A Wizard of Earthsea

by: Ursula K. LeGuin
Ged was the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea. But he was once called Sparrowhawk, a reckless youth, hungry for power and knowledge, who tampered with long-held secrets and loosed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore balance. {cover copy}
This book was a really good blend of the really epic and the more simple focus stories you see in fantasy. It wasn't too dark or too light-hearted. If I had to line it up with a particular book I think I'd say it's similar to maybe The Hobbit. There's some intense stuff that goes on, but when you finish the book you still have an overall sense of having completed reading a great fantasy adventure. I really like that level of fantasy. It makes me excited to read the rest of the series set in this world. Just an overall really enjoyable book. Can't believe it has taken me so long to read something by her!

The island of Gont, a single mountain that lifts its peak a mile above the storm-racked Northeast Sea, is a land famous for  wizards. {first line}
"But need alone is not enough to set power free: there must be knowledge."

"To light a candle is to cast a shadow."

"The hunger of a dragon is slow to wake, but hard to sate."

"But it is one thing to read about dragons and another to meet them."

"Where mages argue, dragons may be wise."


• joy • {last word}