The Other Wind

Ursula LeGuin�s The Other Wind is another in her Earthsea universe series, which has been described as � � the most morally and metaphysically sophisticated post-Tolkien fantasy series to date.�  After an 11 year gap since her previous EarthSea Novel, Tehanu, LeGuin returns us to the Earthsea realm in this 2001 novel.  LeGuin's earlier works are  considered by many to be modern classics, and this book looks fit to join the rest of the Earthsea series in that respect.The main character in this series is a humble sorcerer named Alder, who specializes in mending broken things.  His wife, Lily, has died, and he begins to dream of the Land of the Dead, with both Lily and others there reaching out to him to free them.  The intricate plot spins around their religious beliefs, the dragons once again threatening Earhsea, and before it is over, several characters from earlier novels.  The characters include the high king, Lebannen; his soon-to-be bride the Hardic princess Seserakh; the ex-archmage Sparowhawk; his wife, the former priestess Tenar; and his adopted daughter Tehanu; as well as various other sorcerers and eventually a dragon named Irian, who joins the king in trying to make a peace.  As Neil Gaiman says, �� the lessons of Earthsea remain as potent, as wise, and as necessary as anyone could dream.�