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freakydug's review against another edition
adventurous
challenging
emotional
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
4.5
beardybot's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
reflective
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
5.0
A Wizard of Earthsea is a wonderful story, of a wizard boy learning his craft and coming to terms with his darkness in an archipelago where names have power.
The Tombs of Atuan is a wonderful story, of a girl-God in thrall to Howardian Nameless Ones, set in the far east of the archipelago where magic is weak and Godkings and pirates hold sway.
The Farthest Shore is a wonderful story, of magic and meaning disappearing from the world, and a young Prince's love for a great wizard that extends even into the realms of death.
Tehanu is a wonde... actually, it's a difficult story. One much more personal than the three preceding it. Yes, there's a new king bringing order to the isles, and there's dragons and magic and names, too, but it's really the tale of a young girl who's suffered unimaginable abuse, and of her carers whose power to protect her is as limited as any mundane farmer's widow's would be.
Tales from Earthsea is a collection of short stories, some of them wonderful in their own right, and others wonderful in the context of fleshing out the world and history of Earthsea. We learn of Roke's very beginning, and what leads, after all this time, its masters to finally allow, in The Other Wind, women to play their part there.
The Other Wind is... well, it's wonderful. Possibly the most wonderful. I really didn't want it to end. It ties together the stories of Ged and Lebannen and Tenar and Tehanu and Irian and the dragons and the archipelago even while it introduces the Kargish princess (promised to the King) and a minor sorcerer who's right in the middle of the biggest change since Segoy raised the oceans.
And this colossal collection adds other short stories, too. Ones which I hadn't already read. Ending with what's as much an epitaph as an epilogue for Ged. Wonderful.
The Tombs of Atuan is a wonderful story, of a girl-God in thrall to Howardian Nameless Ones, set in the far east of the archipelago where magic is weak and Godkings and pirates hold sway.
The Farthest Shore is a wonderful story, of magic and meaning disappearing from the world, and a young Prince's love for a great wizard that extends even into the realms of death.
Tehanu is a wonde... actually, it's a difficult story. One much more personal than the three preceding it. Yes, there's a new king bringing order to the isles, and there's dragons and magic and names, too, but it's really the tale of a young girl who's suffered unimaginable abuse, and of her carers whose power to protect her is as limited as any mundane farmer's widow's would be.
Tales from Earthsea is a collection of short stories, some of them wonderful in their own right, and others wonderful in the context of fleshing out the world and history of Earthsea. We learn of Roke's very beginning, and what leads, after all this time, its masters to finally allow, in The Other Wind, women to play their part there.
The Other Wind is... well, it's wonderful. Possibly the most wonderful. I really didn't want it to end. It ties together the stories of Ged and Lebannen and Tenar and Tehanu and Irian and the dragons and the archipelago even while it introduces the Kargish princess (promised to the King) and a minor sorcerer who's right in the middle of the biggest change since Segoy raised the oceans.
And this colossal collection adds other short stories, too. Ones which I hadn't already read. Ending with what's as much an epitaph as an epilogue for Ged. Wonderful.
regenherz's review
adventurous
emotional
hopeful
lighthearted
reflective
sad
tense
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- 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
tonyleachsf's review
5.0
Individually, I think the books are good - but the whole collection is amazing. I loved reading these altogether and getting lost in this world.
book_nerd_1's review
5.0
This is a really beautiful edition worthy of the Earthsea epic. All the stories are there and the artwork is beautiful.
As others have stated it's very big and heavy but what can you expect? It IS five novels, nine short stories and various other information!
The only other thing I would have liked is a timeline telling when each of the stories takes place. (I printed one out and tucked it in the front cover.)
As others have stated it's very big and heavy but what can you expect? It IS five novels, nine short stories and various other information!
The only other thing I would have liked is a timeline telling when each of the stories takes place. (I printed one out and tucked it in the front cover.)
lblackwell85's review
adventurous
challenging
inspiring
reflective
medium-paced
- Strong character development? Yes
5.0
cjbaird's review
adventurous
challenging
dark
emotional
hopeful
reflective
sad
tense
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
4.5
msandgren's review
adventurous
reflective
slow-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
5.0