Scan barcode
dwarrowdams's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
tense
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
5.0
Read this as a teen and was lukewarm about it, but I really enjoyed it as an adult. LeGuin’s worldbuilding, pacing, and character work are all incredible, and the way the central conflict resolved was so satisfying.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexism, Violence, and Death
cpratreads's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
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
A classic I am glad to have finally read. I enjoyed the story and seeing Ged grow, and some of the travel sequences were very interesting. I am excited to read the next installment.
As a stand alone fantasy novel I don't think it is very strong, but as the start of a series I am liked it.
As a stand alone fantasy novel I don't think it is very strong, but as the start of a series I am liked it.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Animal death, Violence, Child death, and Death
ka_cam's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
mysterious
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? It's complicated
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.75
I enjoy Le Guin’s writing but didn’t enjoy this like I expected to- some parts more interesting and others fairly predictable fantasy fare.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Child death, Death, Misogyny, and Sexism
tangleroot_eli's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
I enjoyed the story of this book. But I never entirely adjusted to Le Guin's distanced style of storytelling. For me, a book to read once and enjoy, but not one to reread and love.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Blood, Sexism, Death, Child death, and Animal death
Minor: War, Slavery, Murder, Child abuse, and Death of parent
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
yourbookishbff's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
4.0
Content Warnings
Graphic: Stalking
Moderate: Death, Child death, and Grief
Minor: Xenophobia and War
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
saltylane's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
dark
mysterious
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
4.0
This was a fun read! I really like the narrator used. He gave such life to the characters! The story is a bit dark at times, though not overly so. The characters are lovable and the magic system interesting. I love the diversity and step away from typical medieval (& very white) stories involving wizards/mages/sorcerers. I was left wanting more by the end.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Violence and Death
Moderate: War and Blood
lilaceous's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
relaxing
sad
slow-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? It's complicated
4.0
characters - ⭐️
plot - .5⭐️
engaging to read - ⭐️
would recommend - .5⭐️
would read again - ⭐️
i really enjoyed reading this! felt nostalgic, like something my dad would have read me when i was a kid. seems like it would be enjoyable for people of any age.
pace is a bit slow, but i enjoyed the attention to world-building and relatively low stakes.
i really enjoyed reading this! felt nostalgic, like something my dad would have read me when i was a kid. seems like it would be enjoyable for people of any age.
pace is a bit slow, but i enjoyed the attention to world-building and relatively low stakes.
Content Warnings
Graphic: Death and Violence