Peril and strife strike on a double front for Honor Harrington and company. After a brutal attack on the Manticoran home system, Honor Harrington has rooted out a plan designed to enslave the entire human species. Behind that plan lies the shadowy organization known as the Mesan Alignment. Task number one for Honor is to shut down and secure the wormhole network that is the source of the Star Kingdom's wealth and power—but also its greatest vulnerability. Yet this is an act that the ancient and corrupt Earth-based Solarian League inevitably takes as a declaration of war.
The thunder of battle rolls as the Solarian League directs its massive power against the Star Kingdom. And once again, Honor Harrington is thrust into a desperate battle that she must win if she is to survive to take the fight to the real enemy of galactic freedom—the insidious puppetmasters of war who lurk behind the Mesan Alignment!
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Product ReviewTelling readers that this is merely the first half of a project that grew too long to publish in a single volume is an *explanation* for what happened here, but it's not an *excuse*.
It's not like Weber to make major fleet engagements dull, but he does it twice in this book. For readers who prefer his (often more dynamic) battles involving smaller ships--there aren't any.
Weber seems to be almost deliberately throwing away any opportunity to create any sympathetic characters among the Bad Guys--there are no Thomas Theismans or Shannon Forakers.
The Good Guys enjoy too many advantages, too-perfect intelligence, and far too much willingness among their citizenry to transfer their loyalties from old allies to new.
Far too much of the political and military situation is explained to us by people who have no reason to recap common knowledge: talking heads offering "maid-and-butler" dialog.
The writing has a slightly stilted feel to it, as if this volume were rushed to print when it could have used another pass across the editor's desk.Posted on
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Product ReviewClearly this was only half the book and has left me waiting for the next installment as there really was no standalone conclusion to the events described.
I don't regret buying the book but wish there had been some finality on which to hang my hat. I really don't much care for the Saturday afternoon serial style.Posted on
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Product ReviewFor Honor Harrington fans, a disappointment. Too much politics, too few space battles. Too many characters, too few interesting characters. It feels like a half book, with the best part missing.
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Product ReviewI agree with all the submitet comments, and i hope david weber reads the comments. It is disapointing.
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Product ReviewBeing a massive fan of David Webers I just cant force myself to rate this under a 3 star. That having been said I feel like the kid at christmas that expected a new toy and got socks instead. I dont mind all the politics, Even though most of the book felt like it was folks sitting around a table chatting, It gave some good insight. I didn't even mind the lack of naval battles. It was the terrible ending that got me. Or lack of ending I should say. It really really feels like the editor took a book, tore it in the middle and said "Here, This is book one." Without even looking where the story left off. I feel cheated MOSTLY because I will not be able to stop myself from buying the next book. But kick me in the nuts again and I might just have to leave this series unfinished.
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Product ReviewI waffled back and forth between 2 and 3 stars on this one - it's probably the weakest book of the entire series to date, but it's still pretty well written and interesting (if you like the political end of things - which I do). The down side is that ultimately I pick up these books for the wonderfully written battle scenes and there just isn't one in this book. If this is the first half of what was supposed to be a single book, that makes sense, since usually the big battle comes near the end, but it's still pretty disappointing. If it's true this is simply the first half of what was supposed to be a single book, someone made a huge mistake in breaking it in two.
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Product Review*Spoiler Alert* One fleet gets massacred...the second fleet goes away like a beaten cur...not one decent fleet action in the entire book. Then we have to read the drivel concerning a royal wedding. To say I could not care less is an understatement. Hopefully the second half of the book comes out soon because far too much was left hanging.
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Product ReviewThis book made me sad. As I read the first few chapters, my anticipation began to build. The plot was set for collisions between Manticore and the Leadgue, between Mesa and Manticore, Haven and Manticoe were fixing their relationship; when all of a sudden *SPOILER ALLERT* the book ended. I'm not saying that you should write to please your readers. I'm not saying you should write to please your publisher. I'm not even saying you should write to please yourself, but at least please someone. As an avid fan of this series I'm fairly put off.
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Product ReviewI have every book DW has written but this is hardly worth $6. He is either slowing down or milking the series. Doubt I'll buy any more - unless reviews are good.
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