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Honor Harrington #4
Campo de deshonor
El ataque de la República Popular de Haven sobre el Reino de Mantícora ha fracasado. Los repos están desorganizados y sus líderes luchan por el poder en una sangrienta revolución de la que la Real Armada Manticoriana sale victoriosa. Inmersa en una crisis política que nunca buscó y traicionada por un viejo enemigo que creía derrotado, Honor se queda sola. Ahora tendrá que luchar por la justicia en un campo de batalla para el que nunca recibió adiestramiento; una guerra privada que solo le dejará dos la muerte? o una victoria que puede acabar con la deshonra y la pérdida de todo lo que ama. David Weber es uno de los grandes autores de la épica espacial.
352 pages, Paperback
First published October 1, 1994
415 people are currently reading
2111 people want to read
About the author
David Weber
322 books4,549 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...
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 493 reviews
December 1, 2008
After reading this book I realized that The Short Victorious War was just a prelude to what Weber wanted to do here. While Harrington was barely a player in that novel, she is the center of this one. And while all the other novels of this series have indulged in a large amount of militaristic (as well as political) strategy , this focuses on the character development of Honor Harrington herself more than any other portion of the series I have read yet.
It is a story of loss and dealing with that loss. Of controlling hatred and seeking justice instead of revenge. The previous books have displayed Harrington's military and tactical prowess, her innate ability to command and lead, but this book really reveals the cold killer that she can unleash from within as well.
But don't let that deter you from reading it. It is really wonderfully written, with a rather relentless pace. Though the politics from the previous novels are still running in the background they take a backseat to the primary story. The war with Haven still looms, but it has yet to have been realized at this point.
The book starts with the total disgracing of Pavel Young, who is virtually Honor's sworn enemy. He blames her for all his misfortune and disgrace and is almost insane with his need to destroy her. [slight SPOILER ahead...] He hires a professional dueler to instigate a duel with Paul Tankersley to kill him - because Pavel knows that will hurt Harrington. He also has hired the dueler to instigate a duel with Honor and kill her as well - but they all underestimate her. All Young really manages to do is awake her full wrath and bring it upon himself
I highly recommend this book, especially to those who love and enjoy any of the other Harrington novels. I would recommend reading The Short Victorious War, as it leads directly into this one. It actually sets up several plot lines which are not concluded until this novel.
As a standalone science fiction novel it doesn't quite meet the standard of the genre - mainly that if you remove the science or technology there would be no story. No, I think this story could have been told in a historical narrative as well - but it would lack Harrington, and that makes all the difference in my mind. Weber has woven quite a driving tale full of intriguing characters once again, and it is definitely well worth the read.
It is a story of loss and dealing with that loss. Of controlling hatred and seeking justice instead of revenge. The previous books have displayed Harrington's military and tactical prowess, her innate ability to command and lead, but this book really reveals the cold killer that she can unleash from within as well.
But don't let that deter you from reading it. It is really wonderfully written, with a rather relentless pace. Though the politics from the previous novels are still running in the background they take a backseat to the primary story. The war with Haven still looms, but it has yet to have been realized at this point.
The book starts with the total disgracing of Pavel Young, who is virtually Honor's sworn enemy. He blames her for all his misfortune and disgrace and is almost insane with his need to destroy her. [slight SPOILER ahead...] He hires a professional dueler to instigate a duel with Paul Tankersley to kill him - because Pavel knows that will hurt Harrington. He also has hired the dueler to instigate a duel with Honor and kill her as well - but they all underestimate her. All Young really manages to do is awake her full wrath and bring it upon himself
I highly recommend this book, especially to those who love and enjoy any of the other Harrington novels. I would recommend reading The Short Victorious War, as it leads directly into this one. It actually sets up several plot lines which are not concluded until this novel.
As a standalone science fiction novel it doesn't quite meet the standard of the genre - mainly that if you remove the science or technology there would be no story. No, I think this story could have been told in a historical narrative as well - but it would lack Harrington, and that makes all the difference in my mind. Weber has woven quite a driving tale full of intriguing characters once again, and it is definitely well worth the read.
August 3, 2018
I have no clue why I abandoned this series before. Probably some other book snagged my attention and distracted me from finishing this amazing series. But now I'm back and hopefully will finish the series by the end of the year.
I love this type of sci-fi as those familiar with my obsession with the Vorkosigan's Saga can attest. And Honor Harrington is a heroine that inspires you to reach higher, to be better. A role model for girls and boys alike.
At first I struggled to remember what happened in the previous instalments but after a couple of chapters it all came back to me and after that it was so easy to get immersed into the world. I'm an emotional type of reviewer and the strongest emotional response a book elicits from me the higher the rating I give. And this book made me feel every minute emotion. It was almost as if I had a tree cat of my own. I laughed and cried and raged and bit my nails to the quick. I hated and thirsted for revenge. And at the end I was left wrung out. And if I hadn't promised to join some buddy reads I would have jumped straight in Flag in Exile. But hey at least now I have the motivation to finish those other books as quickly as possible so I can get back to Honor and her adventures.
I love this type of sci-fi as those familiar with my obsession with the Vorkosigan's Saga can attest. And Honor Harrington is a heroine that inspires you to reach higher, to be better. A role model for girls and boys alike.
At first I struggled to remember what happened in the previous instalments but after a couple of chapters it all came back to me and after that it was so easy to get immersed into the world. I'm an emotional type of reviewer and the strongest emotional response a book elicits from me the higher the rating I give. And this book made me feel every minute emotion. It was almost as if I had a tree cat of my own. I laughed and cried and raged and bit my nails to the quick. I hated and thirsted for revenge. And at the end I was left wrung out. And if I hadn't promised to join some buddy reads I would have jumped straight in Flag in Exile. But hey at least now I have the motivation to finish those other books as quickly as possible so I can get back to Honor and her adventures.
May 13, 2014
Awful, this is where I am going to drop the series. It's as well written as always, in that it is a pretty easy read, a good, light page turner but...my god. The plot is awful. This book reads like a hurt/comfort fanfiction. It was honestly hard to finish this one with how awful the characterization was. It's not so much that Honor is miraculously amazing at things she has no business being amazing at (though that part is a bit irksome), it's how after every thing she does wrong there is a universe of characters who exist entirely to admire her, comfort her, make all the excuses in the world for her actions so she doesn't need to make them herself, and reassure her that she is totally amazing and can do no wrong!
Disappointing to say the least. Weber can make an engaging space naval battle, but his politics are amateurish and he chose to go with none of the former and all of the latter this book. The risk didn't pay off.
Disappointing to say the least. Weber can make an engaging space naval battle, but his politics are amateurish and he chose to go with none of the former and all of the latter this book. The risk didn't pay off.
February 20, 2024
This series just keeps up the fantastic pace and excitement of the main character. Excellent Military SiFi writing. Very recommended
January 10, 2014
This is the fourth in the Honor Harrington series and it was the weakest (in my opinion) to this point. I have now finished this and the fifth. I stayed with the 4 star rating but it again makes me wish for a half star system or a 10 star system. I've rated it the same as the others, but I'd say where they were a 4 this is a 3.5.
There was a lot more of what I call the "yawn factor" in this one. I skipped through a lot of Honor's "vacation" and the (seemingly) interminable flashback(s) of her, "early days".
Aside from this the Honor Harrington in this book didn't strike me as the same one I met before. To go into why would constitute a spoiler, so I'll put a word about it below a warning. Still the character didn't seem (to me) to stay real....true to the way she'd been established...though I assume Mr. Weber would say he's simply showing us another facet of her. I guess we can go with that.
The book does pull itself together and ties up a long term plot point (that has been uuussseeeddd a bit)... But as I said, it does snap to and give us some of the "drama" we associate with the series. For a bit there my "oh no it's turning into a soap opera" warning kicked in. But we survived.
***************** Warning Spoiler Below Line *****************
There was a lot more of what I call the "yawn factor" in this one. I skipped through a lot of Honor's "vacation" and the (seemingly) interminable flashback(s) of her, "early days".
Aside from this the Honor Harrington in this book didn't strike me as the same one I met before. To go into why would constitute a spoiler, so I'll put a word about it below a warning. Still the character didn't seem (to me) to stay real....true to the way she'd been established...though I assume Mr. Weber would say he's simply showing us another facet of her. I guess we can go with that.
The book does pull itself together and ties up a long term plot point (that has been uuussseeeddd a bit)... But as I said, it does snap to and give us some of the "drama" we associate with the series. For a bit there my "oh no it's turning into a soap opera" warning kicked in. But we survived.
***************** Warning Spoiler Below Line *****************
August 10, 2019
Oh, this is fun. I knew what was coming, but it was still well done. These books are formulaic: Honor gets into the trick bag through no fault of her own, sticks to her guns despite pressure otherwise, & goes on to kick ass. She doesn't always come out fully on top & has picked up an impressive set of lumps, but she always triumphs. Cool.
Weber still insists on info dumping background info. Characters suddenly muse to fill us in. 10 minutes is a LONG freaking time & really makes me appreciate the ability to skim through pages. Luckily, I'm doing something else, so I tend to zone out & don't have to bother fast forwarding, although I did a time or two.
This format certainly isn't for everyone, but the reader did an even better job this time. There were far fewer mispronunciations. I'm not sure if I'm getting used to her weird accents or she's eased up on them, but I didn't find them as jarring. Good & bad guys can have French accents, some from the same planet have different accents, too. Oh well, at least I can tell them apart.
Weber still insists on info dumping background info. Characters suddenly muse to fill us in. 10 minutes is a LONG freaking time & really makes me appreciate the ability to skim through pages. Luckily, I'm doing something else, so I tend to zone out & don't have to bother fast forwarding, although I did a time or two.
This format certainly isn't for everyone, but the reader did an even better job this time. There were far fewer mispronunciations. I'm not sure if I'm getting used to her weird accents or she's eased up on them, but I didn't find them as jarring. Good & bad guys can have French accents, some from the same planet have different accents, too. Oh well, at least I can tell them apart.
January 9, 2014
Field of Dishonor picks up the action right where The Short Victorious Ware left things. Manticore has won the first round against Haven. Harrington and her ship return to the home world for refitting - and to deliver Pavel Young to justice.
In the last book he lost his nerve under fire. Now he has to face the consequences. Harrington's nemesis is to be tried for cowardice in the face of the enemy. At the same time Harrington is to be heaped with honors. Pavel seethes with fury at his destruction at the hands of this upstart woman. He uses his family's political muscle and fortune to pull him out of the line of fire - and get revenge on Honor.
Finally! This series has been somewhat aggravating to me because everything came to easy for Harrington. She had no major nemesis to fight against - no significant problems to overcome (other than another star ship or two). In this book she fights against Pavel who is using the system to destroy the woman he hates. Pavel orchestrates a well-thought out plot to destroy Harrington and those that she loves. She survives, but only at the cost of her office. At the end of the book she finds herself disgraced and no longer in command of a star ship. Great stuff.
Unfortunately I still can't escape the feeling that I am reading about 1800 England/France in space. This is only reinforced by the political system in Manticore, the upheavals in Haven, and the heavily borrowed customs - including dueling. Yes, somehow the concept of honor duels re-emerged hundreds of years in the future. Honor duels with - not blasters - pistols in this book. I think I'm resigned to the comparisons at this point, but if you set that aside the story is fun.
Three and a half stars rounded generously up to four.
In the last book he lost his nerve under fire. Now he has to face the consequences. Harrington's nemesis is to be tried for cowardice in the face of the enemy. At the same time Harrington is to be heaped with honors. Pavel seethes with fury at his destruction at the hands of this upstart woman. He uses his family's political muscle and fortune to pull him out of the line of fire - and get revenge on Honor.
Finally! This series has been somewhat aggravating to me because everything came to easy for Harrington. She had no major nemesis to fight against - no significant problems to overcome (other than another star ship or two). In this book she fights against Pavel who is using the system to destroy the woman he hates. Pavel orchestrates a well-thought out plot to destroy Harrington and those that she loves. She survives, but only at the cost of her office. At the end of the book she finds herself disgraced and no longer in command of a star ship. Great stuff.
Unfortunately I still can't escape the feeling that I am reading about 1800 England/France in space. This is only reinforced by the political system in Manticore, the upheavals in Haven, and the heavily borrowed customs - including dueling. Yes, somehow the concept of honor duels re-emerged hundreds of years in the future. Honor duels with - not blasters - pistols in this book. I think I'm resigned to the comparisons at this point, but if you set that aside the story is fun.
Three and a half stars rounded generously up to four.
April 24, 2022
¿ Y por qué 4 estrellas y no 5 ? ... al final de la reseña os lo digo.
Lo primero es lo primero, el libro mola, mola como todos los de Honor, "la Patrona" es mucha Patrona. En éste, la trama es muy "cerrada" a una única trama, pero ¡ qué trama ! ¡ qué ganas había de que liquidase ésta trama !
Apartede la trama me ha gustado mucho el alegato "bien-feminista" que hace así como la lección que guarda, sé tú mismo y no te rindas, nunca, nunca, nunca. (encima a mí, personalmente, en éste preciso momento, me ha confortado bastante)
En ressumen que si no fuese por la "pega" que ahora os explico, se llevaba las 5 estrellas.
¿ Y por qué 4 estrellas y no 5 ? Pues porque del total del libro me ha "sobrado" al menos un 30% si no más, fundamentalmente del 60% inicial. Odio cuando los autores se ponen "pesados" repitiendo una y otra vez los mismos pensamientos de un personaje y en éste caso no es solo un personaje, son varios los que se ponen "repetitivos". El último 40% me ha durado 3 tardes "mal contás"
Lo primero es lo primero, el libro mola, mola como todos los de Honor, "la Patrona" es mucha Patrona. En éste, la trama es muy "cerrada" a una única trama, pero ¡ qué trama ! ¡ qué ganas había de que liquidase ésta trama !
Apartede la trama me ha gustado mucho el alegato "bien-feminista" que hace así como la lección que guarda, sé tú mismo y no te rindas, nunca, nunca, nunca. (encima a mí, personalmente, en éste preciso momento, me ha confortado bastante)
En ressumen que si no fuese por la "pega" que ahora os explico, se llevaba las 5 estrellas.
¿ Y por qué 4 estrellas y no 5 ? Pues porque del total del libro me ha "sobrado" al menos un 30% si no más, fundamentalmente del 60% inicial. Odio cuando los autores se ponen "pesados" repitiendo una y otra vez los mismos pensamientos de un personaje y en éste caso no es solo un personaje, son varios los que se ponen "repetitivos". El último 40% me ha durado 3 tardes "mal contás"
February 8, 2012
Given the title and the short description this is really not a surprise but I did not like this book in the Harrington series. I mostly read this one since I didn't want to skip a book in the series.
The entire book revolves around political bullshit and vendettas. It's more or less all planet-bound. No ship action at all. The only positive part is that the bratty coward of a ship captain (those who read it knows who I mean) finally bites the dust at the end.
I will not give it a one-star since that's what I reserve to the crappiest of the crappy ones and there's nothing "technically" wrong with the book but it's not at all my cup of tea.
The entire book revolves around political bullshit and vendettas. It's more or less all planet-bound. No ship action at all. The only positive part is that the bratty coward of a ship captain (those who read it knows who I mean) finally bites the dust at the end.
I will not give it a one-star since that's what I reserve to the crappiest of the crappy ones and there's nothing "technically" wrong with the book but it's not at all my cup of tea.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
October 21, 2023
Unlike the first 3 books in the series there is no space naval combat in this one. This is purely about characters and politics. As such it is pretty good, but it's definitely not up to the high standard set in the Vorkosigan series (which I finished earlier this year).
I will continue on with the series to see were the story arc goes. Hopefully back to some more action.
I will continue on with the series to see were the story arc goes. Hopefully back to some more action.
June 18, 2015
The fourth of the Honor Harrington series, this book has a completely different feel and is fought on a totally new battleground from the previous novels in the series. That being said, this is, in my humble opinion, the best book in the series so far. Honor grows a lot as a character, facing her anxiety of being a public figure, dealing with the grief of losing someone close to her, and battling a personal adversary on new grounds. It almost seems as if the last book was set up to be a lead in to this one. I give it a solid four and a half stars. Spoilers follow.
The most marked difference between Field of Dishonor and the previous three books is the setting. Weber abandons the Peoples' Republic of Haven for a moment and focuses on the inner politics of the Star Kingdom of Manticore. Those like me, who cringe at any possibility of having to slog through page after page of detailed political workings, need not worry; with the exception of a few sections in the beginning of the book, the main focus is on Honor and how certain events affect her, not the inner workings of Manticore's vastly complex political structure.
The book opens where the last one (The Short, Victorious War) left off. Captain Lord Pavel Young is facing a court martial for cowardice on the battlefield and refusal to obey a commanding officer. If he is found guilty of these charges, the sentence is death. However, through a series of arguments, agreements, loopholes, and one rather surprising twist, Young manages to escape these charges, is stripped of his rank, and becomes Earl North Hollow.
The court martial itself is one of the areas where the reader must endure a bit of political babble, but it's a necessary evil. These politics become important to parts of the story and Weber doesn't lose himself in explaining how his world is governed; he only gives what is necessary (and perhaps just a little bit more) to understand why this or that happened.
Earl North Hollow's slim escape from death is only the tip of the iceberg for Honor and the struggles she faces. Young becomes the main villain and his plot for revenge plays a large role in moving the story along.
Honor takes a sabbatical while her ship is being repaired and pays a visit to her estate on Grayson. The reader gets to see a bit of Grayson's politics and ceremonies, which is actually quite interesting, as they weren't explained that much in Honor of the Queen. I was pleased that Weber chose to revisit the planet featured in a previous book and let the readers know that he hasn't forgotten about the groundwork he laid earlier.
While Honor is on Grayson, Young's vengeance unfolds, resulting in the death of someone very close to Honor. I appreciated that this person's death continued to affect Honor throughout the novel and wasn't quickly brushed off and forgotten. Honor's world is shattered, which leads her to forming her own plots of revenge. Flanked by her bodyguards from Grayson (a development she hadn't expected), she dodges an assassination attempt and finishes off her enemy in a way most fitting.
My one gripe about the novel (and hence the four and a half stars instead of five) is that everyone who doesn't like Honor is automatically a bad guy. This has been a problem with the previous books, too, but it was very prevalent here. It's obvious that Weber really likes his character, but he needs to back off a little on having everyone else in the story love her.
Field of Dishonor is a must read, not only as a necessity for continuing the series, but because it is genuinely one of the best books of the series thus far. Honor experiences an extreme amount of character growth and development and is forced to step out of her comfort zone and onto a new battlefield. The book has an overall "tight" feel to it that just adds to the story being told. For anyone whose wanted to see the girl step out of the role of damsel and into the role of dominating command, this is a must read.
This review is also posted on Amazon.com.
The most marked difference between Field of Dishonor and the previous three books is the setting. Weber abandons the Peoples' Republic of Haven for a moment and focuses on the inner politics of the Star Kingdom of Manticore. Those like me, who cringe at any possibility of having to slog through page after page of detailed political workings, need not worry; with the exception of a few sections in the beginning of the book, the main focus is on Honor and how certain events affect her, not the inner workings of Manticore's vastly complex political structure.
The book opens where the last one (The Short, Victorious War) left off. Captain Lord Pavel Young is facing a court martial for cowardice on the battlefield and refusal to obey a commanding officer. If he is found guilty of these charges, the sentence is death. However, through a series of arguments, agreements, loopholes, and one rather surprising twist, Young manages to escape these charges, is stripped of his rank, and becomes Earl North Hollow.
The court martial itself is one of the areas where the reader must endure a bit of political babble, but it's a necessary evil. These politics become important to parts of the story and Weber doesn't lose himself in explaining how his world is governed; he only gives what is necessary (and perhaps just a little bit more) to understand why this or that happened.
Earl North Hollow's slim escape from death is only the tip of the iceberg for Honor and the struggles she faces. Young becomes the main villain and his plot for revenge plays a large role in moving the story along.
Honor takes a sabbatical while her ship is being repaired and pays a visit to her estate on Grayson. The reader gets to see a bit of Grayson's politics and ceremonies, which is actually quite interesting, as they weren't explained that much in Honor of the Queen. I was pleased that Weber chose to revisit the planet featured in a previous book and let the readers know that he hasn't forgotten about the groundwork he laid earlier.
While Honor is on Grayson, Young's vengeance unfolds, resulting in the death of someone very close to Honor. I appreciated that this person's death continued to affect Honor throughout the novel and wasn't quickly brushed off and forgotten. Honor's world is shattered, which leads her to forming her own plots of revenge. Flanked by her bodyguards from Grayson (a development she hadn't expected), she dodges an assassination attempt and finishes off her enemy in a way most fitting.
My one gripe about the novel (and hence the four and a half stars instead of five) is that everyone who doesn't like Honor is automatically a bad guy. This has been a problem with the previous books, too, but it was very prevalent here. It's obvious that Weber really likes his character, but he needs to back off a little on having everyone else in the story love her.
Field of Dishonor is a must read, not only as a necessity for continuing the series, but because it is genuinely one of the best books of the series thus far. Honor experiences an extreme amount of character growth and development and is forced to step out of her comfort zone and onto a new battlefield. The book has an overall "tight" feel to it that just adds to the story being told. For anyone whose wanted to see the girl step out of the role of damsel and into the role of dominating command, this is a must read.
This review is also posted on Amazon.com.
October 17, 2011
Well, it wasn't the same formula as the other Harrington books had fallen into. This time there's no galaxy-spanning military action or charge into the jaws of death--well, not intentionally--but it was still too obvious. Even Honor's angst was hard to believe. (We knew her love interest could not last too many more books.) But Honor still comes out on top. Talk about Teflon coated.
Disappointing, but still a good read.
Disappointing, but still a good read.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
November 15, 2011
There is Mary Sue. There is Marty Sue. What type of Sue is it when the author is male and the character female?
This isn't a bad book and it is somewhat intersting. It's just I wish everyone in the book would stop telling me how wonderful Honor is. And I'm sorry, the whole relationship thing didn't quite work for me.
This isn't a bad book and it is somewhat intersting. It's just I wish everyone in the book would stop telling me how wonderful Honor is. And I'm sorry, the whole relationship thing didn't quite work for me.
April 16, 2023
What a FANTASTIC book! I've enjoyed the first three Honor Harrington novels, but they all felt like they were difficult to follow at times. This book was so engaging and exciting from cover to cover. I absolutely breezed through this book, and I cannot wait to read more!
What makes this book so engaging is the fusion of character and plot. Both weave well together, and both advance quite a bit in this book! Essentially, this is a kind of "revenge" book. First the story is about the trial of Pavel Young, and then the book becomes a true dueling storyline of revenge.
The trial was really fascinating. It felt a lot like a John Grisham legal thriller for about the first 140 pages. This book mixed in military law, as well as the fact that this is a science fiction story, but it still had that classic Grisham feeling. I was so intent on finding out the outcome and was shocked at the way Weber revealed it.
The rest of the book feels like its taken out of one of the "Horatio Hornblower" books from C. S. Forester. In fact, I'm positive that Weber drew inspiration from that book, because it is absolutely undeniable here. Particularly the "Duel" storyline.
I am so excited in finishing this novel. I am certainly a fan of the Honor Harrington universe now. 9.7 out of 10!
What makes this book so engaging is the fusion of character and plot. Both weave well together, and both advance quite a bit in this book! Essentially, this is a kind of "revenge" book. First the story is about the trial of Pavel Young, and then the book becomes a true dueling storyline of revenge.
The trial was really fascinating. It felt a lot like a John Grisham legal thriller for about the first 140 pages. This book mixed in military law, as well as the fact that this is a science fiction story, but it still had that classic Grisham feeling. I was so intent on finding out the outcome and was shocked at the way Weber revealed it.
The rest of the book feels like its taken out of one of the "Horatio Hornblower" books from C. S. Forester. In fact, I'm positive that Weber drew inspiration from that book, because it is absolutely undeniable here. Particularly the "Duel" storyline.
I am so excited in finishing this novel. I am certainly a fan of the Honor Harrington universe now. 9.7 out of 10!
November 2, 2015
The book is something of a slow starter, and if you're expecting lots of military SF type action you'd probably argue that it never really picks up either. But, it didn't seem to be a problem. David Weber seems to be making a play to move out of this series being exclusively military SF and into more of a 'thriller' type novel. He doesn't quite manage it – you don't ever doubt who the bad guy is; or that Honor will get her man – it's not trying to be a 'whodunit' either. In fact, it feels very much like a bridging novel, taking us from the immediate finish of
The Short Victorious War
into the subsequent court martial of Lord Young (for his abject cowardice in that novel's major battle). While the time of this trial fills pretty much the first half of the novel; it's not a procedural novel either – we treated to some of the details of Honor's evidence, some of the deliberations of the jury, but we see very little of the case and even less of the actual trial.
The second half of the novel is given over to a number of duels. This is probably the most interesting half of the novel, as Honor and her merry gang of chums have to work out why the duel started and who is, potentially, financing it, and why. It's not the most taxing of puzzles and you'll probably be there long before Honor. It's probably not much of a spoiler (at least once you're reading the novel) to say that Honor features in at least one of the duels, and yes, of course she wins. The duels felt a little sudden. I didn't recall them ever having been mentioned as a part of Manticorian society before, or did Weber just introduce them as a way to clean house of a few characters ready for the next phase in Honor's life, presumably in exile on Grayson?
But, flaws (and there are a few), and obvious attempts to create a bridge novel aside, it was fun. I enjoyed reading it; I enjoyed the continued world-building; and it made me want to read the next novel, Flag in Exile , to find out what Honor's life on Grayson was going to be like. And if that isn't a successful bridge-novel, I don't know what is.
The second half of the novel is given over to a number of duels. This is probably the most interesting half of the novel, as Honor and her merry gang of chums have to work out why the duel started and who is, potentially, financing it, and why. It's not the most taxing of puzzles and you'll probably be there long before Honor. It's probably not much of a spoiler (at least once you're reading the novel) to say that Honor features in at least one of the duels, and yes, of course she wins. The duels felt a little sudden. I didn't recall them ever having been mentioned as a part of Manticorian society before, or did Weber just introduce them as a way to clean house of a few characters ready for the next phase in Honor's life, presumably in exile on Grayson?
But, flaws (and there are a few), and obvious attempts to create a bridge novel aside, it was fun. I enjoyed reading it; I enjoyed the continued world-building; and it made me want to read the next novel, Flag in Exile , to find out what Honor's life on Grayson was going to be like. And if that isn't a successful bridge-novel, I don't know what is.
December 29, 2020
Cuarta entrega de las aventuras de Honor Harrington, un space opera sanduguero y fascistón más de los de Weber. Las tribulaciones de la diosa Harrington son esta vez más intimistas, en vez de enfrentarse a la malvada y comunista República Popular de Haven, se las tiene que ver con su archienemigo Pavel Young y la nobleza local de su Reino de Mantícora, un remedo muy chachi de la Gran Bretaña pero en galáctico, con su reina Isabel y todo, con todas las ventajas y bondades del capitalismo, bonachón, eso sí, y con unos militares que siempre son los razonables, siempre saben lo que hay que hacer y no lo hacen porque los políticos siempre les están poniendo palos en las ruedas, ¿les suena? Honor Harrington pertenece a una casta militar que siempre está a un paso del golpe de Estado, pero nunca lo da por la Reina y porque son los buenos. O al menos en la cuarta novela no lo han dado todavía. Aunque lo mejor de la serie suelen ser las batallas espaciales, Weber no decepciona mucho tampoco metido a contar intrigas bizantinas. El nivel de maniqueísmo, no obstante, es el mismo de siempre: los buenos son muy buenos y muy listos y los malos muy malos y muy tontos. Con Weber me pasa lo mismo que con Jane Austen guardando las distancias, con Austen no me interesa en absoluto la historia que me está contando, pero no puedo parar de leer porque su manera de escribir era simplemente genial; con Weber me repugna bastante lo que cuenta y cómo lo cuenta, sobre todo el trasfondo y lo que se lee entre líneas, pero siempre acabo volviendo no por su genialidad, qué más quisiera Weber que acercarse a la suela de los zapatos de Austen, sino por lo sandunguero que decía antes, una lectura entretenida y sin complicaciones si consigues sobreponerte al cantazo a sobaquina, una serie divertida en un ambiente espacial para cuando necesitas algo ligerito para recuperarte de Faulkner.
February 7, 2018
Despite the lack of treecat action, possibly one of the better books in the series so far.
While much of the plot became fairly obvious as soon as certain characters appeared, and my dislike of politics being about as strong as Honor's, I enjoyed this one. Normally, I'd say something along the lines of 'if you like military sci-fi, you'll like this,' but this is not a book for the military sci-fi fans. It's the first Honor Harrington book to be entirely personal. This is all about Honor and the situation she finds herself in.
Honor proves herself even more of a badass than ever, and there in lies my one criticism (one I've only come up with in hindsight). Honor is showing Mary Sue traits by this point. Everyone loves her, unless they hate her with an intensity so severe it's verging on madness, but then her enemies are invariably furniture-chewing, misogynist nutjobs. She's good at everything she needs to turn her hand to (she can snap-hip-fire a pistol and put three unaimed rounds in someone's chest from 40 metres, which probably puts her at Olympic marksman levels).
Still, this one was a joy to listen to. Good book.
While much of the plot became fairly obvious as soon as certain characters appeared, and my dislike of politics being about as strong as Honor's, I enjoyed this one. Normally, I'd say something along the lines of 'if you like military sci-fi, you'll like this,' but this is not a book for the military sci-fi fans. It's the first Honor Harrington book to be entirely personal. This is all about Honor and the situation she finds herself in.
Honor proves herself even more of a badass than ever, and there in lies my one criticism (one I've only come up with in hindsight). Honor is showing Mary Sue traits by this point. Everyone loves her, unless they hate her with an intensity so severe it's verging on madness, but then her enemies are invariably furniture-chewing, misogynist nutjobs. She's good at everything she needs to turn her hand to (she can snap-hip-fire a pistol and put three unaimed rounds in someone's chest from 40 metres, which probably puts her at Olympic marksman levels).
Still, this one was a joy to listen to. Good book.
April 11, 2019
The previous Honor Harrington books all followed the same format: 100 pages of setup, then 100 pages of beginning a mission, then 50 pages of tension and skirmishes, then 100 - 150 pages of space battle, followed by a bit of falling action.
At some point I realized I was almost 200 pages in and the mission hadn't started yet. But then something important happened and I realized what this book was about.
Pavel Young, Honor's antagonist within Manticore, gets courtmartialed for abandoning his post in the last book. A lot of political maneuvering takes the trial from an uncertainty to a decision made behind closed doors. Young is kicked out of the Navy but still retains his money and title of Earl of North Hollow. He blames Honor and uses his money and power to go after her and her romantic partner. Honor feels the need to retaliate, but it could cost her her career.
A bit more gray area in what is usually a Mary Sue universe. But don't worry, all the good guys still think Honor is awesome, and anyone who doesn't like her is a supervillain.
At some point I realized I was almost 200 pages in and the mission hadn't started yet. But then something important happened and I realized what this book was about.
Pavel Young, Honor's antagonist within Manticore, gets courtmartialed for abandoning his post in the last book. A lot of political maneuvering takes the trial from an uncertainty to a decision made behind closed doors. Young is kicked out of the Navy but still retains his money and title of Earl of North Hollow. He blames Honor and uses his money and power to go after her and her romantic partner. Honor feels the need to retaliate, but it could cost her her career.
A bit more gray area in what is usually a Mary Sue universe. But don't worry, all the good guys still think Honor is awesome, and anyone who doesn't like her is a supervillain.
June 21, 2019
This is really Book #3, Part II. Pretty good, considering there weren't even any real battle scenes (not that that's the real reason to read these books). I find that I like the main character because she does what I would want to do if I found myself in her same situation.
My only question about this series is how you end up with a 'British' government in the future with the values and worldview of the Napoleonic era -- is this an alternate universe where the House of Lords and the British aristocracy in general never lost power?
My only question about this series is how you end up with a 'British' government in the future with the values and worldview of the Napoleonic era -- is this an alternate universe where the House of Lords and the British aristocracy in general never lost power?
May 23, 2016
This episode in Honor's life was less dull than I expected - "no space battles" ??? - I was very wary of long-winded political discussions, which happen a bit too frequently in this series.
However, the pacing was good, characters mostly interesting, but the motivations and judgement of players was a bit cliched, and the mystery of who was driving the bad stuff was ridiculous. The final outcome was somewhat expected.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, which could have been much worse.
However, the pacing was good, characters mostly interesting, but the motivations and judgement of players was a bit cliched, and the mystery of who was driving the bad stuff was ridiculous. The final outcome was somewhat expected.
Overall, I enjoyed the book, which could have been much worse.
July 3, 2023
There was an event on a field of dishonor. There were several events on a field of honor. A personal story, no military action. You learn a lot about Honor Harrington, and her friends and mentors. Surprisingly, the emotions are intense, but difficult to empathize with. The lesser characters, while remaining incidental, play a larger role.
June 18, 2022
Sorti victorieux du premier engagement officiel contre la République populaire de Havre, le royaume de Manticore doit désormais réussir à voter la guerre et juger Pavel Young pour désertion. Malheureusement, les deux affaires semblent liées et les tensions politique se cristallisent autour du rôle joué par Honor. Alors que cette dernière prend ses fonctions de Seigneur sur Grayson afin de s'éloigner temporairement de Manticore, Young jure de tout tenter pour la faire souffrir.
Un quatrième tome que j'ai beaucoup aimé. Après avoir lu les mauvaises reviews de certains lecteurs, je vais me permettre d'aller à leur encontre. Oui, il n'y a pas de bataille spatiale. Oui le roman tourne surtout autour de la politique et des soucis personnels d'Honor. Mais en quoi cela est-il un mal? Après trois tomes d'affrontements spatiaux, je trouvais que la formule avait tout de même besoin de se renouveler un peu. C'est chose faite dans ce tome. Notre héroïne va souffrir et chercher vengeance par tous les moyens, y compris en mettant si nécessaire sa carrière au service de la reine de côté. J'ai beaucoup apprécié la quête de vengeance, le procès ou encore le jeu politique de Manticore. Je déplore juste qu'un événement majeur est visible trop rapidement.
Un quatrième tome que j'ai beaucoup aimé. Après avoir lu les mauvaises reviews de certains lecteurs, je vais me permettre d'aller à leur encontre. Oui, il n'y a pas de bataille spatiale. Oui le roman tourne surtout autour de la politique et des soucis personnels d'Honor. Mais en quoi cela est-il un mal? Après trois tomes d'affrontements spatiaux, je trouvais que la formule avait tout de même besoin de se renouveler un peu. C'est chose faite dans ce tome. Notre héroïne va souffrir et chercher vengeance par tous les moyens, y compris en mettant si nécessaire sa carrière au service de la reine de côté. J'ai beaucoup apprécié la quête de vengeance, le procès ou encore le jeu politique de Manticore. Je déplore juste qu'un événement majeur est visible trop rapidement.
August 11, 2025
Oh no. Something terrible has happened. I have lost my objectivity for this series.
I am gleefully working my way through the 5th of these novels even as I write this and I know that I am reading them too quickly to really evaluate them. I can distantly recognize that this novel is more of the same as previous installments, with Honor growing more perfect and Mary-Sue-esque with every novel, and yet I cannot stop. I have the vague suspicion that I will soon grow tired of them and that when I re-read this series I will get tired of the repetition much faster, but at the moment, I am happily devouring this flavor-of-the-month book series that I am perfectly in the mood for.
I wrote in my review of the third novel that the story would have worked better if it had focused on Honor going through a different type of conflict than one space battle after another, and happily Weber took my advice that I wrote twenty years after his book was published and set it in the midst of a divisive court martial. Honor is unwillingly drawn into ruthless politics as factions warring for power in the equivalent of Parliament use her and her mortal enemy as figureheads for their political agenda. Each side is manipulating information and public opinion in order to force Parliament/the queen to do what they want, and Honor is unable to use her previous experience as a naval officer to help her in this new and murky world. Though her allies in the command structure of the navy are still firmly on her side, they are generally unable to help her in the political storm that is brewing, and I am impressed with how Weber is able to make her fall from grace seem natural and even inevitable. Previously, it did not seem to matter how many questionable decisions Honor made since she had friends in high places willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and justify any mistakes by dwelling with fervor on her devotion to duty in difficult circumstances. Unless Weber decided to kill off Honor, her rise through the ranks seemed inevitable given the support structure that she had throughout the navy. With this installment, however, Weber realistically chipped away at her supporters and created a different kind of tension over Honor’s future.
However, I have enough rationality left to be guiltily aware that if you hated the previous books then you will also hate this one. Much of the page length is taken up with Weber waxing expansive on his own worldbuilding, including the details on all engineering, religious, and political matters that he has worked out on his own. It is a type of telling-not-showing, though it is not the worst I’ve seen, and the majority of the rest of the novel is people being impressed by Honor. Once again, people underestimate her or doubt her integrity, and then the reader is treated to one of her loyal supporters lecturing another character on what a great person she is. Even if a group has legitimate reasons to be concerned with her past choices, they still end up with grudging respect or outright admiration because she is just so dang charismatic and impressive apparently. Yup, it is my kind of trash and I have a weakness for it, but I can totally understand if the style got on people’s nerves.
One element that I definitely did not enjoy is the plot-crucial component of dueling. I know that many authors think that dueling is inherently dramatic and compelling, but I always find it so stupid. Getting into a fight in a bar and then deciding to settle it as a matter of “honor” with pistols at dawn just seems so soapy and I want to slap everyone involved and tell them to wake up. I’ve seen it used effectively in comedies, but I have never seen it used well when it is milked for drama, and this book is no exception. Yes, Honor’s duels are pretty fun to experience and the politics surrounding her campaign to bring her enemies to justice are the most complex and interesting of the series, but still hinging the plot on a duel makes for a weak fulcrum. We are just too far culturally from the practice to make the drama compelling.
Nevertheless, despite the slight repetitiveness of the series and some of the weaker plot elements of this installment, I enjoyed Weber shaking up the formula a bit and giving our heroine new obstacles to overcome. I am fully on board for the next novel, but I promise to let you know if or when I finally get tired of Honor and her campaign to become the most competent person in the universe.
I am gleefully working my way through the 5th of these novels even as I write this and I know that I am reading them too quickly to really evaluate them. I can distantly recognize that this novel is more of the same as previous installments, with Honor growing more perfect and Mary-Sue-esque with every novel, and yet I cannot stop. I have the vague suspicion that I will soon grow tired of them and that when I re-read this series I will get tired of the repetition much faster, but at the moment, I am happily devouring this flavor-of-the-month book series that I am perfectly in the mood for.
I wrote in my review of the third novel that the story would have worked better if it had focused on Honor going through a different type of conflict than one space battle after another, and happily Weber took my advice that I wrote twenty years after his book was published and set it in the midst of a divisive court martial. Honor is unwillingly drawn into ruthless politics as factions warring for power in the equivalent of Parliament use her and her mortal enemy as figureheads for their political agenda. Each side is manipulating information and public opinion in order to force Parliament/the queen to do what they want, and Honor is unable to use her previous experience as a naval officer to help her in this new and murky world. Though her allies in the command structure of the navy are still firmly on her side, they are generally unable to help her in the political storm that is brewing, and I am impressed with how Weber is able to make her fall from grace seem natural and even inevitable. Previously, it did not seem to matter how many questionable decisions Honor made since she had friends in high places willing to give her the benefit of the doubt and justify any mistakes by dwelling with fervor on her devotion to duty in difficult circumstances. Unless Weber decided to kill off Honor, her rise through the ranks seemed inevitable given the support structure that she had throughout the navy. With this installment, however, Weber realistically chipped away at her supporters and created a different kind of tension over Honor’s future.
However, I have enough rationality left to be guiltily aware that if you hated the previous books then you will also hate this one. Much of the page length is taken up with Weber waxing expansive on his own worldbuilding, including the details on all engineering, religious, and political matters that he has worked out on his own. It is a type of telling-not-showing, though it is not the worst I’ve seen, and the majority of the rest of the novel is people being impressed by Honor. Once again, people underestimate her or doubt her integrity, and then the reader is treated to one of her loyal supporters lecturing another character on what a great person she is. Even if a group has legitimate reasons to be concerned with her past choices, they still end up with grudging respect or outright admiration because she is just so dang charismatic and impressive apparently. Yup, it is my kind of trash and I have a weakness for it, but I can totally understand if the style got on people’s nerves.
One element that I definitely did not enjoy is the plot-crucial component of dueling. I know that many authors think that dueling is inherently dramatic and compelling, but I always find it so stupid. Getting into a fight in a bar and then deciding to settle it as a matter of “honor” with pistols at dawn just seems so soapy and I want to slap everyone involved and tell them to wake up. I’ve seen it used effectively in comedies, but I have never seen it used well when it is milked for drama, and this book is no exception. Yes, Honor’s duels are pretty fun to experience and the politics surrounding her campaign to bring her enemies to justice are the most complex and interesting of the series, but still hinging the plot on a duel makes for a weak fulcrum. We are just too far culturally from the practice to make the drama compelling.
Nevertheless, despite the slight repetitiveness of the series and some of the weaker plot elements of this installment, I enjoyed Weber shaking up the formula a bit and giving our heroine new obstacles to overcome. I am fully on board for the next novel, but I promise to let you know if or when I finally get tired of Honor and her campaign to become the most competent person in the universe.
November 10, 2017
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Ce quatrième tome de la saga Honor Harrington a une ambiance bien différente de ses prédécesseurs. Je dois dire que pour moi pour l'instant c'est de loin le meilleur de la série. Honor grandit bien en tant que personnage, elle fait face à tout ce qu'elle n'aime pas, notamment le fait de devenir une figure publique, elle subit aussi beaucoup émotionnellement parlant et se combativité est à son maximum pour se battre contre cet ennemi qui la suis depuis si longtemps.
Jusqu'ici, en dehors de moments bien spécifiques, j'avoue que si elle était très efficace et intelligente dans ses choix, j'ai toujours imaginé Honor limite timide, du genre un peu effacée. Je parle surtout pour sa vie personnelle, car il est clair que niveau professionnel elle est un ennemi à ne pas se faire. Du coup j'ai toujours eu un peu de mal à vraiment m'attacher à elle, elle subit plus quelle n'agit en fait.
Mais dans ce tome nous voyons enfin son vrai visage, celui qu'elle est capable d'avoir si on la pousse à bout. Et j'ai adoré ce changement, de voir sa double face en fait. Elle remonte bien dans mon estime pour le coup, j'avoue que même si ce n'était pas forcement le meilleur moment pour elle, j'ai adoré ce personnage et j'avais vraiment le sourire tout du long du passage avec cette Killer Honor. Et même ensuite en fait car si elle a retrouvé son humanité elle est bien plus tranchante et active qu'avant.
Au niveau de l'intrigue elle même, ne vous attendez pas à des combats spatiaux ou à retrouver l'antagoniste de toujours dans ce tome. Pour une fois on peut dire que toute l'intrigue se déroule sur terre, ou du moins pas dans des vaisseaux. Du coup niveau action et batailles c'est vraiment très light. Mais on se concentre sur l'ennemi intérieur, celui qui ne pourra pas être battu à coup de laser mais à coup de politique et de procès.
Car oui ce tome est vraiment énormément basé sur la politique interne. En fait limite à certains moments j'avais l'impression de revoir l’élection de Trump en direct tellement les parallèles sont facile à faire. C'est vraiment hyper typique des moments ou on voudrait pouvoir faire quelque chose mais le système lui même nous empêche et on est vraiment pris dans une vague qui nous bloque. En fait dans toute la première partie on a envie de crier à l'injustice tellement on se sent impuissant. Mais heureusement la fin change tout et j'ai adoré la façon dont ça se déroule.
Du coup je comprends que ce tome n'ai pas plu à certaines personnes, vu que c'est vraiment différent des trois précédents. Mais pour ma part il a été le déclic au niveau du personnage d'Honor que je ne regarderais plus jamais de la même façon.
Je dois dire que ça fait vraiment plaisir, parce que j'avoue que j'avais un peu de mal sur les tomes précédents. J'espère que les tomes suivants sauront vraiment reprendre les éléments de celui ci pour les combiner aux batailles spatiales car ça pourrait vraiment donner un coup de boost à la série.
17/20
Ce quatrième tome de la saga Honor Harrington a une ambiance bien différente de ses prédécesseurs. Je dois dire que pour moi pour l'instant c'est de loin le meilleur de la série. Honor grandit bien en tant que personnage, elle fait face à tout ce qu'elle n'aime pas, notamment le fait de devenir une figure publique, elle subit aussi beaucoup émotionnellement parlant et se combativité est à son maximum pour se battre contre cet ennemi qui la suis depuis si longtemps.
Jusqu'ici, en dehors de moments bien spécifiques, j'avoue que si elle était très efficace et intelligente dans ses choix, j'ai toujours imaginé Honor limite timide, du genre un peu effacée. Je parle surtout pour sa vie personnelle, car il est clair que niveau professionnel elle est un ennemi à ne pas se faire. Du coup j'ai toujours eu un peu de mal à vraiment m'attacher à elle, elle subit plus quelle n'agit en fait.
Mais dans ce tome nous voyons enfin son vrai visage, celui qu'elle est capable d'avoir si on la pousse à bout. Et j'ai adoré ce changement, de voir sa double face en fait. Elle remonte bien dans mon estime pour le coup, j'avoue que même si ce n'était pas forcement le meilleur moment pour elle, j'ai adoré ce personnage et j'avais vraiment le sourire tout du long du passage avec cette Killer Honor. Et même ensuite en fait car si elle a retrouvé son humanité elle est bien plus tranchante et active qu'avant.
Au niveau de l'intrigue elle même, ne vous attendez pas à des combats spatiaux ou à retrouver l'antagoniste de toujours dans ce tome. Pour une fois on peut dire que toute l'intrigue se déroule sur terre, ou du moins pas dans des vaisseaux. Du coup niveau action et batailles c'est vraiment très light. Mais on se concentre sur l'ennemi intérieur, celui qui ne pourra pas être battu à coup de laser mais à coup de politique et de procès.
Car oui ce tome est vraiment énormément basé sur la politique interne. En fait limite à certains moments j'avais l'impression de revoir l’élection de Trump en direct tellement les parallèles sont facile à faire. C'est vraiment hyper typique des moments ou on voudrait pouvoir faire quelque chose mais le système lui même nous empêche et on est vraiment pris dans une vague qui nous bloque. En fait dans toute la première partie on a envie de crier à l'injustice tellement on se sent impuissant. Mais heureusement la fin change tout et j'ai adoré la façon dont ça se déroule.
Du coup je comprends que ce tome n'ai pas plu à certaines personnes, vu que c'est vraiment différent des trois précédents. Mais pour ma part il a été le déclic au niveau du personnage d'Honor que je ne regarderais plus jamais de la même façon.
Je dois dire que ça fait vraiment plaisir, parce que j'avoue que j'avais un peu de mal sur les tomes précédents. J'espère que les tomes suivants sauront vraiment reprendre les éléments de celui ci pour les combiner aux batailles spatiales car ça pourrait vraiment donner un coup de boost à la série.
17/20
March 28, 2010
(Let me start this off by saying I'm going to make a concerted effort to review everything I read from now on- only exception is manga series, in which I'll only review the first one and anything else I find particularly noteworthy.)
I have never liked the Honor/Tankersley pairing.
Never. It seemed underdeveloped, tacked on for the emotional effect and to give Weber a chance to wax poetic about Honor's lack of self-confidence in her appearance and blah blah blech. Seriously? I would have been perfectly happy if she wasn't being described as beautiful all the time, y'know.
As a character, I could get along with Paul Tankersley. I don't like him the way I like, say, Michelle Henke or Alistair McKeon or Hamish Alexander or Queen Elizabeth, but he was alright.
All this being said- do I think he needed to die?
No.
See comments above on Honor/Tankersley relationship in general. I am looking forward to seeing more of Grayson, especially since the cover of book five is my favorite of the entire series, but there has to have been a better way for Honor to get groundsided than this. (Well. Killing Pavel Young is a good way to be beached, actually. That was fine by me.)
In summation-
Liked the deviation from Weber's usual 'complicated action combined with explanations of technologies that don't exist' pattern. I find the politics much easier to swallow- maybe it's all those episodes of the West Wing. Oh, and Honor's Grayson security are pretty neat, too.
Can't stand the way he's so BLATANTLY ripping off the French Revolution. Haven is being run...from the city of Nouveau Paris... by something called the Committee of Public Safety...which is led by a Mr. Pierre...who calls for mass executions. Umm, yeah. That's original, Mr. Weber. I understand that this series is essentially Horatio Hornblower in space, but still. Change the names, at least.
Based on my knowledge of world history and this series, I predict the following:
Mr. Pierre is going to be killed. Some volumes on a (short?) brilliant general from one of Haven's conquered planets is going to sweep the whole Republic into the war effort, at which point Honor will be given a ship again because she is needed to kick ass, take names, and lose half of her squadron. Again.
These books are not smart reads, really. I don't know why I'm still reading them. And I'm pretty sure I'll continue to do so, just because. They do raise some interesting ideas as far as spaceships go. But I'm a bit sick of watching something like sixty percent of the minor characters I kinda liked dying. I picture David Weber lining them all up, picking up a battle axe, and lopping off heads. That annoys me. Just once, it would be nice to see one of Honor's commands get out without gaping wounds. ONCE?
I have never liked the Honor/Tankersley pairing.
Never. It seemed underdeveloped, tacked on for the emotional effect and to give Weber a chance to wax poetic about Honor's lack of self-confidence in her appearance and blah blah blech. Seriously? I would have been perfectly happy if she wasn't being described as beautiful all the time, y'know.
As a character, I could get along with Paul Tankersley. I don't like him the way I like, say, Michelle Henke or Alistair McKeon or Hamish Alexander or Queen Elizabeth, but he was alright.
All this being said- do I think he needed to die?
No.
See comments above on Honor/Tankersley relationship in general. I am looking forward to seeing more of Grayson, especially since the cover of book five is my favorite of the entire series, but there has to have been a better way for Honor to get groundsided than this. (Well. Killing Pavel Young is a good way to be beached, actually. That was fine by me.)
In summation-
Liked the deviation from Weber's usual 'complicated action combined with explanations of technologies that don't exist' pattern. I find the politics much easier to swallow- maybe it's all those episodes of the West Wing. Oh, and Honor's Grayson security are pretty neat, too.
Can't stand the way he's so BLATANTLY ripping off the French Revolution. Haven is being run...from the city of Nouveau Paris... by something called the Committee of Public Safety...which is led by a Mr. Pierre...who calls for mass executions. Umm, yeah. That's original, Mr. Weber. I understand that this series is essentially Horatio Hornblower in space, but still. Change the names, at least.
Based on my knowledge of world history and this series, I predict the following:
Mr. Pierre is going to be killed. Some volumes on a (short?) brilliant general from one of Haven's conquered planets is going to sweep the whole Republic into the war effort, at which point Honor will be given a ship again because she is needed to kick ass, take names, and lose half of her squadron. Again.
These books are not smart reads, really. I don't know why I'm still reading them. And I'm pretty sure I'll continue to do so, just because. They do raise some interesting ideas as far as spaceships go. But I'm a bit sick of watching something like sixty percent of the minor characters I kinda liked dying. I picture David Weber lining them all up, picking up a battle axe, and lopping off heads. That annoys me. Just once, it would be nice to see one of Honor's commands get out without gaping wounds. ONCE?
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
December 12, 2010
This is the best of the Honor Harrington novels up to this point. I haven't read the rest yet, but this book gave me enough hope to.
Gone for the most part is the obsession of David Weber on Honor' gender. The undercurrent mantra of the first three books, "But She's a WOMAN!" Unfortunately, gone too is the space warfare that put David Weber on the Map with his outstanding Starfire novels. Replacing fleet strategic warfare is dueling pistols.
Diminished was the pristine perfection of Honor Harrington. Her ability to be the best at everything she ever tries, and to be worshiped by everyone who has sense enough to lick the souls of her boots. She is still the best at everything she tries, and a perfect soldier. But now at least she a fool given to pursuing revenge and justice over money, career, and social status. A minor chink in the armor, but enough to make her just a little tiny bit interesting.
The problem with this book is the absolutely idiotic plot. Honor has to win a series of duels (with pistols) to take revenge on the guy who had her boyfriend killed. Such a dumb idea. So very, very stupid. All of the positive moves in this book are erased by this nonsensical premise.
The cast is still firmly divided into two camps. Those with irrational hatred for Honor Harrington, and those who are certain her shit smells like roses. The former camp gets more and more despicable and less and less realistic with each novel, but seems to have been dealt with effectively in this one. The latter group got a tad more interesting with the addition of a couple of body guards with potential.
Only read this book if you liked the first two. Otherwise skip ahead to later in the series.
Gone for the most part is the obsession of David Weber on Honor' gender. The undercurrent mantra of the first three books, "But She's a WOMAN!" Unfortunately, gone too is the space warfare that put David Weber on the Map with his outstanding Starfire novels. Replacing fleet strategic warfare is dueling pistols.
Diminished was the pristine perfection of Honor Harrington. Her ability to be the best at everything she ever tries, and to be worshiped by everyone who has sense enough to lick the souls of her boots. She is still the best at everything she tries, and a perfect soldier. But now at least she a fool given to pursuing revenge and justice over money, career, and social status. A minor chink in the armor, but enough to make her just a little tiny bit interesting.
The problem with this book is the absolutely idiotic plot. Honor has to win a series of duels (with pistols) to take revenge on the guy who had her boyfriend killed. Such a dumb idea. So very, very stupid. All of the positive moves in this book are erased by this nonsensical premise.
The cast is still firmly divided into two camps. Those with irrational hatred for Honor Harrington, and those who are certain her shit smells like roses. The former camp gets more and more despicable and less and less realistic with each novel, but seems to have been dealt with effectively in this one. The latter group got a tad more interesting with the addition of a couple of body guards with potential.
Only read this book if you liked the first two. Otherwise skip ahead to later in the series.
January 18, 2021
3.75 stars.
Listened in 2021. I don't think I can add much to the review I did after reading the book in 2016 below.
This book feels vastly different to the previous installment. The last book was all big-scaled battles and maneuvers whereas this one was concentrated on Honor's personal relationships and her interactions with her friends and foes. I liked this much better.
It was very sad what happened
Listened in 2021. I don't think I can add much to the review I did after reading the book in 2016 below.
This book feels vastly different to the previous installment. The last book was all big-scaled battles and maneuvers whereas this one was concentrated on Honor's personal relationships and her interactions with her friends and foes. I liked this much better.
It was very sad what happened
August 20, 2019
So freaking good! The main complaint from others who review it poorly say that it is a departure from the main theme of the series. That's wrong, The Honor Harrington series is much more than massive space battles otherwise it wouldn't be nearly as popular. Those who love the series do so because an entire book can be bereft of naval combat and yet still grip you and make you feel for what's happening. This series is fantastic, and this book reinforced my love for it.
April 28, 2016
Honor deals with the fallout from the cowardice of Pavel Young. This story is mostly politics and revenge but Honor kicks butt once again.
October 23, 2014
Quick & predictable read, but I loved it all the same. Shows Honor at her best, again.
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