Children's Classic Books discussion

The Grey King by Susan Cooper


Published: 1975 (Book 4 in the Dark Is Rising series)
It won the Tir na n-Og Award from the Welsh Books Council as the year's best English-language children's book with an authentic Welsh background and setting. It incorporates Welsh folklore as well as Arthurian material, especially that of the Brenin Llwyd, the Grey King who is also known as Monarch of the Mist and is legendary in Welsh mythology.

It also won the annual Newbery Medal in 1976.

Over Sea, Under Stone discussion
The Dark is Rising discussion
Greenwitch discussion

Here is the discussion for book 4 of the Dark Is Rising series by Susan Cooper.

Please add your comments whenever you read it; discussion is not limited by the month in which the book was read.

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I enjoyed this one as well. The stakes seem to be getting higher. I think this was the book that started my fascination with Wales. Bran was a great character, but I don't remember whether he will make an appearance in the final book. I hope so.

I've just finished my reread of this book, after a gap of a number of years.
I loved it!
The books just keep getting better and better!

I'm so glad to hear how much you liked it, Rosemarie. I've lost book 3 so I need to find it again before I forge ahead. Argh!

It doesn't have any of the characters from Book 3, except Will Stanton, who is the main character in The Grey King.

Oh that’s interesting. I can’t wait to finish the series to see whether I enjoy the way she’s structured it. Now off you go look for book 3. 🤦🏻‍♀️