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3.89 AVERAGE
3.89 AVERAGE
It sounds like a profanity to say something like this about a “classic”; but this novel has been a disappointment to me and I can’t see myself reading the rest of the books in this series. Seeing this book in so many fantasy reading lists, and also because it seemed like a short and light read, I decided to give it a go. I understand that this isn’t a plot driven novel; in fact it focuses on delving on the metaphysical, but that can be the case without it being a bore. Basically nothing happens; you have to content yourself with reflecting about life and existence and little more. It’s a well written book, there is no doubt about that, but at the same time I really disliked the way it was written because it told more than it showed. By the end of the book I felt that I knew nothing about the main character (the only one that seems to exist in the novel since the rest are just unidimensional afterthoughts) because the author described what he did and thought, but she didn’t let us see how he acted and really felt, so I couldn’t help but feeling an extreme detachment from him. It’s hard to put into words actually, but summing it up, the lack of personality of the characters made it hard for me to feel invested in a story that by itself wasn’t that interesting to start with. Also, as much as I admire the immense world building behind this novel, at times I felt annoyed reading the interminable list of names of places and old creatures and wizards and legends that filled extremely descriptive paragraphs that contributed nothing to the plot or the character’s development. As a whole I would say that this book felt to me like a very good first draft, an outline of what is going to happen, of the progression of the story, which still needed some additions to give it more substance. Maybe I’m the faulty one, maybe this novel is great; but what I know is that there are way too many books out there to waste your time on others that doesn’t make you happy or at least entertained.
adventurous
dark
mysterious
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
No
Loveable characters:
No
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
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
Somehow I'd never caught up with the Earthsea books despite being a fan of UKLG's other works. They are thoughtful and well-crafted and also have dragons. Dragons are good. Also imbued with her Taoist philosophy. I read these and then Tehanu, which approaches the world from the perspective of a separate magical tradition.
adventurous
emotional
inspiring
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
I think I was most enchanted by the way Le Guin writes sentences and passages of this book.
It was very unique and interesting.
I also enjoyed seeing how Christopher Paolini was influenced in his magic system by the one that Le Guin created for Earthsea.
Very good book!
It was very unique and interesting.
I also enjoyed seeing how Christopher Paolini was influenced in his magic system by the one that Le Guin created for Earthsea.
Very good book!
adventurous
reflective
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
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Character
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
No
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
I love reading Le Guin. Her works all have her signature writing style and this book is no different. I enjoyed how easy it was to fall into the world she designed and the story of overcoming with Ged. Her writing is descriptive and almost poetic. Can't wait to read more about Earthsea.
adventurous
dark
hopeful
inspiring
lighthearted
mysterious
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
adventurous
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
adventurous
dark
emotional
inspiring
mysterious
tense
fast-paced