I've wanted to get a chance to read these books since I saw the Tales of Earthsea movie that came out a few years ago. Like any movie based off a book, I did suspect that the books would be pretty different, especially when I heard the author wasn't crazy about the film. But even with this in mind, I wanted to give the books a try and figure it out for myself because I often find I can enjoy a book no matter how its movie turned out. How'd this one do? Let's dive in.
This is the tale of Ged, or Sparrowhawk as he's known in public. He grew up in a family of goatherds, but knew he was destined to travel the world and become a great wizard. He learns the secrets of the world, learns the true names of the elements and nature, and bends them to his will. But Ged's recklessness and ambition may be too much for him, leading him down a path of destruction and dark powers that nobody should meddle in. As Ged moves on with his life, he must face his mistakes and learn what it is to respect magic and the world at large in order to become truly great.
The thing about this book I actually kind of admired was the simplicity of it. It's just the story of this one wizard's life in a world where wizards are an accepted norm, have important jobs, and are generally welcomed in most of the world. It's not like Ged is another "chosen one" who was "prophesied of" or anything like that. It's just the story of this kid and how he grows up and learns. It's a coming of age story that happens to have magic in it. Not that some of the things Ged sees or discovers or does in his life journey isn't very impressive, it is impressive. But that's not what it's about. It's just the detailed backstory of this one character and how he came to be. If you were introduced to it like I was, through the movie, then you remember that Ged was an older, mentor-like character and this was how he came to be who he was in the movie. While it's not quite as dynamic, I certainly found it interesting. It's almost like what reading Obi-wan Kenobi's backstory would be (I'm sure that's out there somewhere), I liked it.
The set up of this world and the magic involved in it is actually pretty smart. Wizards use magic by learning somethings true name and almost asking it to do what he wants (it's more complicated than that but that's the gist of it). Names are a big deal in this world, which is why people don't use their own real names in public. Also, being a wizard is almost like a trade that can be learned. The different cultures are set up nicely, I really liked the school that Ged attends, I liked learning how he got his boat, just little things like that that fit together to create this character was really fun and interesting. I liked the world building and finding out how it works.
Now, probably the biggest thing about this book is that it does move pretty slowly. We get downtimes and whole years roll by with Ged just kind of going where the wind takes him. It kind of feels like there isn't much of a goal, especially after Ged makes a mistake at the academy that could be pretty disastrous. However, I did like that he grew from the experience. When we're teens and maybe even older, there comes a point when we have a revelation like Ged's...that we're not as strong as we thought, or as smart, or as capable, or what-have-you. Sometimes it comes sooner, sometimes it comes later, but we all get that at some point or another. Ged's lesson is what saved his character, in my opinion. Before that, he was a little hard to like, honestly. Pretty vain and cocky in the beginning of the book, Ged's character development is handled very well. He grows with each experience, he learns and I appreciated that about him. It just takes time, and so the plot isn't as fast-paced as most other fantasy stories can be.
Final Verdict
It was a simple story full of character development and world building and I liked it really well. It's not a difficult read and allows you do to kind of just kick back and witness the beginnings of this one wizard, which I really appreciated. If this sounds like something that's up your alley, then I'd say it's worth your money at your local bookstore!
Have you read the book? What did you think? Comment below and share your thoughts. Please make sure to Follow Midnight Readings for instant updates. Have a book you'd like me to read or would like to make a recommendation? Contact me on goodreads at https://www.goodreads.com/user/show/65448711-michelle-beer
Amazon:https://www.amazon.com/Powerless-Shelley-Miller/dp/1543482546/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1519062043&sr=8-1&keywords=powerless+by+shelley+miller
Xlibris: https://www.xlibris.com/Bookstore/BookDetail.aspx?BookId=SKU-001175242
Next Time: Long live the King...even though he's dead....
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