Fantasy is one of my favorite genres. As a child, my mom shared fairy tales, with me. When I was a bit older and my dad read me J.R.R. Tolkein. Now I read fantasy on my own almost compulsively. Tales of magic and wonder were my first taste of the storytelling. In fact, it’s what led to my tendency to put magic into nearly every story I write! But what makes a fantasy? For many people, it means elves and dwarves and mystical rings. But a fantasy can be anything you want it to be, entirely independent of the Tolkien mold. The only limit is your imagination. That limit is exactly what Ursula K. Le Guin pushed with A Wizard of Earthsea, a children’s and young adult fantasy tale of youth, loss, and growth — woven expertly with a healthy dose of wizardry.

Young Sparrowhawk of the Gontish village Ten Alders has received his true name: Ged. He has also discovered his boundless talent for magic, and chooses to attend the school for wizardry on the isle of Roke. Ged is clever, talented, and powerful, but he is far from wise. His pride leads him to unleash a terrible evil on Earthsea — one that will stop at nothing to claim his soul for its own. Beaten and humbled, Ged must travel a long way before he is ready to face it, growing with every step of the way. Through the breathtaking world of Earthsea, an evil is vanquished, and a boy transforms into a man. It was a truly groundbreaking work, and one of the main inspirations for Harry Potter, and other Young Adult fantasy literature.
I don't like to throw around the world “perfect”, but A Wizard of Earthsea truly is a perfect fantasy. The magic system is solid enough that its rules are clear and understandable, but soft enough that it leaves plenty of room for wonder and mystery. Ged is an amazingly human protagonist. He is full of flaws that highly contrast his strengths, only making us love him all the more. His presence is only elevated by the rest of the cast, such as the sensible Vetch, the snobbish Jasper, and the strange, sinister Serret. The world of Earthsea is entirely different from ours, based in a culture quite different from the standard European backdrop. It gives a fresh experience that leaves you wondering what lies around the next corner.

At the heart of the story is Ged himself, and his awe-inspiring journey to defeat the darkness he unleashed on the world before it’s too late — his personal aspirations changing from true power to true peace. There’s about a million and a half words I could use to describe this book, but the best I can do in a few paragraphs is magic. Pure, raw, unbridled magic. I recommend it to anyone who can read. For your little ones, for your teens, and even for adults, this book is for everyone. A 5/5 that soars higher than a sparrowhawk. It does contain some violence and is rather mature for such a young book, so read it first before showing it to your kids. Even if that’s not a concern in your family, read it anyway. It’s a book you don’t want to live your whole life without reading. Earthsea is a land well worth exploring, from Gont to Osskill to the edge of the world… and all the way back again.
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