6 member(s) found this review helpful.
The first time I picked up this book to read I couldn't get past the third or fourth chapter - I was bored out of my mind by the text. Months later, after finishing another book, I decided to force myself to plow through the rest of this book. It's a shame, really, because the story is actually good, but the writing just drones on and on, it was too wordy for me to enjoy it. I appreciate rich descriptions, but when 95% of a book is drawn out with them, it gets a bit dull and tedious. Needless to say, I don't think I'll read the next book in this series.

Shaun (
sec) wrote on 2/9/2009...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Great classic fantasy with a lesson -- a very good read for teens, with the target audience being boys (sorry girls, no romance in this one). Though, it is every bit as entertaining for adults, and at only a third the length of most novels, this is a very quick read.
The story centers on a young boy's quest for power and the life lessons he learns along the way. It is a bit different from most books in that is mostly a narrative style -- there is very little character dialog.
Great book, and highly recommended for anyone who enjoys high fantasy.

Andy R. (
mazeface) wrote on 9/28/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Before there was Harry Potter, there was Ged, also known as Sparrowhawk. He has the potential to become the greatest wizard of Earthsea, but his youthful arrogance keeps getting him in trouble��and may get him killed. A Wizard of Earthsea is the first in this series by Ursula K. LeGuin.
I enjoyed this book even though Le Guin uses less narrative than exposition (more "tell" than "show). It's almost like reading something in the style of the Old Testament. After I thought about it, I decided it was not a bad way to present this story. It would have been too drawn out otherwise.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
Often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers.

Drew B. (
biephear) wrote on 1/26/2007...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I balked at this one; I've never held much interest in dragon stories; but Ursula Le Guin's name is everywhere, so I thought I'd give it a whirl. What a surprise! Very simply told, yet it draws you in immediately. The story is ageless. I've requested Book 2, so I can read more of Le Guin's work. And in actuality, the dragon bit is pretty minimal.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
the first in a series of fantasy books, if you like Tolkien or Lewis, I bet you will like this series too.

John T. (
Rhino10e) - Templeton, MA wrote on 8/25/2006...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
I’ve tried other Ursula K. Le Guin books but don’t seem to care for them. This whole series I love. Just like coming home.
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
If you are a lover of fantasy and science fiction this book has it covered. It's a magnificent read for anyone of all ages. This woman writes so well. You never stop turning pages
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
A nice simple fantasy book and a good beginning to a series. The world building was well done - I felt a sense of history with Earthsea.

Joel T. wrote on 1/15/2006...
2 member(s) found this review helpful.
This book is the first of the Wizard of Earthsea series. Although some consider this series for teens and young readers, I enjoyed this book very much. If you like The Lord of The Rings or The Chronicles of Narnia, wil may like this one as well.