I requested this ARC because the title sounded familiar and I wasn’t sure why.
I didn’t realize that it was based off of a novel!
Now I’m intrigued and want to read the actual series
The artwork is beautifully done, the characters portrayed appropriately pensive and moody.

I wasn't a huge fan of reading Earthsea the first time I tried it, so I was looking forward to this graphic novel adaptation! Unfortunately, it still didn't click for me.

I'm not sure if it's because it's the classic fantasy story or the art style, but I just wasn't swept up or sucked in like so many other stories I read in the fantasy genre. I think if you are already an Earthsea fan you will enjoy this a lot, it's definitely gorgeous art that isn't cartoony and fits the original work well. But if you, like me, were hoping that the same story in a different format would make it more appealing or engaging, you will probably be disappointed like I was.

It has been a long time since I read this story in written form, as a small, worn paperback checked out of the library alongside a pile of other fantasy books, most forgotten by name at this point. I read so many books that oftentimes stories may blend or meld together, or fade behind the fresher memories of more recently browsed tales, but Le Guin's works tend to leave an imprint not just on the mind but on the soul, a memory of emotions more than words.

This beautifully illustrated adaption perfectly captures one of her most famous works in gorgeous art, unfolding at a gentle but riveting pace which keeps the reader glued to the page from first to last. Not only does it hold true to the original novel, but it carries that same stamp of emotional impact, and other lovers of fantasy like myself are likely to walk away a little quiet, a little breathless, as they dwell on the story long after they reach the end.

A Wizard of Earthsea is a tried-and-true favorite from my childhood. Some of my fondest memories with my father are of watching the show based on the book. The way the story was blended with the art felt well-framed and easy to read. The variation in panel layouts made the book feel more dynamic, and the ability to finish pages at different speeds gave the sense of reading faster. The gradual addition and subtraction of color really felt like it mirrored Ged’s journey—both with himself and with magic. The panoramic landscapes (and some of the more abstract panels) are stunning and really suit the watercolor art style.

That said, my rating is lower because so much is lost in this style. I really wish there was more definition, especially in the faces. Expressions often felt limited, and a lot of the time, characters’ eyes seemed to either stare in opposite directions or just look kind of dead. The art as a whole is beautiful, but the human characters really could have used a second pass to give them more depth. It absolutely kills me to give this three stars, but in the end, it was just an okay/good experience—not really more than that.

Before Ged is the greatest Wizard of Earthsea, he is a boy called Sparrowhawk who must learn the truths of magic and himself.

I read A Wizard of Earthsea when I was a child and didn't remember much of the story, so this was a wonderful way to be reintroduced to the book. The art is really beautiful, and I thought both the art and the dialogue that was brought in did a wonderful job of bringing the story to life while maintaining the same mood of the original book.

I love how timeless the work of Ursula K. Le Guin is. This is a lovely adaptation of her novel, and the graphic novel format has great appeal with the younger audiences! At times the art was a little too dark to make out what was happening, and it was difficult reading the ebook version on a small screen, but I suspect the print version wouldn't have these issues!

A captivating read for anyone seeking a timeless tale of self-discovery, growth, and the pursuit of wisdom, as Ged's transformative journey through the magical world of Earthsea offers a potent reminder of the importance of balance, humility, and the responsible use of power.

Really enjoyed the adaptation of Ursula K Le Guin's Earthsea. Really enjoyed the books, and this brings it even more to life. Hopefully there will be more of these adaptations from the series. #AWizardofEarthseaAGraphicNovel #NetGalley

Gorgeous graphic adaptation of one of my favorite books! Great use of color, especially as the intensity and vibrancy shifts over the course of the story. I will absolutely be using and recommending this in my classroom and it will appeal to students across a wide variety of reading levels. Thanks for the ARC and so excited!

Before Ged became the greatest sorcerer in Earthsea, he was the ambitious and wild Sparrowhawk. This is the story of how he grew in power and notoriety, adapted into a graphic novel.

I have never read A Wizard of Earthsea or anything else by Ursula K. Le Guin, but it was always on my list of books to read. I was really excited to receive this graphic novel, thinking it would be a good starting point to push me into reading the series. Maybe because I didn't have that foundation of knowing the source material, though, this book did not work for me. The story felt both rushed and slow at the same time, with scenes passing quickly but the actual plot dragging. The characters also weren't really engaging. I found that I didn't care much about what happened to any of the characters, even the main one. Without knowing the source material better, I can't say if that's a criticism of the story or the adaptation, though. However, the art was beautiful! The vibrant landscapes and detailed character designs were what kept me turning the pages. The artwork did a great job describing the story and setting. I think someone who has read A Wizard of Earthsea before will find this a nice return to a story they once loved.

Thank you to NetGalley and the publisher for this eARC in exchange for an honest review.

I recently reread A Wizard of Earthsea in preparation so that I could appropriately compare this graphic novel adaptation with the original.

I have to say I was so pleasantly surprised. This adaptation really does Le Guin's story justice, and Fred Fordham's beautiful art only adds to the richness of the world and its characters. The graphic novel is faithful to the original work and leaves out none of the important milestones of Ged's journey. I very much enjoyed following along with the tale again, even though I'd just read the original a few days ago.

The powerful and brash young wizard, Sparrowhawk, trying to prove himself at his school of wizardry, summons a shadow with no name. His quest to put it to rest will teach him more than he could ever predict.

GODDAMN! What an absolutely beautiful adaptation of the OG boy at wizard school novel. Le Guin’s Earthsea saga books were among the first of my introduction to the world of fantasy, and they have set my expectations for every fantasy book since then. Reading such a faithful adaptation, capturing the story of a jealous, hotheaded young man learning and growing into a capable and empathetic man was such a joy.

The beautiful, soft watercolor illustrations are the perfect pairing to the world of Earthsea. I want to put copies of a few pages on my walls. Everything feels ephemeral and otherworldly. Reading this made me want to start an immediate reread of the entire Earthsea saga.

Many, many thanks to both NetGalley and HarperCollins Children's Books for the opportunity to review this arc!

Fred Fordham - you are a treasure! An amazing graphic reimagining of Ursula Le Guin's A Wizard of Earthsea. Highly recommend this graphic novel.

Beautifully illustrated graphic novel brings A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula K Le Guin to life. The pictures are stunning and tell the story without needing the accompanied words. The artwork is phenomenal, The fantasy novel has been given new life but stays true to the original tale. I highly recommend purchasing this graphic novel.
Thanks to NetGalley, HarperCollins Children's Books, and Clarion Books for the opportunity to read this ARC.

This was my first time reading A Wizard of Earthsea and the is graphic novel was positively stunning. Beautiful details and gorgeous artwork left me wanting more. Definitely would recommend this for any fantasy or comic book lovers

Thank you to NetGalley, Fred Fordham and Clarion books for the opportunity to read this ARC in exchange for an honest review.
I honestly never heard of the original novels prior to this so I went into this book blind and really enjoyed it. The art was very subdued and had a watercolor feel to it. Some panels had no dialogue and let the art speak for itself. We follow Ged and his journey through self discovery, finding where he and his magic belong. I don’t think it was fast paced but it still told a complete story along with beautiful transitions.

I highly recommend checking this out when it debuts.

The art style used for this graphic novel adaptation of A Wizard of Earthsea is just absolutely gorgeous. There are pages and panels that are works of art, and I don't think any readers will be disappointed in that regard.

As an adaptation of the story told in the novel, this gets a lot more right than it gets wrong. Ged's journey from a prideful young man to that of a humbled wizard is told with clarity and strong pacing. However, there were two segments of the story that I felt needed to be strengthened. The chapter about the twins on the deserted island likely did not need to be included because it did little to further the overall plot of the story. (Although the pictures are haunting and beautiful in their starkness.) The chapter in which Ged visits the Court of Terrenon was extremely confusing for me, and I'm not even sure what happened at that point of the story.

However, aside from these two small blips, the graphic novel was a treat to read and I look forward to purchasing the physical version when it is released.

I received this DRC from NetGalley.

The artwork is really nice. It's all done in a watercolor style with mostly muted colors. The scenery pages are just pretty. As far as the story goes, it was pretty interesting. But then when the end came, it just felt so lame (and predictable) and then was followed by more narration that was supposed to sound profound, as if that made the conclusion better.

A stunning adaptation steeped in atmosphere and mystery. Frank Fordham's illustrations convey deep feeling even when absent completely of dialogue. I have not read Le Guin's original text, but I now desperately want to. A beautiful introduction to the Earthsea Cycle for new readers and fans alike. As much worth it for reading as for an art book.

A very well done adaptation that made me want to go back and reread this classic and look for more graphic novels by this artist.