Paperback, 260 pages
Published April 12, 2019 by Rosemary Kirstein.
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.
Love a good quest, extra love a quest where the very premise is about the social contract around knowledge
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. …
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.
Highly recommended.
