In her epic series, "The Dark Is Rising" – in which "The Dark Is Rising" is book 2, though it stands well alone – Susan Cooper gets several things right. Which is almost unfortunate, because she gets several things wrong as well, things that cannot be ignored.
Good things first. Susan Cooper is not just a children's author. She is an artist. Rarely, if ever, have I seen a book for this age group – especially a fantasy – that blends such strong vocabulary, masterfully artistic writing, and exciting, absorbing plotlines. If kids could read words without absorbing worldviews, I would recommend this book without hesitation.
Susan Cooper writes like a song, and never "dumbs down" her quality and word choices for 20th and 21st century kids. Not only is this book technically beautiful and rich, but Susan Cooper offers an amazing portrayal of a large, loving family that genuinely cares for each of its members. Such material is rare in kid's books these days, and anyone could benefit from studying such a positive family as inhabits this book.
So this book is absorbing, powerful, beautifully written, and contains positive role models. In that case, why not order a copy right now? Unfortunately, the problems in this book are actually amplified by Cooper's brilliant storytelling skills. Firstly, this is unequivocally a fantasy book, so those who object to fantasy in any form will find this book unacceptable. To those who don't mind fantasy if it does not stray into the realm of the occult, be aware. This book puts on the appearance of being an allegory about good vs. evil. I mean, the good side is called the Light and the bad side is called the Dark. Isn't this book just a Narnia or Middle Earth-style fantasy adventure that happens to take place in our world? Decidedly not.
The key problem? Cooper is most decidedly not a Christian. The further you read, the more you find that her book is steeped in ancient Celtic religious beliefs, hints of dualism (i.e. good and evil having equal power), and unrestrained, often dark, magic. She goes so far as to call Christianity a "disturbed theological assumption." And please note that the rest of Cooper's series plunges even more deeply into these disturbing realms.
The key objection that Christians have had with the controversial Harry Potter series is that it pulls magic away from some witch in Narnia and places it on the shoulders of ordinary children in England. Readers suddenly see fantasy become reality, and the pragmatic is suddenly mixed with the fantastic. "The Dark Is Rising" does the same thing, only in a more subtle and perhaps more dangerous form. Will is not taken away to wizard's boarding school, given a magic wand and taught how to make himself turn invisible. Instead, he simply wakes up one morning to discover that he is one of the most powerful beings on earth, locked in an epic spiritual struggle. Magic is part of his being – the kind of magic that can freeze time, travel through time, and do all sorts of telepathic tricks. He never abuses his power, and still respects those older than him, but the whole concept is disturbing. Will becomes a being of great power – and a very non-Christian one at that. And this is not to mention the other minor, or not so minor, issues in this book.
Cooper, with her amazing style and skill, gains power over her readers from day one. What she does with that power is a little disturbing. Any child who appreciates quality writing will be enthralled by this story and will be absorbing some deeply dangerous worldviews at the same time. Unless you are willing to dig into this book with your child and use it as a teaching opportunity, I don't believe the considerable beauties therein are worth the dangers.