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Book Review By David Loftus
The Grey King by Susan Cooper

Eleven-year-old Will Stanton, the last of the Old Ones and defender of the Light, has been sent to Wales to recuperate from sickness and his last adventure. He is also on a mission to locate the magic golden harp, which is hidden somewhere in the Welsh mountains.

Will receives assistance from Bran, a strange albino boy with white hair, and John Rowlands, a solid farmer who guesses his true identity. They are up against the Grey King, who rules from the mountain Cader Idris, as well as the much smaller but pesky threat of Caradog Prichard, a grouchy Welsh farmer who repeatedly accuses the local dogs of killing his sheep and is inclined to shoot to kill.

Will and Bran will have to descend into the mountain for the harp, and face the giant grey ghost fox who is really killing the sheep.


Plot & Themes
Tone of book - sensitive (sigh....)
FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth
Tech./$$$/Info hunt Yes
Stealing/recovering/destroying
Is this an adult or child's book? - Kid's book (ages 7-14)
Descript. of chases or violence - 20 %
planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 40 %
Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 20 %
Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 %

Main Character
Identity: - Male
Profession/status:
Age: - a kid
If magical mental powers: - can cast many different spells

Main Adversary
Has magical powers? Yes
Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - can cast all sorts of spells
How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a moderate amount
How sensitive is this character?

Setting
Terrain
Earth setting: - 20th century
Takes place on Earth? Yes

Writing Style
Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment
How much dialogue? - significantly more descript than dialog
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