In the land of Earthsea, on the island of Gont, an island famed for its wizards, a child lives unaware of his future or of his great potential. His name is Sparrowhawk (His first name is Duny, but it's simpler to summarize the story with only two names instead of three) and he will become the greatest wizard Earthsea has ever seen. For most of his life, Sparrowhawk has lived under the tutelage of his aunt, the village witch, overhearing and learning the True Speech she uses for her spells. However, when Kargish raiders come and attack Gont, his life changes forever. Using the True Speech to repel the invaders, Sparrowhawk becomes famed throughout the island but falls into a trance after expending too much power. Later, the village is visited by the wizard of Re Albi, Ogion the Silent, who releases Sparrowhawk from his trance and gives him his True Name, Ged. Now, Ogion's apprentice, Ged must train to master the True Speech and learn to control his powers. But as time goes on, Ged becomes, for lack of a better word, bored. He yearns for power and adventure, unaware of the careful balance of the world. Sent to the Wizard school of Roke, Ged learns more than he ever could have imagined. However, this knowledge comes at a price. Goaded by his rival the Roke, Jasper, Ged opens a gateway to another realm and releases a shadow upon the world. This shadow, unhindered, could envelop and world. In order to do this, it needs Ged. Flung into a journey across Earthsea, Ged must stop the shadow and right the wrong he committed or else the world will be consumed.
Earthsea was written in 1968. Yep, 1968. Despite being written 45 years ago, Ursula K. LeGuin's first book in the Earthsea Series is a fantastic edition to anyone's bookshelf and joins my list of favorites. I hope you all will find the time to read this mezmerizing tale of magic and redemption!
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