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3.9 AVERAGE
3.9 AVERAGE
A wonderful adventure story with some haunting moments. This works as a stand alone as well as the third in the series.
The passages with the are beautifully written and suitable terrifying. Without those the story could have been the typical children's adventure story but the menace and stakes are much higher here.
The passages with the
Spoiler
greenwitch, the ghost ship and the artist
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
N/A
Loveable characters:
Complicated
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
hopeful
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
Ok so here's my problem with The Dark is Rising (and with Narnia, and with Lord of the Rings for that matter): it's all just too Calvinist for me.
Everything is predetermined and there isn't a whole lot of room for free will, even though people talk about it an awful lot. Everyone has a part to play and he or she has very little choice in the matter; you are good or you are bad, but that is something that you cannot change (even though the narrative alludes that it is possible, I've never seen it happen). And, most infuriatingly, if you aren't one of the special powerful all-knowing godlike powers of the Light, you aren't allowed to ask questions or know anything useful because your "superiors" have deemed that this information is not for you.
While "obey your elders" and "don't ask questions of your betters" and "don't overstep your position in life" are excellent lessons for children growing up in feudal societies, I do wonder what this outdated fairy tale morality is doing in a modern children's series. (Admittedly, this book was written several decades ago, but still.)
I think this is where I part ways, mostly amicably, with The Dark is Rising. One of my New Years resolutions is not to finish books I don't like; I think this goes for series as well.
Everything is predetermined and there isn't a whole lot of room for free will, even though people talk about it an awful lot. Everyone has a part to play and he or she has very little choice in the matter; you are good or you are bad, but that is something that you cannot change (even though the narrative alludes that it is possible, I've never seen it happen). And, most infuriatingly, if you aren't one of the special powerful all-knowing godlike powers of the Light, you aren't allowed to ask questions or know anything useful because your "superiors" have deemed that this information is not for you.
While "obey your elders" and "don't ask questions of your betters" and "don't overstep your position in life" are excellent lessons for children growing up in feudal societies, I do wonder what this outdated fairy tale morality is doing in a modern children's series. (Admittedly, this book was written several decades ago, but still.)
I think this is where I part ways, mostly amicably, with The Dark is Rising. One of my New Years resolutions is not to finish books I don't like; I think this goes for series as well.
*2.5 stars
The magic is way too soft for my liking, and the all-knowing mysteriousness of the Old Ones kinda does my head in. It also felt a bit disjointed somehow. I did love Jane's role though.
The magic is way too soft for my liking, and the all-knowing mysteriousness of the Old Ones kinda does my head in. It also felt a bit disjointed somehow. I did love Jane's role though.
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
I quite enjoyed this one! It was fun to watch the Drews and Will meet and I particularly liked Jane’s story. This is just a personal preference thing but I like it better when the supernatural elements are more fully explained instead of just happening. This series appears to be more vibes based for the magic though so I’ll just have to accept that!
adventurous
mysterious
fast-paced
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Complicated
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
No
adventurous
dark
emotional
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Complicated
Rereading this for the first time in 30ish years and really happy with how much I still loved it! I’m always nervous to reread childhood favorites and this was definitely one I remembered as being a comfort read so extra high stakes.. Honestly I think it explains so much of what I’m still looking for in my reading today- we have fantasy written with poetic language that’s not ridiculously over the top but still lyrical and beautiful, interesting local history, beautiful natural location, weird magic, competent & independent kids, all coming together for a treasure hunt. So good!