Susan Cooper

 

Easton Press Susan Cooper books

The Dark is Rising Sequence  - 2008 - 5 volume set including the following books :

The Dark is Rising - Signed Limited Edition

Over Sea, Under Stone

Greenwitch

Silver on the Tree

The Grey King

Author Susan Cooper

Susan Cooper, born on May 23, 1935, is a distinguished British-American author best known for her contributions to children's literature, particularly her acclaimed The Dark Is Rising series. Her writing blends elements of fantasy, mythology, and adventure, creating stories that captivate readers of all ages. Cooper was born in Burnham, Buckinghamshire, England. She showed an early interest in literature and storytelling, and her passion for words eventually led her to a career in journalism. She worked for a time at the London Sunday Times as a feature editor and a prolific writer, covering various topics. However, it was in the realm of children's literature that Susan Cooper truly left her mark. In 1965, she published her first novel, Over Sea, Under Stone, which marked the beginning of The Dark Is Rising series. The series, consisting of five books — Over Sea, Under Stone (1965), The Dark Is Rising (1973), Greenwitch (1974), The Grey King (1975), and Silver on the Tree (1977) — weaves a rich tapestry of Celtic mythology, Arthurian legend, and contemporary settings. The series follows the struggles between the forces of the Light and the Dark and features memorable characters, intricate plots, and a deep connection to British folklore.

The Dark Is Rising series garnered critical acclaim and a devoted fan base, establishing Susan Cooper as a significant figure in the world of fantasy literature. The second book in the series, also titled The Dark Is Rising, won the Newbery Honor in 1974, further solidifying Cooper's reputation as a master storyteller.

In addition to her fantasy novels, Susan Cooper has written picture books, plays, and other works for children. Her storytelling often explores themes of good versus evil, the power of myth, and the importance of courage and integrity. Susan Cooper's impact on children's literature has been profound, and her books continue to be cherished by readers worldwide. Her contributions to the genre, particularly through The Dark Is Rising series, have earned her numerous awards and accolades, making her a beloved and influential figure in the world of fantasy literature.

Over Sea, Under Stone

On holiday in Cornwall, the three Drew children discover an ancient map in the attic of the house that they are staying in. They know immediately that it is special. It is even more than that the key to finding a grail, a source of power to fight the forces of evil known as the Dark. And in searching for it themselves, the Drews put their very lives in peril. This is the first volume of Susan Cooper's brilliant and absorbing fantasy sequence known as The Dark Is Rising.

The Dark is Rising

This night will be bad and tomorrow will be beyond imagining.

It's Midwinter's Eve, the day before Will's eleventh birthday. But there is an atmosphere of fear in the familiar countryside around him. This will be a birthday like no other. Will discovers that he has the power of the Old Ones, and that he must embark on a quest to vanquish the terrifyingly evil magic of the Dark.

The second novel in Susan Cooper's highly acclaimed Dark is Rising sequence.

Greenwitch

Simon, Jane, and Barney, enlisted by their mysterious great-uncle, arrive in a small coastal town to recover a priceless golden grail stolen by the forces of evil Dark. They are not at first aware of the strange powers of another boy brought to help, Will Stanton nor of the sinister significance of the Greenwitch, an image of leaves and branches that for centuries has been cast into the sea for good luck in fishing and harvest. Their search for the grail sets into motion a series of disturbing, sometimes dangerous events that, at their climax, bring forth a gift that, for a time at least, will keep the Dark from rising.

The Grey King

With the final battle between the Light and the Dark soon approaching, Will sets out on a quest to call for aid. Hidden within the Welsh hills is a magical harp that he must use to wake the Sleepers - six noble riders who have slept for centuries.

Silver on the Tree

The Dark is rising in its last and greatest bid to control the world. And Will Stanton last-born of the immortal Old Ones, dedicated to keeping the world free must join forces with this ageless master Merriman and Bran, the Welsh boy whose destiny ties him to the Light. Drawn in with them are the three Drew children, who are mortal, but have their own vital part in the story. These six fight fear and death in the darkly brooding Welsh hills, in a quest through time and space that touches the most ancient myths of the British Isles, and that brings Susan Cooper's masterful sequence of novels to a satisfying close.