A Call to Duty

A new series set in the universe of Weber’s popular heroine Honor Harrington gets off to a solid start. Travis Long’s life is aimless until he opts to join Manticore’s dying Navy. Soon he and his half-brother Gavin, a low-level lord, are drawn into crucial military and political affairs. Cowriters Zahn (known for his Star Wars sequels) and Weber do an excellent job alluding to events known to longtime fans without putting off new readers. The dual paths of Travis and Gavin weave together nicely, and their participation in high-stakes affairs doesn’t feel forced. Though this astronautical adventure is filled with technical details and military protocol, the minutiae never outweigh the intrigue and political drama. (Oct.)