This was solid. Probably better than book 1, but slightly worse than book 2. Many of the same issues apply - the character development is limited, and more of the tell rather than show variety, but more happens than in the other books, and there are still phrases and sections that are well worded and keep you going. Still wouldn’t really recommend the series too much, but its been a reasonable listen while running. ( )

These are great.

The closer of the original Earthsea trilogy. LeGuin being LeGuin, the arc of this trilogy is an interesting structure. While Ged is a central character throughout, he is the point of view character only in the first book. There is a different YA character arc in each book, and a larger Ged arc over the three. Unusual for YA of the time but no longer is the darkness that permeates. Magic in all forms is disappearing, and the cause is one mage's actions to create a form of immortality that is really more unending death. Ged and Arren go on a quest to uncover the cause that takes them to the edges of the known Earthsea territories. As with most quest stories, this is much travelogue as development, the chapters with the children of the sea who live their lives on rafts being a prime example. I'm usually disappointed by novels that lead to a final battle of wizards and this was no exception. The outcome always seems disconnected causally from any prior context. It just happens.

That said, this is classic LeGuin. It's hard to go wrong with spending time reading her. Recommended.

Not read

The story really dragged on for the first...3/4 or so. The ending is very grand and satisfying, which saved the book from a 2-star rating, but I still felt that overall it was only okay. ( )