Series: Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein

[Mareike]

This is the thread for the Buddy Read of The Steerswoman by Rosemary Kirstein starting on Tuesday, Dec. 22.

Please use chapter numbers and spoiler tags in your comments.

I look forward to talking about this!

ETA: You can find a version of the map at the beginning of the book here.

[Raucous]

I bought this a year and a half ago and then promptly forgot why. I wish that Goodreads had an option to include notes on TBR entries. I'm looking forward to hopefully remembering that as I read the book.

Chapter 1: Is there a book in this genre that doesn't have an inn scene like this one? But there was more than enough else to keep me interested after I finished rolling my eyes about the inn common room.

[DivaDiane]

Haha, Raucous! This book appeared on my radar also about a year and a half ago and I don’t remember where or why. I think it might have been nominated as a group read but didn’t get selected for the poll.

[Mareike]

Ha! It is a bit of a trope, but I think the author handled it well.

I've known about this book for a while - I think I read about it on Patrick Rothfuss's website years ago, but I'm not 100% certain anymore - but I think you're correct, Diane, I vaguely remember it being nominated but not chosen as a group read last year.

General observation: (view spoiler)[I find the concept that Steerswomen have to answer any question if they know the right answer to it, but that conversely people also have to answer all their questions very fascinating. But I have the suspicion that that's also going to become a tricky detail later on. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 2 (view spoiler)[I'm enjoying the beginning relationship between Rowan and Bel. In some ways, it is clear that Bel is a bit of a reader insert so Rowan can explain a few things about the world, but so far it's not something that I find done in a hamfisted way.
I really liked both of them nerving out about the question whether a giant had thrown the jewels - and Rowan realizing that she may have some preconceptions about Bel and what she knows that are wrong.
And the way Tarot was introduced was also very interesting. (hide spoiler)]

I've added a link to the map on the author's homepage to my first post in case anyone finds that useful.

[Anna]

This is now the November 2021 group read. Official discussion threads for book #1 below. This thread is for the entire series.

The Steerswoman >> First impressions | Final thoughts & Q&A

--

You can add private notes to anything you add to your GR shelves! Just open the "review", and it's at the bottom. The text field is pretty short (shorter than it looks), but it's good for a quick note. I've started using it recently for this very purpose, because I always forget why I've added something. It could be easier to fill in tho, I dislike having to add, then open and edit.

[Raucous]

Anna wrote: "You can add private notes to anything you add to your GR shelves! Just open the "review", and it's at the bottom. ..."

Ah. That's... obscure - and not where I would have expected it. Thank you.

[Raucous]

Chapter 2: (view spoiler)[I used to teach classical physics (including orbital mechanics) so this chapter was a particularly interesting read for me. I drew those diagrams so many times! I also appreciated the way that it was, as you say, used to expose preconceptions and to explain more about the world. It feels like it's a hint about things that are coming but I'm not at all clear on just what yet. (hide spoiler)]

Thanks for pointing out the map. I'd forgotten about it.

[Mareike]

Raucous wrote: "Chapter 2: [spoilers removed]

Thanks for pointing out the map. I'd forgotten about it."

Oh cool!

Chapter 5 (view spoiler)[Well thatvwas exciting. I wonder what the deal with thexdragons is. And why they attached the Inn specifically. And also why Rowan didn'tvwant to stay to watch the wizard... (hide spoiler)]

[Mareike]

Ch. 9 & 10 (view spoiler)[I really enjoyed the introduction to the wider community of Steerswomen and -men. And indeed learning that there are Steersmen and that there isn't some explicit gender-based exclusion. Though the book made a good point about how much customs around gender and jobs are reinforced by wider culture.

I also wonder what happened to that Steersman who's been lost. Maybe he's not dead but was caught by one of the wizard?

And the debate about what to do and Rowan's internal struggle were quite well done. My one complaint is maybe that she changed her mind a little too quickly. But I guess an outside threat will do that to a person. (hide spoiler)]

Ch. 11 (view spoiler)[This POV change was very well done indeed. It took me a moment to figure out that Attise and Sala were Rowan and Bel, which was fun. And Willam is an interesting addition to our cast of characters. He might even be Steersman material? (hide spoiler)]

[Mareike]

A few pages into Ch. 23 (view spoiler)[The jewels are parts of solar panels????? Maybe part of a sattelite? That might be connected to the disappearance of the moon?

I'd figured out that we were dealing with a "any sufficiently developed technoligy will look like magic" situation since those camps in Wulfshaven and Willam's "spells" (clearly some Form of fun powder) basically confirmed it. But I did not make the leap to the jewels being part of solar technology. (hide spoiler)]

Edit: I just finished and I really, really enjoyed this! Looking forward to the next novel in this series.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

You read that a lot faster than I was hoping, Mareike. Glad you enjoyed it and hope to add my own thoughts when I resume reading in about a week.

[Mareike]

It kinda sucked me in the last two days or so.
Looking forward to hearing your thoughts!

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

I really like the premise of Steerswomen who have to answer any question asked of them if they know the answer and how steadfast they are in not answering if you choose to deny them knowledge. I stopped reading in the middle of chapter 16, which I'll describe as shortly after the introduction of William.

[Mareike]

I agree on the premise. I would have loved to learn more about how that system came to be, but I assume she's saving that for the later books in the series.

I liked chapter 16! (view spoiler)[ I was wondering when they'd finally tell Willam who they really are and the way it played out was pretty satisfying, imho. (hide spoiler)]

One small thing I was thinking about last night (spoilers for ch. 25): (view spoiler)[I appreciate that Kirstein is trying to set up a multi-racial (or maybe even post-racial) society and tries to flip some racialized associations with skin-color here:

Among the folk of the Inner Lands, any shade of skin was likely to be seen, any color of hair, seemingly without rhyme or reason; but that pure combination of darkness was rare enough to be noticed - and be prized. Women of such appearance tended to cultivate an air of depth and mystery. Such men, being conspicuous, found that high courage and intelligence were expected of them, and so often actually acquired those traits.

However, I felt that this came a bit late in the book and I'd like to see this world be more fully realized in future novels, not just mentioned once in a passing explanation.
This also feeds my suspicion that this might be a colony planet that somehow reverted back to a vaguely "Early Modern period" lifestyle and the people are the descendants of colonists. (hide spoiler)]

[Raucous]

I've pretty much finished up my 2020 TBR challenge today so I'm finally able to get back to this book. I'd enjoyed the start enough that I was missing it.

Chapter 4: (view spoiler)[Caution: I think that this might be a spoiler for later too. (view spoiler)[The Guidestars have remarkably specific and unusual properties as navigational aids. This combined with Chapter 2 rang anachronistic alarm bells for me. I'm looking forward to seeing how that unfolds. (hide spoiler)] (hide spoiler)]

[Rosie]

Catching up with comments and getting into the book. I've been finishing off a few short things to hit my reading challenge for the year the last few days.

I'm very much enjoying the whole world as it's being set up and described. Also that the culture is coming across as the characters move through it and interact with people, not being described in long paragraphs of background text.

Also agree that the further I get the more I'm getting into the story and want to find out what happens next.

[Mel]

Joining in a bit late. This one has been on my TBR for a while, so I wanted to hop on. The premise stuck in my mind, and my hope is for something good and wholesome.

I'm liking their easy dynamic so far. I love this feeling of starting a book I have a good feeling about, snuggling in for the ride.

Chapter 2:
(view spoiler)[Ooh, with the moon gone and relegated to myth, it gives the world the feel of some distant post-apocalyptic realm.

Bel's pleasure was neither innocent nor childlike, but it was wonderfully direct. *purrs in non-infantilized female characterization*

Then, the very next line: "They continued on, Bel expertly gutting their dinner as she walked."
Wait... what? As she walked!? *whistles* That's some next-level disemboweling.

Hehe, "a long conversation was afoot." (hide spoiler)]

Raucous, I also liked the bit with (view spoiler)[the orbital mechanics. Both her reaction, of laughing off such an impossibility as a joke and also the way she came back to the puzzle, trying again with more accurate lines. It makes me wonder what early philosophers' reactions were, first discovering such a possibility. (hide spoiler)]

[Mel]

Chapter 4

(view spoiler)[Oh, that mention of the bathhouse hit me with a pang of longing to go to the hot springs. It's been months since I last went, when a friend was in town, and it's beautifully snowy out - my favorite time of year for outdoor bathing.

They were on the third floor, in a corner chamber. One window faced north, the other east..."
Mm! Yes. Can I just say how much my brain appreciates all these cardinal directions and spatial details? It grounds me. For example, it was reassuring to know that that dandelion field was on the left-hand side of the road, to the east. Spatial consistency. I always feel vaguely unsettled to not have a layout in my mind, or even worse, if the writing contradicts itself. (hide spoiler)]

It's such an obvious point I wasn't going to make it, but-
*long, relaxed sigh* Two women MCs traveling together is so satisfying. Why isn't there more of this?

Out of curiosity, I found this list of SFF Books About Female Friendship and see I already have 40 of them. If anything, it reminds me of books and authors that I've been meaning to get to.

[Mel]

Chapter 5
(view spoiler)[My thought process:
Ooh! The detail of rats escaping preceding some disaster was just- *wriggles* so good!

*gasp* Orrr... not rats?

I'm intrigued by these iterations of dragons. Faceted eyes that shatter like glass? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 6
(view spoiler)[I really appreciated the way Rowan headed off the boy's question, and the discussion of respect for other people, if not the beliefs they hold themselves.

Oh wow, the shift in tone at the end there was like a slap in the face. I'm all smiling to myself, thinking, "Nicccce," when suddenly- Ayugh! Dead body. (hide spoiler)]

[Mareike]

I love reading all of your updates Melissa! looking forward to hearing what you think of the rest.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

I really liked the rats detail too. Thanks for that female friendship list!

[Rosie]

Agreed on loving the female friendships dynamics. Wish there was more of that in all media.

Thanks for the list too!

[Mel]

Continuing on with some thoughts…

Chapter 7
(view spoiler)[I think about this chapter. It may turn out that the boy’s death will end up playing a narrative function. But then I wonder – what if not? Somehow I’m inclined to think not. Could it have been left out? Perhaps. So I think on why it was kept. This wasn’t the death of a beloved character to tug at the heart-strings, or even one that was well-liked, and yet he is mourned with sincerity. His death doesn’t feel like it was used to manipulate emotions. It just is. And so we stop and pay respects. It feels honest and decent. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 8
(view spoiler)[First the chest, and now the lamps. I wonder if all the magicians' magic is simply electricity.

Sad to think that if only that boy had been wearing gumboots like Rowan and the sailors, instead of standing in a conductive puddle of water… (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 9
I approve of a world where there is a transients’ dormitory.

Oh, ohhhh! (view spoiler)[As they pore over and describe the “jewel” in greater detail, it snaps into place that this must be man-made tech. Silver backing. Thin, clear, glass-like surface made from oil? Sounds like plastic.
But no… found in a tree only 35 years ago? That doesn’t sound right. (hide spoiler)] Nevermind, I’m just as puzzled as ever.

Chapter 11
Hehehe, I snickered most wickedly at that comment:
(view spoiler)[“Her master used to ride him, and from what I hear, Attise is a feather by comparison.”
Willam spoke from the side of his mouth. “Give her time. She’ll catch up.”

That’s also the moment I realized who they must be. I'm glad we're allowed to figure it out ourselves.
Heeheehee, I love how Rowan keeps testing and teasing the boy about his origins, asking him about the smithy, the embroidered fabric… oblique references are my jam. (hide spoiler)]
Yes yes, I’m much enjoying this dynamic.


Mareike, I know you’ve already finished. Where is everyone else in the story?

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

I'm meant to resume reading this from chapter 16 but your chapter by chapter updates are making me feel like starting over and doing the same.

[Mareike]

Re: Chapter 7 (view spoiler)[Very good points. I wonder if it will come up again in one of the later books? (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 11 (view spoiler)[I thought that chapter was very well done! I was a bit surprised at the POV change that late in the game, but it was so well-played. (hide spoiler)]

@Ryan: I'd love to hear your thoughts on the earlier chapters, too, but I'd say do whatever works best for you.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Remembering Chapter 11: (view spoiler)[I didn't love the POV change. That (brief) moment of bewilderment before I figured out who we were now/still travelling with was too jarring for me. Having to come to terms with the disappointment of not immediately following the progress of characters that I liked for someone new didn't fill me with positive feelings when I realised what was actually happening. As boring as it may have been I would have preferred to see the creation and assumption of the new identities on page. The path taken messed with my immersion in the world. :/ (hide spoiler)]

[Raucous]

Melissa wrote: "Continuing on with some thoughts…"

Chapter 8: (view spoiler)[Ah. Good point. I was saddened by his death and didn't really think much about the differences in what they were wearing. The chest and lamps really do make me think wizards are all about electricity. But the dragons? The basilisk? (hide spoiler)]

I'm in chapter 9. I've been sampling the book in small pieces and enjoying them.

[Rosie]

Agreed about the wondering on what the Wizard's magic really is. Especially when (view spoiler)[we get to Wulfshaven and we see those street lights and the guild that's been made to operate them and keep secrets. The beginning of making knowledge secret and exclusive. I found the death of the boy in the ship very sad and surprising. Maybe also obliquely referencing how keeping the knowledge secret causes that unnecessary death. Not that knowing about electricity today doesn't stop those things happening. (hide spoiler)]

[Rosie]

I'm about halfway through and very interested to see where this all goes.

[Mel]

Rosie wrote: "Agreed about the wondering on what the Wizard's magic really is. Especially when [spoilers removed]"

That's a good point, illustrating how ignorance can be dangerous. I hadn't thought of that. How often we say, "Had I but only known..."

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

Chapter 1 is (view spoiler)[so great at establishing Rowans character and the world. We've been introduced to factions within factions in a fragile peace all while showing, not telling, us of Rowans intelligence.

Then there's this highly relatable bit.

"Rowan considered her usual displeasure in traveling with company. She had done it before, for convenience or added protection in difficult regions, but she had never found it comfortable. There were always compromises, the need to consider the other’s personality and quirks. Such things tended to accumulate, eventually requiring major adjustments in Rowan’s natural behavior. It became irksome."

Will assume its limited to travelling companions because Rowans life is constantly on the move.

One chapter and I'm fairly certain that I'll enjoy the entire series and possibly all of Kirsteins pondering. (hide spoiler)]

[Rosie]

Agreed, I'm looking forward to reading the second book, I was lucky enough to get two in one without realising.

[Mel]

Ryan wrote: "Chapter 1 is so great at establishing Rowans character and the world. We've been introduced to factions within factions in a fragile peace all while showing, not telling, us of Rowans intelligence...."

I also was impressed by how quickly I was On Board with this book. There's something about when the atmosphere and writing style just clicks, and I'm ready to go wherever the story takes me. I definitely checked out the author's page and blog already, and alas it appears she isn't actively publishing anymore, with only the 4 books to her name. I'm fairly certain already I will want to continue and read them all.

[Mareike]

Ryan wrote: "Chapter 1 is [spoiler removed]..."

I agree. I loved the bit you quoted there. And also (view spoiler)[how well it sets us up for Rowan realizing that traveling with Bel is very different and then their developing friendship. All without feeling forced. (hide spoiler)]

I'm sad to hear that chapter 11 didn't work for you, Ryan, but I can see why it's not everyone's cup of tea.

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

To be fair, it's more a me issue as I generally get annoyed with that in stories that have multiple POVs. I liken it to a child that gets upset about being made to visit a relative, ends up having fun at the house and then gets upset all over again when told its time to go back home.

I liked chapter 2 (view spoiler)[for really showing that Bel has an above average intelligence to match Rowans. It was done in a conversation that makes me think of this book as Science Fiction masquerading as Fantasy (or Science Fantasy) . (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 3
(view spoiler)[Yes. Yes. YES! The flashback to her training by the sword master is what I want from any story that requires the protagonist to be proficient with a sword. Not the flashback itself, but the level of detail given to the training done and precisely how it makes a person a better fighter. It was so good to read about hours of practice of that one move to avoid the most likely attack from an assailant in that situation.

Rowan throwing the broken stick at the head of her assailant and Bel slicing his chest open gave them both badass statuses of sorts. (hide spoiler)]

[Mel]

On the POV front, it's not something that generally bothers me, although I can imagine how it might, and I've certainly had specific POVs that I haven't liked as much and wanted to skip over. Haha, I remember one of the first books I read as a kid with a shifting POV bugged me so much. It was a sequel, and I didn't understand why they kept switching away from the familiar MC to this total rando! Well, it turns out that they meet near the end of the book, but for most of it, it was two entirely separate stories.

Ryan, re:Chapter 3
Yes! I loved that too! And also the flow in the way it was written. (view spoiler)[I like that it starts with the flashback, and then takes that memory of training and repetition and Bam! brings you jarringly into the present where she is ducking and rolling. I've had books that do it the other way around, where the character see a monster, then it interrupts the action to reminisce, "I remember as a child, the fire was burning low and I heard a noise outside just like that..." For pages, sometimes. I suppose it's the only way to do it in some cases, to avoid an awkward infodump for something unexpected. But it was really refreshing, to have a clean and quick bit of action that way. (hide spoiler)]

I suppose the other way to handle it would be like in Chapter 5,(view spoiler)[ referencing the fact that the mud flats were an area for dragons, as an aside, and leaving a bit of space to let the reader not immediately be in wait for an attack, if you want it to be a surprise. (hide spoiler)]

[Mel]

Chapter 13
I like the musicians with their hup-huping, and jovial nature, if only in the background. And the mention of dancing… *sigh* Oh, I miss playing and singing and dancing. The last in-person live music I heard was last February, seeing an Irish band I used to practice with. I wish I’d been able to sing and dance as well that time.

Also, that last line:
(view spoiler)[She thought: he should be asking those questions of me.
It really highlights how she misses being a steerswoman. Not just as a position, but as her ethos and personality and ability to form honest relationships. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 15
(view spoiler)[But that Attise. He shifted in annoyance. He kept trying to do well by her, but she was so secretive, so deceptive, so close-mouthed.

How terribly unfortunate that Willam’s main problem with Attise is her lack or forthrightness! And Rowen so badly wants to be able to speak truly and answer questions. I look forward to the eventuality when he finds out.

He clapped his hands. "You know it! I thought you might. Skies above, you're like a fresh wind off the desert. I knew I liked you as soon as you spoke. Where's your town?"

Yes! My fellow desert people! *revels and basks*
I love the subtlety of him using the same mild oath of "Skies" that she used earlier. Completely fitting for desert people, too.

I had a hunch that deposit was useful for making gunpowder. I think it may be saltpeter? But I'm not 100% certain. I love learning about this kind of historical chemistry and material science. (hide spoiler)]

Is anyone else ever tempted to use oaths from fantasy realms? Or do so in jest? "By Riker's Beard!"

[Mel]

Chapter 16
Ooh, this chapter was really good.

(view spoiler)[“When I’m a wizard, I won’t do this to people.”
She understood. But she turned back, and amazingly, he saw pity for him on her own face. “When you’re a wizard,” she told him sadly, “you’ll do what wizards do.”
Oof. The sadness in that line.


“Well, I’ll catch him at it, one of these days, and when I do he’ll be as gone as the moon.“
Hehehe. I like the in-world references.


I'm impressed by Willam’s intelligent curiosity, and enjoy watching the process of him puzzling out what they are hiding, and who they are. All the little ways that let us know he's paying attention. To be fair, Rowan is giving him plenty of material.

"Where's Bel?" she asked when she saw he was still with her.
That was Sala's real name, he knew; but Attise only slipped and used it when she was excited or upset.
(Oh, I had either forgotten, or didn’t notice that line earlier. “Let him go Bel. He doesn’t serve Abremio.”)

Attise stopped and scanned the area. “We have a saying,” she continued distractedly. “’There are no contradictions.’” She spotted her goal and hurried on.
“Who’s we?”

“To convince me that I’d been mistaken. That I’d been… chasing the moon”
Sala laughed a little. “We have that saying too.”
“That surprises me not at all.”
Will looked from one woman to the other. They ignored him completely.

“To someone thinking that way…”
“Such as myself.”
The jeweler might be a wizard’s man, Attise had said. (hide spoiler)]

Haha, sorry for all the quotes. Sometimes I just get like, "Ooh, this bit! And this bit!"

[Mareike]

Don't apologize! I totally get what you mean!

And I agree about ch. 16.

[Mel]

@Mareike
Thanks. I tend to get a bit quote-happy either with exceptionally lyrical prose, or impactful lines. But also when there is some kind of mystery, and I delight in picking out the evidence.

Chapter 17
Aw, I just loved the conversation between Rowan and Willem.
(view spoiler)[I just knew that once things came out, they would have such a great relationship. One of mentorship, and mutual respect.
”You’ll be a poor wizard,” Rowan said. “Or, you’ll be the best of them.”

I wonder what redgrass and blackgrass are?

Heeheeheehee! I love the imagery of Willam as an exploring puppy, bounding ahead, and peering back to check on them. (hide spoiler)]

Chapter 18
Yikes. (view spoiler)[I wasn’t expecting torture to enter the story. I’m not wholly surprised that Bel is capable of it, but I’m glad it’s off screen, and like Rowan, I was glad for the preoccupation of orbital mechanics, even as Willam sweats and vomits in a more visceral reaction. Despite it all, I too became distracted. It’s really fun to listen to her work it out, on the cusp of realizing the guide stars must be satellites.

It makes me think about this far post-apocalyptic rebuilt world. Perhaps the jewels are fragments of a fallen satellite? Would they burn up in the atmosphere? It would explain how they got flung about in an arc, and embedded in a tree more recently. Ahh, yeah. That makes sense. Ohhh! And the place in the Outskirts could be an impact point!

Despite being pretty certain now that’s what they are. I still have the initial image stuck in my head of it being a black opal. *checks initial description* Oh yeah, it’s even described as “opalescent.” That’s why.


Anyway. In that case, perhaps the wizards already know about the satellites, or the technological history of the world, and want to keep it a secret? (hide spoiler)]

[Mel]

Chapter 19

Ooh, Rowan has gotten better. (view spoiler)[ Sneaking into fortresses. Lying on the fly!

It seems like the copper disk was inserted to complete an electrical circuit.
When she describes the cliffs having changed, I’m thrown again, wondering what sort of magic is possible in this world. Some magics seem to have ordinary explanations, yet there are dragons and gnomes, and whole cliff faces shifting about. I don’t know what to think.

Pausing, Rowan carefully placed it’s size, shape, and orientation within the blank hexagon that was her mental floor plan for the fortress *cries* I feel so seen! Only for me, often the process is subconscious. (hide spoiler)]

Aw! I loved her speaking in Sign to the servant.

Chapter 22

(view spoiler)[We finally meet the wizards! I kind of love them? The inexperience and desire for respect. The confidence and sullenness and intelligence of teenagers, all there. And so much new information! (Including the fact Liane is a confirmed bisexual. Yessss.)

Rowan’s reactions to the maps: Giiiiirl, I feel ya! Holy experience, right there.
Even a simple folded local city map I could pore over for hours as a girl. In the entrance hall to a childhood library, there hung a giant framed Goode projection, and although perhaps not as epic as the concave one in the Archives, I would stand and gaze at it, wishing I could climb up higher to see the details. A map is a beautiful thing, and the art of hand-crafted ones is too precious to mark. Yet somehow I feel the one the wizards use is a modern, mass-printed one, with its vibrant colors.

And yet… there are demons. What is this place? And who is controlling the wizards? (hide spoiler)]

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

I couldn't keep the chapter by chapter updates going sorry. Was slowing me down immensely. I've finished the first book now and had to tear myself away from book two to write something here.

What a great read. I wasn't at all bothered by the start of chapter 11 this time around. Younger me was a fool. (view spoiler)[William was a great addition whose clashes with deceptive Rowan were as frustrating to read as they were for him to live through. You kinda knew that their relationship would change for the better (hide spoiler)] but its not something that I could be certain of as Kirstein does a really good job of setting up tropes and not following the expected path with them.

(view spoiler)[When the tortured guard disappeared I just knew he would turn up again, but instead of being the person that catches Rowan and Bel as in their lie as is often the case...well...that was weirdly enjoyable.
(hide spoiler)]
Kirstein did that few times though I'm not sure it was deliberately subverting tropes or her just telling this story in a believable fashion. I want to believe it was the latter.

Melissa, I didn't get the impression that Liane (view spoiler)[was bisexual, but rather that she was trying to spin what was a bad situation for her into something respectable (something that Rowan picked up on and used to manipulate her). She's introduced to us sporting injuries (view spoiler)[“I must admit, miss,” she began cautiously, “that I’ve always wanted to meet you.”
Liane stopped with a slice halfway to her mouth. “Why is that?” A pattern of little bruises showed along one arm. (hide spoiler)] and later Shammer declines an intimate rendezvous with his sister and Rowan because the latter may be a willing and enthusiastic participant.

(view spoiler)[
“Perhaps you’ve been a little lonely? Perhaps tonight you could use some ... company?” She studied Rowan’s reaction, eyes glittering cold amusement. “What do you think, Brother?”
“No.” He half turned, his eyes blank. “She might enjoy it.” (hide spoiler)]

I came away thinking that Themselves had sadistic tendencies that didn't make it possible to ascertain Liane's sexual preferences.

(hide spoiler)]

[Mel]

Chapter 23

(view spoiler)[Interesting, that the wizards don’t know what the “jewel” is, speculating that the pieces were dropped by hand. The dancing figurine confirms it – it’s solar power. How charming to think of the little bobble heads powered by a solar strip as being “magic.” This was written in the 80s, with the advent of solar calculators, after all.

Oh. Poor Liane. Such an unfortunate end for her.

Above temptation, as Dhree had said; the rule against women in the inner guard had been altered.
#nooneeverexpectsthebisexuals

Options had vanished. Possibilities were zero. She sat in the darkness, unsleeping.

When the shift changed at midnight, her guard was Bel.
Me:*grins*
(hide spoiler)]


Chapter 24

(view spoiler)[She paused. “Rowan?”
“Yes?”
“When those guards cornered us…” The Outskirter hesitated again. “You spat in my face.”
Rowan was ashamed. “I thought we weren’t very convincing,” she explained. “I wanted to make you angry.”
Another pause. “It worked.”
“Do you hold it against me?”
“No.” Bel shifted slightly. “But never do it again.”

Confronting a friend like this is something I feel we don’t see enough of. Done not in anger, but with vulnerability in sincerity.

Hm, I’m surprised they planned their escape around the timing of the stars when the day was overcast. Ah, but Bel didn’t come on duty until midnight. Huh. Amazing that she worked two shifts so close together. They’re short-staffed, I suppose.

Wow, that was one heck of an explosion. My death-counter is now at 16.

…
*gasp!*
Oh no, the maps! (hide spoiler)]

Finished

That last line, bro.
(view spoiler)[Recollecting the sadness in her voice during their earlier conversation. Will Rowan's intuition prove correct? (hide spoiler)]

Drat, I overbooked my January, and have so many other books to read, but I really want to jump right into book 2.

[Mel]

Ahhhh. Yeah Ryan, you're totally right about Liane. I even noticed the detail of (view spoiler)[the bruises, but was too intrigued by the possibility of some polyamory to pay attention to the implications. I picked up on it more in the next chapter after the "She might like it," comment. Yick, it does make the twins much more distasteful. I don't know why, but I didn't think of them as particularly evil at first. A bit clumsy, perhaps. *sigh* A disappointing realization. (hide spoiler)]

[Ryan, Your favourite moderators favourite moderator]

I didn't think they were evil until that line too. Figured that they were pretending to be evil as it was expected of them to hold onto their power up until then.

I forgot to mention that I was so in the same headspace as Bel that it didn't occur to me that (view spoiler)[they could release the tortured guard and follow him back to his base. (hide spoiler)] That chapter was brilliant.

[Rosie]

This book was so good! I found each chapter lead to more things to think about, the clever weaving of clues and information that is paid off both implicitly and explicitly at different points was great.

Also the last chapter (view spoiler)[where Rowan and the Wizard Corvus have their conversation was great. A mental engagement of wits and intelligence, giving and taking information. Along with the clues that Corvus decides to share, how they interact with each other. (hide spoiler)]

I too am very much looking forward to reading the next book and getting hold of the ones after that. 5 in total I believe. So many little clues and hints left to be explored.

Great writing.

[Mel]

Rosie, glad to hear you liked it too!
Raucous, how are you coming along?

BTW, would you guys be interested in continuing with the series? I'm not familiar with local protocol, if we continue to use this thread, or create a separate one for each book. I've gone both ways, with one thread for shorter series and smaller groups, or new threads for longer and larger ones.

[Rosie]

I was thinking the same thing about carrying on with the thread for the later books. I have the second one, though I was planning to finish a couple of shorts books before starting the next one.

Maybe there can be a post stating BOOK TWO COMMENTS BEYOND THIS POINT? Would that work? Or would a separate thread be best?

[Mel]

I like that idea Rosie. I was thinking if Raucous wants to continue as well, waiting until they finish, since that way we could have a clear cut, but also keep the conversation together. I have some standalone BRs lined up in the meantime, so that would be my preference.

The other option to allow for different reading paces, would be marking the book title in comment headers like TOS Chapter 5 (for The Outskirter's Secret, not Star Trek: The Original Series). Or a new thread. Any preferences?

[Rosie]

Ha, totally thought of Star Trek when you wrote that. Marking the Book and Chapter sounds good. I'm happy to wait while I get some other books out the way.