So, like many people, I was at first nonplussed to find very little of Honor Harrington in this split from the main storyline. I feared that the hardline "last guardian at the gate" feel would be gone from the books and that the bit players from the series would water down that pure untrammeled Honoresque experience we've all come to know and love. Not happening. The book is great, and what's more, it's believable. No one, but no one, can be the lone hero forever. Odds catch up, people fail. Honor HAD to be promoted or she had to die. I loved this book. If you are a fan you will too. Besides, Mike is awesome!

I have read just about everything David Weber has published and the Honor Harrington series is by far the some of the best Sci-Fi I have encountered. I have read and re-read all the books in this series numerous times, and this latest addition did not disappoint me. The down side is that now I will need to wait about a year for the next installment. If you are a fan of the Honor Harrington series, and especially the last few books dealing with the Mesan Alignment, this is a must read.

With each successive novel, David spends more time exploring political intrigue and less time on the action for which he has been known. I appreciate his desire to set the stage for the military conflict that is to follow, but this novel really disappointed with only one meaningful space battle in spite of many, many pages devoted to character and plot development. There needs to be a better balance between action and inaction.

How disappointing that David Weber has now gone the way of Tom Clancy and others in that he has his name on a book that he must have had little to do with. Michelle Hencke is a great character as Honor Harringtons "best friend". I might be happy to spend some money and time on a book about her exploits, but...I bought an Honor Harrington book and the closest I got to her is that two characters said "let's be about it" and mentioned her name. That's it!!!! The first 150 pages are essentially incomprehensible and the action in what used to be action novels is for all intents and purpose, missing. Grand space opera is now a piddling little song...not even on a par with row, row, row your boat. Sad.