Powers (2007) is the third book in the trilogy Annals of the Western Shore a young adult series by Ursula K. Le Guin. It is preceded in the series by Gifts (2004) Voices (2006).
Powers begins in the city of Etra, a city-state resembling the Roman Republic in which wealthy families keep slaves. Gavir and his sister are slaves of the wealthy family of Arcamand. Possessed of an exceptional memory, Gavir is trained to be a teacher, and as a child is convinced of his owner's benevolence. After his sister is raped and killed, a grief-stricken Gavir leaves the city. Pursued by a slavecatcher, he travels through various societies as he attempts to find a home.
Powers won the 2008 Nebula Award for Best Novel. It was positively received by reviewers, who praised its exploration of power and freedom in society, and wrote that Le Guin had created a convincing setting. Multiple reviewers suggested that Powers conveyed a sense of hope to young readers finding their place in the world.
Contents
Setting
Powers is the third volume of Annals of the Western Shore, following Gifts (2004) and Voices (2006). Gifts tells the story of Gry and Orrec, who grew up in Uplands in the far north of the fictional world depicted in the series, while Voices is set in the city of Ansul, in the southern region of the same world. The civilization of this world was settled by people from across a desert to the east of the regions depicted in the series. It consists of a number of city states, as well as some nomads on the borders of the desert. Powers begins in the city of Etra, whose political structure is similar to that of the Roman Republic. The wealthy families keep slaves, of whom the protagonist, Gavir, is one. Slaves are not allowed to keep their children, and slaves are thus considered not to have ancestors. Gavir and his sister Sallo are of the Rassiu, or marsh people, kidnapped as children by slave-takers. They are raised in the household of Arcamand alongside the children of the Arca family that owns them.