In this sixth outing, Honor is invited to rejoin the Royal Manticoran Navy at the instigation of some of her worst enemies. The RMN has withdrawn from the Silesian Confederacy in an effort to focus on its war with the People's Republic of Haven and the shipping cartels have been losing vessels: cargo, crews and all. Klaus Hauptmann sees a glorious opportunity: invite Honor to command the Q-ships which will draw pirate and privateer fire. If she dies, great; if she succeeds, even better. Honor and her companion Nimitz find unexpected friends (and enemies) along the way, and fans of this series' space battles will not be disappointed. In addition to a better glimpse of the Silesian systems, we finally get to meet a few of the Andermani. Want to read more about Honor? Read about Honor's early career in On Basilisk Station, her first encounter with the Graysons in The Honor of the Queen, the beginning of the war with the Peeps in The Short, Victorious War, the continuing story of treachery at home in Field of Dishonor, and her ignominous exile (or training to be an Admiral?) in Flag in Exile.


From Publishers Weekly
Packing enough punch to blast a starship to smithereens, the first hardcover in Weber's Honor Harrington series (Field of Dishonor, etc.) includes such an abundance of tactical and political maneuvering that only fierce fans of military SF are likely to remain enthralled. Honor, the finest and most daring admiral in the Royal Manticoran Navy, had been forcibly retired for political reasons. Now, though, with space pirates dogging and destroying merchant freighters, the Navy calls her back into action. Along with her telepathic tree-cat, Nimitz, Honor boards the Wayfarer, a starship crammed with weapons, young, untried officers and a most motley crew. Honor must not only battle pirates but also keep the bullies on the crew from gnawing away at the morale, and the lives, of her newbie officers. The technical detail and lengthy battle scenes may try some readers' patience. Still, Weber peoples his ships with fine, brave youngsters, adding depth to what is otherwise a high-gloss space opera. Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Library Journal
In this military space opera, the sixth in the Honor Harrington series, the heroine combat commander fights space pirates. Recommended for sf collections.Copyright 1996 Reed Business Information, Inc.


From Booklist
Honor Harrington has risen to high rank through her prowess in combat. Now she rises to hardcover publication through her sales in bookstores. The longest Honor book to date boasts a whole squadron of subplots--including a real charmer about the treecat Nimitz becoming a father--flying in close formation, but at the heart of it is Honor's being called back from Grayson to command Manticoran ships again (this time Q-ships, merchant vessels with concealed weapons) and against some exceedingly smelly pirates. Soon she has to make an uneasy alliance with some Havenite ("Peep" ) officers and to work with the Andermani Empire, which is ethnically Chinese, speaks German, and has a navy resembling Kaiser Wilhelm's High Seas Fleet. Readers will come swarming. Roland Green

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Despite political foes, professional jealousies, and the scandal which drove her into exile, Captain Honor Harrington has been offered a chance to reclaim her career as an officer of the Royal Manticoran Navy. But there's a catch. She must assume command of a "squadron" of jury-rigged armed merchantmen with crew drawn from the dregs of her service and somehow stop the pirates who have taken advantage of the Havenite War to plunder the Star Kingdom's commerce.

FROM THE CRITICS

Publishers Weekly

Packing enough punch to blast a starship to smithereens, the first hardcover in Weber's Honor Harrington series (Field of Dishonor, etc.) includes such an abundance of tactical and political maneuvering that only fierce fans of military SF are likely to remain enthralled. Honor, the finest and most daring admiral in the Royal Manticoran Navy, had been forcibly retired for political reasons. Now, though, with space pirates dogging and destroying merchant freighters, the Navy calls her back into action. Along with her telepathic tree-cat, Nimitz, Honor boards the Wayfarer, a starship crammed with weapons, young, untried officers and a most motley crew. Honor must not only battle pirates but also keep the bullies on the crew from gnawing away at the morale, and the lives, of her newbie officers. The technical detail and lengthy battle scenes may try some readers' patience. Still, Weber peoples his ships with fine, brave youngsters, adding depth to what is otherwise a high-gloss space opera. (June)

Library Journal

In this military space opera, the sixth in the Honor Harrington series, the heroine combat commander fights space pirates. Recommended for sf collections.

BookList - Roland Green

Honor Harrington has risen to high rank through her prowess in combat. Now she rises to hardcover publication through her sales in bookstores. The longest Honor book to date boasts a whole squadron of subplots--including a real charmer about the treecat Nimitz becoming a father--flying in close formation, but at the heart of it is Honor's being called back from Grayson to command Manticoran ships again (this time Q-ships, merchant vessels with concealed weapons) and against some exceedingly smelly pirates. Soon she has to make an uneasy alliance with some Havenite ("Peep" ) officers and to work with the Andermani Empire, which is ethnically Chinese, speaks German, and has a navy resembling Kaiser Wilhelm's High Seas Fleet. Readers will come swarming.

WHAT PEOPLE ARE SAYING