The Steerswoman

by Rosemary Kirstein

eBook

English language

Published Oct. 29, 2014 by Smashwords.

ISBN:: 978-1-311-58968-2

(8 reviews)

If you ask, she must answer. A steerswoman's knowledge is shared with any who request it; no steerswoman may refuse a question, and no steerswoman may answer with anything but the truth. And if she asks, you must answer. It is the other side of tradition's contract -- and if you refuse the question, or lie, no steerswoman will ever again answer even your most casual question. And so, the steerswomen — always seeking, always investigating — have gathered more and more knowledge about the world they traveled, and they share that knowledge freely. Until the day that the steerswoman Rowan begins asking innocent questions about one small, lovely, inexplicable object… Her discoveries grow stranger and deeper, and more dangerous, until suddenly she finds she must flee or fight for her life. Or worse -- lie. Because one kind of knowledge has always been denied the steerswomen: Magic.

The first …

The first book in the series and a great start. These books are ones that I read when I want to renew my love for science and discovery.

2 editions

73pctGeek reviewed The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein (The Steerswoman, Book 1)

Not as enjoyable the second time

3 stars

This was a re-read to get me ready for the sequels. In 2016 I rather enjoyed it, liking the world building, the Steerswoman conceit and the writing, even if I found the plot a little lacking and the "villains" too reasonable.

This time it just didn't work for me, finding it tedious and meandering. Just goes to show how much my mood influences how I feel about a book. Not sure I like that about me.

sarah reviewed The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein (The Steerswoman, Book 1)

Questing/questioning

4 stars

Love a good quest, extra love a quest where the very premise is about the social contract around knowledge

nlowell@books.theunseen.city reviewed The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein (The Steerswoman, Book 1)

To Thine Own Self Be True

5 stars

Rowan is forced to give up her cherished identity as a steerswoman and take on a new one in order to survive. The story is as much about her struggle with identity as it is battling her physical foes.

Kirstein has done a masterful job of world building, characterization, and plot. The world unfolds like an old map, covered with interesting places you might like to visit. Her ensemble cast - Bel the Outskirter, William the Would-be Mage, and Rowan Steerswoman - sparkle and dance across the pages pulling me along the story's twisted path.

I ripped through this book in a couple of days and now face a quandry. Do I follow the steerswoman's path to book 2 or keep working through the big pile of samples I have waiting?

Decisions, decisions. One thing I do know. Rowan is one of those characters who will haunt me for awhile. …

I ripped through this book in a couple of days and now face a quandry. Do I follow the steerswoman's path to book 2 or keep working through the big pile of samples I have waiting?

Decisions, decisions. One thing I do know. Rowan is one of those characters who will haunt me for awhile.

Highly recommended.