Tehanu was written many years after the original trilogy, and is a very different type of book. Where the other books tell of adventures, Tehanu is much more reflective and conversational on the world the characters inhabit. Still fantastic, but fantastic in the way that the real world is already fantastic.

The world of Earthsea is infused with the power of words; it’s appropriate that while reading I recorded words that I didn’t know how to use well. (For example, I understand the word “ire”, but wouldn’t use it myself because I know there was more of an implication than just “anger”.) Below are the words and definitions, mostly as a reference for myself, but maybe you’d like one as well.

Definitions from Princeton Wordnet (I think)

ire

anger: a strong emotion; a feeling that is oriented toward some real or supposed grievance
wrath: belligerence aroused by a real or supposed wrong (personified as one of the deadly sins)

Usage: “the witch accepted her due with unending ire”

wheedle

influence or urge by gentle urging, caressing, or flattering

usage: “a wheedling kindness”

gnomic

relating to or containing gnomes

This definition is a little disappointing. I thought it would be more explicitly about the earth rather than just about gnomes.

sagacity

the mental ability to understand and discriminate between relations

exigency

a pressing or urgent situation

Usage: “the indifference of a man towards the exigencies that rule a woman”

larder

a supply of food especially for a household

Usage: “living off his larder”

calumny

noun: a false accusation of an offense or a malicious misrepresentation of someone’s words or actions

Usage: “casting calumny and lies”

candor

fairness: ability to make judgments free from discrimination or dishonesty

rebuke

an act or expression of criticism and censure

auspice

a favorable omen

Usage: “and it sounds as if all auspices and events were fortunate”

diffident

showing modest reserve

Usage: “he said it in a diffident way”