A coming-of-age tale unfolds in a land that bears a striking resemblance to Scotland, a place steeped in mystic powers. Orrec and Gry, hailing from Upland families, possess these remarkable powers. However, for reasons unknown, they either cannot or will not utilize them.

This captivating story takes a monopoly move as it is presented as a Young Adult (YA) book. It makes a significant contribution to the B-ward readings by the UKLG. The allure of this land with its hidden powers and the journey of Orrec and Gry as they navigate their way through adolescence and grapple with their untapped abilities is sure to engage and enthrall readers.

The combination of a mysterious setting, complex characters, and a thought-provoking plot makes this YA book a must-read for those interested in tales of magic, self-discovery, and the power of choice. It offers a unique perspective on the coming-of-age experience and adds a touch of magic to the B-ward readings curated by the UKLG.

If, like me, you’re a huge fan of Earthsea and have searched in vain for anything similar

well, you'll still be searching, but this is a pretty good late-career substitute. Ursula essentially wrote her own fan fiction. This trilogy takes place in what is functionally a hidden corner of Earthsea, using the same metaphysics/magic, and with similar themes. The prose is intentionally YA (rather than accidentally YA, as in Earthsea). The plotting is weak, but the first and third books in the trilogy technically have just enough of ye olde Earthsea magic that I can somewhat recommend them.

It's important to note that while it may not be an exact replica of the beloved Earthsea series, it does offer some familiar elements that fans might appreciate. The world-building in this trilogy, although not as detailed and immersive as in Earthsea, still has its own charm. The use of magic and the exploration of similar themes add a sense of continuity for those who are deeply invested in the Earthsea universe. However, the YA prose and weaker plotting might be a drawback for some readers. Overall, if you're desperate for more Earthsea-like content and can overlook these flaws, it's worth giving this trilogy a try.

Le Guin is an author who is extremely deliberate, introspective, and practical.

Despite the fact that her writing often progresses at a consistently plodding pace, she remains the most thrilling author I have ever had the pleasure of reading.

The reason for this is that I find myself completely invested and utterly immersed in the life of the main characters.

This is particularly true in the case of "Gifts", where magical powers, known as the "gifts", are portrayed as a burden, and the feuds between rival estates are fought in a mostly subtle manner.

Nevertheless, for some reason, I was on the edge of my seat throughout the entire story.

It serves as a powerful reminder that the greatest power of fiction lies in its ability to inspire empathy in readers, allowing them to truly understand and connect with the experiences and emotions of the characters.

Le Guin's masterful storytelling and her ability to create such deeply engaging and relatable characters make her works a joy to read and a source of endless inspiration.

Molto carino, questo libro. Tuttavia, ho trovato che l'esercizio di stile è molto ben svolto, ma non ho capito perché il finale sia così affrettato. Sembra che l'autore abbia avuto fretta di finire la storia, senza dare alla lettura il tempo necessario per svilupparsi completamente.

Il libro è scritto magistralmente, con una prosa fluida e coinvolgente. Tuttavia, manca qualcosa nel finale. Non mi ha lasciato nulla di vero, nessuna emozione profonda, nessuna riflessione interessante. È stato come leggere una storia molto bella, ma senza un vero senso.

Forse, l'autore avrebbe dovuto prendere più tempo per sviluppare il finale, per dare alla storia un senso più profondo e significativo. Forse, avrebbe dovuto lasciare più spazio alla lettura, alla propria immaginazione. In ogni caso, questo libro ha avuto il potenziale di essere molto meglio, ma è fallito nel suo scopo finale.

Now this story I like very, very much more than when I read it for the first time.

There is something so fleeting, a bit of Celtic beauty and an indeterminate sadness in this tale (and it probably characterizes all the books by Le Guin that I have read so far).

It kind of reminds me of the recovery of a person who has been very wronged, has been ill for a long time and suffered, but now is slowly starting a new chapter.

The bittersweet taste of healing. Because it doesn't mean that the wrong has not been done. It means that it no longer controls us.

This story has a certain charm that makes me keep coming back to it. It makes me think about life, about the things that have happened to us, and how we can move forward despite the pain and hurt.

Le Guin's writing is so细腻 and profound that it touches the deepest parts of our hearts.

I am looking forward to reading more of her works and exploring the wonderful worlds she has created.

Maybe each new story will bring me a new understanding and a new inspiration.

Who knows? The only thing I know is that I am in love with her writing and I can't wait to see what she has in store for us next.

I didn't find this book compelling. Perhaps I should have read "Voices" first. When I read the premise at the library, I was initially interested.

"Scattered among poor, desolate farms, the clans of the Uplands possess gifts. Wondrous gifts: the ability - with a glance, a gesture, a word - to summon animals, bring forth fire, move the land. Fearsome gifts: They can twist a limb, chain a mind, inflict a wasting illness. The Uplanders live in constant fear that one family might unleash its gift against another. Two young people, friends since childhood, decide not to use their gifts. One, a girl, refuses to bring animals to their death in the hunt. The other, a boy, wears a blindfold lest his eyes and his anger kill."

I thought there would be more utilization of these people's gifts. I guessed I expected more action involving the use of these gifts. However, this book seemed more like the background for future books. I wasn't entertained enough to decide to read the rest. It felt as if the story was just setting the stage and not really delivering the excitement and adventure that I was hoping for. Maybe if I had read "Voices" first, I would have had a better understanding and appreciation of this book. But as it stands, I was left feeling a bit disappointed.

Gifts by Ursula K. Le Guin is a hard sell as a teen fantasy novel. I wonder why it isn't marketed in the same vein as A Wizard of Earthsea. As with all of Le Guin's books, Gifts is deeply philosophical and introspective. It delves into the exploration of what it means for a person to have a dangerous, potentially lethal ability. To provide some context, think of Graceling with Katsa's constant worry about her killing Grace, but without the action, angsty teen romance, and pseudo-feminist propaganda, and with more depth and a better understanding of human nature - and you'll have Gifts.

The story is set in the Uplands, an isolated place where several farming families with various gifts feud and fight for dominance. These gifts range from fairly harmless (calling animals) to terrifying (abilities to twist limbs or put a slow-killing curse on an enemy). The protagonist, Orrec, comes from a family with the most powerful gift of all - the gift of undoing (killing). One would think that such a gift would ensure the family is feared and revered, but Le Guin is too intelligent to write something so obvious. You may have the ability to kill with your gaze, but what if someone sneaks up behind you and curses your child or wife to a slow death? What if your oppressed neighbor refuses to use his gift of animal calling during a hungry winter? The novel is about the politics within a small community of families where each has significant leverage. And it's about Orrec's journey to understand and manage his power.

Very clever and profound, like all of Ursula K. Le Guin's works.

"Üzülmek de, kör olmak gibi garip bir iş; nasıl yapılacağını öğrenmesi gerekiyor insanın." This statement presents an interesting perspective on the concept of being sad. It likens sadness to blindness, suggesting that it is an unusual or strange state. Just as one might need to learn how to function in a world without sight, it implies that people should also learn how to experience and deal with sadness.

Perhaps this means understanding the causes and manifestations of our sadness, rather than simply allowing it to overtake us. It could involve developing strategies for coping with difficult emotions, such as through self-reflection, seeking support from others, or engaging in activities that bring us comfort and joy.

Learning how to be sad in a healthy way may also involve accepting our emotions and not suppressing or denying them. By doing so, we can gain a deeper understanding of ourselves and our experiences, and ultimately emerge stronger and more resilient.

I will never lose my awe of the late, great Ursula K. Le Guin’s immense talents. Her writing is a thing of beauty and wonder.

Her precision in choosing words is remarkable, as if each one is carefully weighed and placed to create the perfect effect. Her depth of feeling shines through every page, making the reader truly connect with the characters and their experiences.

Her abiding subtlety allows for a rich and nuanced exploration of complex themes. She has a facility for grappling with profound questions of what it means to be human, delving deep into the nature of our existence.

She also has a great regard for the inherent mysteries involved in being human, leaving room for the reader to沉思 and discover their own meanings.

Her love of language and of the power of storytelling is evident in every sentence. This, one of her later works, is a beautiful display of all these qualities.

I look forward to continuing this trilogy and being further immersed in Le Guin’s magical world.

A new Young Adult (YA) book has emerged, and it appears to be the start of an exciting new series(?). The second book in this series is titled Voices, and I'm eagerly looking forward to reading it next.

In the Uplands, a fascinating world is created where all families have the tradition of passing down certain gifts to their children. These gifts vary greatly; some are positive and can bring great benefits, while others are destructive and have the potential to cause chaos.

Two good friends find themselves in a unique situation as they choose not to use their inherited gifts. They now have to embark on a journey to figure out how to live in this society without relying on these special abilities. This storyline not only presents an interesting and engaging story but also seems to be a thought-provoking commentary on violence.

As I was reading this book, I was truly amazed to find that I could vividly picture the scenes and events in my mind. This doesn't happen to me all the time, but with this book, it did, which made the reading experience even more immersive and enjoyable. I can't wait to see what adventures and challenges await the characters in the next book, Voices.

Orrec is born into a Gifted family in the Uplands.

Their family, despite controlling a fey and unsettling Gift, struggles to make ends meet on their sparse and rocky land.

The Gifted families engage in raids on each other, vying for the few remaining resources such as livestock, wood, and serfs.

Cut off from the outside world by a combination of shunning and pride, the people of the Uplands become more stunted and inbred with each passing generation.

Unable to find a suitable wife among his own people, Orrec's father ventures into a Lowlands village.

He has never seen so many people before. There, he kidnaps a young woman who is lovely and cultured.

She instills in Orrec a deep love for stories and reading.

However, her kindness and memories of art and civilization can only have a limited impact.

Orrec still finds himself trapped in a claustrophobic society with no choices and no hope for a better future.

He is condemned to live in a world where the cycle of scarcity and violence continues unabated.

A very well-written story, with a certain philosophical depth and considerable tension. It is short, and yet at times it feels more like a snippet of world-building than a complete novel. Departing from traditional epic fantasy, it is intelligent and original within its typical framework of development. It has reminded us of the animes Shin Sekai Yori (From the New World) and Basilisk: Koga Ninpo Cho.

The story manages to engage the reader with its unique blend of elements. The philosophical undertones add an extra layer of complexity, making the reader思考 deeper about the themes presented. The tension keeps the pages turning, as we are eager to see what will happen next.

Although it may not be a full-fledged novel in the traditional sense, its short length does not detract from its impact. It offers a tantalizing glimpse into a fascinating world, leaving us wanting more. The comparison to the mentioned animes is apt, as they share similar qualities of exploring complex ideas and creating a sense of mystery and intrigue.