Fantasy-Faction.com discussion

I just finished reading A Wizard of Earthsea after not reading this book ever and being a huge Sci-Fi/Fantasy fan.

I was not hooked until a few parts towards the end that grabbed me.

With that being said, are the other books in the series worth reading or should I move on to my George Martin series, Dune, and Wheel of Time?

Thanks.

I tried to read this series and ended up losing interest. There are some good things about the series, but overall it wasn't my thing. In comparing the Earthsea series and the Wheel of Time and George RR Martin's series - I would move on to one of these two as they are more interesting and fun to read.

A Wizard of Earthsea is considered YA by most, I think, but I enjoyed it as an adult. My favorite was the second book, which I found completely engaging and haunting. That said, I think that Dune includes more action and active suspense, and I enjoyed the trilogy a great deal. Can't remember how many books are now in that series, but those beyond the trilogy just required too much of a suspension of disbelief for me.

I loved the Earthsea books. To be honest, the first book is my least favorite. Last summer, I decided to give it a second shot and got far more out of it on the second read than I did on the first. The second book in the series, The Tombs of Atuan, is my favorite. Overall, though, Le Guin's language and her themes are so outstanding. If you're in for fantasy literature, she's a sure bet. If you prefer fantasy adventure/action, she's not the best choice. Go with GRRM for that.

Hope this helps!

Cheers!

I completely hated the Earthsea books and abandoned the series after grudgingly completing the 1st book. This book has no proper magic system like in books by Brandon Sanderson, or Brent Weeks, or Christopher Paolini, or Jonathan Stroud, or like Patrick Rothfuss.
And I completely hate books where the magic system is not clearly enunciated and things happen mysteriously or without explanation - Rowling, Tolkien, etc.
A properly described and clearly explained magic system is one of the most important requirements of a book so that the readers are not left wondering "How the heck did that happen?".
So, I'd advise you to start reading Pat Rothfuss's The Name of the Wind, that I can see is in your to-read shelf... Cya.

Considering the entire series is about as long as one of GRRM's or Rothfuss's volumes (if not shorter), I'd say go for it. I loved the books in high school and I read them all the way to the end, even the fifth one which many consider the weakest. They opened my eyes to a lot of philosophical questions, and I still consider them one of the greatest books I've ever read.

What you must remember, though, is that if modern fantasy doorstoppers can be compared to huge 19th century wall paintings, Le Guin's writing is like a Japanese ink drawing - she just sketches things, leaving a lot to the reader's imagination. It may not be everyone's cup of tea these days.

Dash wrote: "I completely hated the Earthsea books and abandoned the series after grudgingly completing the 1st book. This book has no proper magic system like in books by Brandon Sanderson, or Brent Weeks, or Christopher Paolini..."

That's rich considering Paolini ripped off Le Guin's magic system wholesale...

I found The Tombs of Atuan (Earthsea #2) at my public library when I was about 11. I fell in love with Tenar, the priestess character, and was thrilled to find that there were two more books. Unfortunately she is hardly mentioned. Some decades later, UKLG finished her story in Tehanu, which was absolutely worth waiting for. I love that all these books use simple language to convey complex ideas.