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The Grey King (4) (The Dark Is Rising Sequence) Paperback – May 8, 2007

4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,111 ratings

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"Fire on the Mountain Shall Find the Harp of Gold Played to Wake the Sleepers, Oldest of the Old..."

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.

But an illness has robbed Will of nearly all his knowledge of the Old Ones, and he is left only with a broken riddle to guide him in his task. As Will travels blindly through the hills, his journey will bring him face-to-face with the most powerful Lord of the Dark - the Grey King. The King holds the harp and Sleepers within his lands, and there has yet to be a force strong enough to tear them from his grasp...
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Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Susan Cooper is one of our foremost children’s authors; her classic five-book fantasy sequence The Dark Is Rising has sold millions of copies worldwide. Her many books have won the Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor, and the Boston Globe-Horn Book Award, and been shortlisted five times for the Carnegie Medal. She combines fantasy with history in Victory (a Washington Post Top Ten for Children novel), King of Shadows and Ghost Hawk, and her magical The Boggart and the Monster, second in a trilogy, won the Scottish Arts Council’s Children’s Book Award. Susan Cooper lives on a saltmarsh island in Massachusetts, and you can visit her online at TheLostLand.com.

Product details

  • Publisher ‏ : ‎ Margaret K. McElderry Books; Reprint edition (May 8, 2007)
  • Language ‏ : ‎ English
  • Paperback ‏ : ‎ 192 pages
  • ISBN-10 ‏ : ‎ 1416949674
  • ISBN-13 ‏ : ‎ 978-1416949671
  • Reading age ‏ : ‎ 12 years and up
  • Lexile measure ‏ : ‎ 930L
  • Grade level ‏ : ‎ 7 - 9
  • Item Weight ‏ : ‎ 7.2 ounces
  • Dimensions ‏ : ‎ 5.5 x 0.6 x 8.25 inches
  • Customer Reviews:
    4.6 4.6 out of 5 stars 1,111 ratings

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Susan Cooper
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Susan Cooper is best known for her acclaimed five-book fantasy sequence "The Dark is Rising," which won a Newbery Medal, a Newbery Honor Award, and two Carnegie Honor Awards. Her newest books are 2 picturebooks: "The Shortest Day" (her classic solstice poem, illustrated by Carson Ellis), and "The Word Pirates," illustrated by Steven Kellogg. Born in England in 1935, Ms Cooper became a reporter and feature writer for the London Sunday Times--her first boss was James Bond creator Ian Fleming--before moving to the United States in 1963. Her first novels were "Mandrake" and the autobiographical "Dawn of Fear," followed by the complete Dark is Rising sequence (Over Sea, Under Stone; The Dark is Rising; Greenwitch; The Grey King; Silver on the Tree). The sequence, deeply rooted in the rich heritage of Arthurian legend and Celtic mythology, is a classic work of children's literature, still in print after 40 years. Cooper went on to write other well-received children's novels, including "Seaward," "The Boggart" trilogy, "Green Boy," "King of Shadows," "Victory," and "Ghost Hawk" as well as several picture books for young readers with illustrators such as Ashley Bryan and Warwick Hutton. She has also written books for adults, as well as plays and Emmy-nominated screenplays (some in collaboration with her second husband, the actor Hume Cronyn). Recent non-fiction includes her biography of Revels founder Jack Langstaff titled "The Magic Maker." Ms. Cooper lives in Marshfield MA. Visit her on Facebook or on her website at www.thelostland.com.

Customer reviews

4.6 out of 5 stars
1,111 global ratings

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Customers say

Customers find the story engaging and well-crafted. They appreciate the suspenseful plot and magic that enhance the development of the series. The writing quality is praised as clear and confident.

AI-generated from the text of customer reviews

8 customers mention "Suspenseful story"8 positive0 negative

Customers enjoy the suspenseful story. They find it an excellent adventure with a deep plot development. The magic and mystery enhance the plot. Readers appreciate the excitement and mystery of the book.

"Suspense builds while magic reigns...." Read more

"...It's a wonderful story about a budding friendship, growing up and of course battling the Dark." Read more

"...I bought it to read with my grandson. He loves the excitement, mystery and magic." Read more

"A Newbery medal winner. An excellent adventure story." Read more

4 customers mention "Writing quality"4 positive0 negative

Customers appreciate the writing quality. They find the words clear and understandable, with a respectful reading that helps bring the book to life. The narration is also appreciated for its clarity.

"...author Susan Cooper seems increasingly comfortable and confident in her writing, and in "The Grey King," she gives us a many-layered story filled..." Read more

"...The narrator helps bring the book to life." Read more

"...Finally, the reading is very respectful. By that I mean the book is not read as though it were just some silly children's book...." Read more

"Medal- winning magical writing by Susan Cooper..." Read more

Top reviews from the United States

  • Reviewed in the United States on March 2, 2014
    "The Grey King" is the fourth volume in Susan Cooper's The Dark is Rising Sequence, and in the opinion of many, the best of that series. (The fact that it won the Newbery Medal doesn't hurt the claim.)

    In this book, Will Stanton is on his own, recovering from a severe illness that has suppressed the knowledge of his powers and duties as an Old One. Sent to a relative's farm in Wales to recuperate, it is not long, however, before he is set upon the path of another quest - and meets a strange, white-haired, white-skinned local boy named Bran.

    Will and Bran and face the might of The Grey King - one of the most powerful Lords in service to the Dark - whose hold over the Welsh countryside is both powerful and terrifying. They must find the mythical Golden Harp and use it to wake The Sleepers - soldiers in service to the Light who have lain in slumber for centuries, waiting to be called to do final battle against the Dark.

    As is true with each successive book in the Sequence, author Susan Cooper seems increasingly comfortable and confident in her writing, and in "The Grey King," she gives us a many-layered story filled with the fantastic, but also shot-through with elements of loneliness and sadness. Will's growth as a character is central to the plot, and the role of Bran and his deeply tragic origin make this volume a high point in one of the most deservedly-beloved story arcs in young adult fiction.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on September 8, 2016
    I adore this book and this series! It's been one of my favorites since I was in grade school. The story itself is rooted in old legends from Wales, and the whole series seems to take in old legends from England, Cornwall, Wales, etc. to make a cohesive story. The series is for youth, much like the Harry Potter books, but equally enjoyable for adults. I love this book in particular because I have always liked linguistics, and this book gives some basic introduction into Welsh. I've read this book at least 10 times and listened to the audio version at least 5. The narrator helps bring the book to life.
  • Reviewed in the United States on August 27, 2014
    I've posted this review, in basically this form, for all five of the "Dark is Rising" CD audiobook sets, because there aren't many other reviews of the CD sets. I have all five sets and have been uniformly pleased with the audio quality.

    I'll skip any summary of this book or of the series; dozens of reviewers have done that quite well. I assume that you are familiar with these books, probably have read this volume, (likely more than once), but now wish to have the book available as an audio CD. Perhaps a long car trip is in the offing? Good for you.

    I am happy to report that, at least for me, this audio version gets high marks across the board.

    First, I can hear it and understand it. No mushy sound recording. No odd imbalance in volume that requires you to keep turning the volume up and then down. All of the spoken words are crisp and clear.

    Second, there are no sound effects or such folderol.

    Third, there is a single reader. This is not a play for voices and is not read by a number of different character actors.

    Fourth, Richard Mitchley is an effective reader. There are a lot of Welsh characters in this book and Mitchley gets that across without being so authentic in his accents that he becomes hard to understand. His approach is flavorful but not overly dramatic. Much like Alex Jennings, who read the other four books, he is not coy or arch, and does not ham up any of the big scenes. He succeeds in establishing a distinct and recognizable identity for each character.

    Finally, the reading is very respectful. By that I mean the book is not read as though it were just some silly children's book. It is treated as the triumphant work that it is and this adds greatly to its weight and impact.

    Please note that like all of the CD books this reading is unabridged. There are 5 compact discs. Runtime is a bit over five and a half hours.
    Enjoy.
    6 people found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on January 14, 2022
    Suspense builds while magic reigns. Cooper keeps you engaged with Will Stanton unraveling legends and collecting allies while on his quest to beat back the rising darkness.
  • Reviewed in the United States on July 30, 2016
    I love this series probably more than any other I've read. It could be because my fifth grade teacher read part of this series to us and it was what got me truly interested in reading. This particular book is gorgeous. The imagery and romance of Wales! I remember after reading this I wanted to learn the language and go visit! :). This one is mainly about Will and Bran, though you see a few of the other characters a bit. Later everyone returns to this same setting for the final battle. It's a wonderful story about a budding friendship, growing up and of course battling the Dark.
    One person found this helpful
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  • Reviewed in the United States on October 14, 2017
    Loved the book. I have read it ,and The Dark is Rising Sequence, many times as an adult. I am puzzled that it is not better known. I bought it to read with my grandson. He loves the excitement, mystery and magic.
  • Reviewed in the United States on November 14, 2020
    I love all of them. now have 2 or 3 copies if them and hard bound copies of her other books
  • Reviewed in the United States on February 16, 2018
    Read this along with my 11yr old, he needed some encouragement. We hadn't read any of the others in the series and still was good. Loved the Welsh references, entertaining and educational.
    2 people found this helpful
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Top reviews from other countries

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  • Harrisharris4444
    5.0 out of 5 stars Five Stars
    Reviewed in India on January 14, 2018
    Great book! Great series!!
  • Andrew P. Vovides
    5.0 out of 5 stars The grey King
    Reviewed in Mexico on August 5, 2016
    Brilliant! A beautiful story for all ages. Immersed in magic with a smattering of the Arthurian legends at the end. The story of Will Stanton continues into new depths and adventures with his friend Bran, a Welsh boy with a distant past. The story takes the reader on a tour of the north Wales valleys, lakes and mountains with a bonus of learning a little of that poetic language of the bards, Welsh. It will be a delight to those who love fantasy and things Welsh.
  • Korrigan
    5.0 out of 5 stars Teil 4 der Serie "Wintersonnenwende" (The Dark is Rising)
    Reviewed in Germany on April 25, 2016
    Ich habe die Serie das erste mal mit 14 gelesen - und ich glaube, das war damals der Einstieg in das Fantasy-Genre für mich. Bis heute hat die Serie nichts von ihrer Faszination auf mich verloren - auch wenn es primär eine Jugendbuchserie ist. Ich habe sie mehrfach gelesen, als komplette Serie auf deutsch und auf englisch im Bücherregal stehen - und jetzt auch auf dem Kindle. Ich habe sie bestimmt auch nicht zum letzten Mal gelesen...
    Was diese Faszination ausmacht? Schwer zu sagen... Die Bücher spielen in England bzw. Wales. Ich war schon da und kann mir das alles ehr gut vorstellen. Die verwendeten Mythen gefallen mir, die Liebe zum Detail, die Geschlossenheit der Geschichte, die Tiefe der Charaktere... Ich würde einfach empfehlen: lesen und sich drauf einlassen! :-)
  • Darrell
    5.0 out of 5 stars good reading.
    Reviewed in Canada on December 15, 2013
    I remember starting to read this when I was young. I never finished it, but it always stuck in my mind. I am glad I finally got the chance to finish it.
  • sue
    5.0 out of 5 stars so easy on Kindle
    Reviewed in the United Kingdom on October 9, 2012
    This was a re-read and a totally impulsive buy as we were in Wales (the story is set in Wales) - Susan Cooper's series of five books is still a really good, engrossing read and I think this one is the best of the five (it is the penultimate) So easy to want it, buy it, read it on Kindle - even in the middle of the night if you have wi-fi!!!