I enjoyed this a fair bit more than book 1, A Wizard of Earthsea.

It is still a four-star read and not quite a five, but in my opinion, I had a significantly greater enjoyment with this book. I believe this is because the story in this novel is centered on one thing rather than lots of smaller things and side quests before leading up to the final event as seen in book 1. This book had a more concise plot, and it knew precisely what it wanted to tell and achieve beyond Ged’s growing-up story in book 1.

It also features a female protagonist in Tenar, and Ged, the main character from book 1, has a much smaller role. I really liked that aspect as well. Women weren't heavily represented in classic fantasy, and the fact that this book had a female protagonist when it was published in the 1960s shows that Le Guin was truly ahead of her time, which I love. Her character was well-realized and well-written, and I honestly found her more compelling to follow compared to Ged. Overall, I simply enjoyed the way she was written.

Now, having said that, I would have liked a bit more from some of the side characters beyond their relationship to Tenar. However, since it is such a short book, I completely understand that the author didn't have the time to fully develop everyone.

I thought the plot was pretty good, and it was much better paced than book 1 because there weren't constant time jumps, sometimes of several years at a time. It was much steadier, and I ended up getting more invested in the story and what would happen to Tenar and Ged than I expected, which was great. The Tombs themselves were a really cool setting, and I liked the way they were built up and developed. The whole idea of a priestess looking after the tombs and the things we learn about them at the end was genuinely quite good.

The worldbuilding remains solid, though not overly deep or detailed as expected since it is targeted towards younger readers. I do like how the worldbuilding is implemented and how it isn't too infodumpy; it just comes naturally. Naturally, I almost wish for more worldbuilding, but it gave us enough for the story to feel complete while keeping the world feeling mystical and magical enough throughout, which is a bonus.

Towards the end, I almost surprised myself by how engaged I was and how much I was enjoying everything. I didn't expect to enjoy it as much, so it was a really nice surprise. Anyway, yeah, this was a really solid book. 8/10

Ursula Le Guin was truly a remarkable author. In 1968, when she introduced the world to A Wizard of Earthsea, she made a significant choice by making her hero a man. This initial decision set the stage for an engaging story that captured the imaginations of many readers.

However, after the first book achieved success and the series gained a following, Le Guin once again demonstrated her wisdom. She decided to make her hero a woman in the subsequent installments. This unexpected twist added a new layer of complexity and interest to the story.

For young readers like myself, who first encountered this novel at the age of fourteen, this change could be a bit jarring. I was so enamored with the original hero, Ged, that when I started the second book, I was filled with questions. Where was Ged? And who was this new character, Tenar?

My daughter, who is now almost fourteen herself, experienced the same thing when we read the story together. Within the first ten pages of our read-aloud session, she had already asked three times, “Where's Ged?” It was clear that she, too, was invested in Ged's character and was eager to see what would happen to him.

As the story progresses, we are introduced to Tenar's background. She is taken from her family's home as a young girl and conscripted into a unique religious order. Her identity and name are stripped away, and she is given the name Arha, which means “one who is eaten” or “one who is devoured.”

Tenar's journey is one of self-discovery and growth. She has been trained her whole life to serve the male patriarchy of the Godking and guard over the Tombs of Atuan. But when Ged arrives, her world is turned upside down, and she is forced to question everything she has ever known.

The relationship between Ged and Tenar is one of the highlights of the story. Their interactions are complex and充满了tension and longing. As the story unfolds, we see both characters change and grow in ways that are both unexpected and profound.

At the end of the novel, I asked my daughter how many stars she would give the book. She rolled her eyes and said, “Duh. Five.” It was clear that she had been deeply moved by the story and that Tenar's journey had resonated with her on a personal level.

Ursula Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea series is a masterpiece of literature. Through her skillful storytelling and complex characters, she has managed to explore themes of gender, identity, and power in a way that is both thought-provoking and engaging. I highly recommend this series to anyone who loves a good adventure story with a deeper meaning.

Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not an easy feat. It is not a gift bestowed upon us, but rather a choice that we must make, and this choice may prove to be a difficult one indeed. The road ahead leads upward towards the light; however, the laden traveler may never reach the end of it.

This is the second installment in the Earthsea series and it introduces another main character, Tenar, who is a High Priestess and the guardian of the Tombs of Atuan. Ged arrives at the tombs in search of one half of an artifact. The story is brief and gives the impression that it is laying the groundwork for the rest of the series. There is no point in delving into the plot in detail, but it is clear that Le Guin is taking some interesting directions as she constructs her fantasy world. It is very different from the first book in the series, which focuses on the concept of journeying. This one is more static and delves into the interior lives of the characters.

There are elements of coming of age and enlightenment, and I am aware that this is somewhat of a YA type series. One of the central messages is that trust and cooperation are essential, and we can achieve nothing without them. This book feels sparser than the first, but that doesn't necessarily mean it's a bad thing.

There are numerous themes at play. Race is a significant factor as Ged is clearly black and Tenar is white. Gender is another issue, and as always, there are plenty of theories about what Le Guin is暗示 here. What I found particularly interesting were the themes related to faith and religion and the need to let go of strict and restricting beliefs. The questioning of belief is central to the plot.

Overall, it was an interesting read and I will likely continue reading the rest of the series.

"Do you know how to read?"
"No. It is one of the black arts."
He nodded. "But a useful one," he said.

Jos jedna odlična "knjiga" - priča.
It is truly astonishing how beautifully Ursula le Guin writes. She weaves words masterfully, and the touch of a woman's sensibility makes her fantasy even more powerful. One feels just the right amount, which enhances our connection with the characters in the best way. When it comes to the characters in this story, we have two main ones, the already familiar Ged and the young Tenar (Arhu). Their symbiosis is the central point around which the plot is built.
This is a story of the great battle between light and darkness, with an emphasis on kindness. It is easy to ignite the flame of life as long as there is still a little spark left in the heart.
Ursula le Guin's writing style is a joy to behold. Her ability to create vivid characters and a captivating plot is truly remarkable. The way she explores the themes of good and evil, light and darkness, and the power of kindness is both thought-provoking and inspiring.
In conclusion, this story is a must-read for anyone who loves fantasy and wants to be transported to a world of magic and wonder.

I read the first Earthsea Cycle book, A Wizard of Earthsea back in February.

Although I had some positive feelings towards it, I wasn't completely overwhelmed.

Then, rather randomly, I started The Tombs of Atuan and ended up finishing it on the same day.

This time, I was truly blown away.

There was a huge difference in how I felt compared to the first book. It was simply excellent.

Unlike the first book, which focused on Ged, this one features Tenar, a high priestess, as the main character.

Ged, also known as Sparrowhawk, is in the book as well, but he is more of a secondary character, although his role is still important.

Anyway, getting back to Tenar. I have to admit that I didn't always like her in the book.

However, she undergoes such a significant transformation, especially towards the end, that I couldn't help but like her in the end.

I also really liked the relationship between Tenar and Ged.

At first, they didn't quite know how to trust each other, but eventually, Ged gets Tenar to see that there is more to the world than just serving the dark powers of the tombs of Atuan.

I'm really not sure why I wasn't a big fan of the first book because this one was absolutely amazing.

The prose, in particular, was simply gorgeous.

That was probably my favorite aspect of the book, the beautiful writing.

But really, every single thing about this book was fantastic.

I'm definitely recommending this to anyone (even if you didn't like the first book, just give it a try!).

Might have to revisit this at some point. I was in the process of adding a book to my top book list. As I was going through, I reached a certain point where I thought I liked one book more than the others. But then, as I scrolled down further, I saw "Tombs of Atuan". And I was like, well, I definitely think I like this one even more clearly. So, up it goes.

It is a very different story than "The Wizard of Earthsea", and one that I enjoyed more.

This one has a definitely much darker premise. A girl is abducted at the age of 5 and forced into a role of power that is also a prison. It also felt more character-driven. In general, I felt we were much deeper in Tenar/Arha's head. Ged is no longer our main character, but he plays a role, and I really enjoyed this aspect.

This was very much a story about the conflict within the human heart.

I can't quite say it is among my absolute favorites, but I really did enjoy it. I would rate it 8.3/10.

The Tombs of Atuan has always held a special place in my heart as my absolute favorite within the Earthsea cycle.

Recently, I shared with someone that the peaceful moment when Tenar watches Ged sleeping, with a thistle by his hand and the world appearing so strange, was, in a way, a moment that precisely encapsulates Le Guin's work for me. That tranquility, that instant of clarity, of seeing things anew...

If nothing else, that's the profound feeling I experience whenever I delve into her writings.

The Tombs of Atuan commences to rectify the balance of the world that Le Guin fabricated. In a society where there were no women before, she situates the second installment in a female-dominated one, where only women hold power. And she skillfully avoids falling into any sort of simplistic black-and-white, good-and-bad trap. Thar is positive, despite her stern nature, and Arha/Tenar has her own moments of both darkness and light.

Of course, as far as I'm concerned, in terms of prose, Le Guin can do no wrong.

It might take me some time to get around to reading The Farthest Shore, as it's my least favorite in the sequence. I'm left wondering if with maturity, my perspective on it will change.

Le Guin's work has always been a source of inspiration for me, and this particular story is no exception. It is a tale that seems almost impossible to write, yet Le Guin and only a few others can handle it with such mastery.

Let me explain. The narrative is centered solely on one place, the tombs of Atuan, and more specifically, on its underground labyrinths where there is no light. This means that most of the action takes place in the dark, and only the dialogues or the protagonist's feelings give us information. If not done extremely well, this could easily make the reader tired by the third page in the darkness. However, I found myself reading the 140 pages in one go, eager to know if they managed to obtain the treasure and if they could escape the shadows.

Don't rely too much on the synopsis. It may seem like a continuation of the adventures of the mage Ged, but he only appears towards the end of the book. The plot focuses on the young tomb priestess and her struggle to break free from her destiny.

Although it is necessary to have read the previous book to understand certain references, I still found this one to be quite self-contained.

I've read the first three Earthsea books numerous times, beginning when I was at the zenith of my academic prowess (that is, in primary school). Throughout my childhood readings, I favored the two books that bracketed this one. Looking back, it's straightforward for me to understand why: it wasn't centered around Ged and it didn't contain sufficient sailing to far-off places (that is, exploration). In contrast, I've noticed that several female Goodreaders who are also LeGuin fans rate this book higher than the other two. I can hazard a guess as to the reason; there are no female characters in the other two. There are some women in both, even some who play crucial roles, but they are not fully developed characters, let alone protagonists. Most of these women are unlikable or downright evil. A Wizard of Earthsea and The Farthest Shore are completely male-dominated. The Tombs of Atuan, on the other hand, is almost entirely female-dominated.

THIS REVIEW HAS BEEN CURTAILED IN PROTEST AT GOODREADS' CENSORSHIP POLICY

See the complete review here:

http://arbieroo.booklikes.com/post/33...

This is the second installment in the Earthsea Cycle. In terms of the plot, it doesn't quite measure up to A Wizard of Earthsea, yet the writing is of a higher caliber. It flows so beautifully that I managed to devour the entire book in just a few short hours. For this reason, I can award it four stars, although the story does lack the magic and adventure that characterized the first book.

Tenar is taken from her family at the tender age of five and dedicated to "the Dark Ones" (also known as "the Nameless Ones") at six. The belief is that they consume her soul, and from then on, she belongs to them and is stripped of her name. She is no longer Tenar but Arha, "the eaten one," and the First Priestess of the Nameless Ones. Like any religion, Arha is indoctrinated into believing that these gods must be feared and appeased, despite the lack of evidence of their existence. When she encounters the concept of "unfaith," it comes as a surprise and a wonder to her.

Arha spends her youth largely in solitude and mostly underground, in the Undertomb and the Labyrinth. No light is permitted in the Undertomb, and no males except eunuchs are allowed to enter. One day, Arha spots a light in the Undertomb and discovers, to her shock, a man walking around down there. As the First Priestess, it is her duty to have him killed for violating that sacred space. But, miraculously, she begins to think for herself. She wonders why the gods she serves have not unleashed their fury upon the man with the light. She has always been taught that disaster will ensue if light is brought into the Undertomb.

Arha traps the man underground and entertains herself by spying on him while she deliberates what to do. The man turns out to be Ged/Sparrowhawk, the wizard. He has come to the Tombs of Atuan in search of part of a Lost Rune that will bring peace to Earthsea. He shares with Arha his hard-earned wisdom and helps her see that the Nameless Ones are not gods but dark forces to be shunned. Together, they escape to the West, where Arha once again becomes Tenar.

When they set sail and Tenar realizes she is truly free, she experiences sorrow and loss rather than joy. She mourns the waste of her life dedicated to false gods and meaningless rituals and fears a future in which she must make her own decisions.

An outstanding passage from page 173 speaks to the burden of freedom after breaking free from enslavement to a belief system:

"She wept in pain, because she was free.
What she had begun to learn was the weight of liberty. Freedom is a heavy load, a great and strange burden for the spirit to undertake. It is not easy. It is not a gift given, but a choice made, and the choice may be a hard one. The road goes upward towards the light, but the laden traveler may never reach the end of it."

Nevjerojatno se brzo čita. This continuation of the adventure from the Earthsea series has made a really nice turn. Ursula departs to the distant Atuan, into the world of evil. Almost the entire book follows the life of the first priestess of the Tomb, the Dark, and the Nameless Ones. Everything seems perfect for the young Arha until in the Tombs where she rules, she encounters the supreme wizard Ged who is in search of something that will unite the worlds and bring peace.

The description of the black corridors of the Tombs beneath Atuan, as well as the layout of the Labyrinth and its meaning, is fantastic. Once again, there are clichés (e.g. Everything is united by ONE ring?!), but just like in the first part, this doesn't matter at all.

The content is good, there are very few time jumps in the novel, and the combination of the main heroes from the first and second books is perfect. It is written concisely, with recognizable Ursuline philosophical discussions and anthropological genius. Truly excellent.

The Tombs of Atuan stands in sharp contrast to A Wizard of Earthsea.

It centers around a young woman who has lived her entire life secluded within the tombs of gods that she serves, yet knows little about.

Just when the reader feels utterly despondent about the state of this disillusioned young lady, Ged, who can hardly be characterized as overly cheerful or upbeat, makes his entrance.

He brings with him a much-needed glimmer of hope, despite spending the majority of the book beneath the earth.

After Ged's arrival, things gradually start to make more sense to Tenar.

It is fascinating to observe her well-developed character gradually transitioning from darkness to light.

This is a slow-paced book. There isn't a great deal of action until the conclusion.

However, Ged's quest in the tombs is connected to the rest of the Earthsea series, which gives it value in that regard.

And, of course, an Ursula Le Guin book is always a delight to read, and this audiobook version is excellent.

Read more Ursula Le Guin book reviews at Fantasy literature.