Greenwitch (1974)

I was a bit surprised to see that I had previously given this book a paltry three-star review, but after this re-read I feel like it's justified as such. The story loosely picks up where the Dark is Rising and Over Sea, Under Stone left off, uniting the stories of WIll Stanton and the Drew children as they meet is Trewissick to search for the stolen grail (previously discovered by the Drews) and take another step towards holding the Dark back. Much of the conflict lies between them and the mysterious Greenwitch, a magical being not allied with the Dark or Light and essentially acting as a representative of Wild (or green) magic. This specific type of magic is very important to British, and especially Welsh, lore, but I wasn't particularly impressed with Cooper's exploration as such. BEsides the creation of the Greenwitch and the confrontation between it and Will and Merriman it basically plays a standard role of villain with no motivation or explanation. I guess the expectation is that readers will already be well-knowledged about their local Greenwitch traditions, or that we are expected to accept them with little explanation (as much traditional hedgemagic is meant to be). Kind of annoying for an academic stickler like me, but I did enjoy the slightly darker tone to the novel and the sense of tension that existed because we didn't know which way the Greenwitch was going to bend. The saga is not yet over though, as the Dark has not yet been defeated, and our heroes have only just begun to collect the remaining items of the power to help them in their fight. ( )

The third book in The Dark is Rising Sequence. I liked this one. In this the boy Will meets up with the Drew children and we are back at the site of the first book when the grail was found and the parchment lossed. The dark is here as well, as a painter. The greenwitch is a celebration of the local people of Cornwall and it seems that the Green might be part of the greenman folklore. ( )

[I wrote this review in 2008]

**Third in The Dark is Rising Series**

The Dark is Rising is a wonderful classic fantasy series, and 'Greenwitch' (Book 3) brings together the characters from Books 1 and 2, as the powers of the Light continue on their quest to overcome the Dark.

The Drew children, Simon, Jane and Barney, central to the story in 'Over Sea Under Stone' (Book 1) come back into the plot, returning to Trewissick with their Great Uncle Merry for a week of their Easter Holidays. They are on a mission to recover the celtic golden chalice they found in Book 1 and presented to a museum for safe-keeping. The chalice has been stolen and Great Uncle Merry (Gumerry) believes they can help to find it. In 'Greenwitch' their characters are better developed than in the first book, bringing out distinctive individual characteristics for each of the children.

Also on his way down to Trewissick for his holidays is Will Stanton, the Sign-Seeker and youngest of the Old Ones, guardians of the Light in Book 2. Will's Uncle Bill is taking him on his holidays with an old friend of his, Merriman Lyon... Merriman, or Merry has brought all of the children together for the first time as they each have unique skills to help with the recovering of the chalice and the fight against the powers of the Dark. Jane, in particular, as she is invited to watch the local women of the village construct the magical Greenwith as an offering to the sea, makes a wish which becomes important to the Old Ones in their struggles against the Dark....

Not as good as Book 2, but 'Greenwitch' is essential in bringing together the two plot lines established in Books 1 and 2, and is a key part of The Dark is Rising series. A great series for all ages. ( )

I used the audiobook format for this, as a re-reading to refresh my memory. I still enjoy the moody atmosphere of these books more than the specifics of the plot. The bridging of the two previous books is also the thing to watch.

Third in the 'Dark is Rising' sequence, and best to read after the first two ('Over Sea, Under Stone' and 'The Dark is Rising'). In this volume, the Drew children (Simon, Jane and Barney) from the first book meet Will Stanton who features in the second book.

It's an exciting story, blending real places and believable people with fantasy and legend. There are some quite dark dream sequences which interpose reality and fantasy, as the dark and Light once again race to find something that has been lost.

Good writing, a great pace, and an exciting conclusion. Recommended to anyone over the age of about ten.

Longer review here: https://suesbookreviews.blogspot.com/2020/03/greenwitch-by-susan-cooper.html ( )