Community Reviews

Rating(3.9 / 5.0, 99 votes)
5 stars
34(34%)
4 stars
26(26%)
3 stars
39(39%)
2 stars
0(0%)
1 stars
0(0%)
99 reviews
July 15,2025
... Show More
Este no es un libro de fantasía, es un libro sobre la vida misma.


In the review of the previous book, The Farthest Shore, I wondered what Le Guin wanted to tell us by returning to Earthsea 18 years after finishing the trilogy in such a perfect way.


And what I have found is that she wanted to tell us a real story, not a fantasy one. A story where a widow adopts a girl who has been raped and burned. Her daily life in a society that despises the different and fears women for being women, but where there are also kind people.


The elements of fantasy that appear are tangential, and if they weren't there, the core of the story would still work. Here we will no longer find the wizard Ged's travels through Earthsea talking to dragons, fighting against sorcerers and defeating the shadows. Here there is no magic, but survival in daily life has seemed more epic to me than any dragon.


And of course, the detailed and careful way in which Le Guin writes makes what she narrates come to life and you read it as if you were reading the most epic story of all.


It has reminded me a lot of Paladin of Souls, by Bujold, a book where nothing happens, but that you can't put down because what you are reading is real.


This book by Le Guin delves deep into the human experience. It shows the harsh realities of a society that is often unkind and unjust. The characters are complex and believable, and their struggles and triumphs make for a compelling read. Despite the lack of traditional fantasy elements, the story is still full of magic in the form of the human spirit and the power of love and kindness. It makes us think about our own lives and the world around us, and it reminds us that even in the darkest of times, there is always hope.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Najlepszy tom Ziemiomorza so far is truly a remarkable work.

It takes the reader on an extraordinary journey through a fictional world that is both captivating and full of surprises.

The story is richly detailed, with well-developed characters that come to life on the pages.

The author's vivid descriptions make it easy to imagine the landscapes, creatures, and events that unfold.

Each chapter builds upon the previous one, creating a sense of anticipation and excitement.

The plot is filled with twists and turns that keep the reader engaged from start to finish.

Whether you are a fan of fantasy or simply looking for a great read, this volume of Ziemiomorza is sure to satisfy.

It is a testament to the author's talent and creativity, and a must-read for anyone who enjoys immersive and engaging literature.

Overall, it is当之无愧 the best volume of Ziemiomorza to date.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Now that I've had the night to let everything sink in, I'm ready for my full review.

This book was truly a bit of a roller coaster ride for me. During "The Farthest Shore", I constantly wondered what had become of Tenar, and this installment finally answered that question. She had grown up and had a family of her own, which was both heartwarming and a bittersweet realization.

My heart broke for all that Tehanu had to go through. The hardships and challenges she faced were truly difficult to read about. However, I loved how gentle and caring Lebannen was with her and how she responded to his kindness. I firmly believe he's going to make a great king.

The way Earthsea treated and viewed women really angered me. The whole discussion about why women can't be mages was extremely frustrating, especially the line where it was said that men would be like women who can't give birth if women were allowed to have power. This archaic and unfair view was really hard to swallow.

I loathed Spark as a character. He was the perfect example of toxic masculinity, with his aggression and lack of empathy.

The whole part where Aspen took control of Tenar was quite disturbing. It made me question the power dynamics and the safety of the characters in this world.

I still don't know how to feel about the relationship between Ged and Tenar. There were moments when it seemed beautiful and profound, but there were also times when I was left confused and uncertain.

There were a few parts that I almost shelved this book, but I'm glad I didn't because the reveal of Tehanu's true identity pulled me back in and saved it all for me. I truly did not see that coming and I'm now eager to see more of it.

So, do I skip to "The Other Wind" and save "Tales from Earthsea" for last? That's a decision I'll have to think about carefully.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This book was extremely heavy-handed. Instead of allowing the story to unfold and speak for itself, Le Guin has the characters directly tell you about feminism, discrimination, and shame. For the first time, it gives the impression that Le Guin believes the reader is stupid and incapable of understanding these themes unless she spells them out in a very obvious manner.


I thought that Tenar had developed in an interesting way from The Tombs of Atuan, which still remains my favorite Earthsea novel. However, Ged was unrecognizable, as if he hadn't already gained the wisdom and learned the lessons from the first three books. And Therru was simply not an interesting character. The ending felt like a belated and forceful attempt to go back and give Therru depth that was not evident throughout the rest of the book.


I've heard better things about The Other Winds, so I'm hopeful that it will improve my impression of Tehanu. I'm looking forward to seeing if it can bring a new perspective and perhaps redeem some of the aspects that I found lacking in this particular installment of the Earthsea series.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I’m finding it increasingly difficult to articulate precisely how and why the work of the genius writer Ursula K. Le Guin has such a profound impact on me as I delve deeper and deeper into her books.

There is an abundance of hard-earned, straightforward, yet painful and loving wisdom within this particular book. It seems as if she has assimilated all that she had crafted in the first three Earthsea books, which were written decades ago, and discovered a means to sift through them using her own accumulated life experiences and thoughts.

She then poured every essence of herself into this new narrative. It feels incredibly personal to her in a way that is nothing short of magical and completely moving.

Her writing has a unique ability to touch the very core of my being, making me reflect on life, love, and the human condition in ways I never thought possible.

It's as if she has opened a door to a world of profound insights and emotions that I can't help but be drawn into with each turn of the page.

Le Guin's work is truly a literary masterpiece that will continue to inspire and touch readers for generations to come.
July 15,2025
... Show More
This is a rather challenging Earthsea book to peruse. After Ged's thrilling adventures of crossing the sea and interacting with Kings, Princes, and Mages, this particular volume remains firmly rooted on Gont, and Ged hardly makes an appearance.

Instead, the narrative focuses on Tenar (from "The Tombs of Atuan") and her life on Gont Island. One day, Tenar discovers a small, damaged girl on the road. The girl has suffered severe burns and mistreatment, resulting in a terrible deformity.

The book delves into the themes of discrimination based on appearance, the prevalent sexism in society, and the unwavering will of a strong woman like Tenar. She defies sexism, lives her life on her own terms, protects her adopted, damaged child, and also cares for her damaged rescuer-turned-lover, Ged.

It is a quiet yet incredibly potent book, boasting a stunning and unexpected ending. I highly recommend it.

Another rereading this year (2012) further impressed me. This book is utterly beautiful in numerous aspects. The power of love and its redemptive ability are vividly portrayed here. It is difficult to fathom that this is regarded as a children's book, as it has more profound insights into love and life than the majority of books written for adults.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Wow... In less than 10 pages, Le Guin is able to turn all the tables with her remarkable storytelling skills.

She leads the reader on an exciting journey that builds up to a thrilling climax and then neatly concludes the novel altogether.

Her ability to compress so much drama and emotion into a relatively short space is truly astonishing.

In my opinion, she is the master of storytellers.

Her works have the power to captivate readers and keep them on the edge of their seats from start to finish.

If you're looking for a truly engaging and thought-provoking read, I highly recommend checking out her novels.

You won't be disappointed.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Oh my. This was not the book I thought it was going to be, and it was by far the best Earthsea book so far.

To be honest, the others have all been excellent, but this one truly stands out.

Ged is largely absent from this story. When he does make an appearance, he is but a shell of the man he once was. He has lost his magic, and the life he knew is over.

Instead, this book follows Tenar, whom we first met in book 2. Now she is much older, and a significant amount of time has passed. Since we last saw her, Tenar has led a quiet life. She has had a family and become a widow.

This is a book about loss and connection. It delves into womanhood and the challenges a woman faces in a man's world. Both Tenar and Ged have lost so much, yet that doesn't mean they have nothing left to learn or gain. Every moment of life presents opportunities for learning and growth, and this doesn't cease just because we grow old or lose what we hold dear.

It's a sad book, one that feels more adult than its predecessors. It's not because of its content but rather because it is a book written after experiencing life. The pacing is slow, and it isn't filled with non-stop action (although there is some, so don't worry). It reminded me of Robin Hobb, but on a much smaller scale. You all know how much I love Robin Hobb.

I'm excited to be nearing the end of this series. I'm so glad that I embarked on this journey.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Even outstanding feels too little a praise for this one.

This particular thing or person is truly remarkable. It goes beyond what is considered excellent or extraordinary.

The qualities or achievements it possesses are so outstanding that they seem to defy description.

It stands out from the crowd, shining with a unique brilliance that cannot be ignored.

Whether it is in terms of performance, talent, or innovation, it has set a new standard.

People are left in awe and admiration, realizing that ordinary words are simply not enough to do justice to its awesomeness.

It is a true masterpiece, a one-of-a-kind creation that will be remembered and talked about for a long time to come.

Outstanding is an understatement when it comes to this remarkable entity.
July 15,2025
... Show More
Glad to have finally read Tenar's story after she left the Tombs of Atuan.

I had high expectations for this book, especially since it features female characters in the lead. As a feminist, I was initially excited. However, I cannot overlook the fact that Ursula K. Le Guin, who created this entire new world, seems to have given it the same misogynistic view as ours.

The 14th chapter was particularly challenging for me to read. I don't know how the author managed to write it without feeling a sense of disgust.

It was wonderful to meet Tehanu at last. I noticed some differences between her portrayal in the book and in the Ghibli adaptation. Nevertheless, I admire her calmness and courage.

Also, although I have praised the author's writing style and her ability to craft a captivating story in my previous reviews, this time it felt more like a novella than one of the main books. While I appreciate the inner strength of women, I was still disappointed that there wasn't more action.

Overall, I have to give this book 3 out of 5 stars. It doesn't change the fact that this is my new favorite series, but I simply couldn't connect with this particular installment. It's a shame.
July 15,2025
... Show More
What if Tolkien had penned a book set, let's say, thirty years after "Return of the King"? In this hypothetical scenario, Frodo and his companions are all old and frail, grappling with the uncertainty of their purpose in life now that they have achieved all they set out to do.

Well, Ursula K. Le Guin has essentially done something similar in "Tehanu". Most of the main characters from the previous three books make a comeback in this one. Notably, Tenar and Ged, whom all "Earthsea" readers will be familiar with. In "Tehanu", Le Guin is perhaps at her best. She takes her usual approach of subverting fantasy tropes to an even greater extent. Le Guin leaves no aspect unexplored in this story. She pulls out all the stops and delves into questions of femininity, masculinity, and male and female power. Most significantly, she examines what men should do when their entire lives were centered around their power, and now that it's gone, they feel like a mere shadow of their former selves. This is a question that few fantasy novels have the courage or depth to address, and Le Guin does it masterfully with the reintroduction of the wizard Ged, now stripped of all his power. She also portrays Tenar as she questions her role as a woman in Earthsea while caring for a young, powerful little girl named Therru. It's a more introspective and decidedly anti-patriarchal book than the previous three. Theoretically speaking, it's one of the most ambitious fantasy novels I've ever read.

My only real gripe with the novel has nothing to do with its themes or characters. Rather, it's the fact that for the first hundred pages or so, very little seems to occur. The climax and conclusion of the story are wonderful, and they come at you so suddenly that you might almost miss it at first. However, the book took me a long time to finish due to the sluggish first third or so. Overall, though, this is a remarkable book that showcases Le Guin's imagination and forward-thinking (for the genre) like no other.
July 15,2025
... Show More
I really wanted to quote some excerpts from the book in my review so that you could get an idea, but I couldn't. To best evaluate the ideas of the book, one must read the entire thing... and, believe me, this reading is so worth it!!

The "Techano" is the last part of the Geothalassa tetralogy. I didn't know that. I saw the name of Le Ghen in the library, grabbed it, and read it. There are references to events in the previous books, but it can be read easily on its own.

The premise: a widow, Gokha, takes under her protection a girl who survived an attack with fire that left her disfigured. Together, they start to find the suicidal mentor of Gokha, the master Ongheon, and each discovers truths about herself and the world around them. The story is told from the perspective of Gokha and takes place in a fantastic place, the island of Gkont.

Masters, mistresses, dragons, and fairy tales are intertwined with the tragedies of daily life: death, child prostitution, misogyny, and the endless and infinite human evil.

I recommend it to all of you.

[Readathon17: 9/52 "A book with only 1 word in the title"]
Leave a Review
You must be logged in to rate and post a review. Register an account to get started.