Books like The dark is rising

The dark is rising by Susan Cooper reads as mystical, adventurous. These 12 books share its genome — matched by how they actually read, not just their shelf label.

The Iron Ring

Lloyd Alexander · 1997

Both explore destiny & sacrifice

72% genome match

Silver on the Tree (The Dark Is Rising #5)

Susan Cooper · 1977

Both explore good vs evil & destiny

82% genome match

The Weirdstone of Brisingamen

Alan Garner · 1960

Both explore good vs evil & folklore

78% genome match

Fire

Robin McKinley · 2009

Both explore magic & destiny

76% genome match

Tales of Narnia (The Magician's Nephew / The Lion, The Witch and the Wardrobe / The Horse and His Boy)

C. S. Lewis · 1988

Both explore good vs evil & sacrifice

74% genome match

The whispering knights

Penelope Lively · 1976

Both explore magic & good vs evil

70% genome match

The Farthest Shore

Ursula K. Le Guin · 1972

Both explore magic & coming-of-age

66% genome match

The Perilous Gard

Elizabeth Marie Pope · 1974

Both explore sacrifice

68% genome match

The Girl Who Drank the Moon

Kelly Barnhill · 2016

Both explore magic & coming-of-age

64% genome match

Mythago Wood

Robert Holdstock · 1984

Both explore folklore & magic

67% genome match

Abhorsen

Garth Nix · 2003

Both explore sacrifice & destiny

82% genome match

Dragon of the Lost Sea

Laurence Yep · 1982

Both explore magic

66% genome match