Sunday, February 22, 2009

Review: The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper


Review: The Dark is Rising by Susan Cooper
Genre: YA Fantasy
Rating: A-
For: Lit Flicks Challenge... and I think TBR? I forget.

Yes, I've been wanting to read this book for quite awhile. I got a bit discouraged when I realized it was the second in a series and I didn't have the first one nearby. But I was told it didn't matter, and that the first one was about different characters anyway. So, I did the big taboo and went ahead and read it!

This is the story of Will, a young boy in a big family, growing up in England. One day, just before his 11th birthday and Christmas, strange things begin to happen. First, the animals are acting weird. Then a guy in town gives him a strange little round ornament and told him to put it on his belt and never lose track of it. Besides that, it starts snowing like crazy, even though it normally never snows! By the next morning, the snow is really deep and when he looks outside, he discovers that the whole neighborhood has disappeared and all he can see are snow covered trees!

And so the adventure begins! Will slowly learns his destiny and who he really is. His mission in this book is to prevent the Dark from taking over. He has to accomplish several things, and get past many scary people before that can happen.

It's a wonderfully written book. But I found myself thinking throughout the whole thing, whether or not kids are able to understand it when they read it. The descriptions and concepts are all quite complex, to the point that I found it sometimes hard to follow. It's another one of those books that once you get into the flow and groove, things start making more sense.

It's a fun book, and I hope to read more of the series when I get a chance. I'm still trying to get a hold of the movie, "The Seeker," to watch as part of the Lit Flicks Challenge, but it could be awhile yet. But in the meantime, here's the trailer (which I can tell already they've made Will older and set the whole thing in modern times, but still it looks fun):



Other reviews:

6 comments:

  1. I had a similar reaction when I read this book: I'm glad I didn't try to read this book when I was a youth. It wouldn't have held my interest then. Well written and memorable, but for me, not very stimulating. It wasn't one I was loathe to put down or felt I had to rush back to.

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  2. I've been meaning to read "The dark is rising" for awhile. I'm more interested about reading it now I've your comments on it. I'll try it out on one of my teens. Heh, heh

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  3. I read the first book in this series and didn't love it, so I haven't read this one yet. I really should because it is a different story entirely, but my reading doesn't always follow any sort of logic! I am glad you enjoyed it, though!

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  4. I thought the series was pretty good, though some of the books more intriguing and fun than others. The movie, however, was just awful in my opinion. I'll be waiting to hear what you think of it.

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  5. I first read this series as an adult, too, so I don't know how much I would have missed as a child. But I do remember when I was young appreciating books that were more sophisticated, even if I couldn't understand or follow all of it.

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  6. I hadn't heard of this book or series, but it sounds interesting. Thanks for the review, and congrats on finishing a Lit Flicks Selection.

    Jessica @ The Bluestocking Society

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