The Earthsea trilogy is the most well known of author Ursula K. LeGuin's works. They deservedly take place alongside the greatest fantasy series like The Lord Of The Rings, The Hobbit, Dune and Harry Potter. Written in 1968, A Wizard of Earthsea is the first in the set, and is the original inspiration for many current fantasy novels.
Earthsea is an archipelago, a world of many small islands surrounded by an ocean of which no one has gone beyond. On the northeastern island of Gont, a young boy named Sparrowhawk is discovering his magical abilities, the ways of true speech, and summoning animals. A powerful mage sees his potential and trains him until he is thirteen, when he gives up his birth name for his true name, Ged. He moves on to a special wizardry school on Roke where he studies, and clashes with other students. Frustrated by his lack of knowledge, he shows off with a spell well beyond his means and unleashes a dark shadowcreature of ancient and nameless evil, which he must atone for and seek out to destroy. His journey to track it down leads him to many different islands including a fierce battle on Pendor - the lair of the dragons, and nearly held captive on Osskil.
All things in Earthsea have a true name, and if Ged discovers the dark creatures own he can be free of it. This will take him to the very reaches of Earthsea, the eastern isles known as The Hands, into an exciting and mystifying conclusion. I was literally spellbound, and on the edge of my chair reading the finale - wow, it was magical!
I can't rate this novel high enough! Like the popular novels of Tolkien and JK Rowling, they create an entire world that is entertaining for both adults and children. Like Harry Potter, they were originally written for Young Adults, but are definitely entertaining for both adults and children. The writing is accessible but complex, complete with customs, language, and people with different abilities. The action and magic is balanced with thought and true reflection. Ged's days at the school on Roke are fascinating, learning spells from the ArchMage and the powers of shaping and changing. His adventures with the talking dragons and people of the many islands he visits are exciting and gradually build up a visual map of the Earthsea world.
There were two other books about Earthsea written after this first trilogy, Tehanu and The Other Wind. Such is the scope of the world LeGuin has created that many adventures can evolve out of and be discovered in Earthsea. Much like Star Trek, or Star Wars, each story builds upon the last as you get to know the islands and people who inhabit them.
This novel has so many layers to be enjoyed on - it's an exciting adventure but with meaningful thought about your own journey and personal powers.
If you like magic, dragons, adventure, journeys, discovering true power, friendships, danger and you haven't read this series, well, go out and get a copy.
It's a timeless classic.
1968 / Hardcover / 145 pages
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