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4.04 AVERAGE
4.04 AVERAGE
I felt stupid for taking longer than a week to finish this book. I didn't fall in love with it the way I fell in love with the first two, though I couldn't put my finger on why. It is the longest, and the story ends rather abruptly, considering how long it takes to build up. Still, I am a sucker for Le Guin and would not call it a bad read at all. Three and a half stars, were it allowed.
Deeply Moving
I am incredibly glad to have read this series. The style of writing brings me to Tolkien types of fantasy rather than YA and I deeply enjoyed it. The slow pace and heavy story feels like a walk in a dark forest by moonlight and I am glad to have taken the stroll.
I am incredibly glad to have read this series. The style of writing brings me to Tolkien types of fantasy rather than YA and I deeply enjoyed it. The slow pace and heavy story feels like a walk in a dark forest by moonlight and I am glad to have taken the stroll.
Really interesting philosphication going on here regarding death and life, balance between all things. Also follows a really great structure as the main narrative drifts from place to place, people to people, searching for knowledge and answers. My favorite pieces of this book are absolutely the smaller entrenched character and cultural stuff - culminating in the focus on the raft peoples who live on the sea. Do the people of the land need their existance just as life requires death? Ged's sacrifice is also very bittersweet in the way he must give up this thing so dear to him, but also it allows in a certain freedom he was restricted from.
Unfortunately, this book also has Arren in it. I understand what Le Guin is doing with him and his arc through out the novel. There are points where I like Arren. I never hate him. But I am always remembering I am stuck in his shoes. I just do not care about him all that much, there is so much less to him for me than there is for the likes of Ged or Tenah. I also find Cob to be underwhelming as a juxtaposition to Ged. The idea is great, someone who just couldnt turn away the way Ged had. An extension of the shadow self from Wizard of Earthsea. But on his own as a man he feels so flimsy. I have praised Le Guin's character writing before, through the simplest and smallest amounts of text she can evoke so much - and she shows that in spades throughout this book with people like the dyers and the chief of the raft peoples; however, this never makes it's way to any of the main cast besides Ged for me. Luckily I love Ged and the themes these characters are used to bounce off of with him. It's just a little disappointing after how much of an absolute masterpiece I found Tombs of Atuan to be.
Unfortunately, this book also has Arren in it. I understand what Le Guin is doing with him and his arc through out the novel. There are points where I like Arren. I never hate him. But I am always remembering I am stuck in his shoes. I just do not care about him all that much, there is so much less to him for me than there is for the likes of Ged or Tenah. I also find Cob to be underwhelming as a juxtaposition to Ged. The idea is great, someone who just couldnt turn away the way Ged had. An extension of the shadow self from Wizard of Earthsea. But on his own as a man he feels so flimsy. I have praised Le Guin's character writing before, through the simplest and smallest amounts of text she can evoke so much - and she shows that in spades throughout this book with people like the dyers and the chief of the raft peoples; however, this never makes it's way to any of the main cast besides Ged for me. Luckily I love Ged and the themes these characters are used to bounce off of with him. It's just a little disappointing after how much of an absolute masterpiece I found Tombs of Atuan to be.
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
It was the best book so far in the series, for me.
“You fear death, and rightly: for death is terrible, and must be feared. And life also is a terrible thing, and must be feared and praised.” — Ged to Lebannen.
I loved the plot and character development throughout the book. The story explores more of the South Reach and its various inhabitants. The characters go on a perilous journey and come out better for it. Ged has come a long way and is too wise. I loved the few conversations between Ged and Arren—they had a certain depth.
I was disappointed that we didn't see a Ged/Ogion reunion at the end. Apart from that, a very good book.
adventurous
mysterious
reflective
slow-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
A mix
Strong character development:
Yes
Diverse cast of characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes
The world is sick with darkness. There is a hole somewhere, sucking in the light and magic of the world. Ursula Le Guin's setting is not bright and shiny and fast. Rather it is meditative, deep, and wise. The antagonist is not immediately obvious, and the problem at hand is a metaphysical mystery that needs to be unraveled as much as it is a villain that needs to be defeated.
Here there be dragons, but not even they are safe...
Here there be dragons, but not even they are safe...
adventurous
dark
emotional
mysterious
reflective
sad
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
dark
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
Ursula K Leguin I love you
the author's notes at the end are always so incredibly informative and instructive
the author's notes at the end are always so incredibly informative and instructive
adventurous
challenging
medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven:
Plot
Strong character development:
Yes
Loveable characters:
Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus:
Yes