A review by gengelcox
The Rule of Names by Ursula K. Le Guin

5.0

A wonderful fantasy from Le Guin, set within the setting of her Earthsea books and capturing the same magic as those novels. Reading this made me realize why I loved the Earthsea trilogy as a child; the character and colors of her setting play upon fantasy tropes, but she makes them her own. In others’ hands, the same story could have been derivative. As an adult, reading this story, I’m in admiration for the little things that make it work. For one, the description of Mr. Underhill in the beginning seems just like color, but in actuality it’s a clue as to who and what Mr. Underhill is—even to including the name that the villagers have given him. Highly recommended.