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3.75 AVERAGE
3.75 AVERAGE
I had so much fun reading it! A page-turner, took me right back to my childhood.
I remember absolutely loving these books when my Welsh grade 4 teacher Desmond Stone put me on them. Reading it with my 7 year old we both felt it dragged a bit. A lot of mystery and loose Arthurian references.
I think the series picks up quite a bit after this one. Starting The Dark is Rising now... High expectations.
I think the series picks up quite a bit after this one. Starting The Dark is Rising now... High expectations.
It starts off a bit slow and, admittedly, it didn't hook me right away. It took me two or three weeks to make my way through this book when I usually finish books two or three times longer in a matter of days. That isn't saying much when you consider the book is aimed toward a significantly younger audience ("Ages 11 and up"), though, and I've read it the first time through at the grey old age of 29. The slightly slower pace and childish discoveries are perfect for children and adolescents, however - as they're supposed to be - and had I known about this series when I was in junior high, I'm pretty sure I would've devoured in one fell-swoop.
Just enough mystery and adventure to keep you interested, and the trio of siblings who play the main protagonists all have refreshingly real characterization. They're just kids. They never planned on being caught up in a quest, and once they find themselves in the midst of one, they discover that adventure isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Yet another take on the Arthurian legends, I really did enjoy the book and intend to continue on through the rest of the series, despite my old age. ;)
Just enough mystery and adventure to keep you interested, and the trio of siblings who play the main protagonists all have refreshingly real characterization. They're just kids. They never planned on being caught up in a quest, and once they find themselves in the midst of one, they discover that adventure isn't all it's cracked up to be.
Yet another take on the Arthurian legends, I really did enjoy the book and intend to continue on through the rest of the series, despite my old age. ;)
A seasonal re-read of the series so I can start The Dark is Rising on midwinter.
This is a classic children's adventure tale, with a fantasy element. The children have to outwit the baddies under the watchful eye of Great Uncle Merry. But if you look a little deeper there is more going on. There are lines about a certain noise staying with a character for the rest of their life, and about how they still think about events years later. The author makes it clear how impactful these events are and you really the children's fear.
Yes, some of the speech and attitudes are dated (e.g stereotypical ideas about girls and boys) but it's still enjoyable. Susan Cooper has a real gift for atmospheric writing and she transports the reader into her stories.
This is a classic children's adventure tale, with a fantasy element. The children have to outwit the baddies under the watchful eye of Great Uncle Merry. But if you look a little deeper there is more going on. There are lines about a certain noise staying with a character for the rest of their life, and about how they still think about events years later. The author makes it clear how impactful these events are and you really the children's fear.
Yes, some of the speech and attitudes are dated (e.g stereotypical ideas about girls and boys) but it's still enjoyable. Susan Cooper has a real gift for atmospheric writing and she transports the reader into her stories.
Word of advice - if you want to introduce someone to the series, start with "The Dark is Rising" (book 2), not with this one. ;)
There are hints and glimpses of the larger story and Great Uncle Merry is (sort of) involved, but it's more of a real-world-with-magic-elements adventure tale, very different in feel from Will's story. I'm reminded a bit of Nesbit but for a slightly older audience.
That said, it's a fun read just ... not a good starting point for someone new to the series.
There are hints and glimpses of the larger story and Great Uncle Merry is (sort of) involved, but it's more of a real-world-with-magic-elements adventure tale, very different in feel from Will's story. I'm reminded a bit of Nesbit but for a slightly older audience.
That said, it's a fun read just ... not a good starting point for someone new to the series.
This is such a cute book. Is it very juvenile? Yes. But it’s cozy & well written. The audiobook narration is excellent. Extra special for me that it’s set in Cornwall & I can just so imagine listening to this book with my children one day on the way to visit our family who also lives just a few miles from St Austell. 🥰
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
emotional
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
As one might expect from the first book in a series called "The Dark is Rising", there's a sinister and suspenseful atmosphere that pervades this entire book... which is why I give it only 3 stars despite it being quite well-written; I don't like to feel on pins and needles all the time when I'm reading. I am already easily wound up by stories as it is.
Over Sea, Under Stone is a darker but fairly Narnia-esque book about three siblings who go exploring in a big old house one summer and find secrets and mysteries that have been hidden for hundreds of years. A treasure map in an old attic. Standing stones on a Cornish hillside. A golden cup buried in a seaside cave. Wicked whispers in the dark. A great battle between Good and Evil is about to take place... and it seems as though Simon and Jane and Barney are going to be stuck in the middle of it.
While enjoyable and clearly aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum, I felt this book was missing some of the elegance of Seaward (possibly because of the black-and-white treatment of morality); however, I'll be continuing the series because I know what Susan Cooper is capable of. Looking forward to seeing what happens.
Over Sea, Under Stone is a darker but fairly Narnia-esque book about three siblings who go exploring in a big old house one summer and find secrets and mysteries that have been hidden for hundreds of years. A treasure map in an old attic. Standing stones on a Cornish hillside. A golden cup buried in a seaside cave. Wicked whispers in the dark. A great battle between Good and Evil is about to take place... and it seems as though Simon and Jane and Barney are going to be stuck in the middle of it.
While enjoyable and clearly aimed at the younger end of the young adult spectrum, I felt this book was missing some of the elegance of Seaward (possibly because of the black-and-white treatment of morality); however, I'll be continuing the series because I know what Susan Cooper is capable of. Looking forward to seeing what happens.
adventurous
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Complicated
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated