Of all the Earthsea books by Ursula K. Le Guin, The Tombs of Atuan is the one which tugs at my heartstrings the most.
How could it not? It’s a short, powerful story about a young girl raised in a highly isolated, restricted religion/ cult with no exposure to the outside world. As she comes of age, beginning to question her lifestyle and purpose, in walks a hot young wizard trying to steal a mysterious ancient artifact. He learns something too; and it’s not romance.
It could be – I won’t spoil the rest of the saga – but Le Guin writes with the deep understanding of what it means to be a young person trapped, either in a constructed world or a prison of your own constraints. There is also a literal underground labyrinth as a metaphor, making it somewhat seamless how Le Guin writes a craving for freedom which feels universal, even to the reader.
I reread this recently one night when I was tired of TV (don’t) and needed a ‘proper escape,’ one that I knew would feel satisfying. And it’s hard to review a book that means so much to me, so I won’t.
I will say this, though: I will always recommend the Earthsea books to anyone first foraying into the fantasy genre, or who wants to rediscover their love for it.
They’re timeless.
Cover rating: 6/10. I get that they’re limited to the scope of the previous books but the potential-/- delivery here is unmatched.