Reviews

forgot that i like this one even more than 'wizard of earthsea'. the version i read included a lovely afterword from le guin, where she expands on the origins of the novel, and her own interpretation of the themes. to me, the most important phrase is uttered by ged, as they are beginning their escape, "alone, no one wins freedom". a truly excellent work of fiction, and a deeply moving story. again, dismissing it as children's fiction seems ludicrous to me, but le guin wrote it intending children to read it, and fully present of the fact that she was subverting what 'children's literature' could and should be. still, there is a darkness at the core of these books that is both fascinating and frightening, and that any reader can enjoy.

adown's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark funny hopeful mysterious reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? Yes
Loveable characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

4.5

melbric's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous mysterious 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? No

4.0

theogb451's review against another edition

Go to review page

5.0

A really great tale, evocative from start to finish with great elements of thriller in it. Would probably make a really great film. Interesting to see the sort of slight retconning I am so used to in modern writing of sequel/continuation used in films and TV come out here in the way of the ring, and skilfully done. I reckon this must have been a big inspiration on Gygax et al when they were writing Dungeons & Dragons too.

scarletsnake's review against another edition

Go to review page

4.0

I enjoyed this more than book 1, It's shorter and more focused than the first book. The book is told from the point of view of the head priest of the temple/cult that Ged is breaking into. I much prefer this way to the first books. Ged can come across as much more wise if we don't see everything he does and thinks. Tenar feels like the first well-rounded character we have seen. Her life has been complicated, and I think the book does a good job conveying her struggles. Ged is a much more flat character, and once he has completed his character arc in Book 1, little to nothing is left to explore in him.

mellyg's review against another edition

Go to review page

adventurous dark hopeful 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

3.75

More...