What is the title of the first Earthsea novel by Ursula K. Le Guin?

The first Earthsea novel by Ursula K. Le Guin is “A Wizard of Earthsea.” First published in 1968, it introduces the fictional archipelago of Earthsea and the young mage Ged, also known by his childhood nickname, Sparrowhawk.

Ged grows up on the island of Gont and displays remarkable magical ability. After studying under the mage Ogion and later attending the wizard school on Roke, he unleashes a dangerous shadow during a reckless spell. The novel follows his journey toward understanding power, responsibility, identity, and the balance of the natural world.

Le Guin built Earthsea’s magic around the power of true names: knowing a thing’s deepest name gives a wizard influence over it. The book is also a coming-of-age novel and is notable for presenting a dark-skinned protagonist in a genre often dominated by white heroes.

The later titles are common traps. “The Tombs of Atuan” is the second novel, “The Farthest Shore” the third, and “Tehanu” the fourth. Two earlier Earthsea short stories exist, but “A Wizard of Earthsea” is the first Earthsea novel.