Often compared to Tolkien's Middle-earth or Lewis's Narnia, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea is a stunning fantasy world that grabs quickly at our hearts, pulling us deeply into its imaginary realms. Four books (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore, and Tehanu) tell the whole Earthsea cycle--a tale about a reckless, awkward boy named Sparrowhawk who becomes a wizard's apprentice after the wizard reveals Sparrowhawk's true name. The boy comes to realize that his fate may be far more important than he ever dreamed possible. Le Guin challenges her readers to think about the power of language, how in the act of naming the world around us we actually create that world. Teens, especially, will be inspired by the way Le Guin allows her characters to evolve and grow into their own powers.

In this second book of Le Guin's Earthsea series, readers will meet Tenar, a priestess to the "Nameless Ones" who guard the catacombs of the Tombs of Atuan. Only Tenar knows the passageways of this dark labyrinth, and only she can lead the young wizard Sparrowhawk, who stumbles into its maze, to the greatest treasure of all. Will she?


From AudioFile
THE TOMBS OF ATUAN introduces Arha, high priestess of the nameless Powers of the Earth, and Ged, a wizard bent on recovering a priceless relic from these Powers. On the one hand, Fantastic Audio's recording presents a rare treat for readers, featuring author LeGuin's performance of the beginning and ending of her book. Unfortunately, narrator Gabrielle de Cuir is a poor match for this wonderful tale. Many of de Cuir's declarative sentences end in a questioning tone, her dialogue is flat, and her characters are difficult to distinguish. Several passages were enhanced by the lightest touch of music. Part of LeGuin's Earthsea Cycle, this book provides the jumping-off point into unknown worlds for many fantasy readers and deserves a more animated reader. P.H.M. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine-- Copyright © AudioFile, Portland, Maine


Book Description
WHEN YOUNG TENAR is chosen as high priestess to the ancient and nameless Powers of the Earth, everything is taken away -- home, family, possessions, even her name. For she is now Arha, the Eaten One, guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan. While she is learning her way through the dark labyrinth, a young wizard, Ged, comes to steal the Tombs' greatest hidden treasure, the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. But Ged also brings with him the light of magic, and together, he and Tenar escape from the darkness that has become her domain. With millions of copies sold, Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea Cycle has earned a treasured place on the shelves of fantasy lovers everywhere. Complex, innovative, and deeply moral, this quintessential fantasy sequence has been compared with the work of J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis, and has helped make Le Guin one of the most distinguished fantasy and science fiction writers of all time. She lives in Portland, Oregon.


Card catalog description
Arha's isolated existence as high priestess in the tombs of Atuan is jarred by a thief who seeks a special treasure.


Book Description
Science Fiction, Fantasy, Earthsea Trilogy


From the Publisher
Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea cycle has become one of the best-loved fantasies of our time. The windswept world of Earthsea is one of the greatest creations in all fantasy literature, frequently compared with J.R.R. Tolkien's Middle Earth or C.S. Lewis'Narnia. The magnificent saga begins with A Wizard Of Earthsea, continues in The Tombs Of Atuan and The Farthest Shore, and concludes with Tehanu --each book a treasure of wisdom, wonder, and literary wizardry. When she was still a child, Tenar was stripped of her name and family and dedicated as high priestess to the Nameless Ones, dark powers of The Tombs of Atuan. This is the tale of the young wizard, Ged, who came to the forbidden labyrinth to steal its greatest treasure--the Ring of Erreth-Akbe--and stayed to set Tenar free and lead her out of darkness.

ANNOTATION

A young prince joins forces with a master wizard on a journey to discover a cause and remedy for the loss of magic in Earthsea.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

When Young Tenar is chosen as high priestess to the ancient and nameless Powers of the Earth, everything is taken away -- home, family, possessions, even her name. For she is now Arha, the Eaten One, guardian of the ominous Tombs of Atuan. While she is learning her way through the dark labyrinth, a young wizard, Ged, comes to steal the Tombs' greatest hidden treasure, the Ring of Erreth-Akbe. But Ged also brings with him the light of magic, and together, he and Tenar escape from the darkness that has become her domain.

FROM THE CRITICS

AudioFile

The Tombs Of Atuan introduces Arha, high priestess of the nameless Powers of the Earth, and Ged, a wizard bent on recovering a priceless relic from these Powers. On the one hand, Fantastic Audio's recording presents a rare treat for readers, featuring author LeGuin's performance of the beginning and ending of her book. Unfortunately, narrator Gabrielle de Cuir is a poor match for this wonderful tale. Many of de Cuir's declarative sentences end in a questioning tone, her dialogue is flat, and her characters are difficult to distinguish. Several passages were enhanced by the lightest touch of music. Part of LeGuin's Earthsea Cycle, this book provides the jumping-off point into unknown worlds for many fantasy readers and deserves a more animated reader. P.H.M. © AudioFile 2003, Portland, Maine

AudioFile - John Niessink