The perfect book for the Christmas season.

It is Midwinter's Eve, the night before Will's eleventh birthday. But there is an atmosphere of fear in the familiar countryside around him. Will is about to make a shocking discovery - that he is the last person to be born with the power of the Old Ones, and as a guardian of the Light he must begin a dangerous journey to vanquish the terrifyingly evil magic of the Dark.

Susan Cooper is a world-renowned author of children's books. Born and brought up in England, she worked as a journalist before moving to America, where she now lives. Her fabulousThe Dark Is Risingsequence has won the Newbery Medal and was twice shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. HerBoggarttitles have won the Scottish Arts Council Children's Book Award and been shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal and the Smarties Prize.King of Shadowswas also shortlisted for the Carnegie Medal. As well as writing novels, Susan Cooper writes successful plays, and screenplays for film and television.

The second gripping book in the classic The Dark Is Rising sequence.