like cogs in a machine, advancing towards an inevitable confrontation. I confess I'm disappointed.

This is the fourth installment in the Dark Is Rising series, and it is by no means a standalone book.

It chronicles the adventures of the boy Will Stanton, who is the last of the “Old Ones.” Will embarks on a thrilling quest to locate the Golden Harp in the battle against Darkness and in support of Light.

This book delves deep into the realm of High Magic and draws inspiration from the King Arthur legends, with a leaning towards pagan ideology.

The cover art, along with the few black and white illustrations by Michael Heslop, creates a grim and moody atmosphere that further enhances the overall tone of the story.

Readers who enjoy epic fantasies with a touch of mystery and a battle between good and evil will surely find this book captivating.

It takes them on a journey filled with magic, adventure, and unforgettable characters.

The Dark Is Rising series continues to enthrall readers with its unique blend of mythology, magic, and engaging storytelling.

This fourth book is no exception and is sure to keep fans on the edge of their seats from beginning to end.

I read this book during my middle school years and vividly remembered that I took great pleasure in it.

However, at that time, I didn't realize that it was actually a part of a series.

Now, as I revisit it, I find that it is somewhat different from what I recalled, yet it remains extremely good.

Susan Cooper's writing is remarkable for its rich and detailed descriptions, which bring the story to life.

The narrative follows a boy who courageously stands up against the forces of darkness and ultimately emerges victorious.

It is a captivating tale that not only entertains but also inspires.

The characters are well-developed, and the plot is engaging, keeping the reader hooked from start to finish.

Overall, this book is a wonderful addition to any literature lover's collection.

Ohh, I truly love this series to an extreme extent. It's beginning to give me the impression that I have perused it previously. This is because it evokes the same feelings as Chronicles of Prydain or Chronicles of Narnia, and all those kinds of books that I adored and that have molded my perception of stories.

I listened to this particular installment, but then I managed to find the amazing older cover second hand, and now I am completely obsessed with it.

Here are the things that I like about this book, presented in no specific order:

The exploration of the contrast between religion and folk tradition is truly fascinating.

The love for dogs, although it doesn't always have a happy outcome, adds a touching element.

The friendship between Bran and Will is heartwarming and engaging.

Angsty Bran, with his sunglasses and harp playing, could easily be a character straight out of Maggie Stiefvater's works.

The conflict between Prichard and the grey king, representing mundane badness versus the forces of darkness, is thrilling.

The Welsh setting provides a unique and enchanting backdrop.

The beautiful writing style makes the whole reading experience a delight.

Just... the MAGIC of it all. Bran's origins?? They remain a mystery that keeps pulling me in.

Straddling Hallowe'en, which is surprisingly not made much of, in an unnaturally hot autumn, this was the book I remembered least from The Dark is Rising, yet it was the prizewinner.

At first glance, both of these facts might seem to be explainable by dullness. However, that is not the case. In fact, this book is perhaps the best one yet.

Surprisingly, it is small scale in terms of what mortal eyes can see happening. But, like Machen's 'White People', which is set in the same Welsh hills, it is rich in the strange significance thereof.

Even on a mundane level, it tells a quietly heartbreaking story of a lonely boy and his dog. It also features an entitled prick of a neighbour, in whose very human nastiness the Dark finds all the purchase it needs.

This combination of elements makes the book a truly captivating and thought-provoking read.

About three-fourths of the way through this book, I more or less made up my mind that I'm done with all of them once I finish the sequence. I don't feel the need to keep them for my kids. Instead, I'll utilize the shelf space for something else.

It's constantly bouncing back and forth between Light and Dark, with strange things happening and very little explanation. There are also a lot of dismissive and/or disparaging remarks about the church and allusions to the idea that everything occurring is on a higher plane than even God, which really annoys me. Come on, really? Just be a fantasy book and let me like you!

There's even a riddle scene, and I usually love riddle scenes! But this one is the most boring and unexciting riddle scene I've ever read. There's no "aha!" moment for the reader, unless perhaps they've been studying Welsh mythology their entire life. And even then, I would imagine they'd still be like "really? That's it?"

About the only thing I truly liked and thought was worthwhile was the explanation of how to pronounce Welsh spelling, because that's actually pretty cool.

But then there was a big twist at the end that I didn't see coming (maybe because I wasn't paying close enough attention?). Maybe it redeemed the book a little? I'm not sure. We'll have to wait and see how the next one turns out.

(But also, like, everything is on a higher plane than God, but King Arthur is higher than even the light and dark? Seriously? Is that where we're going with this? Okay...)

I firmly believe that this particular installment of The Dark is Rising Sequence is my absolute favorite.

The Welsh setting truly adds a unique charm and allure to the entire narrative. It creates a vivid and immersive world that draws the reader in from the very beginning.

Despite being a relatively short book, the story is anything but lacking in depth and excitement. The characters are well-developed, and the plot unfolds in a way that keeps you on the edge of your seat.

It's amazing how the author manages to pack so much into such a concise volume. I can't wait to see what the final book in the sequence has in store for me. Only one more to go, and I'm already eagerly anticipating it!

I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good adventure with a touch of magic and mystery.

Ceturtā vairāk jau pusaudžiem domātās un patīkami vecmodīgās fantāzijas sērijas grāmata par labā un ļaunā pretstāvi ir īpaši patika.

Tā ļoti labi der lasīšanai saulgriežu laikā, kad cilvēki vēlas izņemties no pašreizējās dzīves un izgriezties uz fantāzijas pasauli.

Grāmata sirds pārņem un nodrošina daudz emociju un uzraudzību.

Vecmodīgās stilā rakstīta, tā dod iespēju lasītājam izmantot savu iedomu un iepriekšēju zināšanu, lai izveidotu savu pašu pasaulē.

Grāmata par labā un ļaunā pretstāvi ir viegli saprotama un patīk arī jauniešiem un vecajiem.

Tā ir lieliska iespēja iepriekšējo lasītāju pieredzi papildināt un pārbaudīt savu domāšanu un izvēles spēju.

I've been reading these books repeatedly since 5th grade. The story and characters develop beautifully throughout the 5 books, with additional elements being added intermittently as the narrative progresses.

Will Stanton, the last of the Old Ones yet still a boy, falls seriously ill and is dispatched to his cousins in Wales to recuperate. There, he encounters a peculiar boy named Bran with a mysterious past, as well as the Brenin Llwyd, a powerful Lord of the Dark. Will has to recover what has been lost on multiple occasions. He needs to regain his own hazy memories, which were lost due to the sickness; a missing Thing of Power; and the solution to an old prophecy. All this while dealing with the insanity of a local man, tragic pasts resurfacing, and strange evil creatures.

Susan Cooper continues to blend Arthurian and more general Celtic myth, adding her own unique twists to create a magical world. I've lost count of how many times I've read this series, and rereads are not common for me. They are marketed as YA, but they work extremely well for adults with an open mind to wonder. On one hand, it's unfortunate that there are only five books, but on the other hand, I'm at a loss as to what more could be accomplished.

Highly recommended.

All my opinions regarding this book might not hold much value as I haven't read any of the other books in this series. I am among those individuals striving to read all the Newbery medal winners, and The Grey King was on my list.

Fantasy novels don't always guarantee my enjoyment, nor are they doomed to failure. However, this particular book simply didn't resonate with me, mainly due to the following two reasons:

1. They kill a dog. I truly loathe it when dogs meet their demise in books, especially when there seems to be no real purpose. The characters didn't seem to learn or grow from this experience. One of them was sad for a while, but then he was completely fine. And the person who killed the dog was a jerk before and remained so after. So, there was no growth or insight there. One character can boast that "he totally called it," but that's about it. This is simply unacceptable.

2. It might have been explained in the previous books leading up to this one, but I don't understand the powers that Will has. He is described as being insanely powerful and immortal, and able to control the wind. But yet, he is powerless against foggy clouds? None of this really ends up being of much help to him. All he really does is walk all over the Welsh countryside, which actually sounds quite pleasant.

Unless you have a dog. In that case, the odds are that your dog is going to be shot for no reason at all.