Solid, probably my favourite in the series so far.

It has a certain charm that just draws me in. The story is engaging and keeps me on the edge of my seat from start to finish. The characters are well-developed and I find myself really caring about what happens to them.

The setting is also very well-described, making it easy for me to picture the scenes in my mind. The author has done a great job of creating a vivid and immersive world.

Another thing I like about this installment is the pacing. It's not too slow or too fast, but just right. It allows the story to unfold naturally and keeps the reader interested throughout.

Overall, I would highly recommend this book to anyone who enjoys this genre. It's a solid addition to the series and I can't wait to see what comes next.

The exciting fourth installment in the series is here!

It continues to captivate readers with its engaging storyline and well-developed characters.

The author has done an excellent job of building on the previous books and taking the story to new heights.

The Grey King by Susan Cooper is a must-read for fans of the Dark Is Rising series.

The link provided, http://perfectretort.blogspot.com/202..., offers more in-depth insights and reviews about this thrilling book.

Whether you're a long-time follower of the series or new to it, this installment is sure to keep you on the edge of your seat and leave you eagerly anticipating the next one.

Don't miss out on the adventure and excitement that awaits within the pages of The Grey King.

Pick up a copy today and embark on a journey like no other.

Oh my god!

Susan, I didn't remember this book going THIS HARD.

I mean, seriously, when I first picked it up, I had no idea what I was getting myself into.

The story just seems to unfold in the most unexpected ways, and I find myself completely hooked.

Every page turn is like a new adventure, and I can't wait to see what happens next.

I think I might have to stay up all night to finish it because I simply can't put it down.

It's one of those books that just grabs you by the heart and doesn't let go.

Susan, you have to read this book! I'm sure you'll love it just as much as I do.

Trust me on this one.

Hands down, my favorite of the Dark Is Rising books is this one.

Will Stanton, who had been seriously ill, is sent to live with relatives living on the coast of Wales to recuperate.

While there, he is thrust into an adventure to retrieve a golden harp and figure out how to wake the Sleepers while confronting the Grey King.

He receives aid from Bran, a mysterious local boy whose roots are unknown (until the end).

As the story progresses, Will also starts to realize the enormity of his responsibilities as an Old One.

He faces moral dilemmas that force him to make difficult choices.

The setting of the Welsh coast adds a touch of mystery and beauty to the story.

The characters are well-developed and engaging, making it easy for the reader to become invested in their journey.

Overall, this book is a thrilling adventure that combines elements of fantasy, mystery, and morality.

It is a must-read for fans of the genre and anyone looking for a captivating story.

The past three books in this remarkable series have now converged, presenting an emboldening and exciting climatic prelude to the highly anticipated final showdown that awaits in the last book.

The manner in which all the intricate pieces and captivating plots seamlessly fall into place with the legend within this book is truly astonishing. It made my heart race at an accelerated pace and the very air around me seemed to tingle with anticipation.

This book is so thoroughly deserving of its Newbury recognition. Moreover, it has even inspired me to embark on the journey of learning Welsh, such is its profound impact.

I find myself on the edge of my seat, unable to contain my excitement and eagerly waiting for the arrival of book five. It is sure to be a literary masterpiece that will leave readers breathless and craving for more.

The Dark is rising, like a menacing storm cloud gathering on the horizon. It spreads its shadowy tendrils, threatening to consume all that is good and bright in the world. But the Light must continue to fight against it, for it is the only hope for salvation.

The warriors of the Light stand tall and unwavering, their hearts filled with courage and determination. They know that the battle will be fierce and the odds may be stacked against them, but they do not退缩. They raise their weapons, ready to face the darkness head-on.

In this struggle between Light and Dark, every moment counts. The Light must shine brightly,驱散 the darkness and bring hope to those who have lost their way. It is a battle that will test their strength, their信念, and their willpower. But they are prepared, for they know that the fate of the world depends on their victory.

So, let the Light continue to fight against the rising Dark. Let it shine with unwavering brilliance,照亮 the path to a better future. For in the end, it is only through the power of the Light that we can overcome the darkness and find peace and harmony once again.

In this installment of The Dark is Rising series, young Will encounters his most challenging test to date. Without the constant presence of Merriman Lyon, he is compelled to combat an ancient and formless evil.

There are no other Old Ones to assist him, highlighting the extreme peril he faces. As the story progresses, Will increasingly loses his childlike qualities and appears less human. An unnatural maturity radiates from his eyes, and even ordinary people begin to notice.

A certain coldness is also developing in his nature, the kind that is willing to sacrifice individuals for the greater good. What truly concerns me, however, is his command of magic. He suddenly acquires all this knowledge by simply sitting down and reading a book, and now he seems able to use it almost at will.

Time and again, he resorts to using words in the Old Speech to fight his foes. Although he is not completely invincible as his enemies have their own powers, his abilities seem to manifest with little or no explanation.

Nevertheless, he is not omnipotent. To balance his remarkable gifts, the author makes him fall ill, which weakens his body and temporarily scatters his memory. He has not fully recovered from this illness, and it hampers him at inopportune moments throughout the book.

This illness seems like a contrived device, a blatant attempt by the author to remind us that Will is only human. As a human contrast to Will, there is Bran, the albino “raven boy” who also has a destiny to fulfill.

While he is initially difficult to understand, you sense that his aloofness is more of a mocking and deliberate act, a shield to hide his loneliness, rather than an indication of otherworldliness. His personal drama is more engaging than Will’s quest precisely because it is personal and not some lofty goal.

Even as he helps Will, his own desires and painful longings bring a much-needed touch of human warmth that the book lacks in other areas. The Grey King is building towards a powerful climax, but it must strive to maintain its humanity if it hopes to keep readers interested in the outcome.

This is a well-crafted Newbery Award book that truly captivates its readers.

I had the pleasure of listening to the audiobook version, and I must say that the narrator was magnificent!

The narrator's voice brought the story to life, adding an extra layer of depth and emotion to the already engaging plot.

Each character was distinctively portrayed, making it easy to follow along and become fully immersed in the story.

The pacing of the narration was perfect, keeping me on the edge of my seat throughout.

The Newbery Award is a testament to the quality of this book, and the audiobook version only enhances the experience.

I highly recommend this book to anyone who loves a good story, whether you prefer to read it or listen to it.

It is a must-read for both children and adults alike.

Lekker mysterieus en spannend, deze plek lijkt uit een verhaal te zijn komen.

Het is een plek waar de geheimen verborgen liggen in de schaduwen. Elk hoekje lijkt een nieuwe avontuur te bieden.

De lucht is vervuld met een onverklaarbare sfeer die je binnenkort in haar greep krijgt.

Als je verder gaat, ontdekt je meer en meer van de verborgen schatten en intrigerende details.

Het is alsof er een onzichtbare kracht is die je voorttrekt, waardoor je niet kunt weggelopen van deze heerlijke mysterieuze en spannende plek.

Je blijft blijven verbazen door alles wat je hier vindt, en je weet zeker dat je deze plek nooit zal vergeten.

Het is een plek die je in haar greep houdt en steeds opnieuw terug laat komen.

The first book of the series remains my favorite for now (and there's still the fifth one ahead, so who knows), but this installment I liked as well, despite the fact that all my favorite heroes are absent here (Simon, Jane, and Barney - I hope they'll be in the last book!).

In this book, Will is even less annoying than in the previous one, and that's a big plus. Now he's alone against the darkness. Merryman, by the way, is also not here, which can't but delight. Finally, there's some action, although it's not comparable to the chase in the first part. Will's mission is starting to take on more distinct outlines. The darkness is truly rising, and the fifth book is a whole 9 hours - there's room to develop.

Surprisingly, no one has started filming a series based on these books yet. What are they waiting for? (Although, I would watch a series based on The Weirdstone of Brisingamen - a book that is inferior in terms of structure but with the suspense that Alan Garner created in his dialogue, something that Susan Cooper didn't even dream of).

What a GLORIOUS series that was!

It truly was a remarkable and outstanding series. I can't help but wonder where it has been all my life, or at least the part of my life that's been around since it was written. It seems almost不可思议 that I had not discovered it earlier.

This series had EVERYTHING I love. It had captivating storylines that kept me on the edge of my seat, characters that I could easily fall in love with and empathize with, and a world-building that was so vivid and detailed that it felt like I was actually a part of it. It was like a dream come true for me as a reader. I can't wait to explore more of this wonderful series and see what other adventures and surprises it has in store for me.

I've been a little lukewarm on this series. However, I absolutely loved this novel.

I'm not entirely sure if it was because it primarily followed one character instead of an ensemble. But whatever the reason, I was completely captivated.

I adored the story. Will's friendship with Bran was truly touching. The Welsh setting added a unique charm and atmosphere to the narrative. The powerful personal relationships and histories were expertly crafted and added depth to the characters.

And on top of all that, I also thoroughly enjoyed the plot. It was engaging, full of twists and turns that kept me on the edge of my seat.

This novel is a huge win. I can't wait to see how the series sums up in the final book. I'm eagerly anticipating what's to come and I have high hopes that it will live up to the expectations set by this wonderful installment.