The Grey King (1975)

For me, each book in the series isn’t as good as the previous one. “The Grey King” has its good moments, but in general I found it a bit slow. At one point, the narrative is put on hold for a Welsh language lesson, where the main character learns how to improve his pronunciation.

Although I like Will Stanton, he isn’t as endearing as the three Drew siblings from Books 1 and 3. If they’d been part of the story, it would’ve added some brightness and variety.

The author’s good at bringing the landscape to life but is too fond of adverbs. Adverbs ‘tell’, not ‘show’.

So, worth a read, but it’s not something I’d return to for a second time. ( )

Susan Cooper writes a wonderful story and The Dark is Rising series is among her best work. I find the characters relatable and engaging but she truly shines in her storytelling which draws you into both the current story and all the back story too. ( )

The forth of the Dark is Rising books takes us to Wales, where Will meets Bran.

(Main review on Silver in the Tree) ( )

Fire on the mountain top shall find the harp of gold/Played to wake the Sleepers, the oldest of the old

So speaks the prophecy of the Old Ones.

Will Stanton, youngest of the immortal Old Ones, is deathly ill- something that should be impossible for an Old One. To regain his strength, his family sends him to the Welsh mountains to recover, and there he meets a boy of his own age- albino, strange- almost fey- whom he befriends. Will is struggling to regain his memories as an Old One, while his friend Bran and Bran's dog, Cadfael- named for King Arthur's dog- have unpleasant encounters on the mountain ruled by the eponymous Grey King- one of the greatest Lords of the Dark, who for unknown reasons restricted his demesne to a single Welsh mountain and surrounding valleys in ancient days.

For the Grey King stands sentinel over the Sleepers and the Harp of Gold- and only the rightful lord of Britain has command in the face of his power. Bran's secret is unknown to himself, when his mother was taken elsewhere by Merriman to have and leave her baby, for she had once been unfaithful to her husband- and the Pendragon was needed by the Old Ones in a time not originally his own.

The best-written entry in the series, this one is highly enjoyable- although it loses quite a bit without having read at least The Dark is Rising first. Highly recommended. ( )

Book #4 in The Dark is Rising series. Will Stanton is recuperating from a strange illness in Wales and befriends a local boy named Bran, whose parentage is a mystery, but who helps Will solve riddles and defeat the Grey King on his home turf. ( )