Decades before J.K Rowling’s Harry Potter and The Philosopher’s Stone, and even longer before Patrick Rothfuss’ The Name of the Wind, there emerged a school of magic that undoubtedly served as a significant inspiration for them all. Although it doesn't take the center stage in this series - that honor belongs to Sparrowhawk - it still plays a crucial and major role in the intricate workings of this enchanting and beautiful fantasy world.

I don't use the word "beautiful" lightly here. Not only is the scenery vivid and vast, described in a language that borders upon the picturesque, but it also wields a powerful force. Sparrowhawk, with his keen perception, grasps this in its entirety and endeavors to impart his profound wisdom to his new student, Arren. Understanding the importance of a delicate balance within nature, between life and death, is a fundamental precursor to comprehending one's own fate and the very purpose of existence itself. Sparrowhawk is not merely a wizard; he is also a spiritual guide and a remarkable teacher.

An unlikely student

Arren, on the other hand, is not initially endowed with natural magic. Nor is he a highly skilled warrior or particularly cunning. He has never taken a life or performed a heroic deed. At first, he fails to fully comprehend the wisdom he hears from his teacher. Yet, for some mysterious reason, the old wizard has glimpsed something special within him and requests his assistance with a new and arduous quest. But why would Sparrowhawk choose someone so inexperienced? The answer lies in the fact that Sparrowhawk has seen a flicker of courage hidden behind the boy's eyes. He knows deep down that one day, Arren will possess the strength to overcome great evil and succeed. So, he encourages him and patiently teaches him the art of being an effective leader.

Arren is a prince, and Sparrowhawk attempts to temper his inherent greatness. The two embark on their quest, the specific details of which aren't overly important. What truly matters is what the wizard is striving to show the future king. Sparrowhawk has no apprentice, no direct successor. However, if he can impart his knowledge to a boy who will one day rule over thousands, then his life will not be in vain, as his ideas will spread far and wide. He poses thought-provoking questions to the boy and encourages him to look beyond his own human imperfections:

"In our minds, lad. In our minds. The traitor, the self, the self that cries I want to live, let the world rot so long as I can live! The little traitor soul in us, in the dark, like a spider in a box. He talks to all of us. But only some understand him. The wizards, the singers, the makers. And the heroes, the ones who seek to be themselves. To be oneself is a rare thing, and a great one. To be oneself forever, is that not greater still?"

Le Guin is one of my all-time favorite fantasy writers. There is just something truly captivating about the way she writes. Her prose is smooth and succinct, not a single word is wasted. Her novels are not only entertaining but also deeply thought-provoking, and her characters are imbued with wisdom. After finishing this series, I'm eagerly looking forward to delving into some of her science fiction works and seeing how they compare. I've heard nothing but great things about many of them.

\\n  Earthsea Cycle\\n

1. A Wizard of Earthsea - Four worthy stars

2. The Tombs of Atuan - A redeeming four stars

3. The Farthest Shore - A strong four stars

Ursula Le Guin has a hard-core (even die-hard) readership for her literary genre, with its own unique cultural elements and jargon. Although I am a very avid science-fiction reader, (even Ursula Le Guin), I have a lot of difficulty reading fantasy. Nevertheless, I thought "A Wizard of Earthsea" was good, and I also enjoyed reading "The Tombs of Atuan". I can't say the same for "The Farthest Shore". I think this genre is not for me.

The narrative is amazing. Ursula Le Guin's fluent language, very vivid descriptions, the vivid portrayal of the scenes that make up the plot, sometimes wise sayings... All of it is very beautiful and good literature is just this. But when it comes to dragons, spells and wizards, I think my science-fiction vein is bulging. I don't know, maybe I find fantasy too childish.

I always read Ursula Le Guin by dividing it into two: narrative and plot. When the two come together, I don't get tired of reading. It's like this in "The Dispossessed", "The Left Hand of Darkness", "The Word for World Is Forest". When it comes to what Le Guin writes in the fantasy genre, I read it for literary pleasure, but the stories and plots don't satisfy me.

"The Farthest Shore" takes on a very interesting and workable topic for a writer: Life and Death. In the first parts of the book, Le Guin does a very good job with the topic. She prepares the reader step by step (and breath by breath) for a finale. However, in the finale, this deep topic suddenly turns into an ordinary children's fairy tale (or that's how I perceive it).

And of course, kneeling before the king, wishes to "rule with justice", clichés like three apples falling from the sky... Not for me...

If I had only read two-thirds of the book, I would have given it five stars, if I had only read the last third, I would have given it one star. In this case, I think I have to take the average and give it three stars.

I have completed the main trilogy of the Earthsea series along with The Farthest Shore.

Just like in the first two books, Ursula K. Le Guin has placed growth at the core of this book. But this time, she has chosen death as the means of growth.

There is an enemy in front of the wizards and even all humans who wants to be immortal and promises this to people. If it cannot be stopped, nothing will remain on Earthsea in the name of magic. Therefore, our main character Ged, taking with him Arren, a young prince, sets off on a journey to find the enemy and restore the balance. And we also read about what happens to them during this journey and how Arren grows step by step in the face of the events.

We also read about Arren's coming of age through the journey they take and his realization that he is mortal and will die one day.

In The Farthest Shore, Ursula has shown us the fear of death through the people who want to be immortal and cannot accept death. Despite being a fantastic series, I have not read another series that contains such philosophical thoughts, and frankly, I don't think I will. Moreover, Ursula does this with such a narrative that it gives the feeling as if that fantastic world is real within you.

This has become my favorite book in the trilogy, I think. I made so many quotations about death that it was very beautiful, very.

Although the trilogy is over, I am really very curious about what she will write next. I will continue the series in the shortest possible time.

This brings to a close Le Guin's original trilogy centered around Ged, more popularly known as Sparrowhawk, the preeminent wizard of Earthsea. Although I truly relished it, there's something that continues to niggle at me.

It delves into death, the deathlands, and the conclusion of magic. That isn't the issue. In fact, that's the finest aspect of it.

I surmise it's simply the sense that this narrative marks the end of Ged just as I was beginning to become acquainted with him. That brash youngster and the confident adult have simply transformed into an elderly man. I mean,诚然, he remains the same self-assured and hard-won wise man, and he truly dazzles when he takes on companions, like this young future king. However, it seems as though he's constantly having to rectify his past errors.

Of course, that's sort of the point as well.

As a work of fantasy, I believe it's still rather magnificent. I guess I'm just complaining because I have a preference for a younger wizard. :)

The Farthest Shore (The Earthsea Cycle, #3) by Ursula K. Le Guin

Darkness looms over Earthsea as the world and its wizards are losing their magic. Ged Sparrowhawk, the Archmage, wizard, and dragonlord, despite his weariness from age, undertakes a bold and perilous journey. He is accompanied by Enlad's young Prince Arren. Together, they set out to uncover the reasons behind this devastating pattern of loss.

They will sail to the farthest reaches of their world, even beyond the realm of death. Their goal is to restore magic to a land that is desperately in need of it. The story takes readers on an adventure filled with mystery, danger, and the search for answers.

The first reading date was on the 12th of January 2008. The book is titled "The Earthsea Trilogy - Book 3 - The Farthest Shore" and is written by Ursula K. Le Guin. It is translated by Peyman Esmaeiliyan Khameneh and edited by Niloufar Khan Mohammad. Published in Tehran by Qadiani in 2008, it consists of 373 pages and is the third volume of a six-book set in six volumes. The series ISBN is 9789645365835, and the book 3 ISBN is 9789645362797. The subject matter is imaginative stories by 20th-century American writers.

The Earthsea series is a major fantasy adventure about the life of a wizard named Ged in a world called Earthsea. He ties the knot of mischief, tames ancient dragons, and in the dark and endless underworld, he searches for a broken ring that is the talisman of peace for his land. To close the gap between the realm of death and life, he sacrifices all his magical powers. After years, he stands by the roadside where he has also stopped the power of nameless and ancient forces. But the battle against mischief begins again.

I'm not sure if it's the audiobook format, but I just can't seem to connect with Terramar. This style of fantasy really isn't for me.

Perhaps it's the way the story is told, or maybe it's the specific elements of the fantasy world that don't appeal to my tastes. Whatever the reason, I find myself struggling to engage with the narrative.

I've tried to give it a fair chance, but as I listen, I can't help but feel a sense of detachment. The characters don't seem to come alive for me, and the plot doesn't have the kind of pull that would keep me hooked.

It's a shame, really, because I know that many people enjoy this type of fantasy. But for me, Terramar just doesn't hit the mark.

Third in the Terramar series.

It is evident that the author has continued to gain confidence and improve in this new adventure of Ged and Allen.

The author has managed to perfectly balance the action of the adventure with the descriptive and reflective part introduced in the dialogues and thoughts of our protagonists. It has transported me to those fantastic places. I have felt the aridity of some lands, the lethargy and abandonment of their inhabitants, the mark that alienation - which could be assimilated to something more mundane like drugs - makes, the kindness and simplicity of the people of the sea, and so on. I have liked the reflections on the interrelationship between life and death, between the beginning and the end.

Finally, I have compensated for that small annoyance that the first book left me with, wanting to know more about the dragons. I have enjoyed them like a dwarf!! It is impressive how the author has managed to endow them with "soul", while preserving the essence that is expected to be found in them: wisdom, strength, and so on, but also their appearance, their way of relating to Ged, the sacrifice and the alliance.

A reading that I would recommend.

Rating: 8.5/10

Reading: August 2019

It truly demands a special kind of talent to pen a boring fantasy book.

I must admit that I simply couldn't bring myself to finish this particular one. It stands as the weakest volume of the series by a significant margin. The storyline is so jagged and thin that it feels as if nothing of real consequence occurs throughout.

Overall, it was an incredibly tedious read, with only the rarest of moments managing to pique my interest.

In fact, I have now reached the conclusion that I'm going to ditch this book and move on to something more engaging.

It's a pity, really, as the potential for a great fantasy adventure was there, but it was squandered with this lackluster effort.

I can only hope that future volumes in the series manage to recapture the magic and excitement that made me fall in love with the genre in the first place.

Qué maravilla.

Le Guin is truly a master in telling any story. The sensitivity with which she narrates this journey in search of the evil that is transforming Terramar is simply fantastic.

In this installment, we will encounter protagonists who are more mature and reflective. Their evolution is not overlooked, and we are also shown a part of Terramar that we previously did not know.

This book is highly recommendable, almost obligatory, especially if you have read the previous ones. It builds on the foundation laid before and takes the readers on an even more captivating adventure.

The world-building is detailed and immersive, making it easy for the readers to lose themselves in the story.

Le Guin's writing style is engaging and draws you in from the very beginning. You will find yourself rooting for the protagonists and eagerly turning the pages to see what happens next.

Overall, this is a must-read for fans of fantasy and anyone who enjoys a well-told story.

You see all sorts of apocalyptic threats thrown around in fiction - and occasionally in real life - to drive the stakes high and make the plot concern the entire world. We've had meteorites and supervolcanoes, nuclear holocausts and plague outbreaks, vast demonic armies and zombie apocalypses, aliens and awakening elder gods... and the thing that tends to be common about them all is that they threaten us with a violent and painful death. They stab us, bite us, burn us, crush us, zap us with their lasers, choke us to ash, rot us from within - violence to our flesh and to all that we hold dear.

It's gotten rather tiresome, to be honest. A simple, superficial, and often artificial way to raise the tension as high as it can go. Sometimes it can work, if it's properly tied into the story and used as a device for the actually interesting parts (such as the characters) to pull through - but more often than not... not really.

In The Farthest Shore, good ol' Ursula reveals unto us some dark truths of just this shit. She teaches us that there are things far, far worse than violence and death. She introduces a real and tangible threat to her whole world that no one can see or touch, has no idea what it's even about or where it's coming from or by whom - and that breaks apart all everyone has ever known and held dear. Another meteorite looming in the horizon? Pssh, how about when you forget how to write or sing or cast spells? How the fuck are you supposed to deal with that? It's genuinely terrifying - and at the end of it all inspiring as well, the way it's ultimately defused. This shows that sometimes, the most powerful threats are not the ones that come with a bang and a blaze of destruction, but the ones that quietly erode the very fabric of our lives and identities.

What I truly adored about this book was the profound and more philosophical analysis it offered regarding the nature of mankind. The question of whether humans are inherently evil or not was explored in great depth, which really made me stop and think. Additionally, it delved into other captivating topics that have always fascinated mankind, such as the concept of immortality.

I also came to realize that this is the second book centered around Ged, yet it presents a distinct point of view. And I must say, I really liked this aspect. It provided a fresh and unique perspective, with people from diverse backgrounds and levels of knowledge sharing their lives and their interactions with Ged.

This book is truly a marvelous story that is an absolute must-read if you are a fan of the fantasy genre. It stands as a classic among classics, and it is also an excellent series to introduce the genre to those who are completely new to the world of fantasy. It has the power to transport readers to a different realm and engage their imaginations in the most wonderful way.

Maybe even 4.5*

This is a short and concise statement that leaves much to the imagination. It could potentially refer to a rating or score of 4.5 out of some scale. However, without further context, it's difficult to determine exactly what it means.

Perhaps it's a preview of a review that is即将到来 (to come). The reviewer might be hinting at a high rating, but is withholding the full details until the review is published.

Alternatively, it could be a general statement about something that is expected to be of high quality or value. Maybe the author is excited about an upcoming product, service, or event and is using the 4.5* as a way to express their anticipation.

Regardless of the intended meaning, this short phrase has piqued our interest and left us eager to see what the review will bring.

Review to come.