The Tombs of Atuan

by Ursula K. Le Guin
The Tombs of Atuan cover
Good Books rating 3.7
Fantasy, Young Adult (YA)
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Hardback • £14.99
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Technical
  • ID: 7828
  • Added: 2025-12-17
  • Updated: 2025-12-30
  • ISBN: 9781442459915
  • Publisher: Simon and Schuster
  • Published: 2012-09-11
  • Formats: 1
  • Reviews: 3

In the second book of Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series, we follow Tenar, a young girl who is chosen to become the high priestess of the ancient and mysterious Tombs of Atuan. Isolated and surrounded by eerie rituals, Tenar's life is one of solitude and power. However, her world is disrupted when a stranger, a wizard named Ged, enters her domain, challenging her beliefs and her understanding of the world. /n/n The Tombs of Atuan is a tale of self-discovery and transformation, set against the backdrop of a richly imagined fantasy world. Le Guin's prose is evocative and atmospheric, drawing readers into a story that explores themes of identity, power, and the search for meaning.

Reviews
Goodreads · 2025-12-18
great 4.10

The reviewer wishes they had read this book earlier in life, highlighting the depth and impact of the story. They appreciate the unique perspective and themes explored in the novel.

This reviewer really wished they had read this book earlier in life, feeling that it would have had a greater impact on them. They highlight the unique perspective and themes explored in the novel, which they found deeply engaging. The reviewer appreciates the way the story delves into the protagonist's introspection and contemplation, making it a standout in the series. They also mention that the book is both slow and fast-paced, which adds to its complexity and richness.

Quick quotes

    This is the second book in Ursula K. Le Guin's Earthsea series and once again here I am regretting to read it this much late in my late twenties.

    I should have read this book earlier in my life.

    The book is both slow and fast, making it a unique and engaging read.

SFF Book Review · 2020-04-13
excellent 4.50

The reviewer loved this book, despite its slow start, and appreciated the depth of the story and its connection to the rest of the Earthsea series.

This reviewer loved this book, despite its slow start. They appreciated the depth of the story and its connection to the rest of the Earthsea series. They also noted that the book's introspective and contemplative nature made it a standout in the series. They felt that the book's exploration of the protagonist's journey was both engaging and thought-provoking, making it a memorable read. They also appreciated the way the book's themes and ideas resonated with them on a personal level.

Quick quotes

    I loved this book so much!

    The beginning is rather slow because, much like Tenar, we are thrown into a small world based on a religion we don't understand.

    The book's introspective and contemplative nature made it a standout in the series.

Cannonball Read · Jake · 2019-05-11
disappointing 2.50

The reviewer found this book to be their least favorite in the series, feeling it was too focused on the labyrinthian tombs and that the ending was rushed.

Jake found this book to be their least favorite in the series, feeling that it was too focused on the labyrinthian tombs. They also felt that the ending was rushed and did not live up to their expectations. Despite these criticisms, they still appreciated the unique aspects of the story and the way it contributed to the overall Earthsea series. They also noted that the book had some interesting moments, but overall, it did not resonate with them as much as the other books in the series.

Quick quotes

    Tombs of Atuan was my least favorite of the three.

    I felt like it was too fascinated with the labyrinthian tombs.

    The ending took too much of the story's potential.

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