Read as part of this edition of the collection of Earthsea books, coming in third for me out of what I've read so far.

A great look at a classic coming of age fantasy story, the relationship between the mentor and the hero and the reality of life and nature.

A fair argument could also be made, and I'm sure it has been before, that the story is also a very stark look at religion, specifically the promises that so many religions preach that can make you take for granted the beauty of life in order to try and avoid the inevitability of death.

Ged was amazing as ever, and his journey and mistakes through this book lend him so much character on top of what La Guin had already built.

I initially wasn't a fan of Arren but his growing understanding of the world, along with the way Ged taught him to respect and appreciate all around him, really sold me over time and really made the coming of age feel real.