Rating: 
Summary: Excellent
Review: This is a different fantasy story than what I am used to. Fantasy often involves page after page of trolls, dwarfs, elves and wizards with strange names locked in epic wars and quests. While that formula is all fine and good, by keeping action to a minimum and philosophy to a maximum, Ursula K. le Guin departs from it somewhat in the story "A Wizard of Earthsea." The story involves the early exploits of the powerful archmage Ged, when he was a young man named Sparrowhawk. At a young age he is living with an abusive guardian, when he discovers he has magical powers. He then leaves this abusive person and goes off to wizard school to be learned in the arts of magery (sound familiar Potter fans?). There he befriends a fellow prentice named Vetch, and enters into a rivalry with another wizard prentice by the name of Jasper. This rivalry results in the release of a dark, evil shadow from the realm of "unlife" during a "wizard duel," when Ged casts a spell beyond his control. Ged then spends the length of the book first running from the shadow, which seeks to posses him, and then pursuing the shadow, seeking to destroy it, trying to undo the evil he had begun in a moment of stupid pride. I have often felt that a good fantasy formula is pitting a fallible character(s) against the deeds of his errant actions. This formula is used in the Narnia books and also in Tolkien's stories. It is repeated in this book and works very well. While the obvious lack of action (although when there is action it happens with some amount of violence) may alienate traditional fantasy readers, the philosophy of the book and the examination of the balances between good and evil should appeal to adults and older children alike. The inclusion of maps and the well developed magic system, and the unique emphasis on names, also contributes to the plausibility of the book and gives it the characteristic feel of a good fantasy story. An excellent, highly-recommended book.
Rating:
Summary: A excellent and imaginative book
Review: I have read the whole trilogy and think it was a terrific set of books. I play AD&D and it gave me tons of ideas for it. I think anyone that likes magic or plays games like AD&D would love these books
Rating:
Summary: The Best Fantasy Novel/Trilogy Extant
Review: This novel, the first in the "Earthsea" trilogy, is superior juvenile or adult fiction, the themes and forms, the feel of the novel, is wizardry at it's best, and at it's least trite! The average modern fantasy protagonist-sorcerer knows a few tricks and repeats a few trusims, and people think that's enough. Not so, the young hero of Earthsea! If I could give it eight stars, I would!
Rating: 
Summary: Very Good!
Review: I thought that this book was pretty much the best book that I have read this year. The readon that I gave it four satrs instead of five is that it was very complex, and around the middle of boo, it started to waver a little bit. But it got better after about a chapter and continued its exciting adventures with Ged as he pursues his evil shadow. I reccommend this book to almost everyone!
Rating:
Summary: Action cravers beware:More philosophical than action-packed.
Review: I chose this book a long time ago for a school report. And suprisingly, liked it. I still remember the story, though it's a vague image by now. The story of a young boy getting deeper into forbidden secrets and magics, until finally he unleashes an evil shadow. More philosophical than action packed, more thought provoking and concentration required than most fantasy novels. This is the first in the Wizard of Earthsea quartet. Leguin writes with an abstract quality that makes the reader know the story as a WHOLE never in part. A style that fascinated me at the time - and still does. Like a giant jigsaw puzzle, the more you read the greater the picture. But you can never *see* what and where that single piece fits in. Though I kept searching, I never did find the rest of the series.
Rating:
Summary: Incredible
Review: This book is often unfairly called a children's book. It is a brilliant piece of fantasy and can easily be compared to Tolkien in my mind except for being better written. The best bit though is that each book in this series is a story in its own right and Urusula LeGuin unlike most fantasy writers can get to the point instead of churning out long tedious 5 book epics. As for the assertion that older fantasy books are sexist anyone who says so hasn't read the last book Tehanu. The book does suffer from an intelligent and well thought out plot which may lose it popularity. So any stupid people out there should avoid it.
Rating: 
Summary: My review
Review: I thought the book was not good! It went by too fast and didn'tgive enough detail.It needs more charcters and needs moreadventure. Also we need to know more about Ged before Ogion comes.Alsothe book shoudln't just end it should be longer and not like just stop. The book was also good beacsue it had a good plot and a good theroy. END
Rating:
Summary: The Best Book I have EVER Read
Review: This wonderful fantasy book stars Ged on his quest to undo his wrong that he unleashed upon the world. A powerful story with moral, sorcery, dragons, friendship, and everything you want from a good book. A fantasy story like no other, I highly recommend it. It is one of those books that makes you think apon your own actions and the effect of them. I may not know alot about books. For I am only 12 years old, but I know when a book makes me feel good. Young or old this story gives a person a chance to go into the unknown.
Rating:
Summary: An excellent tale of magic
Review: The Wizard of Earthsea is an incrediable story which details the adventures of the young magic-user named Ged. Through many dangers, toils, and snares, Ged discovers he has a powerful gift for magic, and leaves to study at the ancient school of magic on Roke island. But when he accepts a challenge from a fellow student, he releases a deadly shadow from the netherworld, and must journey the earth to battle its dark power and seal it away forever. This story gives you a sence of the medieval past, when the world was filled with mystery and adventure. The story of Ged is one that both children and adults can enjoy for years to come.
Rating:
Summary: My Favorite Book
Review: This was one of the best books I've ever read. I'm 15 so that might change. I had to read this book a year ago for my English class and I loved it. I went out and got my own copy and I plan to read all the other books in the Earthsea saga.
| 
