What an outstanding book with which to start the new year!
Having re-read [b:The Dark Is Rising|210329|The Dark Is Rising (The Dark is Rising, #2)|Susan Cooper|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1349051230l/210329.SY75.jpg|1530651] recently, I couldn’t help noticing the many similarities between it and Pacat’s new book - it’s hard to avoid when the title is so obvious a homage to [a:Susan Cooper|7308|Susan Cooper|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1379606336p2/7308.jpg]’s masterpiece, and the heroes of both books share the name Will. There are also obvious references to [b:The Lord of the Rings|33|The Lord of the Rings|J.R.R. Tolkien|https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1566425108l/33.SX50.jpg|3462456]. However, this first book in a proposed trilogy is not a rip-off of these classics, but instead a gentle nod of acknowledgement to books that forged the path for Pacat to create her own world.
Dark Rise is an action packed, character-driven fantasy. The story begins in 1821 London on the busy docks. I could hear the clamour, and smell the sea air - it was like a book with surround-sound! I realised from the get-go that I was in the hands of a skilful author, whose world-building and descriptions take the reader away from the everyday and into her world. I found myself totally submerged in Dark Rise and I cannot wait until the next book is released.