 | ON: Content is age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | PAUSE: Know your child; some content may not be right for some kids. |
 | OFF: Not age-appropriate for kids this age. |
 | NOT FOR KIDS: Not appropriate for kids any age. |
The Dark Is Rising
- By Susan Cooper
- Genre: Fantasy
Common Sense Media says
Classic fantasy is a bit slow, but enthralling.
Parents say
QUALITY
Kids say
QUALITY
What parents need to know
Parents need to know that the author's powerful narrative vision will draw young readers into this exciting tale. There is some fantasy violence and a young man turns against his benefactor and follows the forces of the Dark. This is the second book in a five-book series and actually the best one to start with.
What's the story?
Will Stanton meets his destiny on his 11th birthday. He is the Sign-Seeker, last of the immortal Old Ones, who must find and guard the six great Signs of the Light that will overcome the ancient evil that is overpowering the land. This classic fantasy is a bit slow, but enthralling.
Is it any good?
This second book in the series of five invites readers into an intricate fantasy world. Susan Cooper convincingly combines fantasy elements with folklore and mythology. At times, however, the time-traveling sequences are subtle and hard to follow.
The characters in THE DARK IS RISING are more fully developed than those in the first book in the series, and many readers skip the first book entirely. Will struggles with his new identity, and readers see him mature: "Will was instantly a furious Old One, so furious that he did not pause to think what he should do." Both Merriman and Will are relentless in their shared quest, and Hawkin, the tragic Walker, whose Judas-like behavior sentences him to walk the earth for centuries, painfully shows how he is a casualty of the struggle between good and evil.
Explore, discuss, enjoy
Families can talk about great fantasies. What are your favorite fantasy reads and why? Do they have characteristics in common? Why is the struggle of good vs. evil such a common theme?
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Adult
April 9, 2008
AGE
this is a horrible book
This book had way too much violence, commercialism, and bevoiarl issues. I would not reccomend this book to any child under 13.
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Teen, 14 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
WOW
um...this book was okay...it was really confusing though. i only read it cus i had to for school and i would have never picked it up otherwise. the chapters are really long and i always had a straying mind when reading this book. if you like fantasy, this is and okay book, but if you dont DO NOT READ THIS BOOOK UNDER ANY CIRCUMSTANCES!!!...unless you have to for school!!!
hehe
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Teen, 13 years old
April 19, 2009
AGE
Respond to mkalv ( Hard To Understand )
I agree with you this book is hard to understand. The whole book is confusing and I don't understand the plot and what is happening. I had to constantly re-read the first chapter just to sort of understand what is happening. This book is just to hard to understand and I completely agree with you.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
I hated it
I found this book just so bad the only reason i read it was because I read it for school.
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Kid, 10 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
A MUST READ!!!!!!!!!
this book has an amazing plot and i loved it sooooooo much. it is really a must read!
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Teen, 13 years old
May 12, 2009
AGE
confusing and hard to follow
It is a shame that some schools require this book to be read, it is hand down the worst book I've ever read. It is hard to follow confusing and boring, I can't read this book for more than an hour without falling asleep, crying,or sometimes both.
Bottom line- Don't read it ever.
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Teen, 15 years old
April 9, 2008
AGE
Really good book by my favorite author!
I loved it. It has just the right amount of everythin'. Some scary parts, some really funny parts, and some complicated parts. The only problem with it is that you have to read the whole series to understand everything and some people aren't ready to do that much reading.
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Kid, 12 years old
October 13, 2009
AGE
Great book, rubbish movie. This one is the best of the series, a must read for young kids who are fans of fantasy and adventure.
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| Topics: | magic and fantasy |
| Author: | Susan Cooper |
| Book type: | Fiction |
| Genre: | Fantasy |
| Publisher: | Simon & Schuster |
| Publication date: | January 1, 1973 |
| Number of pages: | 224 |
| Publisher's recommended age(s): | 9 - 12 |
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