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jsparks's review against another edition
dark
mysterious
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
raeallic's review against another edition
5.0
Best audio ever! The story is exciting and progresses very well. The characters are exceptional and well developed. BBC radio went above and beyond. Awesome!
shadylane_00's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.5
sienamystic's review against another edition
5.0
Probably my candidate for the childhood book that left its deepest mark on me, more than Narnia, more than Tolkien. Susan Cooper's writing may perhaps be best described as restrained, which is why I had so many fears for the movie (and was rightly worried, turns out) but she breathes elegance and wonder and so much meaning into every line of her work that I'm constantly amazed by it. It's so...clean, and powerful, and she manages to evoke giant explosions despite using such a light hand.
jnelsontwo's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.5
harlando's review against another edition
2.0
I wanted to like this. The series gets great reviews even 40 years after publication, so it must be good. However, it doesn't do much for me. The writing is good, but I could not get into the characters or the plot.
I think my main objection to this is mechanics. Will Stanton is the 7th son of a 7th son, and on his birthday is identified as an "old one," and awakened to a heap of mystic power lying dormant within him. He is an emissary of "the light" needs to gather up six magical gee-gaws and use them to fight "the dark." Menacing agents of the dark scurry about throughout the book, but fortunately the light and the dark, despite their vast mystic powers, can't do each other much direct harm. That's where it gets bogus for me. There is a too much pre-destination and not enough initiative. Will needs to find a few things and shove them together. He gets tons of guidance from older 'old ones,' and isn't in much danger of being knifed or bludgeoned to death. I just can't take the plot tension seriously. No matter what he does, things are probably going to work out.
I read the first book, Over Sea, Under Stone. It was also not a favorite, but the protagonists there actually had some menacing and capable opponents and lacked fabulous cosmic powers.
I'll keep going to get to the gray king because everyone loves it, but this series seems overrated so far.
I think my main objection to this is mechanics. Will Stanton is the 7th son of a 7th son, and on his birthday is identified as an "old one," and awakened to a heap of mystic power lying dormant within him. He is an emissary of "the light" needs to gather up six magical gee-gaws and use them to fight "the dark." Menacing agents of the dark scurry about throughout the book, but fortunately the light and the dark, despite their vast mystic powers, can't do each other much direct harm. That's where it gets bogus for me. There is a too much pre-destination and not enough initiative. Will needs to find a few things and shove them together. He gets tons of guidance from older 'old ones,' and isn't in much danger of being knifed or bludgeoned to death. I just can't take the plot tension seriously. No matter what he does, things are probably going to work out.
I read the first book, Over Sea, Under Stone. It was also not a favorite, but the protagonists there actually had some menacing and capable opponents and lacked fabulous cosmic powers.
I'll keep going to get to the gray king because everyone loves it, but this series seems overrated so far.
woodweird's review against another edition
Wanted to read in "real-time" - will try again next midwinter.
bargainsleuth's review against another edition
4.0
About a decade ago I tried reading as many Newbery honor and award-winning books as possible. The Dark is Rising series is one that I remember hearing about but didn't read, and I'm not sure why. I thoroughly enjoyed Over Sea, Under Stone. I decided to revisit the series through my library's borrowing apps.
Maybe it's because I'm coming at this as an adult, or maybe it's because I can only take fantasy in small doses, but I only thought this book was pretty good, not great, despite the literary accolades. Maybe if I'd been a kid reading it, I would have been more engaged. The world building was excellent, and I love the normalness of the beginning of the story. But I just have to admit to myself no matter how hard I try, fantasy is just not for me.
I do remember the first time I read the book how I thought JK Rowling must have read this series as some elements of HP mirror those of William in this book.
Maybe it's because I'm coming at this as an adult, or maybe it's because I can only take fantasy in small doses, but I only thought this book was pretty good, not great, despite the literary accolades. Maybe if I'd been a kid reading it, I would have been more engaged. The world building was excellent, and I love the normalness of the beginning of the story. But I just have to admit to myself no matter how hard I try, fantasy is just not for me.
I do remember the first time I read the book how I thought JK Rowling must have read this series as some elements of HP mirror those of William in this book.
doctordonna127's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
5.0
Such good ending when will got all the signs