Scan barcode
pandemonicbaby's review against another edition
adventurous
reflective
relaxing
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
4.75
Ursula Le Guin's writing is simply phenomenal. This book has so many great lessons to teach, about friendship, about living in tandem with nature, about discovering oneself.
I had a feeling the shadow's name was going to be Ged, that it would represent an aspect of himself that he had yet to accept. When that did happen in the end, it felt very cathartic to me. Like a coming-of-age story, Ged had finally understood who he was and who he needed to be, for himself.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child death, Violence, and Animal death
Minor: Xenophobia, Blood, Slavery, Death of parent, Colonisation, and War
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
rieviolet'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
It has been a really long time since I've read any fantasy book (it used to be my most read genre during my teenage years), so I started reading with very few expectations and I have to say I was very pleasantly surprised.
I really liked Le Guin's writing style and worldbuilding. Most of all, I really appreciated how she subtly but effectively wove the different themes into the main character's coming of age story.
I look forward to slowly making my way through the entire series.
I really liked Le Guin's writing style and worldbuilding. Most of all, I really appreciated how she subtly but effectively wove the different themes into the main character's coming of age story.
I look forward to slowly making my way through the entire series.
Content Warnings
Moderate: Animal death, Body horror, Blood, Child death, Confinement, Violence, Slavery, Injury/Injury detail, and Death
Minor: War, Xenophobia, Fire/Fire injury, and Death of parent
emmazan's review against another edition
adventurous
inspiring
mysterious
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
3.0
read for class. Children’s Literature (fall 21)
Content Warnings
Moderate: Child abuse, Death, Emotional abuse, Grief, and Injury/Injury detail
Minor: Death of parent
More...