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Summary: Lifelong favorites
Review: The Dark is Rising is part of 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 among 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.
Rating: 
Summary: A good book, generally
Review: This book is probably the best in Susan Cooper's the Dark is Rising series. However, it certainly isn't my favorite fantasy series of all time (that spot belongs to Philip Pullman's His Dark Materials) and while intriguing, I found it a little unsatisfying. Will Stanton realizes on his 11th birthdsy that he is one of the Old Ones, a rather fuzzy group of people all apparently fighting an equally nebulous force called the Dark. One of the problems is that the two sides aren't very well defined (not in terms of who is good or bad, thats obvious; the problem is Mrs. Cooper doesn't give much of a history to the two sides, or why they are fighting. Tolkien, for example, created a wonderful backstory for his series).Will's Quest is to stay the forces of dark by collecting seven signs and forming a belt. However, by the end of the book it is apparent that his quest has only achieved temporary respite for Light; other artifacts must be collected. To me, this smacked too much of the 'messenger boy' type of fantasy I don't like: go here, get this; then go there, get that; then get so and so, and so on. However, throughout the book Cooper writes quite well, and succintly. the scens are memorable and well-portrayed. The part where Will is reading from the book of Grammarye is particularly memorable. If you enjoy fantasy, you will probably like this book, at least somewhat; but if you don't really like fantasy, this is not one of the few fantasy books that will draw you in to the genre.
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Summary: The best book of the series!
Review: Ok, now you may say hmmm as you look at the cover, but don't be fooled by the badly drawn picture on it because this book is the most enchanting out of the whole series. This book starts off as Will Stanton, a young boy the age of ten, wakes up and is introduced into a land of mystery and magic. A land that is being fought over by the forces of the light and the forces of the dark. Young Will is the last of the Old Ones, he is the sign-seeker who's destiny is to help defeat the dark that is rising. Some younger readers may not understand all that is written in the book itself, but they should be able to figure out the concept of the light and of the dark battling each other, which makes this a great book for any age. I loved this book and if you choose to read it as well, I hope you love it as much as I do.
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Summary: This is the best!
Review: I recommend this book to all those Harry Potter fans out there. This book is one of the most action packed books I have ever read. Although this is harder to read and more confusing, I would rate The Dark is Rising at the top of my list, higher than Harry Potter. The reason I like it so much is because it really keeps me interested. I picked up the book at nine o'clock in the morning on a Saturday and couldn't put it down until two o'clock in the afternoon. It is about a boy named Will who is picked to be an old one. An old one is a person who is picked to fight against the dark side. Read this book to find out all the wierd and interesting adventures that this boy does to save his city and family from the dark.
Rating:
Summary: An awesome book with an even cooler storyline.
Review: Ms. Cooper has out done herself with this book ( the second book in the Dark Is Rising series. ), I absolutely love this book and the characters in it. The books storyline is well put together and that was why it won a newberry medal. Now, for all you fantasy readers I would like to say, get this book because you will love it very much! I would reccomend older readers as this book is a bit hard to understand. I hope you like it as much as I did.
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Summary: A classic children's/young adult fantasy title
Review: _The Dark is Rising_ is one of the best fantasy books written for middle readers. It is the second book of Susan Cooper's Dark is Rising Sequence. (_Over Sea, Under Stone_ is the first book, but the first two books can be read in interchangable order). The story is simple: Will Stanton discovers on his 11th birthday that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortal beings of the light dedicated to the ultimate defeat of the powers of evil. To grow into his full power as an Old One, Will must complete the quest of finding the six signs of the Light, which will push back this particular rising of the Dark. The plot sounds rather generic for a fantasy book, but _The Dark is Rising_ stands out as one of the best. Why? First, the characters. Will's struggle to understand his new power is very real for the reader. He loses his innocence but he gains new friends, particularly his mentor Merriman. Merriman is the teacher we all wish to have--both a friend and a figure of respect. The figure of Hawkin is perhaps the most memorable and tragic. This is not a book that a reader forgets five minutes after completion. This book is also excellent because of the quality of the writing. Cooper has a deliciously evocative writing style that is well up to the task of describing the beauty and the pain of Will's coming-of-age. No lover of fantasy should miss this Newbery Honor book and the rest of this series. The next book in the series is _Greenwitch_, but that should only be read after both _The Dark is Rising_ and _Over Sea, Under Stone_.
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Summary: THE DARK IS RISING IS GREAT!
Review: The action begins on page 2. This book is SO gripping! Haunting,exciting and enchanting....ALL in 1~~~~!
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Summary: Worth a listen for Alex Jennings alone
Review: I guess it was listening to the voice of Will Stanton's sister that did it. As I was driving, listening to the tape, I was delighted by the quality of the actress's voice - and then remembered that Alex Jennings had recorded it! The spectrum of vocal styles he creates on these tapes is simply spectacular. It is truly worth the purchase price just to hear his narration. Cooper has created an engaging world in this book, but to tell the truth, there are too many logical flaws to make it a fulfilling one. Will Stanton has a quest, but it is not at all clear why he alone can fulfill it - especially with Merriman at his side for most of the pivotal events. And why does Will get his education as an Old One only after some potentially dangerous events have occurred? And so on. But Jennings delivery makes the tape an essential purchase.
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Summary: BEWARE: This Book is Bewitching
Review: I like this book because it has a superb plot and is written well. I first read this book because my mom's friend recommended it to me. I have loved it ever since. This book's main character, Will Stanton is just a regular kid until he comes of age as the last old one (kinda like a really serious good wizard). He learns about the old ones and goes off on his first quest-like-thing, which is to get the 6 rings before the dark does. Although this book lacks the humor and wit that made Harry Potter books so good, it is a deeper, more magical book. It's so good it's magical!
Rating:
Summary: Wow!
Review: This is probably the best book I've ever read in my life. Well,the best sequence I've ever read because all of them are good. Thecharacters are believable and likeable, the story is engaging. I couldn't put it down until I finished it, which was at about 2:30 am, on a school night. The next day I rushed out to the library and got the rest of the sequence. I'm currently in the process of rereading the whole thing for about the 15th time, no exaggerations. The way that Susan Cooper integrates King Arthur is awesome. Altogether, I LOVE THIS BOOK!
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