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Review Summaries
"The Arthurian grail that Simon, Jane, and Barney Drew found on the coast of Cornwall in Over Sea, Under Stone has been stolen from the British Museum. So Great Uncle Merry takes them again to the seacoast village of Trewissick (this time over the Easter holiday week) to recover the cup. This time, they are allied with Will Stanton, the hero of the second book, The Dark is Rising, still a young boy possessed of the great powers of the Old Ones. The women of the village will create the Greenwitch, a creature of hawthorn branches and other plants which they cast into the sea every year, but this time, the Greenwitch will rise again because the Dark and the Light are contending for its "secret" -- the parchment that decodes the messages on the grail."
David Loftus, Resident Susan Cooper Scholar
"This is the third book in the 'Dark Rising' series. The ancient and secret Greenwitch ceremony is carried out each year by the women of a Cornwall village, who make a model in twigs and flowers and cast it into the sea. Jane, Simon, and Barney Drew are brought back to the village at this time to recover a stolen treasure, the priceless and mysterious golden grail that they previously unearthed in a cave. Barney is now coming into his own as an artist, and one of his drawings is to play an important part in tale. But the thief is also about, with far more powers than they can combat alone, and the combined powers of the Old Ones are now required. The skills and knowledge of Merriman, the sea captain, and the young mage Will Stanton are all called upon. But the Greenwitch has wild ways, and she cannot be commanded, cajoled, or out-argued, even by clever and powerful spellcasters. She accuses them all, Dark and Light alike, of being self-serving. Now although the power of teamwork is on the side of the Old Ones, and lack of it against the thief, this is not enough. It takes a seemingly unimportant and small impulse of the good-hearted Jane to touch the heart of the Greenwitch, and release a vital clue in the quest."
Michael JR Jose, Resident Susan Cooper Scholar
"When the Drew children learn that the grail (which they recovered in Over Sea, Under Stone) was stolen, they and their Great-Uncle Merry journey back to Trewissick. This time, though, Merry brings Will Stanton. Will is in the second book called The Dark is Rising. The Drews aren't too happy about that, but later they accept him. Jane plays an important part in the recovery of the second manuscript that was lost in the first book. She is the only one allowed to go to the making of the Greenwitch, a great leafy creature constructed of hawthorn and hazel. But the Greenwitch, after being thrown to the sea, makes the second manuscript its "secret." The man from the Dark, posing as a painter, knows of this, and tries to get it from the Greenwitch. If he succeeds, the Light will have a severe disadvantage. Will the Dark painter triumph and have both the grail and the manuscript? Or will the Drews, Great-Uncle Merry, and Will get it first? "
Danielle, Resident Susan Cooper Scholar
"When Simon, Jane, and Barney learn that the Holy Grail (which they found during the first book in this series, Over Sea, Under Stone) has been stolen, they must return to Cornwall with Uncle Merry to search for it again. This time, though, Merry has brought a friend with him - Will Stanton. Although the Drew children are less than thrilled about Will's presence, they learn to work with him as they search for the Grail. This time, Jane finds the key to the quest - in her interactions with the Greenwitch, a construct of leaves and twigs made by locals every year and then 'sacrificed' in the sea. "
Ivy, Resident Susan Cooper Scholar
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Overall Review
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Plot
Composition of Book Descript. of chases or violence - 12.5% planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 37.5% Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 27.5% Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 22.5%
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION?
- fantasy story on current Earth
Tech./$$$/Info hunt
Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
- magical artifact
Mental/magical powers focus
Yes
magical powers:
- clash between evenly matched magical power(s) (fantasy)
Is this an adult or child's book?
- Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Main Character
Identity:
- Female
Profession/status:
- student
Age:
- a kid
Is this an ordinary person caught up in events?
Yes
How sensitive is this character?
- sensitive to others' feelings
Sense of humor
- Mostly serious with occasional humor
Intelligence
- Average intelligence
Physique
- average physique
Main Adversary
Identity:
- Male
Age:
- long-lived adults
Has magical powers?
Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist:
- mind control
- can cast all sorts of spells
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in:
- an average amount
How sensitive is this character?
- hard edged
Intelligence
- Smarter than most other characters
Physique
- average physique
Setting
Terrain
- Water
Earth setting:
- 20th century
Takes place on Earth?
Yes
Style
Person?
- mostly 3rd
Accounts of torture and death?
- no torture/death
How much dialogue?
- roughly even amounts of descript and dialog
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