Publisher's Weekly Review
Intrigue and counter-intrigue heighten the tension in Weber's 13th Honor Harrington novel (after Mission of Honor). Two wary interstellar nations, the monarchical Star Kingdom of Manticore and the oligarchic, Earth-based Solarian League, have often crossed swords in skirmishes, but an unprovoked attack by Solarian forces at Spindle and a recent homeworld assault known as the Yawata Strike leads the Empire to believe that the League is the dupe of the slaveholding and manipulative Mesan Alignment. Tensions rise as the Manticoran Empire impedes Solarian trade through its wormhole junctions in preparation for war. Duchess Honor Harrington acts mostly as advisor to the Empire but for a brief interlude is charged with protecting Manticore from an invading fleet of Solarian superdreadnaughts, as the author highlights the complex maneuverings of government leaders in this politically savvy but militarily uneventful novel that bridges the gap between the last novel and the expected sequel. (Mar.) © Copyright PWxyz, LLC. All rights reserved.
Booklist Review
The ever-prolific Weber's sixth Honorverse novel in five years returns to the main Honor Harrington story line last seen in 2010's Mission of Honor. After the massive destruction of the Battle of Manticore and the Oyster Bay attacks, the Star Kingdom of Manticore is struggling to recover. But they are no longer alone. Eloise Pritchard, president of Haven, visits Landing with the proposal that long-time enemies Haven and Manticore unite. But will they be able to stop the juggernaut of the Solarian Navy once it rumbles into motion? Honor, now admiral of the Fleet, leads the war effort, along with Admiral Thiesman of Haven. Unlike in previous Honor-centric novels in the series, here Harrington's point of view isn't the sole focus of the book. Instead, several characters and points of view weave together to create an overview of events as Weber makes several important leaps in the series' story line. Newcomers need to start at the beginning, with On Basilisk Station (2002), but series fans will snatch this one up eagerly and be thoroughly satisfied. HIGH-DEMAND BACKSTORY: Weber has made the jump from journeyman to best-selling author, and all his series now attract widespread attention among science-fiction fans.--Moyer, Jessica Copyright 2010 Booklist
