Over Sea, Under Stone: Book 1 of The Dark Is Rising Sequence

The "Dark is Rising" series is a favorite of mine -- so I was excited when my 7-year old was ready to make it his next chapter book for us to read/listen to (we often combine reading aloud ourselves, and listening). This is an excellent narration of this favorite. Jennings is clear and compelling, his character voices are fine, and the pace is brisk and exciting.

One of the things I love best about the book is that the way Cooper captures that sense of wonder and play kid's have -- the ordinary can seem magical, and the magical can still fit into their world.

My seven-year-old gobbled this up in a couple of lengthy listening sessions. Well worth the download.

I actually started this series, although I didn't know it was such at the time, back in 1993 whenI was in Junior High, with the fourth volume. It wasn't until about ten years later that I got the proper skinny on it and read the series in proper order. Over Sea, Under Stone opens with the Drew family, Dick, Ellen and their three young children, arriving in Cornwall for a summer vacation, which they'll be spending with their Great Uncle Merry, a mysterious professor who often appears unexpectedly on the Drews' doorstep to vanish just as quickly in the night. While exploring the massive house that Uncle Merry, Meriman Lyon to the wider world, the three Drew children, Simon, Jane and Barney, discover an ancient manuscript which they believe to be a map showing the location of what they believe to be an ancient treasure. Though a game to the three Drews, the importance of the manuscript begins to surface, first when a mysterious man and a woman claiming to be his sister appear and ask the Drews about secret passages and maps, then even more so later when the house is burglarized while the Drews sleep. Realizing what the thieves must have been after, the childen show the manuscript, which they managed to keep safe, to Uncle Merry, who reveals that the treasure is in fact an ancient grail from the time of King Arthur. Thus begins a dangerous race as the Drews attempt to decipher the clues of the map and reach the grail before their myysterious enemies do. But it quickly becomes apparent that their foes, though relatively few in number, are extremely resourceful, and the outcome of the race is continually in doubt.
As usual with audiobooks, the narrator can sometimes ruin the experience even if the story itself is good. Fortunately that wasn't the case here. British actor Alex Jennings not only has a good voice for storytelling but also a talent for accents and dialects that lend personality to the characters he portrays, from the Cornish accents of the village locals to Uncle Merry's deep, commanding tones. This is definitely a listen I wuld recommend to others. It's not an entirely traditional fantasy with swords, dragons and wizards but it's a gripping tale all the same.

This is a solid adventure story; a good start to the series and much less surreal than the stories to follow. I found, revisiting this as an adult, that the 'voices' of the children seemed to be just a little off- they kept saying things in a way that were much older than the characters themselves were (but that could just be a culture difference I guess, as I'm American and not British). Also, the peril wasn't very believeable this time around. I do remember that when I first read the books at around 10 years old I was completely enthralled, but now the conflict seems fabricated with no real power. Still, I'd recommend it for the 6-11 crowd.

I bought this for my 10 year old grandson and I am not sure which of us enjoyed it more! It is a nicely paced story which held our interest. Some great twists and also connections with history.

The book is a simple good vs evil story, set in a more innocent time
Lovely child's story
But...
The suspense nearly killed me and I couldn't stop listening til the very end!!!

Rufus the dog
Maybe Gummery too

No

Yes

Loved it

Entertaining, classic, and youthful

It may be written for younger readers, but it is a very good start to a great series. It does not alienate older readers.

When the children gathered on the hill in the night, and the threats and mystery they faced really came to light.

All quest in the history of good and evil.

The other books on this series start to appeal more to older readers, but that does not mean that this book should be dismissed.

I like reading light hearted books so I loved this one. I liked the twists and turns even if they were not complecated.

The voices and personalities were very nice with acents and all.

The fight between good and evil is always a good plot.

love the series; good interaction between characters. Like how there is a Historicist value in the story.I liked the magical moments as the story developed between the characters.

I really enjoy this book. Mystery with Authurian legend background.

The first book in the series sets a wonderful tone and pace for the rest of the series. Great for kids and adults.