(Found) Fantasy Book I read in the mid-80s with a Boy being chased and hunted by a shadow creature

[Bungle_1976]

I've been wondering about this for years, but found this forum and thought I would finally see if I can scratch this itch!

I read this book whilst at school in the mid-80s and really enjoyed it but never finished it. What I remember about the book is that the main protagonist is a young boy, who I think has some magical powers but more in the form of an apprentice than a master. He is on some sort of quest, or perhaps trying to escape from something and travelsw throughout his world, but he is being hunted throughout the book by a creature of shadow that follows him everywhere he goes. I can't remember anything else about the book, apart from one scene when he is rowing across a lake in a row-boat whilst the shaodw creature stalks him, but if anyone can solve this mystery, I will be eternally grateful !! Thanks !!

 

[Toby Frost]

It's not A Wizard of Earthsea, is it? I don't remember it too well but I think this might fit.

 

[HareBrain]

If it's not A Wizard of Earthsea, it sounds like a complete rip-off of it!

 

[nixie]

I think this may be a Terry Brookes. Do you have any more detail?

 

[The Judge]

Another vote for the A Wizard of Earthsea by Ursula Le Guin. From the Wikipedia page on the novel:

The story is set in the fictional archipelago of Earthsea and centers around a young mage named Ged born in a village on the island of Gont. He displays great power while still a boy and joins the school of wizardry, where his prickly nature drives him into conflict with one of his fellows. During a magical duel, Ged's spell goes awry and releases a shadow creature that attacks him. The novel follows his journey as he seeks to be free of the creature.

There's also a scene with a boat:

Ogion insists that all creatures have a name and advises Ged to confront the shadow. Ogion is proved right; when Ged seeks out the shadow, it flees from him. Ged pursues it in a small sailboat, until it lures him into a fog where the boat is wrecked on a reef.

 

[Bungle_1976]

THAT'S IT !!!!! Thanks guys... Much much much appreciated !!!

 

[Toby Frost]

No problem. That's the third time in many years that I've recognised a book on here (the other two were a children's picture book and a novel by me)!