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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.
1megyo's review against another edition
inspiring
mysterious
relaxing
fast-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
4.75
nenya_kanadka's review against another edition
4.0
Loved this book! So glad the author decided to re-release it in ebook form. Fantasy world society of itinerant proto-scientists, majority female? Steerswoman protagonist with travelling partner/BFF female barbarian warrior? Suggestions that the 'magic' of the wizards (who are somewhat at odds with said steerswomen) is just a More Advanced Technology? I almost didn't even care about the quest plot--I was enjoying the characters and the worldbuilding so much. Though the quest itself was interesting, and entangled with the question of wizards and worldviews.
The one off moment for me was the point about 3/4 of the way through the book where our heroes make the decision to torture someone for information. That is never going to be a plot point I am okay with, and I'm disappointed when supposed 'heroes' do it, especially when the narrative doesn't give them consequences for it. (I also felt that since steerswomen make it their life's work to find things out, they ought to know better ways of getting information from someone. But perhaps the fact that they don't lie + they are used to simply asking and answering questions willingly meant that they aren't good at manipulating info from people. Still. Would have preferred a non-torture option.)
But this was my only real dislike about this book; I'd otherwise have rated it 5/5. I hear there are sequels and they're even better--I can't wait!
The one off moment for me was the point about 3/4 of the way through the book where our heroes make the decision to torture someone for information. That is never going to be a plot point I am okay with, and I'm disappointed when supposed 'heroes' do it, especially when the narrative doesn't give them consequences for it. (I also felt that since steerswomen make it their life's work to find things out, they ought to know better ways of getting information from someone. But perhaps the fact that they don't lie + they are used to simply asking and answering questions willingly meant that they aren't good at manipulating info from people. Still. Would have preferred a non-torture option.)
But this was my only real dislike about this book; I'd otherwise have rated it 5/5. I hear there are sequels and they're even better--I can't wait!
tessisreading2's review against another edition
4.0
I kind of wish I'd found this book when I was a kid back in the nineties, because it's the kind of thing I would have loved - a fantasy novel with strong and interesting female protagonists and complex world-building that seems like it will get more rewarding with re-reads - but on the other hand, the long gaps between sequels and the fact that the series isn't done yet would probably have been incredibly frustrating. That said, I'm glad I found it now. The pacing is slow and methodical, and the writing is very descriptive, but there are a lot of Chekhov's guns - if you see it on the mantel in the first act you know it will be fired by the second. Some of the solutions to the mysteries introduced are apparent to the reader (albeit not the characters) by the end of the book, but others (like, you know, what the heck is going on) are not.
hagbard_celine's review against another edition
4.0
The most exciting new old fantasy I've picked up in ages. Another piece of evidence in my argument that fantasy's most recent high-water mark was in the lead-up to Game of Thrones getting published.
book_liker's review against another edition
4.0
It's surprising what a relief it is to read a fantasy novel that's not a complete sausage-fest. This is an engaging and well-written adventure, a nerd/jock buddy journey starring two women.