disastrouspenguin's review against another edition
4.0
4.5/5.
One of the better-paced books in the series. Minus half a star because there are still so many loose threads at the end of the book. (I'm sure he plans on addressing them later, but I'd really like to know now!)
One of the better-paced books in the series. Minus half a star because there are still so many loose threads at the end of the book. (I'm sure he plans on addressing them later, but I'd really like to know now!)
pjonsson's review against another edition
4.0
A lot better than the previous one. Not that this would be very difficult.
Still a lot of political BS though and I'm concerned about these plot elements that seems to introduce another party bent on more of the same behind the scenes dirty political plotting and backstabbing. I hope he wont go down that road to much in the next book(s).
Still a lot of political BS though and I'm concerned about these plot elements that seems to introduce another party bent on more of the same behind the scenes dirty political plotting and backstabbing. I hope he wont go down that road to much in the next book(s).
matosapa's review against another edition
4.0
Another strong entry in the Honor series, this book focuses on a massive effort by Haven to crush the Star Kingdom in a last ditch war. The battles are well-written and the final attack by Haven is appalling in scope and loss of life but amazing to read.
blikkie's review against another edition
3.0
Wow, Weber is cheesy and indulgent at times. Nevertheless, at some point I got so invested in the story, that I could barely put down the book, and that has to count for something too. Delicious pulp.
katmarhan's review against another edition
4.0
This was a satisfying read on many levels... Honor's personal life, big developments in the Republic of Haven and Kingdom of Manticore conflict (both diplomatically and militarily), and the bringing in of the various side-book story lines.
Honor's personal life: I am very glad that Honor's affair of the heart with Hamish has been resolved. I do see Emily and Honor as amazingly mature women in terms of the solution, and it's odd that the ultimate solution was not their idea at all. Hamish just seems to be along for the ride (and the siring of children). I still don't understand the deep connection Honor feels with him--that's one thing that Weber has not made "real" for me.
Diplomacy between Haven & Manticore: ARGHHH!! Between Queen Elizabeth's inability to see past her (justifiable) rage and resentment and the Havenites' inability to manage their diplomacy without interference... well, it was heartbreaking to see the possibility of peace so thoroughly derailed.
The military conflict: Yikes! The body count, especially of the last engagement, was appalling. Will it make a difference in finally bringing about a ceasefire and a possibility of peace? I will say that Weber has evened the balance and so the battles are somewhat more interesting, although I confess I still skim over the parts about how far and how fast different missiles can fly. I get the gist of what each thing can do (the Katanas, the Apollos, etc.) but I ignore the "specs" and the details. The results are clear enough.
I tried to find out how many more books Weber expects to write in this series. I think I'd like to see it wrap up fairly soon, although the pullers of strings (mostly behind the scenes) need to be discovered and defeated, too.
Honor's personal life: I am very glad that Honor's affair of the heart with Hamish has been resolved. I do see Emily and Honor as amazingly mature women in terms of the solution, and it's odd that the ultimate solution was not their idea at all. Hamish just seems to be along for the ride (and the siring of children). I still don't understand the deep connection Honor feels with him--that's one thing that Weber has not made "real" for me.
Diplomacy between Haven & Manticore: ARGHHH!! Between Queen Elizabeth's inability to see past her (justifiable) rage and resentment and the Havenites' inability to manage their diplomacy without interference... well, it was heartbreaking to see the possibility of peace so thoroughly derailed.
The military conflict: Yikes! The body count, especially of the last engagement, was appalling. Will it make a difference in finally bringing about a ceasefire and a possibility of peace? I will say that Weber has evened the balance and so the battles are somewhat more interesting, although I confess I still skim over the parts about how far and how fast different missiles can fly. I get the gist of what each thing can do (the Katanas, the Apollos, etc.) but I ignore the "specs" and the details. The results are clear enough.
I tried to find out how many more books Weber expects to write in this series. I think I'd like to see it wrap up fairly soon, although the pullers of strings (mostly behind the scenes) need to be discovered and defeated, too.
voiddragon117's review against another edition
4.0
At All Costs- Finally the stupid love triangle gets resolved! Oh and some cool battles take place. Oh yeah and there were babies born and big battles
mistressop's review against another edition
3.0
the saddest part about this book is i finally realize what will happen to honor. it took me a second. I think i see the foreshadowing.
it kinda tip off in that story told to the kids. up in a blaze of glory. her name was the tip off with the story.plus the author loves fire. before she does i hope she has a daughter or more kids. besides the little boy and the other girl. her ability to use mind gift is interesting. it would be great to see it passed on to a girl.
update spoiler years later I am rereading the series over again.
Spoiler
honor is going to die. that's what i figured out. not this book but the end of the series.it kinda tip off in that story told to the kids. up in a blaze of glory. her name was the tip off with the story.plus the author loves fire. before she does i hope she has a daughter or more kids. besides the little boy and the other girl. her ability to use mind gift is interesting. it would be great to see it passed on to a girl.
update spoiler years later I am rereading the series over again.
Spoiler
the spoiler was correct. I read an interview from the author that originally it was supposed to be that honor would die. As she is based on a real navy commander who did die. lol also was in a three-way relationship.kaeritha's review against another edition
1.0
The story is good and the writing is on par with the other books.
But I cannot overlook what I feel is a complete betrayal of both his characters and his readers. Towards the end, a group of recurring and main characters are suddenly remarkably stupid and completely contrary to how they have acted in the last TEN books. Maybe.../maybe/....in Weber's mind there really was a reason for Elizabeth's friends & advisors to suddenly become imbeciles. If there was, it should have been in the book...as long as the book was, surely *something* else could have been replaced to make their actions not a complete mockery. To me, it reads like Weber had a place he wanted the story to go and consistent character behavior be damned. Elizabeth and Honor are the only two of the group that seem to retain their "true" selves in that section.
But I cannot overlook what I feel is a complete betrayal of both his characters and his readers. Towards the end, a group of recurring and main characters are suddenly remarkably stupid and completely contrary to how they have acted in the last TEN books. Maybe.../maybe/....in Weber's mind there really was a reason for Elizabeth's friends & advisors to suddenly become imbeciles. If there was, it should have been in the book...as long as the book was, surely *something* else could have been replaced to make their actions not a complete mockery. To me, it reads like Weber had a place he wanted the story to go and consistent character behavior be damned. Elizabeth and Honor are the only two of the group that seem to retain their "true" selves in that section.