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Book Review: Silver on the Tree
Apr. 22nd, 2024 08:06 amSilver on the Tree is the last book in The Dark Is Rising sequence, and also, perhaps, the least. It’s not nearly as well constructed as the other books in the series, and the person who gets the most character arc is poor John Rowland, who learns ( Spoilers ) The children in comparison are pretty static. And I found the climactic battle underwhelming, especially in comparison with the similar combat between the Light and Dark at the end of The Dark Is Rising.
For all that, there are still some lovely descriptions here. Will and Bran’s journey through the Lost Land has a wonderful dreamlike quality, as does the sequence where all the Six finally meet up on the magical train that becomes a boat.
A couple of stray thoughts: in the last chapter, the Lady touches Arthur’s arm with “the casual closeness of those who belong to the same family.” Are the Lady and King Arthur related? Does that mean the Lady… is Morgan le Fay? Or okay, maybe this is more metaphorical and the family they both belong to is simply the side of the Light, but I do love the idea that here one of Arthur’s usually evil sisters is in fact on the side of the angels.
Also, when I started this reread, I had the vague memory that the books hinted at Will/Jane. Now that I’ve finished, I can’t understand how I came to that conclusion, as if the books are purposefully hinting at any pairing, it’s Jane/Bran. Overall, however, the strongest pairing is still perhaps Will/Bran, though moreso in The Grey King than in Silver on the Tree, I think. I feel compelled to give this shipping report even though I came out of the books with no strong shipping feels myself.
Generally, however, any discussion of this book is dominated by discussion of the ending, which of course necessitates another ( spoiler cut )
For all that, there are still some lovely descriptions here. Will and Bran’s journey through the Lost Land has a wonderful dreamlike quality, as does the sequence where all the Six finally meet up on the magical train that becomes a boat.
A couple of stray thoughts: in the last chapter, the Lady touches Arthur’s arm with “the casual closeness of those who belong to the same family.” Are the Lady and King Arthur related? Does that mean the Lady… is Morgan le Fay? Or okay, maybe this is more metaphorical and the family they both belong to is simply the side of the Light, but I do love the idea that here one of Arthur’s usually evil sisters is in fact on the side of the angels.
Also, when I started this reread, I had the vague memory that the books hinted at Will/Jane. Now that I’ve finished, I can’t understand how I came to that conclusion, as if the books are purposefully hinting at any pairing, it’s Jane/Bran. Overall, however, the strongest pairing is still perhaps Will/Bran, though moreso in The Grey King than in Silver on the Tree, I think. I feel compelled to give this shipping report even though I came out of the books with no strong shipping feels myself.
Generally, however, any discussion of this book is dominated by discussion of the ending, which of course necessitates another ( spoiler cut )
