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http://spwebdesign.livejournal.com/35...
http://spwebdesign.livejournal.com/35... ( )

Although the books contained within this collection (A Wizard Of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore and Tehanu) are classed as children's literature, the themes and quality of writing make them accessible to all. I return to these stories regularly and am always amazed at Ursula K. Le Guin's ability to create a wholly believable alternate world. The author wrote these books over several decades and it is fascinating to see the change in mood - the themes become darker with each volume in the series, but nonetheless leave a sense of hope. ( )

This is the best fantasy story there is. I can't believe more people havn't read it. It is a brillliant series of children's stories by a first class writer. The final book is called The Other Wind - this is also brilliant! ( )

The Wizard of Earthsea was one of the first fantasies I read as a child and it has haunted me ever since. This second reading was not a disappointment however. Rather, I found my enjoyment of the book enhanced through a greater understanding of the characters and events than I had as a child. The Wizard of Earthsea and The Tombs of Atuan are still my favourites, but I was able to appreciate the other stories this time round.

The Earthsea Quartet is one of the fundamental reads for fans of the fantasy genre. With deep, well-developed characters and an intriquing and thrilling plot, this story is bound to enthrall. This is the perfect first fantasy for young adults, but it is also a great read for us grown-ups. ( )

15/05/08: Finished volume 1 (A Wizard of Earthsea). I'm finding this very very hard to get into. I took about 6 weeks to read the first volume alone. So I'm reading it volume by volume with other stuff in between.
30/05/09: Finished book 2 (The Tombs of Atuan). Really enjoyed it, largely because Ged gets very little screen time and isn't a point of view character. Really liked Arha/Tenar and the detail with which her world was built.
11/06/09: Finished book 3 (The Farthest Shore). Beginning to think that there is something about the male characters in this series that just stops me from connecting with them. Ged was a touch more bearable in this one than in the first book. Arren was mostly naff.
17/06/09: Finished book 4 (Tehanu). Probably the second-best in the series, but there's a fair margin between it and Tombs. I'm also not entirely convinced that fantasy mixed in with 20th century feminism work. But heck, we have a lot of Tenar, and only a limited amount of Ged (though they do shack up in the end), so that'll do. ( )