The Dark is Rising

by Susan Cooper
The Dark is Rising cover
Good Books rating 3.83
Fantasy
Technical:
  • ID: 1622
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-10-11
  • ISBN: 9781416949695
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2007-09-11
  • Formats: 11
  • Reviews: 3
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Waterstones
Paperback • £7.99–£8.99 Hardback • £14.99
Bookshop
Format • £8.54

The Dark Is Rising follows the journey of Will Stanton, an eleven-year-old boy who discovers he is not an ordinary child but a key player in an ancient battle between the forces of Light and the Dark. As the seventh son of a seventh son, Will is destined to find six magical signs that will help him combat the rising darkness. The story is set in a world where myth and reality intertwine, and Will must navigate treacherous landscapes and confront powerful enemies to fulfill his destiny. /n/n This classic fantasy novel is the second book in Susan Cooper's The Dark Is Rising Sequence and is celebrated for its rich mythology, vivid imagery, and timeless themes of good versus evil. The book is a must-read for fans of adventure and fantasy, offering a compelling narrative that blends Celtic mythology with a modern setting.

Reviews
Run Along the Shelves · 2021-12-26
magical 4.50

The book is a perfect winter read, offering a mix of cold, oppressive, warming, and magical elements. It's a quick and engaging read that captures the essence of the season.

The reviewer describes The Dark is Rising as a perfect winter read, with its blend of cold, oppressive, warming, and magical elements. They found it to be a quick and engaging read that captures the essence of the season beautifully. The reviewer also praised Cooper's writing, noting how it draws you in and makes the story feel alive. This makes it an ideal book to curl up with during the colder months.

Quick quotes

    The Dark is Rising is a perfect winter read; cold, oppressive, warming and magical.

    You quickly devour it in a few hours and Cooper's writing makes it feel alive.

    It's a perfect winter read that captures the essence of the season.

SFF Book Review · 2021-02-08
good 3.00

The book is enjoyable but not groundbreaking, offering a fun read without being particularly innovative. It's a solid start to the series.

The reviewer found the first book in the series quite nice, describing it as fun enough to keep them engaged. While it wasn't groundbreaking, it was an enjoyable read that sets the stage for the rest of the series. They appreciated the story's charm and simplicity, making it a good introduction to the world Cooper has created. The reviewer looks forward to seeing how the series progresses.

Quick quotes

    I found the first book quite nice.

    Not groundbreaking, but fun enough.

    It's a solid start to the series.

She Reads Novels · 2019-10-04
creepy 4.00

The book is genuinely creepy in places, even for adult readers, and the villains are particularly chilling. It's a compelling read that doesn't shy away from darker elements.

The reviewer found The Dark is Rising to be genuinely creepy, even as an adult reader. They highlighted the villains as particularly chilling, adding a layer of tension to the story. The book's darker elements make it a compelling read, and the reviewer appreciated how it doesn't shy away from more sinister aspects. This makes it a unique and engaging experience, especially for those who enjoy a bit of a scare.

Quick quotes

    The Dark is Rising is described as a children's classic, but even reading it as an adult I found it genuinely creepy in places.

    The villains, in particular, are genuinely chilling.

    It's a compelling read that doesn't shy away from darker elements.

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