Uncompromising Honor

This juggernaut of military science fiction moves slowly but inexorably as the Star Kingdom’s Grand Fleet, commanded by series protagonist Honor Harrington, faces the space navy of the Solarian League as well as the shadowy cabal of the Mesan Alignment. The 14th novel in Weber’s bestselling series (not counting spin-offs) offers no summary to orient readers. Those who read A Rising Thunder (2012) will know that it has been five months since a devastating strike by parties unknown on Honor’s home system of Manticore, and only 39 days since the Grand Fleet handed the Solarian League an overwhelming defeat. Now the unethical Mandarins who lead the League have begun destroying the space infrastructure of defenseless worlds in order to scare systems into remaining loyal. Early naval victories by the Grand Fleet give way to more personal moments as well as politics, diplomacy, discussions of naval hardware capabilities, espionage, and hidden moves by the elusive Mesans. Weber is the Tom Clancy of science fiction; his doorstoppers have a similar pacing and feel. His fans will relish this latest installment, but newcomers shouldn’t start here. (Oct.)