The Dark Is Rising

Getting my brother (12) to read is liking getting a cat to take a bath, getting a high-schooler to go to school, getting a cheerleader to go to computer club. All those really difficult things in life. I read this series myself about a year or two ago, so when he needed a book to do for literature in......more

Originally read: 1979 My absolute favorite series as a child. One of these days I need to reread it. (ETA: see below.) A bit like Harry Potter, but darker in tone (and of course, Will Stanton predates Harry Potter by decades). A shame that Hollywood's treatment of this classic book was so epically ba......more

The Dark is Rising is a memorable and imaginative fantasy novel by the British author Susan Cooper, first published in 1973. This novel, for readers of maybe 9 and above, gave its name to a series of five contemporary fantasy books written between 1965 and 1977. They form an Arthurian quintet, in wh......more

The Dark Is Rising does no wrong Each word in place so perfectly; And I have loved you oh so long Cherishing your company. Young Will was my delight, Merriman my heart of gold Christmas cheer my heart of joy All thanks, my lady Cooper. You have been ready at my hand To grant me what I often crave: A wintry......more

Reread. I saw the trailer for the upcoming movie—and more importantly, I saw Darcy's furious reaction to the trailer for the upcoming movie, and I realized that I didn't remember these books well enough to be properly furious myself. I read the first two in the series, in the wrong order, when I was......more