This book is the second in the phenomenally magical Earthsea series by Ursula K. Le Guin. We are brought into the story alongside the life's-eye-view of Arha, the high priestess of the dark powers known only to her as "the Nameless Ones", who ate her soul when she was six so she could undertake her lifelong duty. This duty revolves around the protection of sanctified dark spaces under the tombstones - only for one day, Arha to discover an intruder in her labyrinth. A wizard from over the sea whose name he gives as Sparrowhawk - and she learns much of the outside world from this possibly dangerous man... I'll stop there, for spoilers.
I'm really enjoying this series so far. Le Guin writes masterfully, and the stories she tells are so simple in scope yet epic, mythic even, in their twists and turns that it is very much like reading the real tales of a Yester-Earth dug up afresh for modern audiences. The magic system she uses is more like what real magic is probably like than any incantations found in Harry Potter or the million knock-off forms of sorcery that prevail nowadays. Facing shadows and chasing down one's own frailties is what Le Guin's characters are all about and it makes for a brilliant read.
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