A wizard of Earthsea : a graphic novel / Ursula K. Le Guin ; adapted and illustrated by Fred Fordham.

Enhanced descriptions from Syndetics:

Ursula K. Le Guin's timeless and revered A Wizard of Earthsea is reimagined in a richly expansive graphic novel by acclaimed artist Fred Fordham, creator of stunning adaptations To Kill a Mockingbird and Brave New World.

Ged was the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, but in his youth he was the reckless Sparrowhawk. In his hunger for power and knowledge, he tampered with long-held secrets and unleashed a terrible shadow upon the world. This is the tumultuous tale of his testing, how he mastered the mighty words of power, tamed an ancient dragon, and crossed death's threshold to restore the balance.

Experience the bestselling first adventure of Ursula K. Le Guin's Books of Earthsea as a masterly crafted graphic novel. Fred Fordham brings new life to Le Guin's iconic fantasy classic with his breathtaking illustrations and thoughtful text adaptation.

Reviews provided by Syndetics

School Library Journal Review

Gr 8 Up--The world of Earthsea has been widely known since Le Guin's original publication in 1968 and paved the way for non-Tolkienian fantasy novels for decades. Fordham's artistic vision will bring in a new generation of fans with vivid colors, dialogue-driven pages, and fast pacing. The watercolor art style gives the world a dreamlike quality, which serves to let the reader fill in some parts with their own imagination, as Le Guin originally intended in the novel. The art is rich and the bits of exposition and descriptions that Fordham has turned into textless panels let the settings sing. Justly, this adaptation portrays Ged as his proper age and with copper skin to match Le Guin's character description from the novels, which have been obscured in other illustrative interpretations and film adaptations. The quick, light pace will keep readers turning pages, though no number of beautiful illustrations can replace Le Guin's stunning prose. It is especially absent in the climactic scene, which ends up feeling rushed in this version. However, this is an otherwise faithful adaptation, and the interpretation of the characters, towns, and magic make this definitely worth adding to any graphic novel collection. VERDICT Fantasy lovers and art lovers alike will make this graphic version of the classic novel a highly sought-after addition to library shelves, though it should be in addition to the original, not in place of it.--Lauren Sullivan

Booklist Review

Here author-artist Fordham admirably tackles the first graphic adaptation of Le Guin's beloved 1968 opener to the Earthsea Cycle. The script is true to the source, presenting a measured, poetic telling of the wizard Ged's early, somewhat episodic journeys, from the emergence of his powers, to his tutelage and ascent to the level of sorcerer, and through the long, harrowing journey in pursuit of the dark shadow unleashed by Ged's heedless young ambition. Rather than modernizing the old novel for contemporary audiences, Fordham maintains the classic tone, letting the artwork drive the story while emphasizing the awesome power of silence and stillness as Ged sails through a wide archipelago. A watercolor style proves the perfect choice for the many sweeping seascapes that ground the adventure, steeping the pages in a visual magic that is able to blur between the light and dark that churn at the story's core. A worthy adaptation of an enduring classic that manages to bring forth all the quiet power of the whispered secret of someone's true name.

Horn Book Review

This graphic-format adaptation masterfully captures the quiet introspection and mythic quality of Le Guin's classic. The muted watercolor-style art, with its fluid linework, enhances the ethereal tone, immersing readers in the journey of Ged, a young wizard, as he confronts a dark force he'd unwittingly unleashed. Although the minimal text may challenge newcomers to the tale, fans will appreciate this visually distinctive reimagining. (To fit the format, and in consultation with Le Guin's son, Fordham trimmed and truncated some of the text and events.) A thoughtful, atmospheric adaptation that remains true to Le Guin's vision. (c) Copyright 2025. The Horn Book, Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Media Source, Inc. No redistribution permitted.

Kirkus Book Review

An ambitious young wizard embarks on a perilous quest to correct a mistake made from hubris in this graphic adaptation of Le Guin's well-loved 1968 classic. Duny is nearly 13 when he's visited by Ogion the Silent, a mage who gives him his true name, Ged, a coming-of-age milestone. As Ogion's apprentice, Ged begins his long journey of understanding the consequences of magic and the importance of maintaining the world's balance. Ged studies wizardry at the School of Roke, where he performs a spell summoning the dead and calls up an evil shadow force that starts following him. Ged must defeat it before it can take over his body and use him to enact dark magic. Fordham's watercolor-style art brings the story's world to life, beautifully portraying seaside villages, starlit nights, the stone-walled school, and more. Wordless spreads seamlessly propel the plot, as when Ged battles fierce flying dragons off the coast of Pendor. While the story moves quickly, visual clues such as changing seasons signal Ged's growth and the passage of time. The concise narration and dialogue enhance the story's drama. A preface by Theo Downes-Le Guin, the author's son, discusses the intentionality and mindfulness behind the illustrations, as for example, in the portrayal of Ged as "a young copper-skinned man" rather than the "white, often middle-aged man" shown in other versions, which Le Guin felt betrayed her original vision. A beloved cornerstone of the genre brought vividly to life through striking illustrations. (map)(Graphic fantasy. 12-16) Copyright (c) Kirkus Reviews, used with permission.