A Wizard of Earthsea (Earthsea Cycle)

Le Guin, Ursula K.

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0553383043 ISBN 13: 9780553383041

Publisher: Bantam Books, 2004

Yearning for knowledge and power, Sparrowhawk, a young student at the School for Wizards, becomes overanxious and tries his dangerous powers too soon, unleashing a terrible evil throughout the land, as he prepares for his role as the greatest sorcerer in the history of Earthsea. Reprint. 35,000 first printing. (A SciFi Channel miniseries, airing December 2004, directed by Rob Lieberman, written by Gavin Scott, starring Shawn Ashmore, Kristin Kreuk, Isabella Rossellini, & Danny Glover) (Science Fiction & Fantasy)

Review:

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.

In this first book, A Wizard of Earthsea readers will witness Sparrowhawk's moving rite of passage--when he discovers his true name and becomes a young man. Great challenges await Sparrowhawk, including an almost deadly battle with a sinister creature, a monster that may be his own shadow.

Review:

"The magic of Earthsea is primal; the lessons of Earthsea remain as potent, as wise, and as necessary as anyone could dream."--Neil Gaiman, author of The Sandman
"New and longtime Earthsea fans will be drawn to these impressive new editions."--Horn Book