92 pages • 3 hours read
Susan CooperThe Dark Is Rising
Fiction | Novel | Middle Grade | Published in 1973A modern alternative to SparkNotes and CliffsNotes, SuperSummary offers high-quality Study Guides with detailed chapter summaries and analysis of major themes, characters, and more. For select classroom titles, we also provide Teaching Guides with discussion and quiz questions to prompt student engagement.
Before You Read
Super Short Summary
In Susan Cooper's contemporary fantasy novel, The Dark Is Rising, eleven-year-old Will Stanton discovers he is the last of the Old Ones, immortals dedicated to fighting the Dark. On his journey, Will must locate and unite six ancient Signs, encountering mystical beings and facing various challenges as he learns to harness his new powers to combat the growing threat of the Dark.
Reviews & Readership
Review Roundup
The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper receives high praise for its rich storytelling, evocative atmosphere, and strong mythological elements. Critics commend its complex characters and gripping plotline. However, some find the pacing slow and the narrative occasionally difficult to follow for younger readers. Overall, it's celebrated as a timeless, intricate fantasy.
Who Should Read The Dark Is Rising?
Fans of The Dark Is Rising by Susan Cooper often enjoy fantasy novels with rich folklore and adventure. Ideal for readers who appreciate J.K. Rowling’s Harry Potter series or C.S. Lewis’s The Chronicles of Narnia. They typically relish intricate mythologies, heroic quests, and young protagonists growing into their destinies.
RecommendedReading Age
8-12yearsLexile Level
920LBook Details
Fantasy
Children's Literature
Mythology
Values/Ideas: Good & Evil
Values/Ideas: Fate
Life/Time: Coming of Age