| Will Stanton, the youngest of 9 children, is approaching his 11th birthday in the midwinter. Powerful forces of good and evil congregate about him, and he learns he is the last of the Old Ones -- the first in 500 years -- who have guarded the Earth against the Dark. Will must find the six magical Signs that will consolidate the power of the Old Ones against the approaching Dark. With the protection and guidance of Merriman in particular, Will travels back to older times in the middle ages and 18th century, learns what he must know, and prepares for the great battle after Christmas. A flock of rooks, a witch-girl, a massive snowstorm and a flood are among the obstacles he will face. This is a stately and measured classic of young adult literature, the second in the five-part Dark is Rising Sequence. | ||
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Plot & Themes Tone of book - suspenseful (sophisticated fear) FANTASY or SCIENCE FICTION? - fantasy story on current Earth Coming of age Yes Youngster becomes - a powerful magician Is this an adult or child's book? - Adult or Young Adult Book Descript. of chases or violence - 30 % planning/preparing, gather info, debate puzzles/motives - 20 % Feelings, relationships, character bio/development - 30 % Descript. of society, phenomena (tech), places - 20 % Main Character Identity: - Male Profession/status: Age: - a kid If magical mental powers: - can see into the future - teleportation - can cast many different spells Main Adversary Identity: - magical being Age: - long-lived adults Profession/status: Has magical powers? Yes Magical/mental powers of main antagonist: - fire/thunder/weather cntrl - mind control - can cast all sorts of spells - can read emotions How much of work is main antagonist actually present in: - a substantial amount How sensitive is this character? Setting Terrain Earth setting: - general past Takes place on Earth? Yes Writing Style Accounts of torture and death? - generic/vague references to death/punishment How much dialogue? - roughly even amounts of descript and dialog |
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