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Summary: Woo-I'll check it out...
Review: just based on that strong anti-christian review. Sounds like another of those all-too-hard-to-find, WELL-written PAGAN series that OUR family needs, Cool.
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Summary: Excellent writing and a moving story, but...
Review: Maybe I'm just getting old (depressing as it is), but I am not sure I get this series. I love the Narnia Chronicles, books by Astrid Lindgren, and good series such as the Harry Potter books. The combination made Amazon recommend me this series, and surely, the reviews were favorable enough, so I got these books. Unfortunately, I'm disappointed. Even though the writing is pretty good and the story is not trite, the idea of wizards based on the Merlin myth and the legend of King Arthur is kind of weak. There's danger in the books and puzzles to be solved, but they're neither exciting nor interesting, and at some points, even seem to be cliches. I may be overly harsh in this review, but I strongly suspect that The Dark Is Rising Sequence is just simply a young adult novel that doesn't grow with the person and is not at all appropriate for those beyond adolescence. This series might be good for a range between 3rd and 7th grade for kids who like fantasy books. I recommend it to them, but you jaded adults, steer away from this novel.
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Summary: My Favorite Fantasy Series!
Review: I received these books as a birthday present when I was 9, and have reread them several times since. Susan Cooper's mingling of time travel, mythology, and history makes this series unforgettable. I think these books are probably responsible for my lifelong interest in Celtic mythology, Dark Age Britain, and the Arthurian legends. The Dark Is Rising belongs with Mary Stewart's Merlin Trilogy, Marian Zimmer Bradley's The Mists of Avalon, and Rosemary Sutcliff's The Sword at Sunset as a classic!
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Summary: un-christian yes, but trust your kids to know the difference
Review: When I first read these books I was a kid. I knew that they were were pagan, but I knew that it was just fiction. Not the truth, but they were fun escapism. If as a parent if you think that your kids can't be trusted with a little secularism, (I hate I used "ism" twice), then you might have bigger problems then what they are reading.
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Summary: Anti-Christian series of books
Review: I don't believe in censorship, but I believe parents should be aware of what their children in this age range (9-12 years old)are reading and should be informed about the content so that they can discuss the book with their child. These books are presented as being about the battle between good and evil and it would be easy for a Christian parent to believe that their child is reading something along the lines of the Narnia books and it just isn't so. THESE BOOKS ARE PAGAN. Cooper writes beautifully and intelligently and the story is very gripping, but she is deliberately presenting a pagan world view. She goes back to Celtic myth (that is nowadays being recycled as Wicca and other forms of neo-paganism) and presents a view of the world that is outside of the Judaeo-Christian tradition and the fact that she does this so compellingly, makes it urgent to discuss this with your child if you do not agree with the religious beliefs that are in these books.
This is made very clear in scenes like the one in the church in THE DARK IS RISING, when the dark powers have been defeated by the powers of the 'Old Ones', and the rector attributes this to the cross, which is a sign that the character Will Stanton is carrying. Another Old One makes it clear that this particular cross was made 'before Christ. When the rector says that it was not made "before God," the child reading this book is told that there is not before and after, just infinity. And that 'all the Gods' (plural) exist in infinity. Also very non-Christian is the behavior of the character Merriman (who represents Merlin) towards the character Hawkin. "This is a cold battle we are in, " he says, "and in it we must sometimes do cold things." Therefore, without telling Hawkin he is doing this, he is ready to sacrifice Hawkin's life to protect a book that Will needs to read. When Hawkin realizes that Merriman whom he loves is prepared to let him die he betrays the 'light' that is willing to see him sacrificed like this, without even telling him first, after he has put his trust in it. Not only is the philosophy "we must do cold things" entirely anti-Christian, but this Hawkin section is an obvious hit at Christ and his sacrifice. One should also be aware that Susan Cooper, the author, has stated in interviews that she intended this series to be Arthurian, but did not use Arthur because the idea of his death and return to save England is too reminiscent of Christianity, and she believes that in this modern age, we need to get away from thinking we need a Savior and to realize that 'the only thing that can save us is ourselves.'
If you believe that we have all sinned and that we DO need a Savior and would not like to be part of a religion which believes that people can be coldly sacrificed without their permission for some greater good (if you don't believe that Celtic religion was based on this idea, you need to do some serious reading about bog sacrifices and sacrifices burning people alive in wicker cages and other things in the history of this religion that the modern practitioners generally do not discuss), maybe this is not the series of books that you or your child want to read. It is really a shame, because as I stated before, Cooper writes beautifully, I wish she had a better message.
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Summary: Awesome Reading
Review: I read these books a couple years ago and just ordered the set for my daughter because "The Dark is Rising" is on her summer reading list for 9th grade. I look forward to re-reading these books. These books will draw you in and you can't resist the next book. I highly recommend these for 6th grade and up.
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Summary: A classic
Review: Susan Cooper's "Dark is Rising" sequence has joined the Prydain Chronicles as a modern classic that adults and kids alike can enjoy. With her use of myth and folklore, rich language, and a time-spanning battle between good and evil, this is an outstanding example of the fantasy genre. "Over Sea Under Stone" features the three Drew children coming to stay with Merriman Lyon. In his attic, they find an ancient treasure map that leads to a hidden grail -- if they can only figure out what the map's writing and symbols mean. But they are not the only ones who are looking for the grail -- three sinister people are in pursuit. "The Dark is Rising" shifts its focus elsewhere. On his eleventh birthday, young Will Stanton encounters the mysterious Merriman, and is told that he is the last of the immortal "Old Ones" who are fighting the forces of evil (known as the Dark). As the power of the Dark grows, Will must gather the six Signs that can help stop them -- and protect his friends and family from the Dark. "Greenwitch" brings the four young heroes together. Will and the three Drew kids are brought to Cornwall, where the grail has been stolen. Jane is haunted by nightmares about the Greenwitch, a symbolic weaving of branches and leaves cast into the sea, and a sinister artist captures Barney. But the Greenwitch is not just a tangle of sticks -- it's alive with wild magic that neither Old Ones nor the Dark can control. "Grey King" is the threat of the Dark. Will is recovering from a bad sickness in Wales, where he meets a "raven boy" (an albino Welsh boy, Bran ) and a dog with "eyes that see the wind." Will must lead Bran into a closer connection with the Old Ones. But when an accident befalls the dog, Bran is angry with the Old Ones -- until the truth of his past comes to light. "Silver on the Tree" brings the series to a climax. Will receives visions of the past, and a message from Merriman that the final battle between the Dark and the Light is about to come. Evil creatures (minks, specifically) are swarming near his house -- and the Old Ones, while almost ready, don't have the power of the Lady. He teams up with the Drews and with Bran to find the Lost Land. Cooper's writing is detailed and atmospheric (although the first book is much more plainly written than the following four). She can switch instantly from lighthearted to mystical and back again, and her writing is heavy with details and description. And she takes the folklore and legends of Britain and interweaves them with Arthurian legend, giving the whole Arthurian story a new spin. Simply put, beautifully written. It's only one of the things that will make this series as much of a pleasure for adults as for kids. While some may not like the portrayal of good and evil as evenly matched, the strength of the Old Ones' determination is extremely invigorating. They're powerful, but still very human. And there are lessons carefully interwoven about good and evil, about loyalty, compassion, redemption, and friendship. These sentiments are never gooey, just powerful. The characters are overall quite good. Jane, Barney and Simon Drew are a little less endearing because they seem a little dated and similar. Will Stanton, however, has the sparkling quality of a truly classic character, a mixture of a wise ancient being and a preteen boy. Bran, as the heir of Arthur, is a fantastic accompaniment to Will. And Merriman looms over it all as the all-seeing Merriman, alternately forbidding and dignified or kindly and grandfatherly. If you've just finished "Lord of the Rings" and are searching for something of substance and weight (not as much as Tolkien's, but in the top five), then the Dark is Rising Sequence may be what you're looking for. A true classic.
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Summary: Absolutely great story-telling
Review: I continue to be amazed that this series doesn't generate more attention - especially in light of all the attention around Harry Potter (which is an excellent series as well! :-) Excellent fantasy reading. I would highly recommend it!
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Summary: King Arthur+Celtic lore+magic=an awesome read
Review: In this gripping sequence, the powers of good are pitted against the forces of evil in a new, powerful way that will leave readers slack-jawed. After centuries of constant struggle against the Lords of the Dark, the Old Ones of the Light have realized that the last battle is drawing near, and a wheel of events already foretold are set in motion. It all begins with something lost, over sea and under stone....
In this first installment, Over Sea, Under Stone, the three Drew children are unknowingly caught in the struggle between the Old Ones and the Dark. Aided only by their "uncle" Merriman, who himself is much more than he seems, their task is to restore an ancient Thing of Power to the Old Ones, the Holy Grail. But their way is fraught with danger, for they are not the only ones seeking it.
The next novel, The Dark is Rising, introduces young Will Stanton, newly come into his inheritance of the powers of the Old Ones. As the last of their number, his destiny is to seek the seven signs that will aid the Light against the Dark. As Will begins to fully come into his power, the Dark prepares to rally against him.
The third book focuses once more on the Drew children. In Greenwitch, the Dark has claimed the treasure the children found for the Light, and the only way to retrieve it lies in a drawing by the youngest sibling, Barney,and an ancient power known as the Greenwitch.
The fourth installment, the Grey King, is perhaps the most action-packed book in the series, in which Will Stanton meets the strange albino boy Bran. As strange things begin to happen, and the Dark's attention focuses on Will's new ally, he realizes that Bran is an essential key in the Light's battle, whch becomes more immanent every day.
The last and final novel of the sequence,Silver on the Tree the lives of the Drew children, Will Stanton, and Bran are joined as they fight to keep the Dark from triumphing in the last battle. But when they are finally put to the test, it seems the balance may be tipped only by the judgement of a mere mortal man.
The Dark is Rising Sequence is one of my favourite series, full of mystery and intrigue, intricate plots, and unexpected twists. Ms. Cooper's books deserve a place on all fantasy lover's shelves.
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Summary: modern(er) classics
Review: Susan Cooper's Sequence has become a classic in the tradition of The Chronicles of Narnia and The Lord of the Rings. Weaving together Arthurian legend, the classic battle between light and dark, and the lives of several innocent children thrown into the fray, Cooper's universe is one of charm, adventure, and danger.
One of those excellent writers whose language practically melts away, leaving the reader vividly involved in the action, Cooper's battle between the forces of good and evil hurtles forward to the point of crisis, where the actions of the most uncertain characters can tip the balance.
If you enjoyed The Chronicles of Narnia and other quality fantasy fiction steeped in myth and legend, read this series. The Dark is Rising Sequence has become another standard in the world of young-adult fantasy.
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