A Wizard of Earthsea

The first book in Ursula K. Le Guin's acclaimed Earthsea series follows Ged, a young goat herder who discovers he has magical powers and attends a school for wizards. When his pride and recklessness unleash a dark shadow creature, Ged must embark on a dangerous quest across the archipelago world of Earthsea to confront his mistake and find redemption. The story explores themes of responsibility, the balance between good and evil, coming-of-age, and the consequences of one's actions. Notable for its diverse world-building featuring predominantly non-white characters in a fantasy setting, which was groundbreaking for its time.