Dark Is Rising

[Schlobin at aol.com]

--- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., "Rosmerta" <tmayor at m...> wrote:
> --- In HPFGU-OTChatter at y..., John Walton <john at w...> wrote:
> > Buybuybuy readreadread -- The Dark Is Rising sequence (5 books) 
is 
> my
> > favorite modern fantasy of all time. (More than HP. Scary, huh?) 
> Read them
> > ALL, as soon as you can. Read them in order, though, so they make 
> sense. 
> 
> 
> But what *is* the right order? This book club we belong to is 
> offering The Dark Is Rising and one other--I think Greywitch--as if 
> those were the first two, but that doesn't seem to be the order 
they 
> were written in......and some people seemed to think it's best to 
> read them *out* of order, with "Dark" going first??
> 
> ~Rosmerta
> diligently taking notes to make sure she gets this all right


MOST people have read The Dark is Rising first.

But in fact there is a prequel. Over Sea, Under Stone.
The prequel is probably for younger children.

I would guess The Dark is Rising is for 10 year olds. 

Susan Cooper's books are really children's books (literate bright 
children, but children) whereas JKR's books are in a way, but not 
really (the Philosopher's Stone comes closest.... They are wonderful 
and outstanding, and have a strong Arthurian theme.

Here is the order.

Over Sea, Under Stone
The Dark is Rising
Greenwitch
The Grey King
Silver on the Tree

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

Buy them now; read them often.

I also love the Crystal Cave and the Hollow Hills, and the first part 
of the Once and Future King.

Susan