What do you think?
Rate this book
Worlds of Honor #8
Challenges
THE HOTTEST MILITARY SCIENCE FICTION SERIES OF ALL TIME CONTINUES WITH A COLLECTION OF TALES SET IN THE EARLY DAYS OF THE STAR KINGDOM OF DAVID WEBER’S NEW YORK TIMES BEST-SELLING HONORVERSE
In Honor Harrington’s day, the Star Kingdom of Manticore is the wealthiest star nation on a per capita basis in the entire galaxy. It is home to magnificent cities. Its planets’ oceans and seas—and skies—are open to its people, yet they have maintained the beauty and the magnificence of their natural habitats.
But that was not always true. Pioneers, especially interstellar pioneers, must be tough, smart, and self-reliant, and the people who built the Star Kingdom knew that. They prepared carefully for their enormous voyage, incorporated every measure they could think of, and even so, their new worlds did their best to kill them all. They very nearly succeeded, as the Plague Years pushed the human interlopers to the very brink of survival, forcing them to grow and change in ways they never could have anticipated.
In the process, they became the people who could one day produce Honor Harrington, Elizabeth Winton, and the remarkable people willing to stand in the path of the People’s Republic of Haven’s insatiable advance . . . and then to ally with the Republic when both of them learned who their true enemy was. In many ways, that fortitude was the inevitable result of a star nation that learned early on that what truly matters is the way one faces the challenges the universe throws at one.
These are the stories of people who learned that lesson, and met—and triumphed—over every challenge of their new homes.
All original stories by: David Weber, Marisa Wolf, Jacob Holo, Dan Butler, Thomas Pope, and Jane Lindskold.
In Honor Harrington’s day, the Star Kingdom of Manticore is the wealthiest star nation on a per capita basis in the entire galaxy. It is home to magnificent cities. Its planets’ oceans and seas—and skies—are open to its people, yet they have maintained the beauty and the magnificence of their natural habitats.
But that was not always true. Pioneers, especially interstellar pioneers, must be tough, smart, and self-reliant, and the people who built the Star Kingdom knew that. They prepared carefully for their enormous voyage, incorporated every measure they could think of, and even so, their new worlds did their best to kill them all. They very nearly succeeded, as the Plague Years pushed the human interlopers to the very brink of survival, forcing them to grow and change in ways they never could have anticipated.
In the process, they became the people who could one day produce Honor Harrington, Elizabeth Winton, and the remarkable people willing to stand in the path of the People’s Republic of Haven’s insatiable advance . . . and then to ally with the Republic when both of them learned who their true enemy was. In many ways, that fortitude was the inevitable result of a star nation that learned early on that what truly matters is the way one faces the challenges the universe throws at one.
These are the stories of people who learned that lesson, and met—and triumphed—over every challenge of their new homes.
All original stories by: David Weber, Marisa Wolf, Jacob Holo, Dan Butler, Thomas Pope, and Jane Lindskold.
272 pages, Hardcover
First published November 4, 2025
104 people are currently reading
76 people want to read
About the author
David Weber
327 books4,553 followersDavid Mark Weber is an American science fiction and fantasy author. He was born in Cleveland, Ohio in 1952.
Many of his stories have military, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He frequently places female leading characters in what have been traditionally male roles.
One of his most popular and enduring characters is Honor Harrington whose alliterated name is an homage to C.S. Forester's character Horatio Hornblower and her last name from a fleet doctor in Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander . Her story, together with the "Honorverse" she inhabits, has been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies, as of spring 2013 (other works are in production). In 2008, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.
Many of his books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25-33% of the work).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidw...
Many of his stories have military, particularly naval, themes, and fit into the military science fiction genre. He frequently places female leading characters in what have been traditionally male roles.
One of his most popular and enduring characters is Honor Harrington whose alliterated name is an homage to C.S. Forester's character Horatio Hornblower and her last name from a fleet doctor in Patrick O'Brian's Master and Commander . Her story, together with the "Honorverse" she inhabits, has been developed through 16 novels and six shared-universe anthologies, as of spring 2013 (other works are in production). In 2008, he donated his archive to the department of Rare Books and Special Collections at Northern Illinois University.
Many of his books are available online, either in their entirety as part of the Baen Free Library or, in the case of more recent books, in the form of sample chapters (typically the first 25-33% of the work).
http://us.macmillan.com/author/davidw...
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews
November 19, 2025
The Eighth volume of short stories in the Honorverse is disappointing. The first three stories are trivial, boring even. The fourth one isn’t bad—it’s the backstory of Ellen D’Orville, when she’s a Lieutenant Commander captaining a frigate. But the book stands—or, in this case, falls—on the sole story written by Weber himself, the fifth and last.
David Weber’s genius is raw emotion. It’s not battles; it’s not over-technical descriptions of starship designs; it’s not his habit of sliding back and forth between two simultaneous narratives which try to blow each other up at the end—although all his works have those elements. Rather, his novels and short stories work best at some pre-conscious level, where you can’t but help feel the thrill or, more often anguish, his characters experience.
It’s not to say the final 10 pages of “Crystal Singer’s Song” lack that. It’s a tearjerker in seven spades, redoubled. The problems are 1) it takes too long to get there; and 2) in so doing it undermines a prior, better story of Stephanie Harrington, Honor’s ancestor, being the first human to “discover” and name treecats (“A Beautiful Friendship”, in the first anthology); and worse still 3) gives it a different name than treecat that, if known, would have taken precedence.
No quantum of storytelling is worth that. And when you add the first three snooze stories, steer clear.
David Weber’s genius is raw emotion. It’s not battles; it’s not over-technical descriptions of starship designs; it’s not his habit of sliding back and forth between two simultaneous narratives which try to blow each other up at the end—although all his works have those elements. Rather, his novels and short stories work best at some pre-conscious level, where you can’t but help feel the thrill or, more often anguish, his characters experience.
It’s not to say the final 10 pages of “Crystal Singer’s Song” lack that. It’s a tearjerker in seven spades, redoubled. The problems are 1) it takes too long to get there; and 2) in so doing it undermines a prior, better story of Stephanie Harrington, Honor’s ancestor, being the first human to “discover” and name treecats (“A Beautiful Friendship”, in the first anthology); and worse still 3) gives it a different name than treecat that, if known, would have taken precedence.
No quantum of storytelling is worth that. And when you add the first three snooze stories, steer clear.
November 26, 2025
I think the Honor Harrington books and tree cat inclusions have always been amongst my favorites.
This tale is no exception.
This tale is no exception.
September 16, 2025
I would like to thank Baen Books for an eARC of Challenges (Worlds of Honor #8) in return for an honest review. This is a collection of short stories within David Weber's Honorverse series, that focus on the early days of the Star Kingdom. They were also written in part to attempt to resolve some of the inconsistencies that have crept into the series over time. I believe that there are over 35 books in related series. I confess that I have only read one or two in the series.
Challenges has five short stories, all of top quality, and of varying approaches to the series.
One Controllable Step by Marisa Wolf is a story that describes the search for and development of a vaccine for the plague ravaging the early settlers of Manticore. It's a compelling telling of a group of scientists struggling to find a cure, under great personal risk.
Deadly Delusions by Jane Lindskold adds to the story of how the humans on the planet Sphinx discovered the existence of tree cats. (Apparently this story does a lot of the work in addressing continuity issues).
The Great Condiment Caper by Jacob Holo and Thomas Pope, is a fun story of missing barbeque sauce on a battlecruiser on a 3 month locked down mission, and the efforts made to find the sauce. The story in part is a procedural of mundane police work, with an insightful take on the workings of a naval vessel.
XO by Daniel Allen Butler may be the best in the book. It is the tale of an Executive Officer, unexpectedly thrust into the role of Captain. The story includes exciting cat and mouse in space, and the personal moral strength of the Captain who goes against her mission's orders to uphold a higher duty.
David Weber's contribution, Crystal Singers Song, is probably the actual best. It details the first contact between humans (a shipwrecked forest officer) and tree cats, that had been lost to time. [It takes place hundreds of years before the events of Deadly Delusions]. It is an extremely powerful emotional telling.
Even if you are not an Honorverse fan, these are all good stories. If you are, this is probably essential reading.
Challenges has five short stories, all of top quality, and of varying approaches to the series.
One Controllable Step by Marisa Wolf is a story that describes the search for and development of a vaccine for the plague ravaging the early settlers of Manticore. It's a compelling telling of a group of scientists struggling to find a cure, under great personal risk.
Deadly Delusions by Jane Lindskold adds to the story of how the humans on the planet Sphinx discovered the existence of tree cats. (Apparently this story does a lot of the work in addressing continuity issues).
The Great Condiment Caper by Jacob Holo and Thomas Pope, is a fun story of missing barbeque sauce on a battlecruiser on a 3 month locked down mission, and the efforts made to find the sauce. The story in part is a procedural of mundane police work, with an insightful take on the workings of a naval vessel.
XO by Daniel Allen Butler may be the best in the book. It is the tale of an Executive Officer, unexpectedly thrust into the role of Captain. The story includes exciting cat and mouse in space, and the personal moral strength of the Captain who goes against her mission's orders to uphold a higher duty.
David Weber's contribution, Crystal Singers Song, is probably the actual best. It details the first contact between humans (a shipwrecked forest officer) and tree cats, that had been lost to time. [It takes place hundreds of years before the events of Deadly Delusions]. It is an extremely powerful emotional telling.
Even if you are not an Honorverse fan, these are all good stories. If you are, this is probably essential reading.
November 18, 2025
This eighth collection in the Worlds of Honor series includes five stories by a variety of authors who play around in the world created by David Weber including Weber himself.
One Controllable Step by Marisa Wolf -- In the very earliest years of settlement on Manticore a plague nearly wipes out the population. This is the story of some of the doctors sent from the planet of Beowulf who need to find a cure.
Deadly Delusions by Jane Lindskold -- This story also occurs early in Manticore's history. Stephanie Harrington has bonded with her treecat and another young woman is jealous of her and wants a treecat of her own. She and her sister play dangerous pranks at a nearby research station with different goals. The older sister is angry that they fired her after getting the plant set up; the younger believes the station is interfering with her beloved treecats.
The Great Condiment Caper by Jacob Holo and Thomas Pope -- Even the greatest heroes of Manticore's history are ensigns at one time. This is the story of Ensign Edward Saganami on his first tour. He's assigned to Stores and needs to track down a missing case of barbecue sauce before Chicken Finger Friday is ruined.
XO by Daniel Allen Butler -- This is another story about the younger days of a character seen later in the series. Lieutenant Commander D'Orville assumes command of a ship when her captain is disabled by a medical emergency. The mission is to keep track of bad actors in nearby systems. When she spots pirates attacking a slaver, she has to decide which orders to follow - the ones she swore an oath to when she was commissioned, or the ones given her by the politically driven command.
Crystal Singer's Song by David Weber - This is also a story from the earliest years. In the early days of the Forest Service, a young woman is tasked with bringing emergency supplies to a remote homestead during a storm. Her ship goes off course and crashes into a remote island. There she discovers treecats and calls them treefoxes. She is marooned but not alone since the treecats befriend her. She spends the rest of her life there teaching the treecats to make effective tools, plant gardens, net fish and fire pottery. She would be lost to history if one of treecats' memory singers didn't recover that deeply buried memory and share it with Lady Dame Honor Alexander-Harrington, Duchess and Steadholder Harrington.
All of the stories were excellent. Crystal Singer's Song brought me to tears.
One Controllable Step by Marisa Wolf -- In the very earliest years of settlement on Manticore a plague nearly wipes out the population. This is the story of some of the doctors sent from the planet of Beowulf who need to find a cure.
Deadly Delusions by Jane Lindskold -- This story also occurs early in Manticore's history. Stephanie Harrington has bonded with her treecat and another young woman is jealous of her and wants a treecat of her own. She and her sister play dangerous pranks at a nearby research station with different goals. The older sister is angry that they fired her after getting the plant set up; the younger believes the station is interfering with her beloved treecats.
The Great Condiment Caper by Jacob Holo and Thomas Pope -- Even the greatest heroes of Manticore's history are ensigns at one time. This is the story of Ensign Edward Saganami on his first tour. He's assigned to Stores and needs to track down a missing case of barbecue sauce before Chicken Finger Friday is ruined.
XO by Daniel Allen Butler -- This is another story about the younger days of a character seen later in the series. Lieutenant Commander D'Orville assumes command of a ship when her captain is disabled by a medical emergency. The mission is to keep track of bad actors in nearby systems. When she spots pirates attacking a slaver, she has to decide which orders to follow - the ones she swore an oath to when she was commissioned, or the ones given her by the politically driven command.
Crystal Singer's Song by David Weber - This is also a story from the earliest years. In the early days of the Forest Service, a young woman is tasked with bringing emergency supplies to a remote homestead during a storm. Her ship goes off course and crashes into a remote island. There she discovers treecats and calls them treefoxes. She is marooned but not alone since the treecats befriend her. She spends the rest of her life there teaching the treecats to make effective tools, plant gardens, net fish and fire pottery. She would be lost to history if one of treecats' memory singers didn't recover that deeply buried memory and share it with Lady Dame Honor Alexander-Harrington, Duchess and Steadholder Harrington.
All of the stories were excellent. Crystal Singer's Song brought me to tears.
November 20, 2025
Challenges (Honor Harrington swirled of Honor Book 8)
All I can say, through the tears in my eyes as I finish this volume, is Magnificent!
I never thought the stories would make me cry, but they were so deep, so touching, that at the end my eyes were watering.
Thank you so very much with keeping the stories going, I can't tell how much I have enjoyed the complete series or truthfully multiple series. We met the genetically engineered, made peace finally with Haven, Conquered the Solarian League.
However, we still haven't found the Detwiellers or there new world!
Yeah yeah, I know, life gets in the way sometimes!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
All I can say, through the tears in my eyes as I finish this volume, is Magnificent!
I never thought the stories would make me cry, but they were so deep, so touching, that at the end my eyes were watering.
Thank you so very much with keeping the stories going, I can't tell how much I have enjoyed the complete series or truthfully multiple series. We met the genetically engineered, made peace finally with Haven, Conquered the Solarian League.
However, we still haven't found the Detwiellers or there new world!
Yeah yeah, I know, life gets in the way sometimes!
Thank you, thank you, thank you!!
November 11, 2025
Challenges (Worlds of Honor #8) is a collection of short stories set in David Weber's "Honorverse". These stories are authored by David Weber, Jane Lindskold, Jacob Holo, Thomas Pope, Marisa Wolf, and Daniel Allen Butler. The stories are set in the very early days of the Star Kingdom of Manticore. They deal mainly with the plague years, which had been mentioned in passing in previous books, but this set of stories filled in unknown details of that time. These stories were all good reads, and it was nice to once again return to the Honorverse. A must-read for fans of this series.
November 18, 2025
I very much enjoyed this book and I hope for more of the same type stories. I have read all the Honor Herrington stories several times.
While I did enjoy the last story the most and I cried at the ending. I worked well in the telling of a tale that happened early in the history. An alternative to the history that was know.
All the stories are solid but not to the level of the last one.
While I did enjoy the last story the most and I cried at the ending. I worked well in the telling of a tale that happened early in the history. An alternative to the history that was know.
All the stories are solid but not to the level of the last one.
November 5, 2025
Wonderful Addition to the Honorverse
This has turned out to be one of my favorite anthologies in the Worlds of Honor series. The stories were all really good but my favorites were "One Controllable Step" and "Crystal Singers Song" perhaps because both have very emotional endings
This has turned out to be one of my favorite anthologies in the Worlds of Honor series. The stories were all really good but my favorites were "One Controllable Step" and "Crystal Singers Song" perhaps because both have very emotional endings
November 7, 2025
outstanding
I have been addicted to David Weber’s books since I found them on the Baen website almost 40 years ago. But they have never touched me as deeply as the last story in this collection.
I must be getting old, but I read the last chapter with a box of Kleenex in my lap.
I have been addicted to David Weber’s books since I found them on the Baen website almost 40 years ago. But they have never touched me as deeply as the last story in this collection.
I must be getting old, but I read the last chapter with a box of Kleenex in my lap.
January 16, 2026
Wow! I had read the first six in the Worlds of Honor series AND I had purchased book seven What Price Victory?
I had FORGOTTEN that I had book seven and I just finished book eight.
Book Eight Challenges took my breath away.
Made me remember why I enjoyed reading David Weber books.
The Worlds of Honor series is a shared universe. David Weber lets certain other invited authors play in his sandbox.
In this book, five other authors (two together for one piece) have written short stories in the Stephanie Harrington / Star Kingdom time period. Meaning early days in Manticore’s history.
I got to see David Weber at P-Con last September. He is getting on in years (aren't we all by now?). So, he has been persuaded to think about who he wants to select to care for his different worlds. Like the military science fiction series Honor Harrington. Like the fantasy War God series. I remember David Weber telling us that Jacob Holo will be carrying on David's Honor Harrington & the Honorverse series.
At that time, I had not read a book by Jacob Holo. However, he has a ripping good yarn in Challenges. So, I now feel that the Honorverse will be in good hands indeed.
I especially have loved the Stephanie Harrington Star Kingdom books and the early days of humans meeting treecats.
So, I was very pleased that the last entry in Challenges is a treecat novella by David Weber himself!
As a librarian, I always tell people "Never apologize for your taste in reading. If YOU enjoyed the book, that's what is important." Not all books speak to all readers. And that is OK. But when you find an author you really enjoy, treasure him (or her)!
So, I am absolutely delighted to realize that NOW I can go back and read book seven What Price Victory?
What Price Victory had come out in 2023, and I was obviously overwhelmed with a lot of OTHER good books to read at the time. But I DID purchase the Kindle edition and when I looked for it on my device I found it right away.
I distinctly remember some years ago the bleak days when I was NOT finding the next NEW author. And the authors I did know about weren't writing and publishing books fast enough so that I did not run out of good books to read.
I am delighted to say that I now have the OPPOSITE problem. Too many good books available. But I would much rather, of course, have my current "problem"!
And I am especially delighted to have found the missing book (book seven) ALREADY in my Kindle account!
I had FORGOTTEN that I had book seven and I just finished book eight.
Book Eight Challenges took my breath away.
Made me remember why I enjoyed reading David Weber books.
The Worlds of Honor series is a shared universe. David Weber lets certain other invited authors play in his sandbox.
In this book, five other authors (two together for one piece) have written short stories in the Stephanie Harrington / Star Kingdom time period. Meaning early days in Manticore’s history.
I got to see David Weber at P-Con last September. He is getting on in years (aren't we all by now?). So, he has been persuaded to think about who he wants to select to care for his different worlds. Like the military science fiction series Honor Harrington. Like the fantasy War God series. I remember David Weber telling us that Jacob Holo will be carrying on David's Honor Harrington & the Honorverse series.
At that time, I had not read a book by Jacob Holo. However, he has a ripping good yarn in Challenges. So, I now feel that the Honorverse will be in good hands indeed.
I especially have loved the Stephanie Harrington Star Kingdom books and the early days of humans meeting treecats.
So, I was very pleased that the last entry in Challenges is a treecat novella by David Weber himself!
As a librarian, I always tell people "Never apologize for your taste in reading. If YOU enjoyed the book, that's what is important." Not all books speak to all readers. And that is OK. But when you find an author you really enjoy, treasure him (or her)!
So, I am absolutely delighted to realize that NOW I can go back and read book seven What Price Victory?
What Price Victory had come out in 2023, and I was obviously overwhelmed with a lot of OTHER good books to read at the time. But I DID purchase the Kindle edition and when I looked for it on my device I found it right away.
I distinctly remember some years ago the bleak days when I was NOT finding the next NEW author. And the authors I did know about weren't writing and publishing books fast enough so that I did not run out of good books to read.
I am delighted to say that I now have the OPPOSITE problem. Too many good books available. But I would much rather, of course, have my current "problem"!
And I am especially delighted to have found the missing book (book seven) ALREADY in my Kindle account!
November 7, 2025
The Honorverse returns with the eighth volume of Worlds of Honor!
The stories in this installment focus on the early days of the Star Kingdom, and the only disappointment fans might have is its length - at 260 pages, it's shorter than all but the very first book. I would have liked to see one more story in there, or allowed one or two of the stories some more length.
"One Controllable Step" by Marisa Wolf follows the first group of scientists trying to deal with the early days of the Plague which decimated Manticore and Sphinx. It definitely brought back memories of the Covid lockdown for me. (1481-1484 PD)
"Deadly Delusions" by Jane Lindskold fills in some of the backstory of the much earlier short story "The Stray," by Linda Evans. (1520 PD)
Jacob Holo and Thomas Pope give us a story featuring the young Edward Saganami dealing with "The Great Condiment Caper." (~1636 PD)
In "XO," by Daniel Allen Butler, Ellen D'Orville is unexpectedly thrust into her first command, facing slavers and pirates in Silesia. This was the only story which I felt could have used some additional length, as the climactic battle felt a bit shorted. (~1681 PD)
And finally, David Weber goes straight for your heart with "Crystal Singer's Song," telling the moving tale of an early SFS Ranger's struggle to survive on an unexplored island. This features a framing story with our beloved Honor Harrington. (1496 PD, with the Honor portion in 1926 PD)
All in all another fabulous visit to the Honorverse!
The stories in this installment focus on the early days of the Star Kingdom, and the only disappointment fans might have is its length - at 260 pages, it's shorter than all but the very first book. I would have liked to see one more story in there, or allowed one or two of the stories some more length.
"One Controllable Step" by Marisa Wolf follows the first group of scientists trying to deal with the early days of the Plague which decimated Manticore and Sphinx. It definitely brought back memories of the Covid lockdown for me. (1481-1484 PD)
"Deadly Delusions" by Jane Lindskold fills in some of the backstory of the much earlier short story "The Stray," by Linda Evans. (1520 PD)
Jacob Holo and Thomas Pope give us a story featuring the young Edward Saganami dealing with "The Great Condiment Caper." (~1636 PD)
In "XO," by Daniel Allen Butler, Ellen D'Orville is unexpectedly thrust into her first command, facing slavers and pirates in Silesia. This was the only story which I felt could have used some additional length, as the climactic battle felt a bit shorted. (~1681 PD)
And finally, David Weber goes straight for your heart with "Crystal Singer's Song," telling the moving tale of an early SFS Ranger's struggle to survive on an unexplored island. This features a framing story with our beloved Honor Harrington. (1496 PD, with the Honor portion in 1926 PD)
All in all another fabulous visit to the Honorverse!
December 22, 2025
[22 Dec 2025]
Several pretty good stories here. The first one, about finding the cure for the plague which decimated the original Manticore colonists, was just okay. "Deadly Delusions" about treecats sabotaging the human enterprise which is destroying the net-wood, was just okay. "The Great Condiment Caper" was fun, but very short. "XO" was pretty good, about an early experience of Ellen D'Orville. "Crystal Singer's Song" by David Weber, was the best of the collection. About a lost treecat colony. And a lost human.
Several pretty good stories here. The first one, about finding the cure for the plague which decimated the original Manticore colonists, was just okay. "Deadly Delusions" about treecats sabotaging the human enterprise which is destroying the net-wood, was just okay. "The Great Condiment Caper" was fun, but very short. "XO" was pretty good, about an early experience of Ellen D'Orville. "Crystal Singer's Song" by David Weber, was the best of the collection. About a lost treecat colony. And a lost human.
September 14, 2025
How it all began!
This amazing anthology fills in the backstory for the Honor Harrington series. Each story is imaginative and adds to the image of interstellar pioneers who built the Star Kingdom. Adversity, tragedy, death, and triumph make their world come alive. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
This amazing anthology fills in the backstory for the Honor Harrington series. Each story is imaginative and adds to the image of interstellar pioneers who built the Star Kingdom. Adversity, tragedy, death, and triumph make their world come alive. I received a free copy, but my review is honest and voluntary.
November 11, 2025
More goodness from the Honorverse
A grand collection of very good short stories, set in the very beginnings of Sphinx and Manticore.
Worth every moment it takes to read them.
Herr Weber has overseen yet another masterpiece...and reaffirmed my decision back in the 1990's to read (and reread) everything he has ever published. I have never been disappointed.
A grand collection of very good short stories, set in the very beginnings of Sphinx and Manticore.
Worth every moment it takes to read them.
Herr Weber has overseen yet another masterpiece...and reaffirmed my decision back in the 1990's to read (and reread) everything he has ever published. I have never been disappointed.
December 21, 2025
I love these short story collections set in the Honorverse, and Challenges is no exception. Seeing other authors explore this universe adds new depth and texture, while still capturing the spirit that first drew me in as a teenager. This series continues to be one of my favorite science fiction universes to revisit: rich, expansive, and endlessly engaging.
December 31, 2025
It’s been a while since I’ve read a Honor Harrington book or one set in her universe and this book with five stories has been a delight. Although only the last story was written by David Weber, they all seem to follow in his writing style (which includes a number of explanations, usually about technical things). It’s been a delight to live in that world for a couple of days.
October 11, 2025
A collection of long stories/novelettes set in the early days of the Star Kingdom of Manticore. The best are the ones by Weber, Lindskold, and Wolf, but all are worth reading for fans of Harrington and the Honorverse.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
I received a free copy of this book in exchange for an honest review.
November 5, 2025
Interesting Stories
I enjoyed every story in this collection. All filled in gaps, added depth and were well written. David Weaver's however, was wonderfully emotional and I finished in tears. IMHO, it alone is well worth the price of the book!
I enjoyed every story in this collection. All filled in gaps, added depth and were well written. David Weaver's however, was wonderfully emotional and I finished in tears. IMHO, it alone is well worth the price of the book!
November 6, 2025
More! but what a wonder...
Seems there is a lot more to tell about Manticore and its people (human and treecat)! All excellent stories, and the last pulls the heart.
Looking forward to the next.
Seems there is a lot more to tell about Manticore and its people (human and treecat)! All excellent stories, and the last pulls the heart.
Looking forward to the next.
November 7, 2025
another great addition to the World’s of Honor
Totally enjoyable read. Would like these books to keep on coming… Moved my heart to read more about the early tree cat times, thank you😺
Totally enjoyable read. Would like these books to keep on coming… Moved my heart to read more about the early tree cat times, thank you😺
November 20, 2025
Excellent
Another engrossing anthology set in the universe of Honor Harrington. All the stories are great stretching from after the first plague to the current time in this universe.
Another engrossing anthology set in the universe of Honor Harrington. All the stories are great stretching from after the first plague to the current time in this universe.
November 21, 2025
Awesome as expected!
David Weber is a true craftsman, if wordsmth isn’t a title it should be. It fits! He has mastered the art of drawing us into his characters lives and emotions. I delight in finding new stories and books he writes and reread his earlier work often.
David Weber is a true craftsman, if wordsmth isn’t a title it should be. It fits! He has mastered the art of drawing us into his characters lives and emotions. I delight in finding new stories and books he writes and reread his earlier work often.
November 6, 2025
Great read. I liked the last piece, “Crystal Singer’s Song,” the most.
November 7, 2025
A delightful collection of stories
Each one of the is a gem in its own right getting better with each turn of the page. The last story may cause wet eyes in its beauty
Each one of the is a gem in its own right getting better with each turn of the page. The last story may cause wet eyes in its beauty
Read
November 17, 2025Weber and cohorts always a good time.
November 25, 2025
Classic Weber. A fun romp through the Honor-verse answering some old questions and adding some new facts. It also has a huge tree cat storyline. Enjoy
November 26, 2025
This is why the Honorverse is so loved
The end of the last story had me in tears. It really hit me hard, in a good way. I love these Worlds of Honor novels.
The end of the last story had me in tears. It really hit me hard, in a good way. I love these Worlds of Honor novels.
December 8, 2025
The Manticore Plague
Treecats & shenanigans
Ensign Saganami
Lt Commander D'Orville
The Lost Colony - Treecat style
All great stories.
Bring some tissues.
Treecats & shenanigans
Ensign Saganami
Lt Commander D'Orville
The Lost Colony - Treecat style
All great stories.
Bring some tissues.
December 14, 2025
Five excellent stories.
December 15, 2025
A fun and informational collection of short stories about the early Honorverse.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 33 reviews