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stressicalessica's review
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Plot
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.0
notesurfer's review against another edition
The Steerswoman has all the hallmarks of great Feminist Fantasy but lacks the narrative force to execute properly. The female characters of import are intelligent, strong, wise, and have a dangerous lack of character flaws. The titular Steerswoman is constantly surprising the people around her with her almost supernatural ability to know everything and figure out everything else.
I love the idea of a humanist religion that is devoted to the collection and free dissemination of information, but this book feels like a manifesto that is trying to cover all its bases at once. The good guys all get together and very reasonably pursue the most obviously reasonable course of action, which is of course both obvious and reasonable. There's no drama or intrigue, no conflicting interpretations or personal stakes. The protagonist immediately gives up her vow of reasonability because it is the most reasonable course of action at the time.
Weirdly this book reminded me of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series, but that at least has a good amount of swords and sorcery. This book feels like it's trying to suck the magic out of fantasy and make me like it.
I love the idea of a humanist religion that is devoted to the collection and free dissemination of information, but this book feels like a manifesto that is trying to cover all its bases at once. The good guys all get together and very reasonably pursue the most obviously reasonable course of action, which is of course both obvious and reasonable. There's no drama or intrigue, no conflicting interpretations or personal stakes. The protagonist immediately gives up her vow of reasonability because it is the most reasonable course of action at the time.
Weirdly this book reminded me of Terry Goodkind's Sword of Truth series, but that at least has a good amount of swords and sorcery. This book feels like it's trying to suck the magic out of fantasy and make me like it.
jacehan's review against another edition
adventurous
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes
5.0
jmoses's review against another edition
4.0
This was pretty great. The whole concept of Steerswomen is pretty neat, and Rowan is a very interesting example. Bel is a nice counterpoint, and they make the story interesting.
In some ways, this is a pretty standard "QUEST FOR X" fantasy trope, but in others.....it's shaping up to be something very nifty. There's some hints that the wizards aren't at _all_ what we expect, and that the world also has some surprises in store for us.
I have my suspicions, but they're really nebulous right now. This was quick read, and good, and entertaining.
In some ways, this is a pretty standard "QUEST FOR X" fantasy trope, but in others.....it's shaping up to be something very nifty. There's some hints that the wizards aren't at _all_ what we expect, and that the world also has some surprises in store for us.
I have my suspicions, but they're really nebulous right now. This was quick read, and good, and entertaining.
redlamp_on_literature's review against another edition
5.0
I stayed up way too late finishing this book, but wouldn't have been able to sleep if I didn't. The Steerswoman is exciting, refreshing, and—surprisingly—written 27 years ago. The protagonists give you reason to be disappointed with other books that present thinly written female characters. Rowan and Bel have a great dynamic and the way Kirstein describes Rowan's approach to logic and problem solving have been an inspiration for me.
hank's review against another edition
5.0
The more I think about this book the better it gets so the 4.5 stars gets rounded up. This one is better read with as little pre-knowledge as possible so I will try very hard not to spoil it.
The small reveals and clues Kirstein leaves throughout are amazing, not so opaque that you miss them completely yet just vague enough to get the brain working. I found the two main character interaction pleasingly nuanced and "real" feeling.
Recommended to just about everyone and I will start the next as soon as possible.
The small reveals and clues Kirstein leaves throughout are amazing, not so opaque that you miss them completely yet just vague enough to get the brain working. I found the two main character interaction pleasingly nuanced and "real" feeling.
Recommended to just about everyone and I will start the next as soon as possible.
kathrinpassig's review against another edition
3.0
Gemischte Gefühle. Ich mochte, dass die Hauptfiguren Frauen sind, und dass es nirgends um love interests geht, stattdessen detailliert um die Arbeit. (Kann sein, dass ich den Hinweis auf das Buch aus einem Text über "competence porn" hatte.) Aber die Handlung wabert so unentschlossen herum, als gäbe es gar keinen Plan dahinter.