Earthsea and 9 more epic sci-fi and fantasy series to read in lockdown

1. The Earthsea Cycle by Ursula K. LeGuin

When it comes to classic fantasy, there are few series that can stand alongside the works of authors like J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis…but one series that absolutely deserves to share a bookshelf with tales of Middle-earth and Narnia is Ursula K. LeGuin’s Earthsea. The Earthsea Cycle is a masterwork of fantasy that follows the adventures of the wizard Ged and his friends across the titular oceanic world.

Begun with A Wizard of Earthsea, the original Earthsea trilogy concluded with The Farthest Shore in 1972. You can read just those three books and be satisfied, but nearly 20 years later, LeGuin returned to Earthsea for more books and short stories. The full Earthsea Cycle spans five novels and a short story collection, and while one of the outings is a little strange compared to the rest (I’m looking at you, Tehanu), the series is very much a journey worth taking.

And in a refreshing change from most of the door-stopping tomes of modern fantasy, the Earthsea books are extremely short. The first clocks in at just under 200 pages, making it a quick read as well as an enjoyable one. It’s a testament to how good Ursula K. LeGuin’s writing is that she can tell a complete, fulfilling tale in each volume using a fraction of the words most other authors need.

These books have influenced many authors in the genre. There are dragons and magic, evil covens and journeys to the underworld. Ged begins the first Earthsea novel as a young boy who discovers he has a talent for magic, and is then spirited away to the island of Roke, where he can learn to use his gift. But his own arrogance proves to be his greatest obstacle, and before long he ends up accidentally setting loose a shadow creature whose only desire is to hunt him down and kill him.

Or so it seems. More than just being epic tales, the Earthsea novels are introspective books that pay attention to the personal journeys underwent by the characters.

Saying LeGuin’s writing is beautiful in these books is kind of like calling a waterfall wet. There are few writers living or dead who have ever been able to match the lyrical magic of Ursula K. LeGuin. These are fantastic reads if you’re looking for a quick dose of escapism.