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The Steerswoman
The Steerswoman | Rosemary Kirstein
9 posts | 10 read | 13 to read
FREEDOM OF INFORMATION 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 travel, and they share that knowledge freelyUntil 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 the steerswomen: Magic."If you haven't read Kirstein's Steerswoman books I envy you the chance to read them now for the first time.... I think they have a very good claim to be my favorite thing still being written. [...] If you like science, and if you like watching someone work out mysteries, and if you like detailed weird alien worlds and human cultures, if really good prose appeals... you're really in luck." - Jo Walton, Hugo and Nebula Awards winner, author of Among Others and Farthing."[Kirstein] walks the tightrope between fantasy and science fiction with precision and grace... [her] compassion for even minor characters is evident on every page, and her prose is measured and alluring without being overworked." -- Damien Broderick & Paul Di Filippo, in Science Fiction: The 101 Best Novels 1985-2010
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humouress
The Steerswoman | Rosemary Kirstein

She was an unprepossessing figure, of average height, and of average build for her height. Her traveling clothes, a rough linen blouse and trousers, were dusty and perhaps a bit tattered. Her hair, cut short for convenience, was the color of dark wet sand, save where the sun had bleached pale streaks. She possessed no outstanding beauty, and yet her face fascinated, not by any great perfection of feature but by its intelligent,

humouress constantly shifting expression. It seemed as if the actions of her mind were immediately reflected on her face, giving her a strange air, part vulnerability, part arrogance. One could not tell if she was helplessly incapable of guile, or if she simply considered it beneath her. 3y
humouress The opposite wall held the entrance and a rank of windows, all flung open to admit the weak spring sunlight. As an attempt to dispel the native gloom of the chamber, this was a failure, and only served to offset the dark comradely warmth that prevailed. 3y
4 likes2 comments
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HeyT
The Steerswoman | Rosemary Kirstein
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Pickpick

I really enjoyed this. This feels like your typical medieval fantasy world until slowly things start adding up and you find it‘s suddenly not quite what you expected. The main mystery of the story gets solved but as it‘s the first in a trilogy there‘s still plenty of things I want to find out.
#BuriedAliveChallenge

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HeyT
The Steerswoman | Rosemary Kirstein
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#BookSpin
I've been a little all over the place when it comes to my reading habits lately. I did manage to get a quarter farther in Neverending Story but now that I'm past the movie part it's a bit weird for me. In an effort to perk up my reading sensibilities I started the tagged but haven't gotten far.

#WeeklyForecast
My goal is to finish something. Anything. I just want that feeling of accomplishment!

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HeyT
The Steerswoman | Rosemary Kirstein
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I haven‘t really been feeling Fairy Tales and Neverending Story so I decided to start something new while porch reading today.

swynn Ooh, I liked that one. It's a series I need to get back to. 3y
humouress @swynn Same! I'd forgotten about it but it popped instantly back into my memory from decades ago, seeing this post. Though I think the cover was different on the copy I read.
Off to check the library/ bookshops ... 😊
3y
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underground_bks
The Steerswoman | M. S. Rosemary Kirstein
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Pickpick

Lace up your boots, grab your map, don your thinking cap—we‘re going on a science fantasy adventure! A Steerswoman must answer any question asked of her. And if you refuse her questions, no Steerswoman will ever answer you again. First published in 1989, this series was ahead of its time. This is how we should teach the scientific method—with dragons and conspiracies and wizards and racial diversity and complex female friendships and explosives.

underground_bks Read for January 2021 Bookland Challenge: Fantasy, Library Book (I interpreted this as a book featuring libraries or librarians and this book has an Archive and knowledge-seeking Steerswomen who serve it!) 4y
drcbc Perfect review ❤️ You have me yearning for a re-read! 4y
Angitron I read the first book of the series and enjoyed it, got distracted when reading the second and put it to the side. I should get back to this series - it‘s wonderful! 4y
underground_bks @drcbc thank you! What I have a hard time capturing is how soothing I experienced this book to be? I think it‘s because it‘s not totally apocalyptic like so many these days, if that makes sense? 4y
underground_bks @Angitron yes! I managed to snag the original mass market editions with the zany cover art of the first two so I‘m set for The Outskirter‘s Secret! 4y
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swynn
The Steerswoman | Rosemary Kirstein
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#20Series20Days Day10: Steerswoman

I'm still working through these, but enjoying them much. They're high-fantasy adventures set in a world where the magical system is the scientific method.

@Andrew65

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shanaqui
The Steerswoman | M. S. Rosemary Kirstein
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Pickpick

Sooo many questions. Eager to carry on with the series now I've refreshed my memory on this one!

Eclair joined me for some of this. #BunniesofLitsy

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shanaqui
The Steerswoman | M. S. Rosemary Kirstein
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Biscuit has examined my book haul and declares it good (and gave me permission to buy myself a copy of the first book in this series too). #BunniesofLitsy

Glad to get the Kirstein books -- never yet finished the series but I know from reading the first book it is a great concept.

Books were obtained from Portal Bookshop in York. New queer/SFF store, lovely folks, nice selection both new and secondhand.

Bklover Hi Biscuit!❤️❤️❤️❤️ 5y
Megabooks What a cutie!! ❤️❤️ 5y
Reviewsbylola Biscuit is ADORABLE. 5y
See All 7 Comments
rubyslippersreads ❤️🐰❤️ 5y
shanaqui @Megabooks @Bklover @Reviewsbylola @rubyslippersreads Biscuit accepts your praise graciously! She is a cutie and has me wrapped right round her paw. 5y
rabbitprincess Awwwww the best photo! I probably say that about all your rabbit photos, but it's always true 😉 She looks so adventurous, ready to explore new worlds in books ♥️♥️🐰 5y
shanaqui @rabbitprincess She's a curious little bun, always the first to stick her nose into something new! 5y
31 likes7 comments
review
swynn
The Steerswoman | M. S. Rosemary Kirstein
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Pickpick

(1989) Here is something I didn't know I've always wanted: a high fantasy series in which the magic system is the scientific method. Plus terrific characters, intriguing plot, and enough action to keep things moving. I should have read this years ago but now that I have, yes more yes please yes.

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