lostlenore's review against another edition
5.0
I can’t praise this book highly enough. It’s a true fantasy novel, but manages to stand apart from all the others I’ve read. It’s a somber, silent exploration of age, power, and identity, all set on the vast oceans of Earthsea. It is an absolute delight to read.
kindallkm's review
adventurous
funny
lighthearted
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
applequinn's review
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
alebal98's review
4.0
This book vividly describes a world of its own. I enjoyed reading it. I enjoyed the descriptions of magic that Le Guin creates. It differs from Tolkien or Lewis in that way. This book relies heavily on wizardry and the casting of spells. It has a few tropes that could be compared to Tolkien's Middle Earth, and there are a few places in which you can see J.K. Rowling may have potentially garnered some ideas for her eventual Harry Potter series.
Overall, it was a very great read! I felt the ending of this book was a little bit unfulfilling. However, I realize this is book one of a trilogy. I read it for a college class so I, unfortunately, will be unable to read the rest of the series until summer break.
I believe this is a great read for teenage readers and adults alike. Read it if you haven't!
Overall, it was a very great read! I felt the ending of this book was a little bit unfulfilling. However, I realize this is book one of a trilogy. I read it for a college class so I, unfortunately, will be unable to read the rest of the series until summer break.
I believe this is a great read for teenage readers and adults alike. Read it if you haven't!
pinkodd's review
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
freesien's review against another edition
3.0
Solides Fantasybuch, nur konnte es mich nicht ganz fesseln. Die Charaktere und die Handlung waren interessant, aber, vielleicht lag es auch an den Feiertagen, ich konnte mich nicht auf die Geschichte konzentrieren.
freesien's review against another edition
3.0
3,5 Sterne
Ich mochte das Buch beim zweiten Mal lesen sogar mehr, konnte mich besser konzentrieren und die Geschichte besser genießen.
Ich mochte das Buch beim zweiten Mal lesen sogar mehr, konnte mich besser konzentrieren und die Geschichte besser genießen.
clauleesi's review
2.0
My rating: 2.5 stars
Although it had a very promising start, [a:Ursula K. Le Guins|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] famous work unfortunately quickly turned dry for me.
[b:A Wizard of Earthsea|13642|A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1353424536s/13642.jpg|113603] is about the beginnings of a wizard, Ged, who is to be very famous and powerful one day. Ged, who is also called Sparrowhawk, learns of his promising power at a young age and soon develops both haughty pride and a hunger for more knowledge, which one day has dark consequenses.
I did enjoy the impressive character development and worldbuilding this book had. Ged bitterly learns from the mistakes he made as a young man, and has to deal with them for many years - this not only showed how he grew and learned as a character, but also sent a message that hunger for power is never good. The message was often very obviously delivered, but it still worked.
“It is very hard for evil to take hold of the unconsenting soul.”
For me personally, the worldbuilding might have been what I enjoyed the most. The world of Earthsea seemed beautiful and was explored through Ged and his quest, and I do not doubt that [a:Le Guin|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] expanded it in the sequels.
Sadly, this story was too simple and dry for me, and it annoyed me how the only characters who seemed to be intelligent or good or powerful were men - this is something that also might change in the sequels, since [b:The Tombs of Atuan|13662|The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle, #2)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417900879s/13662.jpg|1322146] seems to have a female protagonist.
But even so, as I listened to this as an audiobook, I often felt myself spacing out, or being bored and think about other things, even though I wanted so badly to like this. I can understand why so many others have enjoyed it though, and applaud [a:Le Guin|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] for writing a PoC characters so early on. This just wasn't my cup of tea.
Although it had a very promising start, [a:Ursula K. Le Guins|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] famous work unfortunately quickly turned dry for me.
[b:A Wizard of Earthsea|13642|A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle, #1)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1353424536s/13642.jpg|113603] is about the beginnings of a wizard, Ged, who is to be very famous and powerful one day. Ged, who is also called Sparrowhawk, learns of his promising power at a young age and soon develops both haughty pride and a hunger for more knowledge, which one day has dark consequenses.
I did enjoy the impressive character development and worldbuilding this book had. Ged bitterly learns from the mistakes he made as a young man, and has to deal with them for many years - this not only showed how he grew and learned as a character, but also sent a message that hunger for power is never good. The message was often very obviously delivered, but it still worked.
“It is very hard for evil to take hold of the unconsenting soul.”
For me personally, the worldbuilding might have been what I enjoyed the most. The world of Earthsea seemed beautiful and was explored through Ged and his quest, and I do not doubt that [a:Le Guin|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] expanded it in the sequels.
Sadly, this story was too simple and dry for me, and it annoyed me how the only characters who seemed to be intelligent or good or powerful were men - this is something that also might change in the sequels, since [b:The Tombs of Atuan|13662|The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea Cycle, #2)|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/books/1417900879s/13662.jpg|1322146] seems to have a female protagonist.
But even so, as I listened to this as an audiobook, I often felt myself spacing out, or being bored and think about other things, even though I wanted so badly to like this. I can understand why so many others have enjoyed it though, and applaud [a:Le Guin|874602|Ursula K. Le Guin|https://images.gr-assets.com/authors/1244291425p2/874602.jpg] for writing a PoC characters so early on. This just wasn't my cup of tea.
okayseurat's review against another edition
5.0
My dad has been pestering me to read this book for years now and I’m glad I finally did. I really connected with this story. The books that I’ve been loving lately aren’t just told well, they’ve been relatable and validating.
The Wizard of Earthsea was a haunting and thrilling tale of a wizard’s lonely journey. Le Guin created a balanced protagonist in Ged. I found myself empathizing with him every step of the way. There’s no doubt, Le Guin is a masterful storyteller.
The Wizard of Earthsea was a haunting and thrilling tale of a wizard’s lonely journey. Le Guin created a balanced protagonist in Ged. I found myself empathizing with him every step of the way. There’s no doubt, Le Guin is a masterful storyteller.
anongayreader's review
adventurous
dark
emotional
funny
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0