Author Ursula le Guin
First published 1968
Publisher Parnassus Press, Berkeley (United States)
A widely influential classic fantasy set in one of literature's most complete fantasy worlds
Story
A dark tale of wizards, dragons and looming shadows. Ged, known as Sparrowhawk, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, takes part in a magical duel. Ged's spell goes horribly wrong and a shadow creature is released. This story follows his journey to releasing the creature that attacked him and that now resides within him…
Why we chose it
Ursula Le Guin is recognised as one of the greatest fantasy and science fiction writers ever. With Earthsea she created one of literature’s most complete fantasy worlds.
Where it came from
Ursula Le Guin (October 21, 1929 – January 22, 2018) was an American author. She published her first novel in 1959, and her career spanned almost sixty years. During that time, she wrote over twenty novels and over a hundred short stories, in addition to children's books.
Where it went next
Now regarded as a children's literature fantasy classic, The Earthsea Cycle was published again in 2018 as a fully illustrated edition by Saga Press. This new edition includes stories published in print for the first time: The Daughter of Odren and a new story called Firelight.
Associated stories
The other Earthsea books are The Other Wind, Tales from Earthsea, Tehanu, The Farthest Shore, and The Tombs of Atuan.
Author Ursula le Guin
First published 1968
Publisher Parnassus Press, Berkeley (United States)