Reviews

A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin

megmonster's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful mysterious 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

3.75

red_lapis's review against another edition

adventurous emotional hopeful inspiring reflective 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

Phenomenal classic fantasy. The prose is absolutely beautiful, which combines wonderfully with the rich and vast world of Earthsea to create such a cosy and comforting book, despite the sometimes dark nature of the plot. 

theogb451's review against another edition

4.0

A very fast and enjoyable read. Maybe not the full 5 stars because there is a lack of depth to the story and certain coldness around the telling that isn't really something that clicks as well with me. I guess for me I'd like the story and ideas of this book with the character intimacy of something like the Belgariad.

Update after second read: This is still 'only' 4 stars but I think I understand the 'coldness' I felt on a re-read is about the lack of strong characters in the book which makes it hard for me to really latch onto the story and instead I feel a little remote from it. Ged isn't someone we ever really learn about and the strongest characters in the book are probably Ogion and Jasper, neither of which get huge time in the tale.

penandneedles's review against another edition

adventurous mysterious tense medium-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes

5.0

mxnprsmpower's review against another edition

adventurous challenging mysterious medium-paced

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

4.0

yourque's review against another edition

adventurous

3.25

asher's review against another edition

adventurous hopeful inspiring mysterious fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? No
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? No
• Flaws of characters a main focus? N/A

3.75

ellajohn's review against another edition

adventurous dark mysterious fast-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

emilyb_chicago's review against another edition

2.0

Unfortunately, A Wizard of Earthsea was a slog to get through. While it probably was innovative when it was written in 1968, in 2020 it feels old and pompous. The "paid by the word" feel makes the book more confusing than it needs to be and prevented me from connecting with the characters. Pick this one up only if you're looking for a classic feeling epic fantasy.

omnificer's review against another edition

adventurous reflective sad slow-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? Character
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? No
• Diverse cast of characters? Yes
• Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.0