See my review of 'Powers'. In this review, I will provide a combined assessment of all three books in the series.

Each book in the 'Powers' series offers a unique and captivating exploration of different themes and storylines. The first book sets the stage, introducing the characters and the initial conflict. It hooks the reader from the very beginning and leaves them eager to know what will happen next.

The second book builds on the foundation laid by the first, delving deeper into the characters' motives and relationships. The plot thickens, and new challenges and obstacles are introduced, keeping the reader on the edge of their seat.

Finally, the third book brings the series to a thrilling conclusion. All the loose ends are tied up, and the story reaches a satisfying climax. The author does an excellent job of resolving the conflicts and leaving the reader with a sense of closure.

Overall, the 'Powers' series is a must-read for fans of the genre. It offers a compelling and engaging story, well-developed characters, and a unique take on the powers theme. Whether you're a long-time fan or new to the genre, you're sure to enjoy this series.

Absolutely marvellous!

Outstanding world building here with a cracking storyline and delightful characters. The slow build of the revolt is masterfully crafted, mirroring the gradual development of the story. It brings together an older and wiser couple, Orrec and Gry, and the gifted family of Galvamand. Their interactions and the way they come together to face the challenges are truly engaging. The choice to strive for peace, rather than succumbing to the cycle of revenge and more war, is handled with great finesse. It adds a layer of depth and complexity to the narrative, making it not just an exciting adventure but also a thought-provoking exploration of human nature and the possibilities for a better world. The author has done an excellent job of creating a rich and immersive world that keeps the reader hooked from start to finish.

Whereas the first novel was a serene, internal narrative centered around the concept of choosing the life one desires, this particular one is highly external, delving into the realm of how to manage the life that is forcibly imposed upon you. While the first novel was a profound reflection on a culture that has developed in isolation, this one focuses on the themes of colonialism and authoritarianism.

In certain aspects, I have a preference for the first novel. However, in other respects, I find myself drawn to this one. They both present vastly different approaches to a very tangible and solid world. Similar to Le Guin's Earthsea series, this novel does not immediately pick up where the first one left off, nor does it follow the same character. Instead, it is somewhat like The Tombs of Atuan, as we commence in a new location with a new narrator. Nevertheless, the previous narrator does make an appearance and has an impact on the story, although we never get to view the world from his perspective again.

At times, it can be brutally harsh, while at other moments, it展现出 a certain beauty. All in all, it remains a quiet and meditative novel.

I'm not entirely sure. I have an affinity for this sort of thing, but you might not.

I have enjoyed the second volume of the Western Coast Chronicles trilogy more than the first one.

It oozes the author's pacifism and the sacrifices it demands, aside from the problems of dehumanizing the enemy.

The story in this volume seems to be more engaging and thought-provoking. The author has managed to bring out the complex emotions and moral dilemmas faced by the characters in a very vivid way.

The description of the setting and the events is so detailed that it makes the reader feel as if they are a part of the story.

Overall, I would highly recommend this volume to anyone who is interested in reading a good adventure story with a strong message about peace and humanity.

It's quite interesting to note that numerous reviews have claimed that this particular book was superior to Gifts. However, I, on the other hand, had a completely different opinion. I much preferred the first book to this one.

Nevertheless, this is still a work by the brilliant Ursula K. Le Guin, and it is still wonderful in its own way. I absolutely love the themes that she explores, the captivating story that she weaves, and the well-developed characters that she creates.

One thing that I definitely did not pick up on initially was the significant amount of time that had passed between Gifts and this book. It turns out that at least seventeen years, if not more, had elapsed. This time gap added an interesting layer to the story and made me view the characters and their development in a new light.

Overall, while I may have preferred Gifts, I still appreciate the unique charm and value of this book.

I can't read Ben Trilogy from the beginning. I always start from the end or the middle.

I have always wondered why creators left the part of household chores and cooking out of the fairy tales.

After all, aren't all the great wars and battles fought so that at the end of the day, the family can gather around a table and enjoy a couple of bites in peace?

In seventeen years, a lot can be lost. One generation is growing up learning that knowledge is punished and ignorance is bliss. The next generation won't even know that they are ignorant because they won't know what knowledge is.

It's a sad state of affairs when we seem to be moving further and further away from the importance of things like family dinners and the pursuit of knowledge. We need to remember the value of these things and make an effort to bring them back into our lives.

Maybe then, we can start to create a better world for ourselves and for future generations.

This is the second novel in Ursula K. Le Guin's absolutely brilliant Annals of the Western Shore trilogy.

As the covers suggest, this trilogy is marketed as YA, mainly because of the boom in that genre after the early 2000s success of Harry Potter.

And while Voices, like the other two books in this trilogy, has a young protagonist and a coming-of-age story, it doesn't follow many of the expectations we have about what YA emphasizes.

I'm not even sure this book would appeal to a YA audience. In fact, when I loaned the first book, Gifts, to a teenager, they didn't like it.

Voices is filled with the deep wisdom and love for humanity and freedom that is present in all of Le Guin's works.

The story follows Memer, a teenage girl who is both a servant and the heir to the Waylord of Ansul, an independent city-state that has been violently occupied by an expansionist colonial nation from the east.

The city of Ansul is vividly described, with worldbuilding of a depth that only Le Guin can achieve in such a short time.

As a child, Memer discovers a secret library hidden in her home, as well as the ability to read ancient and powerful books that are hunted and destroyed by the occupiers.

The narrative follows Memer and her community as they deal with the turmoil of occupation and try to keep their traditions and identity alive in the face of violent cultural suppression.

Although there is violence in Voices because of the political situation Memer is in, violence is not the solution she turns to on her journey.

This is true for all three books in Annals. Our heroes learn about special, even magical abilities related to creation, interpretation, memory, and foresight.

What they don't learn is how to defeat evil villains by using force, which is a common trope in YA fiction.

A form of humanitarian, active pacifism is evident in these books: it's almost as if Le Guin is saying that the antidote to violence is not more violence, but art - creativity - the embrace of life.

I'm convinced that Voices, like the other books in Annals of the Western Shore, is an underappreciated late-career masterpiece by one of the most beloved authors of the past century.

Please do yourself a favor and read this book, this series. They all can stand alone well enough, but the reader who starts with Gifts and progresses through Voices to finish with Powers will be richly rewarded.

Lero, Lero, Lero!

This simple refrain seems to hold a certain charm and mystery. It could be a song, a chant, or perhaps just a random exclamation.

When we hear those words, our minds might start to wander, imagining different scenarios or meanings. Maybe it's a call to action, urging us to move forward or take on a new challenge.

Or perhaps it's a form of celebration, a way to express joy and excitement.

Regardless of its true meaning, "Lero, Lero, Lero!" has the power to capture our attention and make us wonder.

It's a reminder that sometimes, the simplest things can have the greatest impact.

So the next time you hear those words, stop and listen. Let your imagination run wild and see where it takes you.

Who knows, maybe "Lero, Lero, Lero!" will become a part of your own personal anthem.

The story where Memer grows up in an occupied city is truly captivating. In this city, reading is regarded as demonic, yet she lives in a house with a library that can only be accessed through magic.

I was completely enthralled by this tale. I adored Memer, the Waylord, the mysterious house with its hidden library, and the significance of the books. I also loved how Memer developed and the role she came to play. I was right there with Memer, sharing her intense desire for vengeance against the occupiers. When compromise was proposed instead, I felt her disquiet as well. I must admit that a part of me still believes that the Alds deserved to have extremely bad things happen to them. However, that's the underlying message that Memer ultimately has to accept: you can choose revenge or peace, and as we witnessed in "The Girl with All the Gifts," revenge never truly ends.

I was so moved that I actually cried while reading this in a coffee shop. The beauty of the city's religion really touched me. LeGuin is one of the few SFF authors who can write about religion in a way that goes beyond superstition or a tool of tyranny. She has crafted a truly beautiful portrayal here.

One of the editorial reviews on Amazon praises the use of a dark-skinned model on the cover. While that's nice, the book clearly states that Memer's face is pale and her hair, although tightly curled, is light. After making Sparrowhawk white for all these years, they are now making the same mistake in the opposite direction.

(2007 Locus poll: #2 YA SFF novel)

This is the second volume of a YA fantasy trilogy penned by Ursula K. Le Guin. I delved into it as part of my monthly reading for January 2022 in the Hugo & Nebula Awards: Best Novels group. The third volume, Powers, which was nominated for the Nebula in 2008, is part of this group's reading. I had the intention of reading the entire trilogy but made the mistake of not starting from the first book. However, I can say that at least this novel functions splendidly as a standalone.

The story commences with the protagonist, Memer, a girl of approximately 7 years old. She resides in an old mansion and frequently spends time in a peculiar room. Only she can gain access to this room by signing symbols in the air. The room is filled with books, and initially, she hid there with her mother when the enemies, who had occupied the city of Ansul, were on a rampage of pillage and rape. Her mother, Decalo Galva, was the head housekeeper for Sulter Galva, the Waylord of Ansul. The Waylord was the owner of the mansion and an elected official of the city, whose main task before the occupation was to make trade deals with other cities. This wasn't the first time the enemies, the Alds, the people of the deserts of Asudar, had invaded the city. The previous attack was the reason for Memer's birth as her mother was raped by an Ald soldier.

Memer discovers that the Waylord is also capable of entering the hidden room, and he takes it upon himself to educate her. As time progresses, she is now seventeen and a famous poet and his wife, who have the ability to communicate with animals, enter the occupied city. Together, they must find a way to cast off the yoke.

This is a charming YA novel with beautiful, flowing prose. The fantasy elements are present but remain in the background, with the central focus given to the characters. The army of Alds, a combination of nomads who adore their horses and believers in a single real god of fire, viewing the deities of other people as demons to combat (with some allusions to early Islam). The locals, reduced to second-class citizens in their own city, are historically more traders than warriors.

The title, 'Voices', has multiple allusions, ranging from the ability to speak with animals, to books speaking to the reader, to a poet or agitator addressing a crowd and influencing the moods of the people.

The original article is not provided, so I can't rewrite and expand it specifically. However, I can give you a general example of how to expand an article.

Let's assume the original article is: "The cat is cute."

Expanded version:

The cat is extremely cute.

It has soft and fluffy fur that feels wonderful to touch. Its big, round eyes are full of curiosity and charm.

The way it walks, with its little paws padding gently on the ground, is simply adorable.

Whether it's playing with a toy or taking a nap in a sunny spot, the cat always manages to look so charming and endearing.

It truly is a delightful creature that brings joy and happiness to everyone who sees it.

If you can provide the original article, I will be able to give you a more accurate and detailed rewritten and expanded version.