earthsea

While it is the fifth book of the Earthsea cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin, "The Other Wind" is more like a direct sequel to "Tehanu", the previous book in the series. Compared to the other books, this one has many more characters and attempts to create "grand" fantasy. IMHO, it fails in this respect. It also loses the key element that underpins this series, its serene atmosphere.

While I found its denouement interesting and fulfilling, I was on the whole quite disappointed with its flow and characters.

Tehanu is the fourth book in the Earthsea cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin. Written almost a couple of decades later when the author was nearing 60, it has a more mature, feminine feel to it. The central character is Tenar (from book 2) who has now grown old, and her relationship with everyone and everything around her. It's a slow-paced but measured read which is for a good portion of the first half, almost like a side-story. Things pick up once Ged makes his entry.

A good read if you like the Earthsea universe. However, it is not standard fantasy fare.

As book three of the Earthsea cycle by Ursula K. Le Guin, this one had some living up to do and it does. The story takes place a few decades after its prequel and involves another quest by Ged along with a passenger, a young prince, as they investigate the reason why magic is being drained from Earthsea. The atmosphere is just as harmonious as the other books in the series and the imagination, magnificent. There are a few areas that do not flow very smoothly. But, by and large, this is an excellent read.

This is the sequel to The Wizard of Earthsea and while a little underwhelming, is a nice read. The protagonist from the first book does play an important part in this book. However, he does not appear until half-way through and primarily plays the role of a mentor-like supporting figure to the central character, a young girl brainwashed by religion.

I wish the Miyazakis had made this book into a movie rather than some shambolic hodge-podge combination of the lot.

I reread this book by Ursula K. Le Guin—one of my favourite authors—last week. What I have always loved about the Earthsea universe has been its atmosphere. It carries a serenity that is rarely found elsewhere; the only candidate I can think of immediately are the anime, Mushishi and Kino no Tabi.

The story is simple, the characters few, and the flow excellent. Highly recommended.