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Earthsea Book Order

Ursula K. Le GuinComplete6 books

Earthsea is best read in publication order: all 6 Earthsea books, from A Wizard of Earthsea (1968) to The Other Wind (2001). Open A Wizard of Earthsea and keep going. Finish the original trilogy before Tehanu; read Tales (especially Dragonfly) before The Other Wind.

Updated August 2026

Best read in publication order

  1. Original trilogy
  2. Cover of A Wizard of Earthsea

    A Wizard of Earthsea

    1968

    Young Ged pursues reckless power at the school of wizardry on the island of Roke.

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  3. Cover of The Tombs of Atuan

    The Tombs of Atuan

    1971

    Tenar, priestess of the Tombs, encounters Ged during a mission beneath the desert.

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  4. Cover of The Farthest Shore

    The Farthest Shore

    1972

    Ged and the young prince Arren sail to the edge of the world to stop a spreading ruin.

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  5. Later Earthsea
  6. Cover of Tehanu

    Tehanu

    1990

    Tenar and Ged in later life raise a burned child and confront the cost of their pasts.

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  7. Cover of Tales from Earthsea

    Tales from Earthsea

    2001

    Short stories spanning Earthsea history, including Dragonfly bridging Tehanu to The Other Wind.

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  8. Cover of The Other Wind

    The Other Wind

    2001

    The dead are restless and the dragons return as the balance of Earthsea must be restored.

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How Earthsea is structured

Before you start

Earthsea is Ursula K. Le Guin's archipelago of islands, true names, and balance: six books from 1968 to 2001. The early trilogy (A Wizard of Earthsea, The Tombs of Atuan, The Farthest Shore) is a complete coming-of-age and power story. Tehanu was once billed as the last book; then Tales from Earthsea and The Other Wind continued the cycle she had promised to close.

Publication order for the six main volumes is the way to go. Tales from Earthsea is a story collection with prequel and sequel pieces; Dragonfly bridges Tehanu to The Other Wind. Picture books and her non-Earthsea work live elsewhere; come back to those when the cycle has already got you.

Read the original trilogy first. The later books assume you know Ged's early life, and Tehanu in particular will not land if you jump ahead. There is no clever reorder that helps a new reader more than publication order.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many Earthsea books are there?

Six main volumes: the early trilogy, Tehanu, Tales from Earthsea, and The Other Wind.

Can I stop after The Farthest Shore?

Yes. The first three close Ged's early arc. Tehanu onward changes tone and revisits Tenar and Ged.

Why read Tales before The Other Wind?

Publication order; Dragonfly is the narrative bridge. Avoid UK editions that reverse the last two.

Where should I start with Earthsea?

A Wizard of Earthsea. Ged and the rules of magic start there.

Should I read the original trilogy before Tehanu?

Yes. The later books expect you to know the first three.

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