The series as a whole is excellent, but this book is a brilliant, complex, carefully crafted piece of art. Hands down the best of the series so far. One of those few books that as soon as you finish you feel the desire to re-read immediately, along with the three previous books. ( )

I find a heaviness in this story, full of disappointment and unkindness toward women. There are moments of peace and joy, and it ends well. Le Guin’s ideas about magic and dragons and true names have some fascination, but sometimes I feel like the story is glossing over the details, so that I am not completely present with what is happening. I wish somehow for the story to become more in focus. ( )

"But in time nothing can be without becoming."

Surpassing the previous three Earthsea novels in its thematic content and maturity, "Tehanu" is a very adult book played out in a fantasy world already familiar to us. Rather than traveling around, the main characters travel through the trials of life, harsh trauma, and inevitable change. Grittier and more satisfying than prior Earthsea tales, this one demonstrates Le Guin's growth as an author and experiences as a person over the two decades since writing "The Farthest Shore." Great stuff. ( )

After reading all four books now in rapid succession I wish I liked this one more. Although poetic, genius, most definitly a powerful narrative of womanhood and feminism, it fell short of the previous books storytelling and I wish there were a few more pages as the ending seemed as if she had reached a deadline and had to rush the manuscript to the publisher. ( )

well that ending was sudden ( )