What a strange book this is, and yet what a wonderfully accomplished one as well. I must have read this book during my childhood, too, but I have almost no memory of it - except for the chilling and heartbreaking power of the scene at the very end of the book.

I read in another review that this book follows "Greenwitch" like the next sentence in an argument, and that is indeed true. Will's illness, the growing quest, the manipulation of men to the dark's ends, and the ongoing argument about the utter coldness of the light. And, of course, Will's evolving awareness of his own place in the story, and the way a background tale of love lost gradually grows and grows and grows until once again, something created by and of humans becomes the most essential thing.

Susan Cooper is walking a very thin line in these books with incredible dexterity. She balances the necessary remoteness and the utter inhumanity of magic - even "good" magic - with the raw and deeply felt presence of her human characters' emotions, their anger, strength, and grief. Will toes the line, but he is always an old soul, and there is grief and sadness within him as well. It is just masterfully done.

"The Grey King" is a captivating novel written by Susan Cooper and first published in 1975. This particular edition is by Margaret K McElderry Books, Simon & Schuster. The story unfolds with a mysterious and enchanting premise. It is revealed that the protagonist, Will, is not an ordinary human but one of the Old Ones of the Light, placed on earth to hold back the terrible power of the Dark. He is the last of that circle to be born on earth, and there is someone who has been waiting for him. Will's struggles against the Dark continue in Wales, where he encounters both friends and foes. The battles in this story are mostly psychic, involving powerful spells. Although it may all sound simple on the surface, I found many passages in the book to be truly enthralling. Cooper's descriptions of nature are so vivid and beautiful that I continue to be swept away by them. There is only one more book in this series, and I can't wait to see how the story concludes.

I firmly believe that Will is an excellent and highly convincing blend of an inexperienced boy and ancient wisdom.

He embodies the naivety and inexperience that comes with youth, yet at the same time, he seems to possess a profound and almost ancient understanding of certain matters.

However, I must admit that I do not have a great liking for dialogue where people do not use contractions. It gives the impression that the speakers are robotic and lacking in naturalness.

On a more positive note, there is a particular quote that I liked a great deal. It goes as follows: "You are like fanatics. Your masters, at any rate. Like the old crusaders - oh, like certain groups in every belief, though this is not a matter of religion, of course. At the center of the Light there is a cold white flame, just as at the center of the Dark there is a great black pit as bottomless as the universe." This quote seems to capture a profound truth about the nature of opposing forces and the hidden depths within them.

This is dark, bleak.

It seems to be completely different from the previous books, lacking the nobility and grandeur that we were accustomed to.

However, in this darkness, it also shines a light on normal men.

It peels back the layers and reveals the hidden shadows within them.

We get to see their flaws, their insecurities, and their hidden desires.

It is a raw and unfiltered look at human nature.

While it may be uncomfortable at times, it is also a necessary reminder that we are all flawed beings.

Perhaps through this exploration of the shadows, we can gain a better understanding of ourselves and others.

And maybe, just maybe, we can find a way to bring a little more light into the darkness.