The Dark is Rising

First of all, the 'Old Ones' are an important element of the book. They are immortal beings who usually appear to be just like ordinary humans. However, they are servants of the Light, have great magical powers and are engaged in a fight against the Dark and its Dark Lords who have similar abilities.

Simon, Jane and Barney Drew - Two brothers and a sister who are the main characters of the first novel as well as making appearances in some of the succeeding ones. They are referred in the poem that features prominently throughout the books as the 'three from the track'.

Will Stanton - He is the hero of the sequence although he only plays an important part from the second novel onwards. Although he is only eleven, he is the last Old One who will be born and is the seventh son of a seventh son.

Merriman Lyon - As Will is the last Old One so Merriman is the first one, giving them a special relationship. Merriman is known to the Drew children as Great Uncle Merry and the sequence begins with their visit to him in Cornwall. He is, it is assumed, Merlin, King Arthur's wizard.

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The Lady - Although not an Old One, she is their ally and immensely powerful.

The Black Rider - He is the Dark's equivalent of Merlin or Merriman.

The White Rider - Don't be fooled by her name; she is on the side of the Dark.

The Walker - A human being who betrayed the Light and so must carry the Sign of Bronze through the centuries. This is one of six talismans that will be claimed by Will when he comes to know who and what he is.

Bran Davies - The son of King Arthur and Guinevere, brought forward to the present day as his mother thought Arthur would reject him because of her relationship with Lancelot.

The Sleepers - King Arthur's knights who fight in the final battle.

Pendragon The name of King Arthur and, in this series, also his son Bran Davies.

The Rooks - As in other fantasy novels, birds are tools of magic, in this series they serve the Dark.

Farmer Dawson - An Old One.

John 'Wayland' Smith - Another Old One and a smith.

Parts of this poem run through the series of books foreshadowing what is to come.

When the Dark comes rising, six shall turn it back;
Three from the circle, three from the track;
Wood, bronze, iron; water, fire, stone;
Five will return, and one go alone.

Iron for the birthday, bronze carried long;
Wood from the burning, stone out of song;
Fire in the candle-ring, water from the thaw;
Six Signs the circle, and the grail gone before.

Fire on the mountain shall find the harp of gold
Played to wake the Sleepers, oldest of the old;
Power from the green witch, lost beneath the sea;
All shall find the light at last, silver on the tree.

I am deliberately not giving too many details of each of these books otherwise it could spoil the enjoyment of anybody who wants to read them.

Over Sea, Under Stone is the first book in the sequence and is the least infused with magic and power. In fact, it is much more like a traditional children's adventure story. Don't let this put you off as you need to read this to enjoy fully the remaining books.

The Dark is Rising was awarded an Honor by the Newbery Medal. It is the story of Will Stanton discovering his true identity and coming into his power by performing certain tasks.

Greenwitch brings together the Drew children from the first book with Will Stanton. Jane Drew's sympathy for a powerful character has important consequences later.

The Grey King introduces Bran Davies and he meets Will Stanton.

Silver on the Tree This is, naturally, the climax of the sequence and all the characters come together.

Although Susan Cooper is most famous for The Dark is Rising Sequence, she has written many other books for children. The majority of these are fantasy novels although she has written some notable historical ones as well.

Her books are well worth buying for children as she is such a good storyteller, bringing a feeling of reality to even the most outlandish fantasy. Others must agree because the star rating on Amazon for her books is excellent.