"The Dark is Rising" - Honest Assessment Required

[Steve]

Since people are discussing the "Dark is Rising' Series,
and some seem to view it favorably, I would like those
in the group who are familiar with it, to give me an
honest assessment of it.

Bad as you think the movie might be, the previews have
aroused my interest in the books, but my budget it
very tight, and I can't afford books that I don't like.
Though I will say I am somewhat easy to please.

I check Amazon.com and what I see seems very favorable.
The Series has a solid 5-Star rating. Here is a quote
from a fan review -

""Susan Cooper's books are the sort that immediately 
cause people to say "But aren't those for kids?"

Technically, yes. So is "The Hobbit," for that matter.
And Susan Cooper's "Dark is Rising Sequence" has 
joined the elite shelf of timeless books that are 
technically for kids, but not necessarily JUST for kids.
With her use of myth and folklore, rich language, and a
time-spanning battle between good and evil, Cooper 
spins up a rare tale in her majestic prose. ""

And it goes on like that for many paragraphs.

Book do like -

"Harry Potter" (who knew)
"The Inheritance Trilogy" (Eragon/Eldest/?next)
"The Bartimaeus Trilogy"
"Artimus Fowl" (first 5=excellent, 6th=good)
"Enders Game" (brilliant story and very good follow 
up series. Three additional books to complete the
series)
"Ender Shadow" (equally good story, and equally good
series. Three additional books to complete the series.)
"The Book of Lost Things" (excellent but confusing 
book. Difficult to describe. A blend of light 
childhood fairytale and grim adult reality. Still
highly recommended.)
"The Giver/Gathering Blue/ Messenger" (very much kids
books, and to some extent written /down/ to kids.
Simple but actually very intriguing series.)
"The Boy from the Basement" (again a grim but 
fascinating tale written for kids. Still worth a 
casual read.)


I notice I can by the FIVE book 'The Dark is Rising'
series in a boxed paperback set for only $20 at
Amazon. I'm tempted to buy a copy for myself and my
nephew, but again, can't afford to waste money on
my limited income.

Any thoughts or comments.

Steve/bboyminn