Book three of the Earthsea Series. Since book two at least 20 years have passed and Ged is Arch Mage of Roke. No explanation is supplied as to what transpired in the intervening period. A young princeling named Arran comes to Roke to meet with the Arch Mage Ged reporting disturbing developments. In an unprecedented move a non-magical person is invited to meet with Roke's inner circle in secret conclave in the inner sanctum. Even more remarkably the school's head master leaves Roke in his boat Lookfar accompanied only by this youthful non-magical prince against his peer's advice seeking he knows not what, he knows not where. Only knowing that witches are forgetting their spells and magicians are losing their powers. The ancient tongue which holds the real names of things is being lost by those who once spoke it and a malaise is strickening the islands of Earthsea. In an island archipelago journeys by sea are a given but the odyssey these two go on takes them beyond the edge of the known world.
Friday, February 15, 2013
Tehanu
Book Four of Earthsea.
As volume 4 begins Ged is no longer part of the picture. We meet the priestess of Atuan now an old woman who foreswore the practice of magic to be a plain farmer's housewife and raise a family. She saves a gypsy child beaten and left to burn in a fire and the two live a solitary life on the now widowed housewife's farm. Called to minister to the Mage of Gont, Ged's former mentor, she eases his way to the great beyond. When a dragon glides in she discovers an unconscious Ged riding at his neck.
Having spent himself saving the world of Earthsea in Book 3 Ged is faced with continuing to live without the abilities that formerly defined him. The story continues losing none of its appeal as the young prince who 7accompanied Ged into the underworld is crowned King of Earthsea and sets out to restore order in his Kingdom.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)