Although clearly from 'past times', this novel for young readers is rich and relevant. A reader will be enticed by Cooper's references to popular and timeless mythology and they will undoubtedly relate to the 'action' and 'chat' of the siblings: Simon, Jane and Barney. Great Uncle Merry is a character who hints at volumes - a true literary iceberg; only 1/10th visible. He is mysterious, compelling and... strangely light.
And the best news of all is that it's the first of five. The next book, "The Dark is Rising", is close to one of the best 'young' novels I have had the pleasure to read.

I agree, it is a brillant novel; the way it is written, the way it unfolds and everything else. Thanks to you I will most likely read the next book in the series.

I truly do agree with you and all of the points that you mentioned, but I don’t think that “over Sea Under Stone” ended as well as it could have!I REALLY WANT TO READ THE SECOND BOOK!!!

I agree with your opinion on this book it does have that beautiful flair. My favourite characters are Gummery and Jane. Who are yours?

All though I agree with you Dotparka I’m not quite sure what uncle Merry has to do with the book because I haven’t finished it yet? Because he seems to come in and out of the story. I find the book quite hard to read and I don’t think I’m going to carry on in the series. I love Barneys personality and how Jane is a real girly girl but I really want to know how old they are.

I fully agree with you. I have read this book and strongly agree that it is written for young readers. I love the mystery and mythology. This is one of the best books I have ever read!

I agree with you "dot" ha ha! Although the beginning of the book was a bit tedious, I became very interested by the end of the book. I am willing to now continue the series and read the sequel "the dark is rising". I can't wait to see how all the characters turn out especially uncle Merry or Merlin as I have recently found from the epilogue of the book. I found the book mysterious and at times on edge.

Dotparka I agree with you entirely. I agree that it is action packed book and is filled with fantasy. It is a good book.

I completely agree, I am nearly finished this fabulous read and am looking forward to finding out what happens at the end. I love the way this book has been put together and the way the clues are being figured out. Can’t wait to see if they find the grail!

I completely agree with you as the relation to the mythology, and the sense of adventure and problem solving also provides the need for you to keep reading. It was really hard to put the book down as it allows you to feel the emotions of the characters.

Over Sea Under stone is a compelling story especially relating to the characters Jane, Barney, Simon and Great-Uncle Merry. The Arthurian styled narrative describes in great detail including relative facts about the Holy Grail and King Arthurs adventure.

Dotparka, you have a unique view on this book which I partially agree with, I do believe that there is a great deal of depth present in the character, Great Uncle Merry. On the other hand the 'popular' and 'timeless' mythology you refer to has been slightly overdone in past years like the legend of ‘vampires’. Also the banter that Jane, Barney and Simon share isn’t exactly the same as the usual banter siblings share, in my opinion; I have siblings and we honestly are fighting more than searching for ancient treasures. Frankly this book is quite outstanding even though parts of the story seem to have a decency to drag slightly through the chapters.

I fully agree. Whilst reading this book I have been captured into its mere pages, and experienced the excruciatingly exciting array of events. The three main characters- Jane, Simon and Barney make it all the more interesting. I love the way it creates emotions within you, and controls your thoughts in the most mysterious of ways. I can’t wait until I start the next book in the series.

I agree with you as “Over Sea Under Stone” is a truly wonderful book and everything fits in. I can’t wait to finish so I can read the rest of the series!

I also want to know how old the children are! they never seem to quite tell you. I think that Barney is youngest and then Jane and Simon.

I absolutely agree with this and I really want to read the second book! It’s an awesome novel!

I quite agree with the view on which you have on the book "over sea under stone". The beginning of the book was a bit ordinary and quite plain, although i did enjoy the mystery and suspicion of the children’s great uncle merry but as i got further into the book, an ordinary fantasy game turned the worlds of Jane, Barney and Simon upside down. I can't wait to read the second book "the dark is rising" what with all the excellent review and of course your own personal opinion. I have gotten immersed in this book and cannot put it down!!

With the strangely light quality I agree that great uncle merry is a bit of an iceberg, not only do I agree with that, I agree with many other comments. I am excited about the next books and I am probably going to carry on reading the series, a fabulous read.

Personally I disagree with the statement that the 'best news' is that there are five more books. I find the fact that OSUS is the first of a series rather daunting as I prefer books that deliver the information in a short period of time.

I know right. I really want to know how old the children are?

Although I agree with you in that the novel is from past times, I don’t believe this is relevant for children of the modern world. On the other hand I believe children may identify with Jane, Simon and Barney.

I personally don’t agree with this. In my opinion the story line is hard to follow and the use of language is too formal for young readers to understand. The Cornish accent confused me and the only thing I really liked about this book was her amazing use of characters.

I agree with dotparka. The story is an adventurous and exciting one with an Arthurian story – can’t wait to read the second one in the series. I agree that Great Uncle Merry comes in and out of the story and is a mysterious character which makes the book more interesting. The plot is good and so are the characters.

Hey, did you find the beginning hard to read? I found it was nauseating.

Dotparker, I very much agree with you when you were talking about Great Uncle Merry, he is a very suspicious man and is relevant to this story. Although I wonder intently how Great-Uncle Merry gets around and how he can make the story a whole lot nore interesting.

Over Sea, Under Stone is truly a worthwhile book full of timeless adventure and intriguing mystery. I highly agree with you dotparka and it has also has a very interesting plot, especially with Great Uncle Merry as he also is a very strange character. I like how the author has brought a bit of history and myth into the novel and I am so excited to read the next book in the series, the Dark is Rising.

I think that that beginning of the book was very hard to read. I agree with missmerlin7:)

I am hearing that people want to know who I am. I will not say. I am sworn to secrecy. I really like this book! I can't wait to read the sequel.

I am not meaning to offend anyone, but I really did not enjoy this book. Simon, Jane and Barney’s pompous personalities just made it worse and by the middle I was just plain bored.

My favourite character is Great uncle Merry because of his mysterious personality.

Thanks to barney32 my secret is out.

Not good, it's amazing.

Barney32 is sworn to secrecy.

Although I believe this is a very intriguing book I am sure that I am not the only person who was bored with the introduction in the first few chapters.

Clue actually no clue

I competely disagree the plot is hard to follow and the introduction as well.

Over Sea Under stone is a compelling story especially relating to the characters Jane, Barney, Simon and Great-Uncle Merry. The Arthurian styled narrative describes in great detail including relative facts about the Holy Grail and King Arthurs adventure.

I do agree with you dotparka, the novel is very intriguing and compelling, it makes you wonder about a variety of things. the characters are very interesting and amusing, the character that grabs my attention is Jane as i like the way she thinks. Gummery is indeed a very peculiar character but a very interesting one. at beginning i did not like this novel but after a few chapters it grabbed my attention with interest. the thing i best like about this novel is that it raises your curiosity and it is a mystery and this novel reminds me of one of my favourite series, the famous five series. in opinion this series is worth reading and i am going to read it.

I agree with Dotparka as it has a perfect plot and cool characters. Although very confusing at times and is hard to understand some of the Cornish accent used in the book. It would be very interesting to see what the other four books have to offer.