A review by elderlingfool
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper

adventurous mysterious medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Plot

3.0

This second book of the dark is rising series is more mysterious and atmospheric than the previous one. In this story we follow a character named Will, who is a seventh son of a seventh son (and that means he has magic). With the guidance of the Old Ones, Will has to collect the six signs in order to stop the Dark as he discovers his new power. This story happens around Christmas time so it is a good pick to read in December.

Middle grade books are very hit and miss for adults since they are not the target audience and with this one I feel like I missed the oportunity by not reading it as a child. There are books that still work well for every age, but I didn't connect with this one even though I found it alright overall.

My favourite part of the book was the Walker's plot line since I am a fan of corruption arcs and characters that walk the line between good and evil. The best chapters in the book are the final ones, when Will finds the last two signs in really great scenes.

I must admit I was bored during some parts of the story, but I also haven't been in a big reading mood lately so it was a struggle to finish this. I am sure the plot will work better for people that like to follow a single character on an adventure through time and space with lots of mysterious magic.

The writing is good and there are occasionally beautiful passages like the descriptions of snow and song. There is also this really nice quote:

"They walked as old friends walk, without often speaking, sharing the kind of silence that is not so much silence as a kind of still communication."

I will probably not continue this series, but I don't regret reading this book, especially because it was a favourite of a friend.