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Summary: Fantasy At Its Best - Cooper is a Genius!
Review: Epic struggles, tie-ins with British and Welsh mythology, and believable characters make this one of the best fantasy series ever written (for children or otherwise!). The plot moves quickly, helped along by the short length of the books. Many questions are raised, some are answered, some not, leaving the reader to speculate about many of the ideas presented in the books.The strongest point of this series is that is makes you think. Many ideas are presented in the early books and then explored further in the later part of the series. The re-read value is extrememly high because the length of the books is not prohibitive (unlike many "Adult" fantasy series where the sheer length of the books turns the reader off from re-reading to discover those nuances of plot.) Get these books, read them, and then read them again. You won't be disappointed.
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Summary: Very Imaginative
Review: I first read this book in junior high school and I still read it now that I'm in college! The manner in which Cooper makes the connection between ancient Celtic mythology and modern life is very intriguing. These books keep the reader interested until the last page and beyond.
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Summary: The Dark Is Rising....
Review: One of the classic kids' fantasy, and rightly so. But, like so many literary masterpieces, this book will be passed over by adults who do not think that mystical adventures involving preteens can possibly be good. Hah. This series is more complex and moving than most adult fantasy. This series, unlike other fantasy series like Jedi Apprentice or Harry Potter, and like the Narnia series, does not have the same cast throughout the series - we have two separate ones, the Drews and the Old One named Will. These two are linked by the mysterious Merriman and the otherworldly battle against the forces of evil, called simply "The Dark." One book won a Newbery and another was nominated. The first book, "Over Sea, Over Stone," introduces us to the Drews (somewhat like the kids in E. Nesbit's books), English kids on vacation who uncover ancient relics and get swept up in the battle with the Dark. "The Dark Is Rising," perhaps the best of the series, is the chronicle of young Will Stanton, a boy who discovers that he is different, special. He is the last of the immortal Old Ones, who work against the Dark, and is sent on a time-tripping, fast-paced adventure that leaves him a different person. "The Greenwitch" is the relatively slender book that ties the two previous ones together, the meeting of Will and the Drews, as they search for an ancient Grail that is being pursued by the Dark. "The Grey King" involves Will becoming ill and losing some of his memory. But soon he encounters a boy and his dog - who can see wind. The "golden harp" mentioned in a previous book is used in this, to awaken special men for the battle with the Dark. "Silver on the Tree" is the last book of the series, the dramatic climax that concludes the story of Will, Bran, and the Drews as the Dark makes its final assault on the world. Though traditional good-wins-over-evil scenarios are shown in this series, one should keep in mind that very little comes without a price. Will, for example, gains knowledge and power upon learning that he is one of the Old Ones, but he loses his world-bound innocence in the process. It also shows how seductive evil, in the form of the old tramp in the second book, can be even to a good person, how pride can bring us down. Redemption also has its place in these books, as in the works of JRR Tolkien. Cooper is at her peak in this, weaving Celtic lore with 20th century characters seamlessly like Alan Garner. Her writing jolts a response from the reader, in such scenes as the rooks attacking people, detailed but not too much (well, a little in a few places) To any and all readers of Harry Potter, kids' fiction, or just someone who isn't reading at the moment: Buy this series. YOU WILL NOT REGRET IT. (And Seaward is pretty cool also)
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Summary: Gripping
Review: I first read this series in junior high school and loved it then. a few weeks ago a friend was looking for a set of books to give to a young reader and I thought of this series. What a wonderful story is told between its pages! Good fighting against evil, last minuite rescues and a battle at the end, I just knew I had to get a set for myself. And I did. When I got it I reread the whole series in one big gulp and it was as good as I remember. This series is a wonderful introduction to the abstact values of good and evil and I would recommend it to any parent looking for something of this nature for their kids to read. Best of all it's fun too!
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Summary: What a pleasure!
Review: I devoured this series when I was a young adult-- but it would be appropriate for a number of reading levels because it deals with such classic themes of good vs. evil and the heroic quest. This series was one of the things that inspired me to go on to become an English major and thus, a teacher-- I loved these books so much that I couldn't wait to read more and more like them. Today, a lot of kids are discovering the pleasure of reading "magical fiction" through the Harry Potter series-- if you are or know someone who has enjoyed the Potter books, you MUST try these too! You won't regret it!
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Summary: You'll Never Have an Experience Quite Like It
Review: The first time I read these books I was fifteen. I can still remember it clearly. There was a huge snowstorm coming. (Not uncommon here in Canada) All of a sudden I was there in Buckinghamshire, and I had a tingly feeling like I was on the verge of something great. I have read the whole series twice now, and I will probably read it a hundred more times. It is absolutely incredible. Even though i am eighteen now I still want to be Jane. And even though Will is eleven I am still in love with him! Susan Cooper does a marvelous job of drawing you into England and Wales, so much so that they haunt you long after you're done the books. They are so timeless and you can read them fifty times and still be excited about what's coming next. Oh, and by the way: I loved the settings so much that the next year when I was sixteen I flew across the ocean by myself and visted Cornwall, Buckinghamshire, and Wales.
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Summary: CAN'T PUT IT DOWN
Review: I first read this book in fifth grade and loved it! I'm 16 now and still love to read it. The challenges those kids go through and the emotions they felt are so REAL that it's hard to believe they are make-believe!
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Summary: A Timeless and Enchanting Series
Review: The Dark is Rising sequence is a series about the continuing story of a young boy named Will Stanton (as well as 4 other youngsters: Bran, Jane, Simon and Barney) and his involvement in the struggle between the powers of Light and Dark, essentially good and evil. The battle between these forces, which Cooper employs as the central motif in her novels, is a timeless theme and the stories are positively enchanting. For example, in the "Grey King," Cooper provides a poem, similar to a riddle, which foreshadows themes and events throughout the novel and acts as an enigmatic guide for the reader, helping us follow the quest, which Will Stanton pursues. "On the day of the dead, when the year two dies, Must the youngest open the oldest hills Through the door of the birds, where the breeze breaks. There fire shall fly from the raven boy, And the silver eyes that see the wind, And the Light shall have the harp of gold..." The quest Will undertakes is reminiscent of the quest for the Holy Grail in Arthurian legend in which noble knights pursue an object of great power and symbolism. Indeed, the theme of Arthurian legend is one that Cooper elaborates upon in her books, and one that provides a mystical allure for young as well as older readers. I would make one recommendation for readers. It is apparent throughout each book in the series that events and characters have been previously introduced. Thus, in my opinion, to fully appreciate and understand the charming fantasy that Susan Cooper constructs it is worthwhile to read the novels in sequence. When a book is part of a series the reader has the benefit of learning in greater detail and depth about the characters. Personally, what I enjoy most about the novels are the battle between the forces of Light and Dark and the challenges that Will and the other protagonists have to overcome in the process of the quest. The fantasy that Cooper weaves encourages our imaginations to explore good and evil as well as people and places of different cultural backgrounds particularly in Wales. In addition, I enjoy Cooper's ability to breathe life into her characters and make them endearing to the readers. She makes us want Will to succeed in his quest. Her style is targeted for young adults and children, yet it captures so much charm that I highly recommend the series to readers of any age.
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Summary: Nothing can Compare:
Review: Now, at the age of 13 I find it at times hard to find a good book. Particularly one that sticks with me and makes me sigh at the end. If that's something you've been missing from books you need to get this one. Susan Cooper has written a five-book trilogy giving you a new world, new faces, and much more. As most books go it's a good vs. evil world just past the cover. I think the most amazing thing to me was that this book was not written "just yesterday" and yet it still holds many things that we see today. One drawback, I don't suggest this book if you're in a time jam, you're going to need plenty of time to read this book. (I missed a homework assignment because I got so interested in this. Beware.) Nothing can compare to this set of books reaching out to all ages. Five stars, and sorry I can't give it more.
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Summary: Lifelong favorites
Review: An extremely well written, captivating series, incorporating Celtic myth, and suspense in a modern setting. There is a sweeping confict between good and evil which is applied not just as part of the magical fantasy but in the everyday modern life of the characters. Among the best of fantasy, along with Tolkien, Alexander, and Pullman, try this lesser known gem as well, The Hounds of the Morrigan by Pat O'Shea. 30 years later this series and Tolkien are the most reread books I own. One note of caution, the first book, Over Sea, Under Stone is written on a simpler level, The Dark is Rising would be the best place for most readers to start.
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