The dark is rising

If you consider yourself a fan of fantasy, adult or younger, you have no excuse if these aren't sitting on your shelves.

Will, on his eleventh birthday, learns he is an Old One, a guardian for The Light. He must collect the ancient Things of Power (wood, bronze, iron, water, fire, and stone) so that the Light may do battle with the Dark and win. Unfortunately, such a brief synopsis does not do it justice, but I don't want to ruin anything for you. And since Cooper sets most of the story lines in Wales, you also get to learn a bit of Welsh...

Y maent yr mynyddoedd yn canu,
ac y maer arglwyddes yn dod.

Much more intriguing than the first book of the series. The characters of Will and Lyon are much more pronounced than the characters of the first book, as well. Overall, a great read, with a great storyline.