The Lost Steersman
The Steerswoman, no. 3
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- $6.99
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- $6.99
Publisher Description
How do you find someone? How, if you have never seen him, never heard him described, did not know where he lived? How, if he wished not to be found? And how, most especially, if he were the most powerful wizard in the world? The steerswoman Rowan has discovered that the fall of the Guidestar and the massacre of Outskirter tribes were caused by one man: the secret master-wizard, Slado. But until now, no steerswoman had known of his existence, nor knew that the wizards answered to any single authority. Now, Rowan must find him. She comes to the seaside town of Alemeth, where centuries of records might help her find clues for her search. Then, an unexpected encounter with a lost friend: Janus, a steersman who had resigned his membership in the Steerswomen, giving no explanation. Now Rowan has hope for help in her search -- but Janus has changed. The bright intellect is now shrouded in a dark, shattered spirit...Then death comes to sleepy Alemeth, monsters from the Outskirts, and Rowan can not help but wonder: are all these strange events connected?
PUBLISHERS WEEKLY
Kirstein's wonderful third novel (after The Steerswoman's Road and The Outskirter's Secret) cleverly combines elements of both SF (problems of language and alien first contact) and fantasy (wizards, demons and magic) while highlighting human foibles. In the author's quasi-medieval world, steerswomen (and steersmen), who serve as guides and explorers in that world, are obliged to answer any question truthfully. Rowan, the steerswoman whose previous exploits took her to the wild and dangerous Outskirts, returns to the Inner Lands only to find that they're no longer safe. She needs detailed information quickly from the Annex in the town of Alemeth, but the Annex is in complete disarray. Though a competent steerswoman, Rowan puts off some of the townsfolk by her unorthodox methods and her awkwardness. A steersman and former friend she runs into behaves oddly, giving answers to her questions that are skimpy at best and dangerously close to misdirection at worst. When she offends some powerful wizards, the story really takes off. Kirstein's striking portrait of an innovative woman who is scientist, judge, historian and adventurer makes for a good, thought-provoking read. FYI:Kirstein's two previous novels have been reissued in one volume, The Steerswoman's Road (Forecasts, June 16).
