Somehow I managed to escape Ursula K. Le Guin while growing up and devouring fantasy throughout high school. Now, I'm determined to make amends. This is the second book I've read by her (the other being The Left Hand of Darkness), which means I approached The Other Wind without having read any of the Earthsea novels.

Ordinarily, I wait until I've finished reading a book before writing a review. However, with this one, I couldn't hold back. Halfway through, I penned this on my blog:

--

It's peculiar to review a book before finishing it, but two nights into The Other Wind by Ursula K. Le Guin, I have thoughts that I don't want to delay writing down.

When I was young, I believed my taste in fantasy/fiction would remain unchanged. I craved books that could transport me, books of grand adventure, profound ideas, and passionate love and romance that would sweep me off my feet, along with true friendship that could withstand the test of time. (Essentially, I wanted the Lord of the Rings forever and ever, and that was mostly true until I discovered the Notion Club Papers and transferred my loyalties there.) I yearned for books where I could immerse myself in their stories, see myself in the characters, and become a part of it in some small corner of my imagination. (Many happy childhood hours were spent developing the story where I was the daughter of Thranduil and sister of Legolas.)

Now that I'm older, my taste in fantasy/fiction hasn't altered. But I have. Now that I'm back in a situation where I can easily access English-language fantasy (thanks to public libraries!), I've been reading new (to me) books at an astonishing pace. Suddenly, I realize that, from the perspective of most fantasy, I'm OLD. Slightly past 30 is practically ancient in terms of fantasy heroines. If you're no longer 18 and beautiful, your time has passed, and your days of adventure are over. (And heaven forbid you actually have a CHILD? How many fantasy novels can you name where the main character is a heroine over 30 with a child, whether or not she also has a husband?) It's one of my main gripes about The Curse of Chalion (my review is here), a book that I otherwise adored: Why did the middle-aged hero end up falling in love with and getting the teenage girl instead of the woman he had a schoolboy crush on years ago, who was now widowed and slowly emerging from a nightmare? Isn't she the woman worth loving, fighting for, and having by his side? Hrmph.

So why do I feel compelled to start writing a review of The Other Wind? It's not because of the beautiful language or the stately pace at which it unfolds. It's not because of its "chronicle" style – a certain detachment in the narration that makes it read more like truth than a story. It's not because the opening scenes touch on many of the things that have been on my mind lately, regarding dreams and the people we encounter in them. It's not because of the strength and simplicity of the characters' relationships with each other.

It's because already one of the primary characters is a woman decades older than me, who has a daughter she loves and a husband too. And although her daughter is a decade or more older than mine, in the end, there's hardly any difference: We all must learn how to walk the fine line between protecting and forsaking, and we all must learn how to endure the pain of our children's heartache. Of course, I can do that and still be the heroine of my own adventure. But to find that part of myself reflected in a book, well, I can't wait to read the other half.

--

The other half did not disappoint. It was a beautiful, satisfying book, and I'm looking forward to borrowing the rest of the Earthsea novels from the library.

4.5. I wholeheartedly concur with the other reviews. This work leans more towards the contemplative side rather than being centered solely on adventure.

It delves profoundly into the intricate world of Earthsea, examining it in its entirety, warts and all. It manages to bring the trilogies/series to a satisfying conclusion.

Rather than answering every single question or neatly tying up all loose ends (which, in my opinion, would have detracted from the story's authenticity), it instead leaves the reader with much more to ponder. It makes one realize that life persists, and with it comes the unknown.

I took great pleasure in the new characters introduced, especially Aldor. The exploration of what it means to be an outsider in this enchanting magical world added an extra layer of depth.

Oh, Le Guin is truly remarkable. The world of Earthsea, along with her insights into the process of creating it, made this a truly wonderful read. I find myself longing to go back and embark on this literary journey all over again. ♥️

Probably my second favourite in the Earthsea cycle, after The Tombs of Atuan!! This statement reflects a deep appreciation for the works within the Earthsea cycle. The Tombs of Atuan holds a special place as the top favorite, but this particular book is not far behind. It likely has its own unique charm and qualities that draw the reader in. Perhaps it is the engaging story, the well-developed characters, or the richly imagined world. Each element combines to create an unforgettable reading experience. The author's skill in crafting this tale is evident, as it manages to capture the reader's attention and keep them hooked from beginning to end. Whether it's the thrilling adventures, the moments of self-discovery, or the exploration of complex themes, this book has something for everyone. It truly is a remarkable addition to the Earthsea cycle.

Well, what can I truly say? It seems as if I have most definitely found my new favorite author.

The Other Wind continues the perspective shift that was initiated in Tehanu and masterfully weaves together its nascent ideas. The way in which Le Guin structured this book was simply enchanting to me. The amount of time she dedicated to the so-called "unimportant" little things was not only endearing but also added a unique charm to the narrative.

From a plot perspective, it might appear a bit strange, but it was, in fact, very deliberately crafted. Le Guin's ability to strike a balance between the intimate and the epic was truly delightful.

Looking back at the entire series, here is how I would rate the individual books.

1. Tehanu

2. The Other Wind

3. The Tombs of Atuan

4. A Wizard of Earthsea

5. The Farthest Shore

Tehanu and The Other Wind were exceptionally good, and only The Tombs of Atuan came anywhere close in terms of quality.

(I left out Tales from Earthsea since it is rather difficult to compare short stories to full-length novels.)

I have really liked the construction of the story.

How all the characters come together and events that we saw in previous books are taken up again.

It has been a sad ending for me, but I understand that it is the cycle of life : (

The way the author weaves the plot and develops the characters makes the story truly engaging.

Each character has their own unique personality and backstory, which adds depth and complexity to the overall narrative.

The return of familiar events gives a sense of continuity and connection to the previous books in the series.

Although the ending is sad, it also feels inevitable and a natural part of the story's progression.

It makes me reflect on the transient nature of life and how everything must come to an end.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this story and look forward to reading more from the author in the future.

Terramar has been an amazing place to visit, and my journey through it has come to a beautiful conclusion. Without a doubt, this is my favorite among the six books. There were so many emotions just beneath the surface, and Ursula is truly great. She has a way of captivating the reader and making them feel every single emotion along with the characters. This year, I have a plan to explore more of her works, specifically her science fiction. I am excited to see what new worlds and ideas she will introduce me to. I have a feeling that it will be just as wonderful as my experience with Terramar.

I don't know if I read it carelessly, but I really didn't understand the transitions and the connections between the events. I left this book with the feeling that the desired result was achieved without much hesitation. Ursula, whom we considered a wise sorceress, surprised me a bit with this spell. Still, reading a book that contains dragons, flames, and sea voyages; and having the mind catch fire while trying to imagine everything is quite enjoyable.

I found myself lost in the pages, trying to make sense of the story. The lack of clear connections between the events made it a bit of a challenge to follow. However, the vivid descriptions of the dragons, the intense flames, and the exciting sea voyages kept my interest piqued.

Despite the confusion, I couldn't help but be drawn into the magical world that Ursula had created. The idea of a sorceress using her powers to bring this story to life was both fascinating and enchanting. Even though I had some difficulties understanding the narrative, I still found myself enjoying the overall experience of reading this book.

Emotions are truly a storm

The series has come to an end, and this final part has been quite good.

I really liked that it included more dragons and a deeper exploration of dragon "culture".

The addition of these elements added a new layer of excitement and interest to the story.

It made the world of the dragons feel more vivid and alive.

Among all the installments in the saga, my favorites are undoubtedly the first two.

They set the stage for the entire series and introduced us to a captivating world of magic and adventure.

The characters were well-developed, and the storylines were engaging and full of twists and turns.

Overall, I have thoroughly enjoyed this series and will be sad to see it end.

However, I look forward to seeing what the author has in store for us next.

A revolution that was initiated by women was also brought to an end by their hands. The dragon ladies, the princesses, the queens, and all the women in Lebannen. The dead come back to life, the dragons, everything! It was definitely beautiful. 1 It ended, and again I didn't quite understand some things, but it was okay.

This story seems to be full of mystery and excitement. The role of women in this revolution is crucial. They not only started it but also managed to bring it to a conclusion. The mention of the dragon ladies, princesses, and queens adds an element of fantasy and grandeur to the narrative. The idea of the dead coming back to life and the presence of dragons make it even more captivating. Although the narrator admits to not fully understanding some aspects, it doesn't take away from the overall beauty and intrigue of the story.

Perhaps there are deeper meanings and interpretations hidden within the text that could be explored further. It leaves the reader with a sense of wonder and a desire to know more about this unique world and the events that took place within it.

TENGO una muy buena explicación de por qué leí esto antes que todo lo demás.

Fue por error.

Les juro.

La cuestión es que sé que a la autora le gusta escribir novelas "spin off" de su saga de Terramar. Así, cuando me topé con esta preciosura en oferta, con tapa dura y el apellido de la autora reluciendo en el medio, no dudé en comprarlo. Además, la tapa no decía que era "Terramar #6", ni en ninguna otra parte lo aclaraba. Por lo tanto, pensé que se trataría de una novela independiente ambientada en este mundo.

Bueno, a pesar de haberme salteado cinco libros, lo disfruté bastante. Y la narración de esta mujer siempre me es bienvenida. Estoy aprendiendo a quererla. Es una lástima que arranqué al revés con su saga.

Ahora necesito más de Tehanu. Iré del final hacia el comienzo. Esto me ha dado una perspectiva interesante y me ha hecho querer explorar más la saga. Aunque comencé de manera accidental, creo que esto me llevará a descubrir muchas maravillas en el mundo creado por la autora.

A very beautiful end. I shed my little tear on the train.

However, fortunately, the cover of my edition is not the same as this one. Because you need to explain to me the relationship.

Perhaps there is some hidden meaning or connection between the different covers that I am not aware of. It makes me curious and eager to understand.

Maybe it's a symbolic representation of something, or it could be a coincidence. But either way, it has piqued my interest and made me think about the possible significance.

I wonder if others have noticed this difference and if they have any insights or interpretations. It would be interesting to have a discussion and see what different perspectives people have.

Overall, this small detail has added an extra layer of mystery and intrigue to the story, making it even more captivating.