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decadesparrow's review against another edition
I’m so sorry Bea it just wasn’t hitting
bergsteiger's review
3.0
Oh man. I so wanted to love this book. I enjoy Mrs. Kirstein's writing and I thought the character development was top notch. The world she created was a little grey and bland, but intriguing enough that it didn't detract. Now we come to the plot. Now let me be very clear, this is a personal hang up, but I absolutely detest fantasy stories where the "magic" is simply 20th century science being practiced in a medieval setting. This may sound strange, but my willing suspension of disbelief is harder to muster in a fantasy story that uses science as magic, than a fully created magical world. I find these science as magic stories to be particularly unimaginative and based on some sort of ridiculous circumstance (Dave Duncan's books come to mind). I didn't have any trouble finishing the book once I knew what was going on, but I was sorely disappointed by the "big surprise". I would still recommend this book to friends, I just know I won't be bothering with the rest of the series. Too many other fantastical worlds to explore...with real magic! ;)
aarongertler's review against another edition
5.0
(Review for the entire series, which is five stars with a bullet.)
The protagonist is a sword-wielding nun who worships Truth instead of God.
What, you want more?
Terrific stories about a world whose cleverest non-magical denizens use rationality and cross-cultural understanding to save the planet from evil wizards. But it’s not nearly that simple, because these books tell of a real world filled with real, complex people, people who love and learn and change and, above all, contemplate. But the contemplation scenes are where the action happens.
Anyway, these are completely un-put-down-able, and if you're looking at this Goodreads page, I think you’ll like them. I hope someone turns them into a TV series so Rosemary Kirsten can buy a castle.
The protagonist is a sword-wielding nun who worships Truth instead of God.
What, you want more?
Terrific stories about a world whose cleverest non-magical denizens use rationality and cross-cultural understanding to save the planet from evil wizards. But it’s not nearly that simple, because these books tell of a real world filled with real, complex people, people who love and learn and change and, above all, contemplate. But the contemplation scenes are where the action happens.
Anyway, these are completely un-put-down-able, and if you're looking at this Goodreads page, I think you’ll like them. I hope someone turns them into a TV series so Rosemary Kirsten can buy a castle.
73pctgeek's review
3.0
This was a re-read to get me ready for the sequels. In 2016 I rather enjoyed it, liking the world building, the Steerswoman conceit and the writing, even if I found the plot a little lacking and the "villains" too reasonable.
This time it just didn't work for me, finding it tedious and meandering. Just goes to show how much my mood influences how I feel about a book. Not sure I like that about me.
This time it just didn't work for me, finding it tedious and meandering. Just goes to show how much my mood influences how I feel about a book. Not sure I like that about me.
paneerakbari's review against another edition
adventurous
hopeful
inspiring
mysterious
fast-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
5.0
Gorgeously written in a tight, concise style. Do yourself a favor and steer clear of most reviews and plot summaries, as there some that give away too much of this world's secrets.
regalwater's review
4.0
I want to give it 3.7 or something. Easy and interesting read. I do like the “scientifically minded” steerswomen, even if it’s a bit cartoonish at times. The “sufficiently advanced technology is indistinguishable from magic” element is present throughout the book which, again, is interesting, but it feels both too obvious and not interrogated enough.
Also, we’re all in love with Bel, right?
Also, we’re all in love with Bel, right?
jrosenstein's review
4.0
I really enjoyed this book and am already started on the second in the series. The world building is complex but subtle, and I also appreciate that the book is quite feminist without beating you over the head with it. I think sometimes in fantasy feminism takes the form of having the most kick-ass heroine, but Kirstein takes a subtler approach. The protagonist and her traveling companion are both tough, capable women who can handle themselves in a fight, but I really liked the idea of this order of steerswomen who are committed to truth and knowledge for their own sake. Kirstein deftly balances adventure with solid world-building and good character development. Highly recommend.
fireblend's review
4.0
A perfect example of a book that's more than the sum of its parts, reading this felt like finding a niche TV show you'd never heard about that you can understand why never made it big but you feel like it was made for you. Sometimes you just want to read about a cool-headed detective-scholar and her surprisingly sensitive barbarian friend going up against some evil wizards, and this has just the right amount of narrative spice to keep the momentum up throughout the whole novel. Excited to read the rest of the series.