The Dark is Rising

by Susan Cooper
The Dark is Rising cover
Good Books rating 3.88
Fantasy
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Paperback • £7.99–£8.99 Hardback • £14.99
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Format • £8.54
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Technical
  • ID: 1622
  • Added: 2025-10-08
  • Updated: 2025-11-29
  • ISBN: 9781416949695
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2007-09-11
  • Formats: 22
  • Reviews: 4

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
Eustacia Tan · Eustacia Tan · 2023-04-12
excellent 4.00

This book was a fun read and quite different from the first. The reviewer was pleasantly surprised by its unique qualities.

The reviewer found this book to be a fun read and was surprised by how different it was from the first book in the series. They appreciated the unique qualities and enjoyed the unexpected twists. The reviewer also noted that the book's different tone and narrative made it stand out.

Quick quotes

    Overall, this was a fun read.

    I was definitely surprised at how different this book was from the first.

    I can't quite guess/remember what will happen next.

The Guardian · Robert Macfarlane · 2022-12-03
brilliant 4.00

The book refuses to cleave into neat binaries, offering a more nuanced exploration of good and evil.

Robert Macfarlane appreciates the book's refusal to simplify the conflict between good and evil into neat binaries. This nuanced approach adds depth to the story, making it more thought-provoking. The reviewer highlights the book's ability to explore complex themes in a way that resonates with readers. The narrative's complexity and depth are praised, making it a standout in the genre.

Quick quotes

    Though it's structured around a Manichean opposition of Light and Dark, Cooper's novel refuses to cleave into neat binaries.

    I think of it, in ...

    The book's ability to explore complex themes in a way that resonates with readers.

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.

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