alicebutton's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
An exciting enough story that moves along at a fast pace, although sometimes the prose slowed me down. I enjoy how much Ged's temper and ego move the story, but I wish the book had spent more time building up the other characters. It spends a lot of time quickly summarizing large portions of his life, and while I'm glad it didn't get bogged down in the minutiae of his school years, it leaves relationships feeling undeveloped. Even tragic events get glossed over.
The world is where Earthsea really shines. I'm not one to pore over maps myself, but a carefully crafted map still adds a ton of immersion. The places and details mentioned in Ged's travels place him in a real world, not just an empty ocean. The magic is simple enough but enticing, tied to the world's history. It makes the mythos part of the story in an organic way.
The patriarchal setting, and the fact that wizardry is restricted to men and boys is an uncomfortable element, but one I can personally forgive.
It's not perfect, but like other reviewers I'm interested to see where the sequels go.
The world is where Earthsea really shines. I'm not one to pore over maps myself, but a carefully crafted map still adds a ton of immersion. The places and details mentioned in Ged's travels place him in a real world, not just an empty ocean. The magic is simple enough but enticing, tied to the world's history. It makes the mythos part of the story in an organic way.
The patriarchal setting, and the fact that wizardry is restricted to men and boys is an uncomfortable element, but one I can personally forgive.
It's not perfect, but like other reviewers I'm interested to see where the sequels go.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, War, and Death
Minor: Mental illness, Schizophrenia/Psychosis , Child death, and Death of parent
willoughby's review against another edition
adventurous
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? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Death, and Animal death
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
arcturus_b's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
I really liked this book. It's very different from the books I normally read (mostly modern fantasy), which was very refreshing. The pacing us different, too. It feels slow, but very focused. I liked that, too.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Injury/Injury detail and Death
Moderate: Misogyny, Xenophobia, Slavery, Animal death, and Confinement
marsh_mall0w's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
hopeful
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
4.5
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking, Child death, Injury/Injury detail, and Sexism
Moderate: Animal death, Fire/Fire injury, Slavery, and Violence
Minor: Child abuse and Suicidal thoughts
moonlitemuseum's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.25
The only thing that stops this from being a sure-fire five stars is the strange and unwelcome undercurrent of sexism, not only in the story itself but in that story's world. It feels hollow and untrue, especially considering the aching kindness that Earthsea offers, the determination to flip standards upside down. It is a simple story told well and fast. Reading it, I felt like a child again, only with the adult perspective to approach how skilfully the tale was woven. I can't recommend this enough.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death
dragonaion's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
informative
inspiring
lighthearted
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.75
This is definitely and older book as it reads slowly, almost in a "flat" voice, but having seen the animated film about Earthsea first, I was delighted to see how Sparrowhawk grew up. This is a fast read, little detail is described, but there are still heartfelt and sweet moments.
Content Warnings
Minor: Alcohol, Animal death, and Suicidal thoughts
eauderat's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
lighthearted
reflective
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? N/A
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
2.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Death, and Sexism
Moderate: Misogyny
Minor: Child abuse
doomluz's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
slow-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
3.5
I liked the world building and the magic. It was well-written, but kind of slow paced.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Child death
Minor: Slavery
awaterswadesthrough's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
Content Warnings
Moderate: War, Classism, Animal death, Bullying, and Child death
Minor: Slavery
sillylittlebear's review against another edition
adventurous
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.0
docking a star in my rating because the end of the book seemed to drag forever! ged’s journey felt like the longest game of cat and mouse. i did enjoy the book overall though. i’m echanted by the world of earthsea!
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death and Child death