Rosemary Kirstein: The steerswoman. (1990, Pan)
299 pages
English language
Published Dec. 14, 1990 by Pan.
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 …
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 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.
Content warning for some reason the slow steady conceptual reveal here wants to be hidden, but no plot spoilers
What a curious and lovely blend of stock fantasy and overturned expectations - a trudging journey of mysterious import through rival wizards realms, a steady unwrapping of a tension in the world between academic pursuit and dispersal of knowledge versus technological hoarding of power and secrets.
Well-written if a little flat at times. If I'd discovered this series in the 90s I'd have been all about it, (TWO female leads!) but it just doesn't seem to have the social pith I'm after these days. Still, Bel is rad as hell, might give the next book a go one day.
4/5
What a great story! Absolutely loved Rowan and Bel and their friendship as they travel together to understand what a set of mysterious crystals were and how they got into the strange places they were found.
The story is a true adventure with a great pair of characters who rely on each other. I love Rowan’s personality where she tries to dig into all information and uses logic and critical thinking to figure out the answers. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
Bel on the other hand is a great friend and strong woman who has her side throughout. She is courageous and just awesome and I am excited to learn more about her throughout the series.
The story has a very distinct style that’s fairly fast paced and brief in descriptions. It took a bit of getting used to but eventually it flowed well enough. There are …
4/5
What a great story! Absolutely loved Rowan and Bel and their friendship as they travel together to understand what a set of mysterious crystals were and how they got into the strange places they were found.
The story is a true adventure with a great pair of characters who rely on each other. I love Rowan’s personality where she tries to dig into all information and uses logic and critical thinking to figure out the answers. It’s like a breath of fresh air.
Bel on the other hand is a great friend and strong woman who has her side throughout. She is courageous and just awesome and I am excited to learn more about her throughout the series.
The story has a very distinct style that’s fairly fast paced and brief in descriptions. It took a bit of getting used to but eventually it flowed well enough. There are a few sections that were a bit too ambiguous but overall it was fine.
I am also super curious about this world as it’s clearly some sort of fantasy and sci-fi hybrid but it’s hard to tell where the line is drawn. There are dragons and a basilisk and yet the characters also find thing like electric lamps and wires. It’s very unusual and makes me super curious to see where this goes next.
Overall I am really enjoying the series and will continue on with the next book!
Thoughtful, patient, reasoned, slowly revealing itself bit by bit- the book itself is much like it's protagonist. A steerswoman goes where she wants, observes and asks about anything that piques her curiosity, supplies all people she meets with the fruits of the knowledge that those of her profession have gathered through the years... unless they lie or deny her an answer.
This book is unlike any others I've read. So refreshing to have a female hero who follows her own lights, who is not motivated by love, who is instantly seen as an authority wherever she goes, who experiences the freedom almost every male protagonist takes for granted but uses it to improve the world, not just to wring her own pleasure from it. I loved how many full-fledged female characters there were, and how there were incidental female side and background characters in traditionally male jobs like sailing crews …
Thoughtful, patient, reasoned, slowly revealing itself bit by bit- the book itself is much like it's protagonist. A steerswoman goes where she wants, observes and asks about anything that piques her curiosity, supplies all people she meets with the fruits of the knowledge that those of her profession have gathered through the years... unless they lie or deny her an answer.
This book is unlike any others I've read. So refreshing to have a female hero who follows her own lights, who is not motivated by love, who is instantly seen as an authority wherever she goes, who experiences the freedom almost every male protagonist takes for granted but uses it to improve the world, not just to wring her own pleasure from it. I loved how many full-fledged female characters there were, and how there were incidental female side and background characters in traditionally male jobs like sailing crews and soldiers. It's understated, but the impact is huge.
The mystery unravels slowly and the pacing is methodical, perhaps a touch slow in parts, but never dragging. The writing is capable, quietly intelligent, with moments of calm beauty. I thought of this book often when I had to put it down, and I'll definitely be reading the next book in the series- I want more of this world!
Maybe 3 and a half stars if you like well-written generic fantasy tropes.. But mostly worth reading because of what it sets up in later books.
Delightful, fast read and a great entry to an interesting world. I saw the series (which is apparently not finished yet) being mentioned in /r/fantasy and decided that the blurb sounded interesting enough. And I am really glad I did. Looking at the genres assigned to this book my suspicions about the wizards seem confirmed. I just can't wait to learn more!
I also learned that the author is fighting breast cancer at the moment which just further encouraged me to purchase her books. It helps that they're good!
