Rating: 
Summary: Dark, chilling, enchanting
Review: "The Dark Is Rising" is the first book of this series that I ever read, and I loved it. You can read this independently from the first book, but knowledge of both is required for the third, fourth, and fifth. This story is better than its predecessor, darker and more magical and intense. Will Stanton is an ordinary boy, until his Midwinter eleventh birthday. On that day, he ventures out into a seemingly changed world. There, he encounters a sinister Dark Rider, then a beautiful white horse that leads him to a hidden place, where he finds two of the Old Ones -- the mysterious Lady and Merriman Lyon, one of the stars of the previous book. The Old Ones are immortal, powerful, wise, and it turns out that Will is the last one born. And as an astonishingly cold winter settles over England, Will is taught some of the ways of the Old
Ones, who fight the Dark (forces of evil, like the Dark Rider). He has one of the signs of power, but must get them all: Iron, Bronze, Stone, Wood, Fire and Water. And he must contend with the Dark Rider, his own failings, and a mysterious stranger whose future is inextricably entwined with his... Susan Cooper is at her peak here. Will Stanton's adventures have a sense of unreal mystery and magic about them, where the slightest actions can have significance, time is easily manipulated, and two kinds of reality intersect. Welsh mythos and legend is interwoven more deeply here, including hints of the Arthurian tilt that was featured more prominently in "Over Sea, Under Stone." At the same time, Cooper accurately displays a more human side of Will, the side that is deeply attached to his family and home. I have a lot of friends with large families -- I think Cooper's portrayal of the bustling, bickering, essentially happy Stanton family was excellent. This book is suitable for all ages, though some younger kids may be frightened by parts of it such as the more menacing moments with the Dark Rider, and the kidnapping of someone Will cares about. There is also a slightly condescending attitude towards Christianity at one point during the book; though the church is shown as being a neutral haven, the pastor is rather naive and Will exhibits some dubious theology. This is, however, an isolated incident. Will himself is an astonishingly three-dimensional character, one of the few that approaches Tolkien's Frodo for reality. He flips between being a smart, quiet eleven-year-old to being an Old One, with all the power that suggests. This transition is not one that is handled lightly, as he gradually loses his innocent, boyish outlook and learns more about the battle between evil and good, and what he must do; he also doesn't "know it all" instantly, but has to learn. Merriman Lyon is a more ancient-seeming, sad person than in "Over Sea, Under Stone," and the reader gets a saddening view of the sacrifices he's had to make for his battle against the Dark. It becomes clear to the reader earlier than it does to Will just who the Walker is; it's saddening when Will goes back and you see the seeds of Walker's existance. The writing is exquisite. Nowhere to be found is the British-kids-on-holiday atmosphere. It's replaced by an alternately warm-but-not-perky atmosphere, and one of utter magic. This isn't magic infringing on our world, but rather Will stepping from one to another. Her dialogue is more believable, even the little old lady bleating about the snowstorm; and Will tends to think, act, and talk like an eleven-year-old boy who is aged before his time. This is hard to do, but she does a great job. This book is probably my favorite of the series. Susan Cooper does an astonishing job with "The Dark is Rising," and kids and adults alike can read and enjoy.
Rating:
Summary: The Dark is Rising
Review: Will Stanton's 11th birthday is the turning point of his life. Time stands still for the rest of the world, but Will's life twists and turns until he finds the "six-signs" and fulfills his destiny as the last of the "old ones" and saves the world from falling into the evil hands of the "dark." Dire warnings from the "wanderer," guidance from the "guardian" Merriman and threats on his life from the "dark rider" makes this birthday unforgettable. Will Stanton's destiny is to find six signs that have been handed down from hundreds of years and he is known as the "sign seeker." The mysterious Merriman takes Will back into time to teach him about the "old ones" and their way of life. Armed with this knowledge Will has to solve various riddles and find the signs that will strengthen the "light" and defeat the "dark." Will has to hurry as time is running out! This book by Susan Cooper was one of the best in this series of the "Dark is Rising." In both worlds, Will finds faithful friends who put their lives in jeopardy to assist him in his task. ... This book showed me what a vivid imagination coupled with the talent of story telling can lead a reader through a world of fantasy where the characters have to make moral choices in this conflict of good vs. evil. Taking responsibility for out actions and facing consequences that result from those actions are good building blocks for us as young readers to practice in our own lives and to build character. The only point of argument I had is that as a 12 year old, I thought that this book was better suited for my age group and older rather than the ages 10 and up as recommended on the book; as this book was a little more intense than the previous book and the lessons taught were better suited for us older kids.
Rating:
Summary: Thrilling & Exciting!
Review: I have bought the entire sequence of The Dark Is Rising and so far this is definetely my favorite of the pack. I love the thrilling of it all. The Dark, The Light, Merriman, The Rider and EVERYONE! It's so amazing how Susan Cooper can write such AMAZING stories! I love the way that there is always so much fantasy between the two covers on the book. It's so amazing how Will goes through his quest as an Old One to recover the six signs, Iron, Bronze, Stone, Wood, Fire and Water. And while doing so he is also an eleven-year old boy on winter break. And how the Old Ones are battling the Dark so that they may finish the quest. And how they can travel through the doors of time whenever they wish...I just couldn't put the book down. BUY THIS SET! YOU WON'T REGRET IT!
Rating:
Summary: This is a must read book
Review: I enjoyed this book because it was adventurous .I also liked this book because i could not wait to read the next one .My favorite charecter was Will.The best part of the book was when he was seaching for all the medals because it happened throughout the book.The end of the book was very suprising , but I am not going to tell you the ending you will have to read it yourself .This book was about a boy named Will Stanton, he was the last of the old ones and he has to save the world from the Dark .Will can not trust anyone except for his companion Meriman and the rest of the Light .Will has to fight for survival against the Dark.
Rating:
Summary: RISE DARK,RISE
Review: "The Dark is Rising"is great book.My favorite character is the Dark Rider. One reason I liked this book is because I like fantasy stories like it. Another reason I like this book is because it is full of adventure and mystry. In the beginning Will,the main character,has no idea whats about to happen to him. What is about to happen is he is going to find out he is the last of the Old Ones. They are the masters of the light. They have a problem though.The dark is beging to rise. Will must collect all the signs in time and destroy the dark before it takes over the world. Can Will beat the dark in time?Read and find out.
Rating: 
Summary: A Page Turner!
Review: I loved this book because it was a mixture of horror and suspense. It's not like the books that are supposed to be scary, but are really not. The main character is Will Stanton. I liked him because he is young but brave. Sometimes he got scared, but he didn't go running. He stayed and fought his battles. The best part of the book was when all of the forces got together to chase away the darkness. The ending of the book was really good. It ended leading into the next book. It makes you want to read the next book.This book is one of the best books I have ever read.
Rating:
Summary: I Love It!!!
Review: I really liked the book "The Dark is Rising" By Susan Cooper, Because it is very adventurous and exciting. It has a good ending but the ending makes you want to read the next book in the series. At first the book is boring, but once you get into it it is very good and you won't want to put it down.
Rating:
Summary: second in the fantasy series for middle readers
Review: Will Stanton is the seventh son of a seventh son -- which means he lives in a crowded, noisy family! As the book opens, Will is excited about his approaching eleventh birthday, but he is also alarmed by strange goings on in the neighborhood -- the birds are acting strangely and none of the family's animals will approach him. Soon Will learns why these things are happening. He is about to be indoctrinated into his rightful position as the last of the Old Ones -- an ancient race that has been protecting the world from the conquest of evil. Now it's Will's turn to shoulder some of the burden and participate in the struggle. That's an awful lot for an 11-year old to take on! But Will is not alone. He meets others who will help him, in particular Merriman, a gruff but kindly mentor figure. "This night will be bad. And tomorrow will be beyond imagining." Susan Cooper is a gifted writer and she sets a mood of foreboding creepiness right from the beginning. While there is an almost constant aura of menace, there is minimal violence, and Will constantly learns lessons of bravery, honor, and the importance of knowledge and learning. Sort of H. P. Lovecraft meets the Hardy Boys. I agree with some criticism that there is too little struggle and problem solving involved in actually getting the six signs Will needs to find, but the story is still strong and a worthwhile read for middle readers.
Rating: 
Summary: The Dark is Rising
Review: Book Review
Of The Dark is Rising The Dark is Rising to me, wasn't very good. When reading it I knew that I wouldn't want to read any other of these books because of their type of writing. Though I do think that a lot of people would like this book. The one thing that I would fix if I were writing it would be to make more conflicts in the begging. As you know this book is about an eleven year old boy who has to save the world by finding the six signs of power. When reading you would think that there would be something that is trying to stop Will. I mean there is one thing that is supposed to stand in his way, the rider. Though you only meet the rider once and he doesn't come back till your half way through the book. Altogether there are supposed to be six signs and you would think that it would be hard to find them. The first sign he receives for his birthday, the next an old man gives him. The third is given to him by a young lady he knows. Then finally the fourth is found in his church. The other two he actually does fight for. The thing I liked about the book was that Will was given special powers that only the Old Ones can use. Altogether the book wasn't very good but had some high points of excitement.
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Summary: What Harry Potter Is Missing
Review: Let's leave aside the question what J.K. Rowling may have pilfered from this classic (on his 11th birthday, the boy discovers he has magical power; his scar wards off evil; etc.). What do the books of the Dark Is Rising sequence have that Harry Potter does not? 1. Mythos. The Dark Is Rising sequence comes complete with its own universe, myths, cosmic clashes and even eschatology. Like Tolkien's Lord of the Rings, the Dark Is Rising lives and breathes in a very complete world. In fact, Cooper's mythology is adapted (and not adapted very much) from genuine British folklore and myth. Herne the Hunter, the Drowned Hundred, the Holy Grail, etc. This gives the books a very "real", very British feel to them and a lot of depth. It also means that enjoyment of these books translates quite easily into an interest in British and Celtic history and myth. 2. Ethos. Will Stanton comes into his powers and inherits grave, serious responsibilities. The Light is engaged not in frivolous games involving broomsticks, but an eternal battle against the forces of the Dark, which seek to destroy humanity. The Light is love and self-sacrifice; the Dark is hatred and exploitation. 3. Just Plain Good Writing.
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