Ursula Le Guin. The Cursed Gift. Voices. Epiphany.

The Highlanders of the Highlands, seemingly ordinary peasants, possess magical powers, both beneficial and dangerous. Yet they are in constant need and live in constant fear: what if one family turns its deadly gift against another?
The peaceful city of Ansul boasted its libraries, schools, and temples until it was captured by the Alds, fanatical barbarians who fought demons. Considering culture a demonic obsession, they even banned reading and writing under penalty of death. But a man imprisoned for a year and tortured to death managed to save several precious books…
Young Gavir foresees the future, but is unable to prevent the catastrophe threatening his world—the world in which he grew up a slave. Having found the freedom he never desired, he sets out into the unknown…
The novel "Voices," included in the collection, won the PEN American Center Award in 2005, and the novel "Insight" won the Nebula Award in 2008.