Reviews

Final book of the Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin.

It's always been difficult for me to finish a book series. It's a personal problem, and I unfortunately felt like I was in a slump getting through Tales from Earthsea and The Other Wind. They simply didn't captivate me the same way that the first four books had. It felt like Le Guin had a story yet to tell with The Other Wind, but that story was heavily laced with her contemplations about many, many things.

This is not to say that it was a bad read. I'm perfectly happy to enter Le Guin's mind for a bit and become lost in her thoughts and belief systems - she has a brilliant mind. I think I just miss her incredible ability to deliver simple, powerful messages through compelling stories that I witnessed through the first five books (I did not enjoy the fifth book as much but the stories were well crafted and tightly packed).

Still, Le Guin was able to flesh out such rich, nuanced characters and complex but heartfelt interactions. How I pained to see Arren suffocating under the weight of his reign. He lives under constant pressure from himself to be the perfect king, never to err or falter, even as he lives and witnesses the hypocrisy of the ruling class. He handles it with incredible grace, only ever failing in the face of the Kargish princess, perhaps the personification of all pressure crashing down onto him. To rule is to suffer, it is to carry the lives of everyone entrusted to you.

Roke turned from a source of wisdom, in the first book, to the symbol of hubris, in the last. Le Guin cautions that to hold that power is a danger. We cannot act without considering our impacts and, even then, should always be wary to act unless great evil is before us. This once again aligns with Taoist philosophies, unsurprisingly.

It was delightful to see Tehanu and the princess grow into themselves, with Tehanu becoming the dragon she was always meant to be and the princess becoming the rightful queen. Their stories, for me, took a backseat and simply highlighted Tenar's fierce kindness for all women. How she stood strong all those times Tehanu turned to her, to teach Tehanu independence even if it cause her to wept and long for her. How she taught the princess the Hardic language and customs, but also fought for her in the Havnorian court. Tenar is the best of women, and I can only aspire to hold half her strength, grace, and generosity.

Ged's silence was resounding to me. I'm not sure what it meant, if he had hoped to not overshadow the young king, turned his back on the hubris of mages, was grieving the loss of his powers, or simply did not care anymore. None of those answers were truly good enough for me, especially with Tenar still fighting, always fighting. Perhaps when I move further on in years I will understand his absence, but unlikely today.

And lastly Alder, such a gentle, kind soul. It is no wonder he would be chosen by the dead to be their advocate. He's a mender, but beyond that, a giver. He will give his gifts, his powers, and ultimately his life to repair what had needed fixing in the world. He was more than deserving of Onyx and Seppel's high regard for him.

All in all, the series was incredible, perfect. An author's mind bleeds through their writing, and it has been a pleasure to enjoy a glimpse into a mind as great as Le Guin's. I do hope to read some of her other books later on.

jason_alexander's review

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adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Plot
Strong character development? It's complicated
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

Really loved this. Le Guin’s stories occupy a space in my mind where the story doesn’t totally resolve into something that I can completely understand but it makes we want to keep thinking about it.

I liked the different POVs of all these characters we knew plus some new characters and especially liked Alder. The ending with everyone’s voice coming together felt powerful too.