I sadly have very little to say about this one.

In many ways, I think it is the worst of the original three Earthsea books. It never reaches the clever subversive nature of the first book, nor the phenomenal world building and charm of the second.

It has some minor elements of them, but it mostly just feels like the most standard generic “hero story” of the three. With that said, I think I may prefer it over the first one slightly, as I feel it tells a more entertaining tale. However, I can easily see where many would disagree.

The real highlight of this one for me is seeing how Le Guin aged Ged. She did an excellent job of making Ged grow up. He was, in my opinion, an insufferable know-it-all for a good portion of the first book. In the second, he was a wise man who understood his limitations but always hopeful to work on them. And here, he is an old man looking back not always fondly at some of his deeds, yet still able to see the good in the past. I found his growth a delight and liked seeing how his previous adventures, some we never even see, affected him.

Unfortunately, his companion in this book is not very interesting. This time Ged is joined by a young nobleman, whose personality seems to be a combination of hero worship followed by bouts of doubt. That pretty much sums up every insight we get into him, and he’s about as uninteresting as that sounds.

While I had hoped for more, I find that I do not regret reading this series. The first and third did not reach the heights for me that many hold them to, but the second book far exceeded my expectations. I find that one line here sums up my entire feelings on the book: “I do not care what comes after; I have seen the dragons on the wind of morning.”

Will I read the fourth book? Maybe at some point. For now, I’m happy to leave this world for some time. Though I cannot put myself as one of the many fans who consider it one of the all-time fantasy greats, there are aspects of the series that I will treasure. A solid 3/5 stars.

The Farthest Shore is a captivating work written specifically for tweens and teens. If all you desire is a thrilling fantasy filled with adventure, courage, and of course, those magnificent DRAGONS (undoubtedly the most exciting aspect!), then feel free to disregard everything that follows and simply revel in the enjoyment.

This story holds a meaning that will vary depending on the beliefs of each individual reader. Had I perused it during my days of spiritual convictions, I would surely have construed the narrative within a framework of religious allegory and symbolism. However, as I am now content in my state of unbelief, my focus centered on the more tangible themes of the proper utilization of power and mankind's inherent fear of death.

The plot unfolds in directions that I could not have anticipated, so I shall safeguard the suspense for future readers and refrain from disclosing too many particulars. In brief, Sparrowhawk (Ged) is now the Archmage on the Isle of Roke. He embarks on a journey with Prince Arren to visit regions in Earthsea where the magic is waning. They are unsure precisely what they are in search of as they traverse the land. Their only hope is to uncover the reason why the spells are failing and to restore the Balance before it is too late.

Sparrowhawk is a wise leader who does not squander his power. Prince Arren ponders why the Archmage does not employ magic more frequently to simplify his own life. Arren comes to learn that power is not something to be wielded merely because one possesses it. It must be carefully safeguarded and nurtured so that it will be at its full strength when it is most desperately needed. With power comes responsibility. Sparrowhawk conserves his power so that it will be available when he summons it to serve all of Earthsea, rather than using it for his personal gain.

The second theme that I detected running throughout the story was that of the universal fear of death. Humans struggle to come to terms with the concept of future non-existence. They will strike any bargain, embrace any belief system, if it will enable them to maintain the illusion of some form of immortality. I believe this is a consequence of evolution towards higher cognitive capabilities. We are able to project our minds forward to our own demise, but not beyond. I am already encroaching upon the territory of spoilers, so I shall proceed no further. Nevertheless, it is instructive to follow this theme through to the end.

I derived greater enjoyment from this installment than from The Tombs of Atuan as it contains significantly more action and excitement. Tombs left me with a sense of claustrophobia due to the preponderance of the story taking place underground. While I understand the symbolism, I much prefer the aboveground adventures of Books 1 and 3.

Serinin has become my favorite tribe.

I think the most important factor in this is that the theme of the book is 'death'. Because it is a fact that I have been puzzling over in my life and still have difficulty accepting like Arren, which attracted me to the story.

Seeing Ged stripped of all his pretensions and regarded as an adult with his thoughts; occupying my mind with Bergmanesque wise words placed between the lines and resting at the first stop of the story with a beautiful ending that suits the skeleton series very well made me very satisfied.

It was also a great motivation to read the continuation.

In the ancient language, I greet you with all the sympathy I feel for the dragons:)

8/10

Ursula Le Guin's work is truly remarkable. It is not only an excellent book but also another confirmation of her talent and skill. She is definitely a writer at the very top of Epic Fantasy. Her sentences are concise yet never dull. Her characters are beautiful and brutally real. Her descriptions bring to life not only the living characters but also the objects.

What I like most about her writing is that it reminds me of a good film. Just like a great movie that tells the story through the actions and expressions of the actors, her writing doesn't try to explain every detail to us through dialogue and thereby destroy the magic. It allows the readers to immerse themselves in the story and experience it for themselves.

In conclusion, Ursula Le Guin's writing is a masterpiece that combines the best elements of literature and film to create a truly unforgettable experience.

**"The Magic and Wisdom of Earthsea"**

The third installment of the Earthsea series is truly remarkable. It is even more expansive than the previous two books. Ged, the protagonist, has evolved from a bold and precocious adolescent wizardry apprentice to an old and wise arch-mage.

4.5

There has been a period of relative stability and security in Earthsea, but now it is threatened by a mysterious power. People are losing their gifts of magic and song, plants and animals are affected, and fear and uncertainty are spreading across the archipelago. Ged, along with Arren, a young prince from Enlad sent to seek help at the wizardry school on the island of Roke, embark on a journey to find and confront this evil power.

It is astonishing that these books were written for children. The common perception is that children's books are cute and do not explore complex themes that are often considered inappropriate for them, such as death and life, power and destruction, and courage and redemption. However, these books do just that.

Most of the popular mainstream fairy tales have been altered to make them more suitable for mass consumption. But how fortunate are the children who get to read these wonderful books! I wonder if they have left a lasting impression on the adults who can recall them.

Another fascinating aspect of this book is the influence of Taoist thought. After reading the Tao Te Ching recently, I noticed the similarities. A quick online search confirmed that Le Guin had been deeply influenced by it and even later translated the Tao Te Ching. The philosophies of balance and harmony are evident throughout the book.

For example, the quotes about the balance of nature and the consequences of unmeasured desire for life, as well as the cycle of life and death, beautifully illustrate these Taoist principles.

I am truly amazed at how consistently good these books have been. They are not only absorbing and entertaining but also make you think while and after reading. They are indeed marks of great literature.

To see a candle's light, one must take it into a dark place.

I firmly believe that we are drawn to stories of human redemption. It is because deep within us, we always yearn to start afresh, to be redeemed. We envision our own potential as something that is always just within our reach, like the sword in the stone that could be moved by our hands alone. What remarkable greatness might lie within the purity of our purpose?

I also think that we love stories of leaders who rise from humble beginnings. Frankly speaking, the only truly outstanding leaders we have ever had have always started that way. Our genuine leaders have never begun their lives with silver spoons in their mouths. They are not supposed to have criminal backgrounds or be in their advanced years either.

Where there is no direction, the deeds of men run shallow and wander and are wasted.

I am of the opinion that we will always experience times that seem darker than others. There will be moments when civilization appears to have run aground and our future seems uncertain and insecure.

No darkness lasts forever. And even there, there are stars...

I think it is of utmost importance to always notice WHO is leading us and WHY. How do they treat themselves? What about the people and animals around them? What role do they wish to play in safeguarding our planet? What factors influence their vision?

I would serve a true king with all my heart and all my art.

I believe that we are fond of stories where experience and humility (Ged) intersect with innocence and vision (Arren).

I think the great stories serve as a reminder that our lives are precious and we should be vigilant in choosing whom we allow to lead them.

Yes. The trilogy is over.

The series continues but this was the last book of this trilogy.

I'm going to give a spoiler;

Ged died.

I thought the series was very nice. It was read and finished sweetly without any excitement.

I can't say it was a complete adventure.

In fact, there are many gaps.

Ged becomes a wizard after a difficult training and we can't follow him during this time.

In the first book, Ged is a young boy discovered by Master Ogion while he is a shepherd on Gont. In the second book, he appears before us as a great wizard. I'm very curious about what happened in between. I would have liked to accompany him while he was getting to know and discover himself.

In the third book, we find our beloved Ged as the head wizard at the School of Wizards on the island of Roke. He has now become an old and master wizard. But what happened in between? There is no such thing.

In this book, a small child also accompanies Ged.

In the first book, he was a child himself. In the second book, my dear Tenar and in the third book, the young prince Lebannen, accompany Ged.

I'm summarizing;

A young prince comes to the School of Wizards. His father has sent him. There is no such thing as magic left in the world. An evil spirit has wiped out all magic from the Earthsea. Roke is the last island in the Earthsea where magic exists. And until the prince comes, no one realizes that magic is slowly being wiped out from the world.

The prince tells Ged the situation.

Ged has not noticed anything until now when magic is almost gone, but when the prince tells the situation, he immediately takes his things and takes the prince with him and sets off.

After a rather difficult journey, they find the "evil spirit" on the farthest shore.

To be immortal, he sold his soul to darkness and although he regrets it, he can no longer turn back. He has died and achieved immortality. But unfortunately, because of the choice he made, he has to live his immortality in the darkness. No matter how much he tries to escape, an endless torture awaits him.

The head wizard defeats this friend beautifully.

And at the end of the story, Ged returns to Gont, that is, to his village, in the claws of a dragon.

The author also tells us in this book how beautiful it is to be mortal.

Well, it was enjoyable.

The series didn't end but this is still a final book. This is very clear.

This book has truly made me consider abandoning my readthrough of Earthsea. I'm still undecided at the moment. If I were to ever read Tehanu, it seems likely that it would be more of a hate read than anything else, given the reviews that claim it's as bad as this one, only with 1000% more of "THE MESSAGE" and that it completely ruins Ged's character.

This particular installment feels pretentious. For a whopping 98% of the time, nothing of significance occurs. And when something finally does happen, it's so extremely vague that even the metaphors she attempts to incorporate sound rather dumb. There's no sense of tension, and despite the characters traveling through half of the world, there's no sense of awe either. It's all just dull and vague. Moreover, I absolutely HATE her writing style where she spoils the ending right at the beginning. I'm well aware that this is a children's book, but for goodness sake, why?

I really liked the first book, and the second one was passable, admittedly getting better as it progressed. However, this book is shockingly poor in comparison. I simply cannot fathom how it can have an average rating above four stars.

Originally, I wasn't sure whether to first read Le Guin's sci-fi or fantasy novels, so I created a poll, and Earthsea completely obliterated the Hainish Cycle. Can someone, for the love of all good books, please explain to me how that's even possible?

This one is between 3 and 4 stars for me, but I'm feeling generous so I'm giving it a 4.

All over Earthsea, wizards are losing their magic. This alarming situation prompts Ged Sparrowhawk and Prince Arren to embark on a perilous quest. Their goal is to discover the source of the disappearing magic and, if possible, restore it.

As with many of Le Guin's works, this one starts off rather slow. She painstakingly builds the scene, setting the stage for the events to come. The action doesn't occur until the end, which might test the patience of some readers. However, as the story progresses and the world she has created is slowly revealed, I find myself enjoying it more and more.

I also have a newfound appreciation for the characters in this book. Prince Arren, in particular, is a character that I hope to see more of in future installments. His growth and development throughout the story are both engaging and believable. Overall, while this book may not be a perfect 5-star read, it is definitely a solid 4 stars.

Life emerges from death, and death springs from life. In their opposition, they long for each other, give birth to each other, and are perpetually reborn. Along with them, everything is reborn, like the flower of the apple tree and the light of the stars. There is death within life, and rebirth within death. So, what is life without death? Life that is unchanging, everlasting, and eternal - what is it but death without rebirth?

The duality of various elements remains the central theme of the third book in the Earthsea series. It encompasses dark and light, good and evil, old and young, land and sea, and of course, life and death. Ursula K. Le Guin weaves together all these story elements with her impeccable and precise prose. Not a single word is wasted, yet she manages to tell a story that feels much larger than its 190 pages. At times, the story progresses slowly, but it also explores new horizons in Le Guin's most renowned fantasy world. It brings the original trilogy to a bittersweet yet masterful conclusion, leaving readers with a profound sense of the cyclical nature of life and death and the complex web of dualities that shape our existence.

The Earthsea trilogy comes to a conclusion with all the captivating beauty, intricate intrigue, and profound power that characterized the previous two installments.

Here, Sparrow Hawk, now an old master-mage, stands at the zenith of his powers. However, something amiss is happening in the world. Singers have forgotten their songs, sorcerers their spells, and people everywhere have lost hope and interest, allowing things to crumble.

It turns out that a rumor is spreading across the land that a great mage has discovered the path back from death. To follow him is to evade death and attain eternal life. People are abandoning their now seemingly unimportant activities to pursue this elusive path to immortality.

Though I'm certain it's inadvertent on Le Guin's part, this bears a striking resemblance to Christianity. Some special individual promises eternal life provided you follow him and adhere to certain rules. Lenin termed it an opiate, which drugs the masses into submission, and that's precisely how it unfolds in Earthsea. But like Christianity, what actual reward awaits? An end to pain, yet also an end to pleasure. An end to physical decay, but also an end to growth. An end to drudgery, only to be replaced by eternal boredom. Sparrow Hawk values life and contends that there can be no life without death, no joy without sorrow. At the farthest shore, he confronts the messiah to restore the world.

Extraordinary retelling of a classic fantasy trope - a quest of a young hero!

The young hero embarks on a journey filled with numerous obstacles. His ultimate goal is to become a king.

Just like in the previous books of this series, the main adversary is not a traditional villain. Instead, it is the fear that plagues the young hero. In this particular case, it is the fear of death.

In order to emerge victorious, the young prince must undergo a profound transformation. He needs to mature, both intellectually and emotionally. He must become wiser, learning from his experiences and the challenges he faces along the way.

As is typical of the author, the focus is more on the character's development. The author delves deep into the psychological states and the philosophy of living of the characters. This approach adds depth and complexity to the story, making it a truly engaging read.

While the plot may not be as dynamic as some other fantasy novels, the character development more than makes up for it. Readers will find themselves invested in the young hero's journey, rooting for him as he overcomes his fears and grows into a true king.