Rating: 
Summary: a classic that doesn't read like one
Review: Le Guin wrote this book before the 400+ page standard for a 'good' fantasy book came about. This book takes you there -- you could be Ged and isn't that really what fantasy books are all about? This one's on par with The Hobbit, Dune, Ender's Game etc., in my top shelf category. The rest of the 'series' isn't a trilogy in today's meaning, rather looking at Ged later in life. I'm not a huge fan of Le Guin, but this one will read as well 100 years from now as today.
Rating: 
Summary: Please read and tell me what you think
Review: I read the book A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K. Le Guin. It’s about a boy named Ged who has magic powers and becomes a wizard. But though he’s a great student and one of the best in his level, he is constantly annoyed and pestered by an older student. Everything seems to be going well when unexpectedly he unleashes a dark shadow who’s utmost want is to take over Ged’s body and wreck havoc in Earthsea. Now Ged has to face it to not only save himself, but also the entire planet of Earthsea. I liked how everything was magical and explained in great detail. It’s very well written because of all the descriptive dialogue and the characters felt real. I really felt like I was there experiencing it all. Everyone should read this book because it’s one of the best. Thanks for reading this was my school book report and I thought I'd share it with other people as well.
Thank you!
Rating:
Summary: A Fantastic Fantasy Story
Review: A Wizard of Earthsea not only has a great characters but a great plot as well. Le Guin really spents time on telling about the characters and the scenery and i think it really gives a sense of understanding to the whole thing. The story of a young man growing to be more than he had expected more or less by accident is told throughout the entire earthsea series and this book starts the seires off greatly. I have loved Le Guin's books ever since i first pulled A Wizard of Earthsea of the dusty shelves of the library.
Rating:
Summary: A Must For Fantasy Readers
Review: I thought that this book was a very well written book. The story of a young man growing to be more than he expected more or less by accident is an excellent example of perfect fantasy writing. Since i first picked this up in the library i have been a huge fan of Le Guin's. She captures the reader with a sense of mystery looming around every corner and the reader never knows what is going to happen next. I loved it.
Rating:
Summary: A hauntingly dark and beautiful story
Review: I would give this story 10 stars if I could. I read this when I was in grade 7 and it became my favorite book, now after university I still think this is one of the greatest fantasy books I've ever read. Le Guin takes you into her little wonderful world of islands with strange exotic names and builds a tapestry of characters and places with histories and cultures intertwined in a tale about a young wizard who meddles with the forces of darkness and has to deal with the consequences for the rest of his life. It is truly original in the same way that the Lord of the Rings was, and the Wizard of Oz was, and Alice in Wonderland was; a story that children can enjoy but that grows with you as you grow in life and learn to appreciate what good story telling is, and Le Guin is one of the best in the world.
Rating:
Summary: A Fantasy Classic for the Younger Set
Review: I'm afraid that I haven't actually read this trilogy in a while (Like, somewhere around twenty years) and in fact, I stumbled on this citation because I've been assuming for a while that it was out of print, and was searching Amazon for stuff for work when it occured to me to check on that assumption. I didn't even know there was a fourth book! I'm so pleased I was wrong - this trilogy meant a lot to me, and to discover that it's available in hardcover, aimed at school libraries! It's so well written, and an excellent recommendation for readers of Harry Potter who are looking for more fantasy, or a more mature fantasy. Read!
Rating:
Summary: One of the best fantasy books ever!
Review: A Wizard of Earthsea ranks among the Chronicles of Narnia and the Wizard of Oz as the the best fantasy series I have read. From the start the story is intriguing and you don't want to put this book down. I recomend this to fantasy readers of all ages.
Rating: 
Summary: Big disappointment
Review: I started this novel with a great deal of anticipation; I had read reviews, and seen this book on many fan lists, so I bought it. Usually, when I start the first book in a fantasy series, I spend many sleepless nights pouring through each sequel until I have finished the series. This is the first time I had no interest in finding out what happened in the subsequent books.
The stories and characters were horribly underdeveloped. Neither were built up enough for me to even care about what happened to them. The entire approach to wizardry felt overly simplistic for the fantastic events that were supposedly happening. I haven't been this disappointed with anything since I saw Dungeons and Dragons (what a pile that thing was).
Rating:
Summary: Wonderful, but not perfect
Review: Ursula K Leguin has certain exceptional talents as an author. Her best, and most lovely, talent is an unsurpassed style and prose. She is a poet in disguise, quite frankly. Her beauty in expressing herslef is the greatest joy to be found in reading these books. Her style distills meanings without being didactic- the hardest task an author has when trying to convey some message to the reader. The book is a multi-layered story about a boy reaching manhood. The process is standard- a sort of twist on the sorceror's apprentice- a trial the main character (Ged) undergoes to achieve an inner peace. If you read a little deeper, not too simple, you could also catch glimpses of a man struggling with power, and how to deal with great power and not upset delicate balances. A sort of 'playing with fire' tale, if you wish. Leguin creates a charming world, if a bit sleepy (thats part of the charm i suppose). Its not terrifically detailed- it is a novel about a character, to be sure- and its best quality is its mysterious nature. Its a strange place with strange powers and few comforting laws. As i said, Leguins best talent is her beautiful prose. She is, however, not without flaws. Her world is her chief liability. Its not only sleepy- at times its rather dreary. In fact, after reading the book, I came away with the feeling that the world was very chilly and grey, with constant fogs, dreary skies and no sun. It certainly casts a bit of a pall on the events in the book. And the interminable sea rides- riding over a grey sea under a grey sky- can really depress you. I certainly wouldnt want to live in the world she describes here (it gets a bit better in the second book- a desert- barren, but at least not chilly). Finally, Leguin fails in writing a good conclusion. Ged defeats his gnawing shadow in a sort of 'trick' ending that gives the impression of Leguin wiggling out of a problem she created for herself. But, the books are a nice read in the long run. it certainly gets better in the second book (with a character much more interesting than Ged). Fantasy fans who can live without adrenaline will love this book.
Rating:
Summary: I still love this book
Review: I first read, "A Wizard of Earthsea," in 7th Grade in Mrs. Cashman's class. It blew me away. I forgot the book long ago but somehow the lead character managed to stick with me through the years. Only recently did I have the time and luck to rediscover Ms. Le Guin's classic. Re-reading the book has been interesting. I still love the story but the ideas are less interesting, less profound as they once seemed. The writing is excellent and it's much more compelling than your average young adult book. I'm glad I rediscovered it and I definitely recommend it for your children.
| 
