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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

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

Read by Alex Jennings
Approx. 9 hrs. 30 mins.
6 cassettes

The final volume of Susan Cooper's brilliant and absorbing fantasy sequence known as The Dark Is Rising.

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.

Alex Jennings has a long list of credits in British theatre, television and film.He has also worked with the BBC Radio Repertory Company. ... 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

Read by Alex Jennings
Approx. 8 hours
6 cassettes

The first volume of Susan Cooper's brilliant and absorbing fantasy sequence known as The Dark Is Rising.

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.

... Read more

Reviews (63)

Darn good, consarn it.
The first book in the "Dark Is Rising" series and, in many ways, the most readable. In this story, three siblings struggle to follow a series of clues leading them to the Holy Grail. Aided by their mysterious guardian, Merriman, the kids solve riddles and try to escape the clutches of the Dark. This is undoubtedly the most engaging book in the "Dark Is Rising" series, though the later books are certain more sophisticated. Oddly bereft of magic, it taps into a lot of plot elements that kids love. Mystery and escape. A summer free of parents and school. And a treasure to be found, thanks to a map in a dusty old house. Heck, it even has an abandoned attic full of junk. What's not to like?

The kids themselves are particularly engaging. Cooper has a good ear for dialogue, and the kids never sound like an age that they aren't. Too often I'll read books about eight year-olds that talk, walk, and act like they're thirty-five. Here, an eight-year-old is eight, and the reader never doubts the author's tongue. As for the story, who could complain? Susan Cooper knows how to instill fear. Her villains are always most villainous when they're cool and collected. Her plots are carefully planned and rarely forced. And her writing is melodic. She does suffer from a dire need to often put rhymes and poems in her books that the heroes must solve. But otherwise, one cannot complain. If you've kids looking for something in a Tolkein vein, this is the book for them.

Weakest, but not bad
"Over Sea Under Stone" is perhaps the weakest of the "Dark is Rising" books, though in itself it's quite a good book. The writing is a bit flat and the concept of the Dark is underdeveloped, but it's a good mixture of good-evil fighting and traditional treasure-hunting.

Simon, Jane and Barney Drew have arrived at their great-uncle Merriman's seaside house for a vacation -- and rapidly become quite bored. 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.

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 it sets 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. (Say "Merry Lyon" really fast and see what you get) 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 later becomes much more verbose and descriptive and magical. Here it's quite stark and plain. And I had a bit of trouble connecting with the Drew kids, because they really didn't have much difference in their personalities. And people hoping for a mystical, mind-blowing experience like "Dark is Rising" will be disappointed; "Over Sea" is mostly very prosaic and very rooted in our world, and many important concepts in the series aren't even touched on.

Despite this, the Drew kids are overall quite likable -- they have very little idea what they're getting into, but they're determined to succeed anyway. Merriman is pleasant, humorous, but at the same time you get the sense that still waters run deep; he's more aware than anyone else of what's going on. And she does a wonderful job with the sense of evil and foreboding -- Mr. and Miss Withers are initially very jovial and kindly, but you can sense something rotten underneath. Same with the solemn vicar who is pursuing the kids.

"Over Sea Under Stone" is perhaps the most "standalone" of all the Dark is Rising books, an entertaining though not outstanding fantasy adventure. Highlu recommended.

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."

Lewis
The story begins when a family moves to a new house and they find a manuscript in there atic.And the manuscript has words and symbols that they can not under stand on it. And they have to get clues from there map to get from one clue to the next clue to find a tresure they think is at the end of the clues that they follow. But along the way people are trying to catch them so they can get the map and go to the tresure when they are going clue to clue. The people are first shadowy so you can not think or visualize of what they look like. will not tell you who is tring to catch them you will have to read the book to find that out. I liked the book because there is a lot of adventure in the book and because it is not that hard to read because it does not have big words. It does not get boring
bacause of the adventure. In the front of the book it says a fifth grader can read. It has two hundred and fifty two pages.

And the auther is Susan Cooper.

Horrible...
I've currently read the first three books in this series. I love the other two, they read like "Dark Shadows", with a lovely mysterious feel to them. But this book seems more like "Hardy Boys", with only one instance of any real use of supernatural abilities. ... Read more

Book Description

Read by Alex Jennings
approx. 4.5 hours
3 cassettes

Simon, Jane and 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 a 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 forh a gift that, for a time at least, will keep the Dark from rising.

Alex Jennings has a long list of credits in British theatre, television, and film.He has also worked with the BBC Radio Repertory Company. ... 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

Approx. 5.5 hours
4 cassettes
Will is the last-born of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to saving the world from the forces of evil.And now 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