woweewhoa's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
4.0
Moderate: Slavery and Misogyny
Minor: Fire/Fire injury
conspystery's review against another edition
- 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
Spoiler
Earthsea is built around cycles, and I think the realization that death is also a cycle that must be maintained hits so hard in this book. Just as the characters have to face it, so too do we, the audience-- this is the last book. There has to be an ending. Ergo I love the fact that this book’s ending is so beautiful even in its most tragic moments. Alder dies, but meaningfully so (and we know his cat gets a happy ending, too, a tiny detail I’m endlessly glad Le Guin included earlier on in the novel.) Tehanu assumes her form as a dragon and leaves to be with Kalessin and Orm Irian on the other wind, but her presence continues in the impact of her actions, and there is always the hope of reunion. Lebannen and Seserakh marry, ushering in an uncertain but optimistic age of unity and balance in Earthsea. I particularly love the scene we end on of a dialogue between Tenar and Ged at home; the Odyssey-like yet subverted homecoming of Tenar to Ged is clever and beautiful at once, and truly feels like a cycle returning to its beginning.I picked up A Wizard of Earthsea on a whim this time last year, and I could not be more glad I did. I don’t know if I’ve ever read a fantasy series, or any series at all, quite like this one-- the Earthsea Cycle has such a wonderful quality of optimism and acceptance and growth to it, with truly affecting messages about the power of goodness, trust, acceptance, change, and balance to be found in its characters and worldbuilding. The Other Wind is a fittingly bittersweet send-off to an incredible story; it’s everything I love about Earthsea, phenomenal writing and genuine characters and a vibrant world and monumental scale and powerful themes converged. Le Guin is unparalleled. Earthsea is inimitable. Everyone should read this series.
Graphic: Fire/Fire injury, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
In a previous book, Tehanu is violently assaulted and burned; the scars she bears are continually detailed upon throughout this novel, though I don't think their cause are delved into as much here. This might be important to keep in mind if you are sensitive to descriptions of fire injury and assault injury.gracefully_jk's review against another edition
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.75
Moderate: Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Misogyny, Racism, and Religious bigotry
Minor: War, Pandemic/Epidemic, Slavery, and Child abuse
nerdkitten's review against another edition
- 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
5.0
Graphic: Alcohol, Death, Fire/Fire injury, Grief, Injury/Injury detail, Mental illness, and Panic attacks/disorders
Moderate: Medical content, Religious bigotry, Sexism, Suicidal thoughts, War, and Xenophobia
Minor: Cannibalism, Child death, Pregnancy, Racism, Slavery, and Trafficking
talonsontypewriters's review against another edition
- 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
Moderate: Death, Grief, Violence, Murder, Racism, Xenophobia, Sexism, and Misogyny
Minor: Animal death, Child abuse, Slavery, Fire/Fire injury, and Ableism