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The Dark Is Rising | October 29, 2014

by Susan Cooper (Simon & Schuster Children's Publising, 1984)

The Dark is Rising is the second book in a series of the same name. Susan Cooper reimagines the eternal saga of good vs evil or light vs dark, incorporating Arthurian legends, Celtic mythology, and Norse mythology. In this volume of the saga, we are introduced to Will Stanton, who on his 11th birthday awakens to his magical destiny as the last of the Old Ones, protectors of The Light, who have fought the forces of The Dark for time out of mind. He is the sign-seeker whose quest is to find and unite the 6 signs of the light that have the ability to repel the dark. The Dark is rising in the sleepy village of Huntercombe, and only the combined power of the signs can keep it at bay.

The entire Dark is Rising series is amazing, full of adventure and suspense while rooted in the history and geography of England. The Dark is Rising introduces the reader to some new characters and gives insight and depth to ones we have met before. Cooper’s ability to honestly portray an 11-year-old boy coming into centuries of knowledge and power is astounding. This book and its companions should be on every fantasy lover’s shelf!

 

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