Why am I passionate about this?
Before I was a writer, I was a reader. My mother was a primary school teacher, so I was encouraged to read from my earliest years. I wanted to be not only entertained but transported to another place, time, or world. When I finally decided to write my first novel, I settled on historical fiction, but I have since written both science fiction and fantasy. I always endeavour to emulate my literary heroes and create engaging characters, compelling plots, and an interesting, unusual, convincing world.
Nick's book list on books that take you to another world
Why did Nick love this book?
I read this when I was in my early teens and I do feel that LeGuin created a remarkably immersive fantasy world – and at a time when far fewer writers had done so.
We follow Sparrowhawk, the young mage, who leaves his home and family behind to train as a wizard. Earthsea itself is a vast, bleak, mysterious archipelago. LeGuin conjures the setting with such authenticity and detail that it has always stayed with me. This is the first part of a landmark series.
16 authors picked A Wizard of Earthsea as one of their favorite books, and they share why you should read it. This book is for kids age 12, 13, 14, and 15.
The first book of Earthsea in a beautiful hardback edition. Complete the collection with The Tombs of Atuan, The Furthest Shore and Tehanu
With illustrations from Charles Vess
'[This] trilogy made me look at the world in a new way, imbued everything with a magic that was so much deeper than the magic I'd encountered before then. This was a magic of words, a magic of true speaking' Neil Gaiman
'Drink this magic up. Drown in it. Dream it' David Mitchell
Ged, the greatest sorcerer in all Earthsea, was called Sparrowhawk in his reckless youth.
Hungry for power and knowledge,…