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Joined by destiny, the lives of the Drew children, Will Stanton, and aboy named Bran weave together in an exquisite, sometimes terrifying tapestry ofmystery and quests. In the five-title series of novels known as The Dark IsRising Sequence, these children pit the power of good against the evil forces ofDark in a timeless and dangerous battle that includes crystal swords, goldengrails, and a silver-eyed dog that can see the wind. Susan Cooper's highlyacclaimed fantasy novels, steeped in Celtic and Welsh legends, have won numerousawards, including the Newbery Medal and the Newbery Honor. Now all fivepaperback volumes have been collected in one smart boxed set. These classicfantasies, complex and multifaceted, should not be missed, by child or adult.The set includes Over Sea, UnderStone, The Dark IsRising, Greenwitch, The Grey King, and Silver on the Tree. (Ages 9 andolder) --Emilie Coulter ... Read more

Reviews (163)

An excellent fantasy series that is HIGHLY underrated
I first stumbled upon Susan Cooper's THE DARK IS RISING sequence when I was in sixth grade. I was required to read a Newberry Award-winning book and do a report, and the cover of THE GREY KING looked kind of cool, so I gave it a shot. Fifteen years later I still can't believe I haven't heard more about this series.

C.S. Lewis set the standard for children's fantasy literature with THE NARNIA CHRONICLES, and Susan Cooper has equaled Lewis' accomplishment in these books. In some ways, the stories are much better because Cooper's target audience is a bit older, wiser, and more mature. Evil characters are not always obvious in Cooper's world, nor are they always super-intelligent. Cooper weaves elements of Arthurian legend and Welsh mythology into modern day England in a way that tends to swallow the reader whole. Even as an adult I find these books rich and enjoyable; it is easy to forget that one is reading 'children's literature'.

Fans of THE NARNIA CHRONICLES or HARRY POTTER will find that THE DARK IS RISING is another series readers will enjoy no matter what their age may be. My one caveat would be to parents of young children: there are scenes in these stories that may not be appropriate for children under the age of 10 or so. As always, be aware of what your children are reading. Once your children have reached an appropriate age, however, I would highly recommend THE DARK IS RISING for both you and your children!

Strong series
I re-read this series recently, wondering if it would still seem as good as it did when I was a child. And the answer is, it doesn't. But it still has a great deal to offer.
The five books are set in Britain, not tied particularly closely to any decade within the twentieth century. They are all quest stories, with the child heroes seeking various magical artefacts to help the Light in its struggle against the Dark.
"Over Sea, Under Stone" introduces Simon, Jane and Barney Drew, following a mysterious manuscript in search of a golden grail. This adventure takes place during the summer holidays in Cornwall, and introduces their enigmatic Great-Uncle Merriman.
"The Dark is Rising" is the story of Will Stanton, who comes into his power as an Old One, a champion of the Light, on his eleventh birthday. Assisted by Merriman, he is destined to find the Six Signs.
"Greenwitch" unites the Drews, Will and Merriman in Cornwall as they hunt for a second manuscript, lost in the hunt for the grail. But can they win out over the power of the Greenwitch?
"The Grey King" sends Will to Wales in search of the golden harp that is needed to wake the Sleepers, warriors of the Light. He meets Bran, a lonely and troubled boy, who proves to be surprisingly important in his search and the struggle against the Dark.
"Silver on the Tree" reunites all the characters as they search for the crystal sword, the last necessary artefact, and travel to the final confrontation with the Dark.
There's a great deal to like in these books. Cooper pitches the writing at a suitably adult level so that, while not too difficult for children, they never feel twee or condescending. They are suitably atmospheric, with the settings brought alive by good descriptive writing and a healthy injection of Celtic mythology. Many of the characters are interesting and likeable; Will is the stand-out in this regard. The two "Will" books, "The Dark is Rising" and "The Grey King" are the best of the series. There is more action and a greater sense of risk and tension in these books.
So why has my regard for this series dropped over the years? There are two reasons. The first is that, reading as an adult, I don't find the books all that well-grounded in their mythological territory. Tolkien wrote stories set in a world that feels real. Cooper's ideas of magic, Light and Dark, heroes and villains, are very thin by comparison. As a consequence, to me there is little sense of what is truly at stake in what is supposed to be an all-time epic struggle, little sense of real risk; and all too often there are deus ex machina solutions as the magical heroes suddenly "know", without explanation, just what they need to do to win out.
The second reason is "Silver on the Tree". I found this a weak end to the saga, with too many deus ex machina solutions and too many vitally important plot points coming out of nowhere (Mrs Rowlands being one, Bran's love for his human father another). Much of the book seemed pointless filler. The final confrontation lacked power (both with regard to Cooper's writing and in plot terms) and seemed all too easy.
However, these caveats are things that may seem far less important to younger readers - I know they didn't bother me the first time I read this series. And the series as a whole is certainly well-crafted, exciting and enjoyable.

Still one of the Best
It's great to start to see Susan Cooper around the place again. With all of the Potter hype and the renewed interest in the wonderful Diana Wynne Jones, Susan Cooper deserves some time in the limelight for the outstanding Dark is Rising sequence. She's steeped in anglo-saxon mythology in much the same way as Alan Garner, but has created a much warmer and more accessible world than Garner.

The first book in the sequence was clearly originally written as a stand-alone book, but I would guess it planted seeds of ideas which took a decade to germinate when she picked up the story again. After the long gap, the next four books came quite thick and fast (coinciding with my childhood) and the writing of them is dynamic and exciting. The characters are fantastic, with the Merlin figure Merry being one of the most endearing attempts to create that arch-sorcerer. They are great fun from start to finish and are as intelligent, fresh and fantastic as when I first read them nearly thirty years ago (ouch!).

The Dark is Rising Sequence
For all fans of Harry Potter the Dark is Rising books would also be a great book sequence. It includes magic, fantasy, and many other things. I cannot stop thinking about them! Susan Cooper uses such good descriptions that you actually feel as if you were there. This is a great sequence I can't get Merriaman, Lyon, Will Stanton, Jane, Simon, and Barney Drew, the lady, the Grey King, and all the others out of my head. You would reaaly enjoy these books. They are great books. (...)

The Dark Is Rising
The Dark is rising sequence - I first discovered this book in sixth grade in a friend's house. It was the hardcover edition and the pictures were interesting so I read it. Later on, I bought these books right here.
The books are about the Light and the Dark. One of the main reasons I thought this book was excellent was that they weren't just for young people. The characters were highly understandable and the language wasn't just one of those easy-to-read ones. Personally, I like 'The Dark Is Rising,' 'The Grey King,' and 'Silver On the Tree' better than others. Books taking place in Cornwall was kind of vague and not adventurous.
All in all, I highly recommend this book to fantasy lovers of all ages. ... Read more

Book Description

Only in the world of the theater can Nat Field find an escape from the tragedies that have shadowed his young life. So he is thrilled when he is chosen to join an American drama troupe traveling to London to perform A Midsummer Night's Dream in a new replica of the famous Globe theater.

Shortly after arriving in England, Nat goes to bed ill and awakens transported back in time four hundred years -- to another London, and another production of A Midsummer Night's Dream. Amid the bustle and excitement of an Elizabethan theatrical production, Nat finds the warm, nurturing father figure missing from his life -- in none other than William Shakespeare himself. Does Nat have to remain trapped in the past forever, or give up the friendship he's so longed for in his own time? ... Read more

Reviews (38)

A new world
With this novel, I think that Cooper has created a fun and original work. It is a story of a boys acting company who travel to London to preform at the rebuilt Globe Theater. For one boy, the trip involves not just a voyage across the Atlantic, but a journey in time as well. Nat Field finds himself back in Elizabethian London acting in the role of Puck in Shakespeare's personal production of A Midsummer's Night Dream.

This odd transposition in time allows for some interesting interaction with the setting. For a twentieth century boy, the London of Shakespeare's day is a strange world. Having no modern convieniences (such as toilets) and having the drink at every meal be ale are things that don't fit the everyday life of a young American boy. But Nat gets along and proves himself as an actor in Shakespeare's own production.

Given the general elements of this book, not all young readers would enjoy it. To identify with or even to like the main character, one cannot by a typical American kid. The theatrical world and the ability to understand the historical setting of Shakespeare's time are, unfortunately, completely foreign to most kids these days. So this book is not for the typical nintendo-playing sports-loving kid, but rather for the imaginitive book-lover. (For the book is full of imagination and history.)

The book isn't perfect, but it is still a fun read. As an adult reader, I wished that I could have read more about the purpose behind the time travel, but I realize that what was written is sufficient for a younger audience. So, as a young adult novel, it is a great book, well worth the read.

Outstanding Shakesperean time-travel fantasy
Nat Field, an actor in the American Company of Boys, goes to London with the troupe to play the role of Puck in "A Midsummer Night's Dream" at the new Globe Theatre. Suddenly, he is transported back in time to 1599 London and finds himself portraying Puck at the original Globe. Not only that, he's performing with Will Shakespeare himself, who is playing Oberon! The author brings the sights, sounds and smells of Elizabethan London to life and takes us behind the scenes of the Bard's own production of "A Midsummer Night's Dream." After reading this, you'll probably want to read the play and see a performance yourself. Susan Cooper, who was a student of J.R.R. Tolkien, is an outstanding writer and storyteller. Don't miss her magnum opus, the five-book "The Dark Is Rising" series.

Just a good historical book
King of Shadows was oddly good. It tells of a boy named Nat who is playing Puck in A Midsummer Night's Dream. One night he falls ill, goes to sleep, and wakes up in 1599 Elizabethan England, right in the middle of Shakespeare's own performance of the Dream. It was very accurate historically and ideal for anyone who likes Shakespeare. I would suggest reading the play, A Midsummer Night's Dream before reading this book. It was meant for grades 7-9.

A GREAT book for children 10 and up!!
The book is about young Nat Field. He is playing Puck in a Midsummer Night's Dream. When he goes to bed ill, he is transported back 400 years. (...) I was very pleased with this book. I highly recommend it for girls or boys.

Great book Cooper
I love books and i thought this book was extremly well written, and easy enough to follow along without any troubles. And my aunt had the pleasure of meeting Susan Cooper and said that she is a very nice woman. I hope one day i will get to meet the woman who wrote such a wonderful book:) ... Read more

Book Description

On the Midwinter Day that is his eleventh birthday, Will Stanton discovers a special gift -- that he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to keeping the world from domination by the forces of evil, the Dark. At once, he is plunged into a quest for the six magical Signs that will one day aid the Old Ones in the final battle between the Dark and the Light. And for the twelve days of Christmas, while the Dark is rising, life for Will is full of wonder, terror, and delight. ... Read more

Reviews (119)

Thrilling & Exciting!
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!

Dark, chilling, enchanting
"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.

KK REVIEW
This is a great book. Although I thought it was boring at the begining it starts getting good around the middle all the way to the end. So if u can endure having to read a couple of information shoving chapters then this is a great book. Im not saying the first chapters are boring well. LOL. I think they are its just that its more like information you need for later on so its kinda of worth it. The rest of the book is nothing but action and adventure thier has been plenty of time my reading teacher has told us to stop reading when i just couldnt put the book down. So i hope u have a great time reading it as
did.

The Dark Is Rising
Will has a special gift that he has to use against the dark. He is sent on a journey to find the great six signs that will help he in the battle to fight the dark, before it rises, and turns everything and everyone evil.On the journey he goes bak in time to find where the signs are hidden.He has to join the signs together to defeat the dark, before it gets him.

A relief
I have read a lot of fantasy books, and honestly, most are very bad. This is a relief mainly because it is just a really awesome story, with good twists. I do have to say that a lot of people will look at the cover and think it's horrible. You can't look at the cover and say that it's pretty. This is not a book I would recommend to everybody (who knows if the person will love it or hate it) but if you liked Harry Potter, thought the Lord of the Rings was downright boring, and loved His Dark Materials, then go read this. ... Read more

Book Description

The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world.And Will Stanton -- last-born of the immortal Old Ones, dedicated to keeping the world free -- must join forces with his ageless master Merriman and Bran, the Welsh boy whose destiny ties him to the Light.Drawn in with them are the three Drew children, who are mortal, but have their own vital part in the story.These six fight fear and death in the darkly brooding Welsh hills, in a quest through time and space that touches the most ancient myths of the British Isles, and that brings Susan Cooper's masterful sequence of novels to a satisfying close. ... Read more

Reviews (23)

Silver on the Tree was really good, but I expected more
Everything in the Dark is Rising Series was really great, eapecially The Dark is Rising. Everything up to The Grey King built up tremendously. When I finally read Silver on the Tree I was somewhat disappointed. I was really happy the the major characters got together, but they weren't together long enough. I expected all five of the kids to do the journey together, and I also thought that the Drews didn't get to participate enough in the story, and Merriman was bearly in it! But I was really disappointed at the ending. I really didn't see the point of what all of them went through if only they were going to forget it in the end! It would have meant MORE to them and the story if they would have been able to remember. But all in all, the book was good. And I thank Susan Cooper for bringing us this excellent series.

A fabulous ending to a magnificent sequence.
A couple months ago my very dear friend said "You have to read these books by Susan Cooper" Since she usually likes the same books I do, I checked out the first one. I was hooked! Just a few days ago I finally finished the last book, Silver On the Tree. Fantastic. Really, if any adult doesn't read this because they think it's a kid's book, think again. I know many kids my age (13) who wouldn't get the subtle hints that go throughout the series.

Susan Cooper is such an excellent writer. She can make totally realistic, everyday, family scenes, and then turn around and write about journeys through fantastic fantasy worlds. She is also really good about writing descriptive scenes that let you picture something so exactly.

I can't decide whether this ties with The Grey King as the best book in the sequence, or if Grey King is a bit better.

The ending wraps things up just right. Except, I don't think the Drews & Bran should have had to forget. That's was probably the only complaint I can think of.

Goes through the motions
This last book in "The Dark is Rising" Sequence goes through the motions of being dark an mysterious, and does so effectively, but the feel is about what you'd expect to get rereading "The Dark is Rising" (book 2 in the sequence). It manages to wrap things up, and could be turned into a movie without some director mutilating the plot to slip in CGI shots. The final battle is pure CGI gold. Overall, I am satisfied, and do not feel cheated in any way by the latter four books of the series (although I hated the first one, and I'm glad I read the second one first, or I would have never continued).

A satisfying ending to a spectacular series
The old one, Will, and his friends are on their final adventure together to save the world from the rising dark. Will start off with his brothers at a picnic and he discovers that the old ones cannot slack off and let the dark take over. Merriman tells Will to pick up the blet of the signs to ward off the dark for the final moment. Meanwhile, Jane, Simon, and Barney are vacationing in Wales near where the mountain of the Grey King was. They meet Will at a cliff and they meet Bran, the mysterious albino boy. Together they solve the last piece to the puzzle of the rhyme, the lost city. They find the lost city and enter it to find the crystal sword, the final weapon of the light. Then it is the race to the midsummer tree. Prophesy has it said that the first one to cut off the silver from the midsummer tree will rule the universe. There are lots of surprises in the book and the plot changes ever so slightly. Everything flows together.
I like the book because of the interesting plot, how each book and each event in each book flows into one another. I also happen to like King Arthur and his Round Table so this makes the book very appealing. I like how Susan Cooper uses real language and real places to explain the story which makes the whole story more believable.
My favorite part was when Will and Bran received the crystal sword from the unhappy king. I've always wondered why did the king decide to torture himself with his own thoughts. The book says the Dark has no power to harm but it can contribute to changing a person. Then can't the king resist the Dark's influence? Why must he suffer because he did something right? Great book overall!

The Dark is Rising Sequence
This series is very unique. Susan Cooper has done a great job of writing an awesome story line with the King Arthur legend mixed in between. She also does a great job of creating a good against evil plot. The characters are unbelievable. If you like fantasy I highly reccomend this series, but hold on. It's one wild ride. ... Read more

Book Description

There is a Welsh legend about a harp of gold, hidden within a certain hill, that will be found by a boy and a white dog with silver eyes -- a dog that can see the wind.Will Stanton knew nothing of this when he came to Wales to recover from a severe illness.But when he met Bran, the strange boy who owned a white dog, he began to remember.For Will is the last-born of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to saving the world from the forces of evil, the Dark.And it is Will's task to wake --with the golden harp -- the six who must be roused from their long slumber in the Welsh hills to prepare for the last battle between the Dark and the Light. ... Read more

Reviews (45)

The most amazing book!
By far the best book in the series, The Grey King has it all, humor, trajedy, love, hope, adventure, and of course MAGIC!!!!! It was a fantastic book, but what I liked best was how it really took you into the places so that you cry with Bran at the loss of his dog, or are white with terror of Caradog Prichard. It was the perfect painting of a great fantasy! Susan Cooper has an uncanny talent for making simple print into whole worlds of wizardry. You must read it!!

A wonderful exploration of magic and humanity
_The Grey King_ is arguably the strongest book in Susan Cooper's _Dark is Rising_ sequence. A winner of the Newbery Medal, it is the story of Will Stanton and his new friend, Bran Davies. Will, a character who appeared in _The Dark is Rising_ and _Greenwitch_, is the youngest of the Old Ones, a group of magical beings fighting to protect the world from the Dark. In this book, he is sent to relatives in Wales to convalesce from typhoid. He learns he is in Wales to win a quest for the Old Ones--and for the first time, he must do it without the direct guidance of his friend and mentor, Merriman. During the course of the book, his new friend Bran becomes deeply involved in Will's quest and both boys learn a lot about themselves. The title character, the Grey King, is a member of the Dark who is bent upon preventing their success.

On one level, this book is an all-out fantasy adventure. There is a cryptic poem, magic, good and evil lords, and fascinating uses of classic Arthurian legend. On a deeper level,however, this is a story about coming-of-age and family. Will learns how to be an independent Old One rather than an apprentice. Bran struggles to understand his mysterious past and his place in the world. This book is more than just a thrilling adventure--it is the story of people's choices and what "family" really means. In other word's, _The Grey King_ is deep *and* fun.

I highly recommend this book to all readers. It may be a little hard for very young readers--but middle readers and older will enjoy it. I reread this book (and the rest of the series) at least twice a year. It should be read after the three previous books in _The Dark is Rising_ sequence (_Over Sea, Under Stone_; _The Dark is Rising_; _Greenwitch_). Lovers of Arthurian legend will particularly appreciate it.

The Grey End
The Grey King, by Susan Cooper is a book about adventure. This book revolves around a boy named Will Stanton. The boy is the age of twelve and is sent to Whales to be nursed back to health by his relatives. During this time, he goes on quests or adventures to awaken the ancient sleepers. The ancient sleepers are the last hope for good to prevail against evil. This evil is controlled by The Grey King who tries to stop Will from completing his quests.
In the story I can relate most to BRan becasue he is the mysterious boy who is different from all the other people. I used to be like this when I was going through middle school. I was the kid who was just a little more differnt than your average kid. Bran displays this perfectly with his pale skin and mysterious appearances.
Overall, this book was a good book. My least favorite part was the end, maybe becasue I thought the end was a little too rushed. There seemed to be a lot of information being crammed into a few pages which made it hard to understand. This gave it an unpleasant end.
This book would be good for readers who like adventure or mystical stories. To me, it seems like a twsit between The Hobbit by J.R.R. Tolkien and The High King by Alexander Lloyd. If you like either of those books I strongly advise you to check out The Grey King by Susan Cooper.

Pretty good
This forth installment in "The Dark is Rising Series" seems to combine elements from the previous four. The "Hardy Boys" feel of the first book unfortunately returns, and while not full blown is enough to pull the book down somewhat.

On the up side though some of the mystique of the second book that emulates "Dark Shadows" is there, standing side by side with the third books more complex immagery. So in the end were this book made into a movie, while it would have been doable in the 60s, lacking anything that would have looked too cheasy, it would also be possible to be done in the 20th century without adding in two hours of mindless action that didn't occurr in the book, just to make the f/x guys happy (do the cave, the Grey King, and a time travel scene for Gwene and Bran, then send them on to the next movie with a smile and a months paycheck for two weeks).

Excellent
It is a great book it has very good adventure and emotional roller coaster and a good conflict I loved it and i think it's good for all 6-7th graders (yes i did perposely write no puctuaction) ... Read more

Book Description

On holiday in Cornwall, the three Drew children discover an ancient map in the attic of the house that they are staying in. They know immediately that it is special. It is even more than that -- the key to finding a grail, a source of power to fight the forces of evil known as the Dark. And in searching for it themselves, the Drews put their very lives in peril.

This is the first volume of Susan Cooper's brilliant and absorbing fantasy sequence known as The Dark Is Rising. ... Read more

Reviews (66)

Mystery of the Century
In "Over Sea, Under Stone" kids look for a special thing. Over Sea, Under Stone is a very good book, because it has a mystery and clues that you can solve the mystery yourself. The book relates with Medeival Times and the very famous King Arthur. The kids get a quest that their guardian cannot help with. It has spooky and mysterious events. It's the kind of book you'll want to read over and over again! This book has encouraged me to read with far more enthusiasm than ever. This story includes a reward for the charecters. It taught me that children have destinies that they MUST follow. The children have protection from their magical guardian. It includes shocking and disastorus events that the children have to do something about. There are times when the bad people are getting closer to getting the secret item. The name Over Sea, Under Stone really speaks up! Nobody except the children, their guardian and the bad people know about the item! You should read it. It's excellent!

Over Sea Under Stone Kid Review!
I thought this book was really good, at the beginning it was kind of boring then it got better as you went along. I read this book in a book club and some people liked it and some people not. I think people who like mysteries and other adventure you should get a copy of Over Sea Under Sone at a store near you!

The journey begins
"Over Sea Under Stone" is perhaps the weakest of the classic "Dark is Rising" series, though in itself it's quite a good book. In this, Susan Cooper kicks off her epic fantasy sequence with doses of Celtic legend, a good vs. evil battle, and a hunt for a mysterious, magical treasure.

Simon, Jane and Barney Drew have arrived at their great-uncle Merriman's seaside house for a vacation -- and rapidly become quite bored with the seaside village. But when exploring the attic, they unearth a very, very old map that is somehow connected with the legendary King Arthur. As anyone else would do, the kids begin the search to find a golden grail that is somewhere nearby.

But they soon find that they are not the only ones who want the map. A seemingly genial pair of vacationers are being slightly too inquisitive, and someone breaks into Merriman's house in search of the map. And Merriman reveals the origins of the map -- and an ages-old conflict between good and evil that hinges on who finds the grail first.

Taken alone, "Over Sea Under Stone" is a solid, even excellent fantasy story. But it's a little out of sync with the rest of the series. However itsets excellent groundwork, has an intriguing storyline and a good mix of folklore and Arthuriana, and offers us one of the most mysterious and likable "magic mentors," Merriman Lyon. It starts off with every kid's fantasy -- treasure maps and ancient kings -- and rapidly blossoms into something much more.

One of the most noticeable differences between this and Cooper's later books is the writing; the writing in her later books becomes much more verbose and descriptive and magical. Here it's quite stark and plain, without a great deal of detail or mystical mind-blowing. "Over Sea" is mostly very prosaic and very rooted in our world, and many important concepts in the series aren't even touched on.

The Drew kids are the sort of siblings that pop up in old E. Nesbit books -- plucky, chirpy and on vacation. There isn't a lot of difference between their individual personalities, although they are quite likable. Their "uncle" Merriman is pleasant, humorous, but at the same time Cooper implies that still waters run deep. The malevolent Mr. and Miss Withers are initially very jovial and kindly, but you can sense something rotten underneath.

The first of the "Dark is Rising" books is somewhat out of sync with the novels that follow, but taken alone it's still an excellent, well-written fantasy adventure.

Left me spellbound as a child...
As a child in the 70's I read the whole of the Dark is Rising series of books by Susan Cooper.Each one left me spellbound and triggered my imagination to run wild with mystical Gaelic imagery. My particular favorite was the Dark is Rising.Fond memories, thank you Susan.

The subtle, mysterious beginning of a great series.
This book starts the classic five-volume fantasy series "The Dark Is Rising Sequence." Although listed as books for teenagers, adult fantasy fans will also find much to love in these novels. Author Susan Cooper writes with intelligence and respect for her readers, and fills all the books with fascinating layers of history, folklore, and mysticism. This first book establishes the conflict that will continue through the remaining books in the series: a group of modern-day English children find themselves embroiled in the hidden battle between the forces of good and a mysterious force known as The Dark, a battle that has its roots in the shadowy legends of King Arthur.

"Over Sea, Under Stone" differs from the other books in the series in that it avoids the overtly supernatural. This is an unusual fantasy novel in which nothing obviously fantastic occurs. The terrors of The Dark and the workings of magic remain subtle hints and hidden undertones beneath the action, as if they are occurring just out of sight of the main characters. This gives the novel a spooky sense of reality, and the reader can easily imagine him or herself in the place of the three children who, during a vacation in Cornwall, slowly discover the battle with The Dark that has existed for centuries. The novels that follow, especially "The Dark is Rising," plunge headlong into the supernatural, but "Over Sea, Under Stone" provides a perfect, gradual introduction.

The story introduces us to the three Drew children, Simon, Barney, and Jane, and their mysteriously knowledgeable Great-Uncle Merry, all who will play major parts in the saga. While the Drew children are on vacation in Cornwall (a land steeped in legends), they discover a map which may lead to the Grail of the King Arthur stories. With Great-Uncle Merry's help they start to unravel the clues on the map. But The Dark will do anything to seize the Grail first, for it contains a power that can defeat them. The story unfolds as a fascinating mystery as the Drew children unravel clue after clue while the danger from mysterious individuals grows greater with each stride they make toward the final goal.

Few young adult fantasies offer such intelligence and subtlety as "Over Sea, Under Stone." Readers of all ages will become entwined in its mysteries and read swiftly to the tense conclusion. After that, they will definitely want to continue to the epic next book in the sequence, "The Dark Is Rising," where the hidden magical forces of this book burst through the surface to start their titanic battle. The story continues in "Greenwitch," "The Grey King," and concludes in "Silver on the Tree." ... Read more

Book Description

When Emily and Jess Volnik's family inherits a remote, crumbling Scottish castle, they also inherit the Boggart -- an invisible, mischievious spirit who's been playing tricks on residents of Castle Keep for generations.Then the Boggart is trapped in a rolltop desk and inadvertently shipped to the Volnik's home in Toronto, where nothing will ever be the same -- for the Volniks or the Boggart.

In a world that doesn't believe in magic, the Boggart's pranks wreak havoc, particularly for Emily, who is accused of causing psychic disturbances.And even the newfound joys of peanut butter and pizza and fudge sauce eventually wear thin for the Boggart.He wants to go home -- but his only hope lies in a risky and daring blend of modern technology and ancient magic. ... Read more

Reviews (31)

Whither wander you, spirit?
Long before Harry Potter would have had us believe that boggarts were spirits that took the form of your darkest fears, Susan Cooper had the right idea. The author of the magnificent and accomplished, "The Dark Is Rising" series (not to be mistaken with the "His Dark Materials" series), Cooper set her sights a little younger with this loving free-flowing tale of the ultimate mischevious creature. Though relying on a couple ideas and motifs that will date this book far more than her better known series ever will, the story is a complete and wonderful accomplishment for an already accomplished artist.

The Boggart is an Old Thing, from the days of dark deep magic. It cannot die and lives only to play pranks and tricks on foolish humans. For countless centuries this particular Boggart has lived in the Castle Keep on an old abandoned island off the coast of Scotland. It loves the land and the man who lives in the castle, but when the old owner dies the Boggart is forced to meet the castle's new owners. That would be Volnik clan, with children Emily and Jessup in tow. The family is Canadian and it is only through a miscalculation on the Boggart's part that they find themselves shipping the wayward spirit back to Toronto where they live. After figuring out that their house is now home to the pranks of a Scottish spirit, the kids set about finding a way to send the Boggart back to his castle and his land.

Cooper's "Dark Is Rising" series always suffered a little from too many descriptions and distractions. Such is not the case here. In "The Boggart" we get to know an array of different characters exceedingly well. The children are interesting and lively without ever disintegrating into brattiness. The parents are delightfully eccentric while remaining loving and concerned. Sixteen year-old Barry (who hangs out with ten year-olds) is a bit odd, so while you feel for him you don't necessarily blame Emily and Jessup's suspicious mom. As for the Boggart itself, it encompasses everything that is wild and untamed. The Boggart is the "other", and that otherness is felt in its sublime British nature. I should note that though Cooper is English by birth, she captures perfectly the feeling Americans and Canadians have on visiting the British Isles. One would almost think she was from our side of the ocean, the way she accurately describes a Yank's reactions to the natural beauty and wonder of the Scottish land.

The only flaw in the book as I see it is the use of computers. Bearing in mind that this story was published in 1993, one has to expect some problems with the plot. Therefore, hearing that a boy's new computer has a black and white screen, or the very description of its computer programs themselves, it's hard not to see that this book is rather out-of-date. Then again, given a little time this book may merely appear to be a piece of historical fiction. No harm there. The book does pull a kind of "Independence Day" scheme where two computers, one in Canada and one in Scotland, apparently are the same make and model and can switch files and games without the book ever saying as much. But these are tiny concerns, honestly.

If you're looking for a tale that incorporates the ancient mystery of the Celts, dark abandoned castles, and a michevious sprite, this is an ideal story. It is a fantasy for those kids that have grown tired of dragons for a little while. And its myriad of different settings (a castle, a home, a theater, an antique shop) are a blast to visit. This is perhaps Susan Cooper's most lovable book. It is certainly worth a look-see.

EXCELLENT!!!!!!!!!!
The Boggart is a story about a boy and a girl, Jess and Emily, whose family inherits a castle in Scotland. What they did not know was that an ancient boggart had been haunting the castle. The boggart mistakenly gets shipped to their home in Toronto in a rolltop desk. He continues to play his tricks, and as a result Emily is accused of "psychic disturbances." They search for a way to ship him home, but the only way is with modern technology and ancient magic. The Boggart is funny, mysterious, and suspenseful, but not scary. If you believe in magic and spirits, or are just looking for a good read, this is the book for you. If you like it, you can also look for the sequel: The Boggart and the Monster.

The Boggart
emeli and jessup had came back from castle keep they brought a desk with them. later in the book emeli relize that there is a boggart living in there house. the boggart play trick them and he thins to somewhere else and jessup and emeli got in trouble. when the boggart turn into a spider was because he did not wanted them to see him. the boggart also got trap in the train when emeli close the drawerthe boggart couldn't got out.

The Boggart
The main thing that happens in the book is that the Boggart is causing trouble and mischief to the Volnicks family after being shipped to Toronto, Canada from his original home,Castle Keep. He mainly concentrates on Emily and most of all Jessup. The Boggart gooes back home eventually through a copied computer disc. Castle Keep sure has changed but still satisfies the Boggart like it did before.

The Boggart, By Susan Cooper
In this book, Emily and Jessup come to see Castle Keep, and pick put furniture to bring home. By accident, the Boggart gets sent to their home too! With some friendship and courage, can Emliy and Jessup get the Boggart back home?
I enjoyed this book because it was suspenseful and had a few funny parts. If you are into books about magic and tricky ghosts, you are in for a thrill when you read the Boggart, because that's what it's all about! ... Read more

Reviews (1)

The musings of a highly intelligent mind
Susan Cooper is probably best known for writing the superb Dark Is Rising sequence of five children's novels, one of which garnered the Newbery Medal and another a Newbery Honor. This book, however, is not fiction but about fiction, at least primarily. The essays and speeches contained here discuss experiences from Cooper's own childhood (in World War II England), the piercing nostalgia brought on by finding a new copy of a long-beloved though mostly-forgotten storybook, the author's experiences with the theater (and friendship with Jessica Tandy), and many other topics. The tone is often introspective, but never arrogant, and the book can be read in segments or in a single sitting. Definitely worthwhile for anyone with the slightest interest in children's literature . . . there is far more here than one might expect. ... Read more

Book Description

Matthew can't believe his eyes! Coming from the pages of his favorite book is a mysterious green glow. Suddenly, a tiny green dragon appears -- and with a touch of his magic golden claw, Matthew is as small as he is!

Off they go, battling the monstrous cat next door and munching on giant tomatoes. And as dawn approaches, Matthew takes flight on the wings of his new best friend. Flying high above the clouds with hundreds of other beautiful dragons, it's an adventure he'll never forget. ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Loved by both my 2 year old and 6 year old
Ths book is excellent for both younger and older children. My daughter brought it home as a library book from school. My 2 year old son loved it so much I had to go buy it. My daughter had to take it back to school. Prior to that she had me read it evey night. The illustrations are great and the story content even kept me involved. It is a must for any child's library.

I think every child at some point dreams of a dragon. It's magical powers, it's ability for flight. "Matthew's Dragon" brings to life, that dream.

It is truly magical and wonderful, with a great hero dragon and an enemy cat.

Enjoy it, my family did.

A wonderful fantasy with adventure and danger overcome.
After Matthew's mother finishes reading to him, Matthew's dragon comes out of the book and leads Matthew [now small] on a silvery trail out his window. They are menaced by a neighbor cat but escape when the dragon becomes big. They fly to join all other dragons in a magical songfest, then they both return to Matthew's room. A fanciful book with wonderful illustrations. ... Read more

Book Description

Derek and his friends, living outside of London during World War II, find plenty of opportunities to explore bomb craters, collect shrapnel, and identify the fighter planes that fly overhead. When a bomb hits close to school, causing classes to be cancelled, the boys are overjoyed: They can spend the day building their secret camp.

But when their work on the camp is sabotaged, a tough neighboring gang is to blame. A violent clash with the rival gang -- followed by a long night of bombing close at hand -- change forever Derek's feelings about the war. ... Read more

Reviews (3)

One of the major memoriable influences among my reading
I read this book when I was eleven or twelve years old, and I bawled my heart out at the conclusion. This was one of three works that moved and upset me enough for others to notice (I seem to remember my mom walking in from hearing me crying). Another was "Sleepers", by Lorenzo Carcaterra (whether or not it was true) that I read when I was eighteen, and the third is the movie of Hyde's "Pay it Forward" which I recently saw on Pay Per View this past summer. This novel, along with the others, has had a tremendous influence on me and has made a mark in my writing. Hopefully, the world will witness it sooner or later.

Slough's war
What first drew me to this novel was the fact that Susan Cooper is from my hometown of Slough. When I was growing up in Shaggy Calf Lane in the Seventies, the bottom of our garden still had a rusting Anderson shelter that my siblings and I never really bothered to explore. Along with the coal cellar, it seemed a part of everyday life. But times change. I still remember having a coal boiler, which went out of use as the years passed. The Anderson shelter was just a very familiar object. Much more vivid were the stories told by my great grandmother of having to dive under a kitchen table as she heard a bomb whistle to earth. Our Anderson shelter was guarded by brambles, impossible to enter, and quite uninviting.

I hadn't thought of that Anderson shelter for years until I read 'Dawn of Fear'. Very early on in the book, Cooper also introduces to us the Morrison shelter, which was designed to live under your kitchen table. However, Derek's family has use of the more famous, external Anderson shelter. Very vivid are the scenes where Derek and his family take to its cover. In one telling moment, Derek's mother says that they should stop talking lest they wake up Derek's baby brother - the little boy has already learnt to take as normal the sound of air raid sirens and bombs. During the less frantic cold war, I seem to recall hearing those chilling notes being tested once or twice. At first, it seems as though Cooper is writing this novel very much for a younger audience than her 'Dark is Rising' sequence. However, there is also much to interest the more mature reader. Particularly significant is the adults' agonising over the upbringing of their children during a war. They want their children to act with caution, but they don't want them to live in fear. But the war has already changed their lives, whether it is in the collection of shrapnel, or the playing of imaginary wargames.

However, Derek and his friends seem to be far more interested in the act of creating their own camp. Their inspiration is drawn from the ancient fortifications of the Chilterns and the Thames Valley. To Derek and his friends, it's just going to be a secret camp. But the role of such forts in the past comes to haunt them as everything they have built is threatened. Together, Derek and his friends decide to retaliate and embark on nothing less than a territorial war with a rival gang. Cooper cleverly juxtaposes this conflict against the real war. How easy it is to take up arms against your 'neighbours'. Like the real war, the rival gang seems to have way more resources and bodies to call upon, and in the shocking demise of the cat, they show early signs of psychopathic tendencies. If you're able and willing to harm an animal, current thinking goes, then you're not far from harming people.

Derek's gang has a hero of sorts in Tom Hicks. He's an older boy who's just signed up in the Merchant Navy just because they can take people younger. Here, Susan Cooper's historical research shines subtly through. Tom Hicks signs up even though he knows that the Merchant Navy is by far the most hazardous service, and where fatalities are high. Cooper is also subtle in her suggestion that all the boys will be touched by death: Geoffrey proudly mentions that his uncle is serving on the destroyer, HMS Hood, little knowing, as we do, that this ship and most of her crew are doomed. Tom also talks a great deal about Churchill's Dunkirk speech. But there's also a quote from Queen Victoria: "We are not interested in the possibilities of defeat. They do not speak." The Empress, of course, was referring to a far less noble British cause: the war for Boer gold in South Africa, where we unfortunately invented the concentration camp. Both sides, Cooper seems to be suggesting, have blood on their hands.

To me, it seems as though a part of this world has vanished for good. When nettles sting Derek, Peter suggests that he rubs a dock leaf on the rash to alleviate the pain. That sort of knowledge about the natural world was practically lost to my generation. If I'd known about dock leaves, I might have saved myself a great deal of pain as a kid. It's hard to say where exactly in Slough Cooper has set her story. I can't help but think of Elliman Avenue. Then again, that was fairly close to my own childhood home. So to me, the world of Susan Cooper's novel is a familiar place, but there are a number of extraordinary revelations. This may be a children's novel, but the conclusion shows signs of a more adult view of the world all too soon.

I think this book is spectacular
I liked Dawn of Fear for three reasons.One reason I liked this book is because I lerned something in life.The thing I learned was that you should cherish the things in life that you have and don't let them go away. Another thing I learned is that many people die in a war.War is something that we should all try to avoid.After all we are going to be adults in our world in a few years.This book is for kind of people who like to read about war. ... Read more

Reviews (9)

Don't start infertility treatment until you read this!
I can't believe that anyone let me start the process of infertility treatment (beyond the clomid stage) without telling me to read this. I found it on my own when having to decide whether my only chance to have a child, egg donation, was right for my husband and myself. I only WISH someone had told me about it sooner. It would have helped me think about all of "this" in a not so crazy way. It's technical, but, those of us who go through infertility procedures know more about the getting pregnant process than most books and online souces give us credit for. These authors treat us like intelligent human beings.

This is a wise book !
As an infertility specialist, I'd heartily recommend this book to all infertile couples - and their doctors as well. The forte of this book is the superb way in which emotional issues have been discussed.

expert guidance
My husband and I have been struggling with infertility for six years and have read several books on the subject. Choosing Assisted Reproduction is the most comprehensive, informative and challenging book that we have come across. We were both relieved to see that the authors raise some of the ethical questions that we are struggling with. They do so in a very sensitive way, always respecting the difficult choices that infertility patients face in this new world of baby making. I recommend this book to anyone going through infertility, as well as to their families and friends.

I could have lost my mind several times without this book
This compassionately written book has provided a constant reference and framework within which to think during the hugely emotional period of infertility. It has managed to normalise to some extent the weird world in which readers of this book dwell. It has contributed largely to my change of views on the right of the child to know its biological history. I would recommend it as essential reading for anyone going into third party parenting.

Clear, readable, compassionate, and informed!
This book is packed full of useful information and it's presented in a clear, readable and very comforting way. I found Cooper and Glazer wise, compassionate and very informed. I read the book from cover to cover and then started all over again. ... Read more

Book Description

The Boy polishes the Magician's wands, and catches the rabbits that the Magician pulls out of hats. But the Boy's favorite job is operating the puppets for the Magician's famous puppet play, "Saint George and the Dragon" -- until one terrible day when, in the middle of a performance, the Boy can't find the Saint George puppet. The Magician is furious. He points a long magical finger at the Boy, and -- poof! -- the Boy is suddenly in the strange Land of Story, where he must find Saint George.

The Boy's hunt for Saint George is full of adventures with oddly familiar people. He saves the Old Woman Who Lived in a Shoe from losing her children; he spoils the wolf's plan to eat Little Red Riding Hood; and he narrowly escapes being eaten by the Giant at the top of Jack's beanstalk. But the Boy's last adventure is the most amazing of all -- and changes his life forever. No child who reads this delightful tale by master storyteller Susan Cooper is likely to forget it. ... Read more

Book Description

Simon, Janeand Barney, enlisted by their mysterious great uncle, arrive in a small coastal town to help recover a priceless golden grail stolen by the forces of evil, the Dark. They are not at first aware of the strange powers of another boy brought to help, Will Stanton -- nor of the sinister significance of the Greenwitch, an image of leaves and branches that for centuries has been cast into the sea for good luck in fishing and harvest.

Their search for the grail sets into motion a series of disturbing, sometimes dangerous events that, at their climax, bring forth a gift that, for a time at least, will keep the Dark from rising. ... Read more

Reviews (20)

Enchanted
The middle book of the "Dark is Rising" sequence suffers a little from the middle-book syndrome, and a few items in it feel slightly strained. However, these are quickly swamped under by an unusual, well-written story and great character growth.

When a golden chalice (first found by the Drews in "Under Sea Over Stone") is stolen from its museum, the mysterious Old One Merriman enlists their help and the help of the youngest Old One, Will Stanton. At first, the kids don't really get along; things seem fairly uneventful, except for Jane participating in an ancient ritual in which the women of the village get together and weave a vaguely humanoid figure, the Greenwitch. The Greenwitch is then thrown into the sea, after people touch it and make a wish. Jane, followed by strange impressions of the Greenwitch, makes a very unusual wish indeed.

But then her brothers and Will bump into someone else -- a strange painter who steals a picture of Barney's, and then lures the Drew boys into his home. He's a member of the Dark, and he forces Barney to scry out a message about the Grail for him. Then a strange, wild chaos strikes the town, with a ghost ship and the angry Greenwitch herself...

While this book is not the best of the series (the second takes that honor), it nevertheless is an excellent piece of work, as fantasy and as a study of the characters. The first chapter was a little weak; it felt too much like a part of "Over Sea Under Stone." However, this ceases as soon as Will comes on to the scene. The book then takes on a tone that seems, somehow, to balance out between "Dark is Rising" and "Over Sea Under Stone."

The Drews are better fleshed out and individualized in this book. Jane proves that Cooper is one of the few fantasy writers who can create genuinely strong female characters; this is, in a sense, her book. Barney's abilities aside from his siblings are explored, giving them all a sense of being separate people. Will is clearly more comfortable with his role as an Old One, as he is more knowledgeable and smoother at handling situations with the Dark. At the same time, he's also able to shift into being a preteen boy, tapping Morse code to the Drew kids through the wall. (I think that I would have a crush on Will if he weren't about nine years too young)

The writing in this book is versatile, becoming dreamy, stark, magical, frightening, or ordinary as the scene requires. The underwater scene with Tethys was one of the best written fantasy scenes I've ever read, while we are also given a horrific nightmare (Jane's) and the chilling pirate ship attacking a modern-day town when reality goes out of whack. Though the Greenwitch ceremony is women-only, Cooper doesn't bash the reader with any ideas; the Greenwitch herself is intriguingly written, childlike and possessive and kind of needy.

This is a nice part of an amazing series, and definitely worth the read.

Read this book. You'll love it!
"On the day of the dead when the year too dies,
Must the Youngest open the Oldest hills,
Through the door of 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.
By the Pleasant lake the Sleepers lie,
On Cafdan's Way the kestrels call,
Though grim from the Gray King shadows fall,
Yet singing the Golden Harp shall guide,
To break their sleep and bid them ride.
When light from the Lost Land shall return,
Six sleepers shall ride, Six signs shall burn,
And where the Midsummer's tree grows tall,
By Pendragon's sword, The Dark shall fall."

When Simon, Jane and Barney Drew, along with Will Stanton, try to find the Grail, a thing of power, it is not complete. They need to find the scroll that was lost last summer. To do this, they must find help from the mysterious Greenwitch. What gave her life? What is her secret? Why do the Dark have such a sinister intrest in her? Read this book to find out! A must read. It should be required. I'd also like to recomend the other books in the Dark Is Rising sequence.

Good, but a bit too short
This book, while not living up to the standard of "The Dark is Rising", is far better than "Over Sea, Under Stone". It eliminates the "Hardy Boys" feel of the first book, and maintains some of the mystery of the second book. It also throws in a more in-your-face kind of supernatural force than the "Dark Shadows" feel of the second book. If a movie had to be made about one of these books, of the three I've read so far it would need to be this one. Primarily because the Greenwitch, and Will and Merri's journey into the sea would provide a director with enough CGI images to keep him happy.

The Dark is rising and the Greenwich is part of it
This is the third book in the Dark is Rising series. The first two are Over Sea, Under Stone and The Dark is Rising. There has been some debate as to which book is first. I read Under Sea, Under Stone first in hardcover (it claimed to be first) but my wife read The Dark is Rising first. We both enjoyed the series.

You really should read both before this one as the characters from the two books come together. This is a direct sequel to the events in Under Sea, Under Stone.

The kids, Simon, Jane, and Barney, return to Cornwall where they meet Will Stanton (The Dark is Rising). The Greenwich is under the sea and she has something Will needs. Simon, Jane and Barney know what happened to the object and they combine forces to get it back.

This is the thinnest of the series, but it is very pivotal. It brings together two casts and sets the stage for the rest of the series. I found it to be one of the most enjoyable as it was rather straight forward.

A fun book for readers of fantasy young and old, but make sure you read the first two books first.

Greenwitch
This is my favourite book in 'The Dark Is Rising'sequence, as it was the most intresting all the way through. The problem with several of the other books is they always seemed to have one part where they lagged a little, but not so with this book. I was glad to see the Drews return in this book, because I always liked the books with them in better then the two which they aren't in('The Dark Is Rising' and 'The Grey King'.) Will is my favourite character, though.
In this book, some of the best parts are those involving the Greenwitch, especially the ceremony on the beach, and I also liked how the characters of the Drews were developed more in this book, especially Jane. In 'Over Sea, Under Stone' they were a little two-dimensional, and like another reviewer said, a bit like some of E. Nesbit's characters!
Anyway, I recommend this sequence of books and especially this one to anyone who likes fantasy, they are really good and the kind of books you can read again and again. I still think that Susan Cooper's best book is 'King of Shadows', though. ... Read more

Book Description

On their idyllic Bahamian island, Trey's little brother, Lou, is different -- he doesn't speak and he suffers frightening seizures. But when he and Trey find themselves mysteriously transported to Pangaia, an alternative universe where pollution and over-development have all but destroyed nature, a militant underground environmental group greets him as the prophesied hero who will save their world.

But to realize this prophecy, Lou must take Trey on a terrifying and dangerous mission, with much more at stake than the fate of Pangaia. Does Lou have the power to save their own island home from a future as bleak as the world they've seen in Pangaia? ... Read more

Reviews (2)

Cooper's Environmentalism Disappoints
I am a die-hard fan of Susan Cooper. I have read all of her books multiple times and never get tired of her incredible talent of weaving flawlessly together the elements of myth, fantasy, magic, and the timeless fight between good and evil. I was very excited to read "Green Boy"...and was very disappointed. Terribly disappointed! The story is basically a heavy-handed environmentalist tract, flimsily placed in a fantasy plot. I can't imagine what she was thinking. It is difficult to connect to any of the characters, and Cooper's usually flowing and descriptive prose is jarring and disconnected. The plot is contrived and clichéd, and I finished the book with a relieved sigh because I got through it, not because I had a desire to read it again. Though I will never pick up this book again, it hasn't tarnished my opinion of her other works, which are definitely worth reading over and over again.

Fantasy blends with more than a touch of realistic settings
Trey and his silent younger brother love to visit their special Bahamas cay, but when they discover that their visits are bringing them to a frightening future world, linked to their own, their become involved in fighting off an environmental threat to their own beloved home. Fantasy blends with more than a touch of realistic settings in this fast paced fantasy. ... Read more

Book Description

His name is West. Her name is Cally. They speak different languages and come from different countries thousands of miles apart, but they do not know that. What they do know are the tragedies that took their parents, then wrenched the two of them out of reality, into a strange and perilous world through which they must travel together, knowing only that they must reach the sea. Together West and Cally embark upon a strange and sometimes terrifying quest, learning to survive and to love and, at last, the real secret of their journey. ... Read more

Reviews (14)

fun but predictable
As a Dark is Rising fan, I had to read Seaward. I found that it fits the typical fantasy motif of the journey, but that the journey is the only plot that there is in the novel.

The book tells the story of Cally and West who, both having recently lost parents, stumble into a fantasy world where they meet up and brave the journey to the sea where they believe they will find their parents. Along the way, they must face the challenges imposed on them by the Lady Tarnis who wants to imprison them in her land, as well as the natural hardships of the land (desert, mountains, rivers, snow). As they travel they learn how to trust others, know themselves, and possibly fall in love. While the journey is long and enlightening, the end comes abruptly and is resolved quickly. While I was satisfied with the ending, it was a hollow satisfaction.

I liked the characters that I met in the book, but I wish that they had been developed more. While I understand that the depth level was created for younger readers, I wanted the emotions and psychological musings to be developed further. Since there was not much of a plot, the effects of the journey on the characters was the main element of the book and I just think more could have been done with it.

While the book does have its problems, it is still a really fun book. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys fantasy stories about journeys.

This is my favourite
I am twenty-three years old, and I have loved this book since I was in my very early teens.

Susan Cooper is a classic children's author, and her Dark is Rising sequence regularly gets praised as her best, or at least most popular work.

This book, although very different from her previous and following works, blows even the best of that whole series away.

It is the journey of West and Cally, two teens both suffering from grief, through a strange country, where life and death are living beings. All they know is that they must travel to the sea; neither is entirely certain why. This journey allows both teens to come to terms with their own pain, and their different losses.

The landscape is strange and dreamlike; it is known from her comments in essays that Susan Cooper literally uses dreams to inspire scenes in her stories, and this story more than any other seems to me filled with that drifting feeling. The two main characters are well dsrawn, and some of the supporting cast are very memorable. It also makes excellent use of the selkies, a piece of old folklore of which I am particularly fond.

Best of all, Susan Cooper does NOT do here the thing which made Silver on the Tree such a huge disappointment to me; she does not cheat at the end.

(Warning for those who haven't read the book; spoiler ahead)

Where in Silver on the Tree, the characters risk life and limb in the ultimate battle, only to be made to forget all that they have accomplished through the whole Dark is Rising series (thus making the series itself pointless), in Seaward, the characters are made to forget - for a while only , with a promise that they will remember again when they need to. This ending satisfies, where the similar clossing to Silver on the Tree only disappoints.

(spoiler done)

There are some stories which stay in one's mind for one's lifetime. I knew the moment I was done this story that this would be one of those books. It was my favourite when I was younger, and now that I have met more grief of my own, it has become a much deeper part of me. I only wish it were a little better known behind her more popular works.

I was never the same afterward.
I read this as a child, and it was one of three books that affected me the most out of all my excessive reading. (One of the others was Diane Duane's Deep Wizardry). It changed me with its beauty and poignancy.

Haunting tale
Susan Cooper is best known for her epic "Dark is Rising Sequence," but "Seaward" is not as well-known, while also drawing on the same Celtic legends. It's a little darker, a little differently-written, but a great read for people with enough patience.

Westerly's mother was killed by gunmen, and he escaped through a door into a strange land, with three magical bones. Calliope, a girl with strange thick skin on her hands, watches her parents waste away with a strange illness and leave her alone,and she slips through a mirror to the same land. When Cally encounters West, he is trying to escape from the ruthless, cold-hearted Lady Taranis.

A kindly stranger named Lugan seems to be their best hope for escaping Taranis. As the two travellers cross the world that is an echo of our own, they encounter strange creatures such as the sealpeople (selkies), a talking insect that guides them over a desert, creatures made of stone, and the haunting specters of their own pasts and destinies...

"Seaward" seems like a pretty simple story at first, but in that simple storyline Cooper tackles questions about death and life, about