It's been a long time since I read this, but I seem to remember it being a very good book.
Delightful easy read in the category of fantasy. It really is a parable of sorts for all sorts of issues that affect our lives. The series (I've read the first two) is par with Chronicles of Narnia & the L.O.T.R. trilogy by Tolkien.
Not as strong as A Wizard of EarthSea, but an interesting and quick read nonetheless.
Sequel to _A Wizard of Earthsea_, this time focusing on a female character (Arha). Essential reading for fans of epic fantasy.
Imagine being taken away from your family, being told you are the reborn priestess and must spend out your life guarding the tombs of the nameless.
Being led into a life of servitude to Gods you are told exist, but never really get to see actual evidence of.
Then one day you find a stranger in your catacombs. He doesn't belong there, but you're intrigued and choose not to sacrifice him to your Gods, but keep him a live. From him you learn many things about lands you've never seen, and the truth behind the lies you've been told your whole life.
I liked this story better than the first. Our primary character, through legends she's been taught, teach young Sparrowhawk about a mystery from the first book, and he teaches her more about the tombs and God's she serves. It seems a few years at least have passed between the first book and this. He's grown even wiser, and has learned more about the world in general. Becoming wiser and more gentle, giving him great patience and strength.
A lot of female protagonists in fantasy novels are too perfect. The point of view character here was imperfect without being unsympathetic, and I loved how dynamic she was as she discovered that the religion for which she was a priestess was built on a terrible lie.
I liked this book - it was neat to see a completely different part of Earthsea. However, it was a very odd feeling to see Ged from someone else's point of view. Even so, I can see how it was the right POV. From Ged's POV, it would have been a much different story.
