Status
Available
Call number
Publication
Baen (2002), Edition: Reissue, Mass Market Paperback
Description
Fiction. Science Fiction. HTML: RIGHT WOMAN, WRONG PLACE It's hard to give peace a chance when the other side regards war as the necessary prelude to conquest, and a sneak attack as the best means to that end. That's why the Kingdom of Manticore needs allies against the so-called "Republic" of Haven�??and the planet Grayson is just the right strategic place to make a very good ally indeed. But Her Majesty's Foreign Office had overlooked a "minor cultural difference" when they chose Honor Harrington to carry the flag: women on the planet Grayson are without rank or rights; Honor's very presence is an intolerable affront to every male on the planet. At first Honor doesn't take it personally; where she comes from gender discrimination is barely a historical memory, right up there in significance to fear of the left-handed. But in time such treatment as she receives from the Graysonites does become wearing, and Honor would withdraw if she could�??but then Grayson's fratricidal sister planet attacks without warning and she must stay and prevail, not just for Honor's honor, but for her sovereign's, for�??THE HONOR OF THE QUEEN. At the publisher's request, this title is sold without DRM (Digital Rights Manageme… (more)
User reviews
LibraryThing member Kade
Honor of the Queen is one of the weakest books in the series. It's unfortunate that the second is a letdown on the heels of the first, which is such a good stand-alone story. The premise is quite sound, and nothing per se is wrong with its pacing, but the main character tends to stray into
First, regarding Harrington: Her self-doubt is fairly annoying, her decision to leave the system so as not to endure the derision of the misogynistic Grayson society (or "Space Mormons" as I like to call them) is mostly out of character. Her restraint in the face of finding out that the CO of a Masadan base tolerated and encouraged the sexual assault of her fellow Naval personnel is ludicrous and her choice not to blow his fucking brains out was completely ridiculous, a good chance to develop her character further and give her a "flaw" wasted.
Second: Sexual assault is used as a cheap device to garner sympathy from the reader on TWO separate occasions in the book, and it is something David Weber constantly struggles with for the rest of the series. Once, a female ensign is sexually harassed as she's landing a shuttle on Grayson, by a Grayson soldier of all things. She returns to the ship like a coward and keeps it all bottled up inside. Also, female prisoners are raped by male soldiers of the Masadi Navy (a splinter faction of even MORE militant Space Mormons than the people of Grayson). Alright, we get it, religious extremists are bad bad people. Weber uses sexual assault like a cudgel to tell you that this person is BAD, just as he used it in the first book, to indicate that the man who had sexually assaulted Harrington at the academy is a douchebag and will continue being a douchebag throughout the series. It's cheap, and it trivializes a very serious issue.
Third: The Space Mormons give Honor Harrington TITLE to LAND. What I'm saying here is that a society of Mormons who up until this point have treated women as second class citizens decide to appoint Honor Harrington, a FOREIGN woman, a provincial governor and owner of land on their planet for saving it. Even assuming that the leader of Grayson wanted to move his society in a progressive direction, the idea that Grayson society would accept this and not be irreparably harmed, or foment a revolution is entirely hard to swallow. I have no problem with the path David Weber wants to nudge Grayson in, as a reforming religious society. But to make Honor a noble-titled landholder on the planet immediately almost completely shatters the good feelings brought about by the victory of the good guys at the end of the books.
However, in light of reading the books subsequent to this, I do grasp why David Weber did this. Honor Harrington needed an "in" to the upper strata of Manticoran society, the nobility, House of Lords, et cetera. It would have been even more Mary Sue-ish to have her be the only non-nobility who tends to dine and speak with very important people on Manticore often. However I wish he had found a more delicate way to give her this "in" to Manticore high society without going so counter to Grayson society.
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unfortunate Mary Sue territory more often than in the other books, and cheap literary devices are used to garner sympathy from the reader, and the ending is quite frankly ludicrous. First, regarding Harrington: Her self-doubt is fairly annoying, her decision to leave the system so as not to endure the derision of the misogynistic Grayson society (or "Space Mormons" as I like to call them) is mostly out of character. Her restraint in the face of finding out that the CO of a Masadan base tolerated and encouraged the sexual assault of her fellow Naval personnel is ludicrous and her choice not to blow his fucking brains out was completely ridiculous, a good chance to develop her character further and give her a "flaw" wasted.
Second: Sexual assault is used as a cheap device to garner sympathy from the reader on TWO separate occasions in the book, and it is something David Weber constantly struggles with for the rest of the series. Once, a female ensign is sexually harassed as she's landing a shuttle on Grayson, by a Grayson soldier of all things. She returns to the ship like a coward and keeps it all bottled up inside. Also, female prisoners are raped by male soldiers of the Masadi Navy (a splinter faction of even MORE militant Space Mormons than the people of Grayson). Alright, we get it, religious extremists are bad bad people. Weber uses sexual assault like a cudgel to tell you that this person is BAD, just as he used it in the first book, to indicate that the man who had sexually assaulted Harrington at the academy is a douchebag and will continue being a douchebag throughout the series. It's cheap, and it trivializes a very serious issue.
Third: The Space Mormons give Honor Harrington TITLE to LAND. What I'm saying here is that a society of Mormons who up until this point have treated women as second class citizens decide to appoint Honor Harrington, a FOREIGN woman, a provincial governor and owner of land on their planet for saving it. Even assuming that the leader of Grayson wanted to move his society in a progressive direction, the idea that Grayson society would accept this and not be irreparably harmed, or foment a revolution is entirely hard to swallow. I have no problem with the path David Weber wants to nudge Grayson in, as a reforming religious society. But to make Honor a noble-titled landholder on the planet immediately almost completely shatters the good feelings brought about by the victory of the good guys at the end of the books.
However, in light of reading the books subsequent to this, I do grasp why David Weber did this. Honor Harrington needed an "in" to the upper strata of Manticoran society, the nobility, House of Lords, et cetera. It would have been even more Mary Sue-ish to have her be the only non-nobility who tends to dine and speak with very important people on Manticore often. However I wish he had found a more delicate way to give her this "in" to Manticore high society without going so counter to Grayson society.
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LibraryThing member jjmcgaffey
It really is amazing how much politics there is in the early stories - they read like action stories, bu the reasons for the action are complex politics, domestic and external. Funny reading the Graysons' reaction to her, when I know how they'll regard her later...
LibraryThing member texascheeseman
The Honor of the Queen
Honor Harrington #2
Author: David Weber
Publisher: Baen Books
Published In: Riverdale, NY
Date: 1993
Pgs: 421
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Kingdom of Manticore Foreign Office has made a mistake. They’ve sent Honor Harrington to carry the flag on a diplomatic mission to
Genre:
Adventure
Fiction
Military
Science fiction
Space
Space opera
War
Why this book:
I’ve always been fascinated by Honor Harrington. The warp point militaria stories of David Weber make me happy. I love them. I’ve read his Starfire books...and re-read them...and am re-reading them again this year. All four of them are on my re-read pile. The Honoriad is a fellow traveller to those stories. The Honor Harrington books use the warp point and militaria aspects in a different, parallel universe. I love Weber’s military Starfire-ish books.
_________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Honor Harrington is one of the best characters in literature. She’s a hidden gem.
Character I Most Identified With:
I love Honor Harrington and want to be her.
The Feel:
This is great military sci fi.
Favorite Scene:
When the Grayson government council is debating “allowing” Honor to act in her official military capacity despite their social and cultural mores and the Voice of the Church stands up for reason in the face of society. It’s a well constructed scene with all the conservative stick-in-the-muds surprised that the religious voice comes across logical and liberal. Well done.
When Nimitz lets loose when he recognizes the assassination squad coming into the Protector’s residence...damn. The treecats are some bad mothers. Awesome fight scene too. And awesome denouement to the scene.
Pacing:
The pace is awesome.
Hmm Moments:
I love this quote from the book. It reads like an indictment of modern American political point of views.
“...sweeping, simplistic solutions to complicated problems are much more appealing than tackling the real thought that might actually solve them.”
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
I’m just not sure if there is a market for it. Military sci fi seems to be having a hard time at the box office. Jupiter Ascending didn’t do so well. I would love to see Honor Harrington go big on the big screen. Maybe in the post new Star Wars era, there’ll be more of an appetite.
Casting call:
I just don’t know who to cast as Honor. Kate Beckinsale or Rhona Mitra...maybe.
______________________________________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
The last 75 to 100 pages are an awesome blur of good scenes and characters.
Author Assessment:
I will be reading more of David Weber’s stuff.
Editorial Assessment:
This was tightly edited.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
instant classic
Disposition of Book:
e-Book
Would recommend to:
everyone
______________________________________________________________________________
Honor Harrington #2
Author: David Weber
Publisher: Baen Books
Published In: Riverdale, NY
Date: 1993
Pgs: 421
REVIEW MAY CONTAIN SPOILERS
Summary:
The Kingdom of Manticore Foreign Office has made a mistake. They’ve sent Honor Harrington to carry the flag on a diplomatic mission to
Show More
Grayson, a world with backward social morees when it comes to women and their positions in society. Conflict with, hopefully, future allies aside, the Republic of Haven has to be nearby and ready to take advantage. Honor has her work cut out for her. But her stars are on the rise after Basilisk. Hopefully, she’ll be equal to the challenge. The Kingdom needs allies. The wolves are gathering. Is she the right person at the right place at the right time for Queen and country...let’s hope so.Genre:
Adventure
Fiction
Military
Science fiction
Space
Space opera
War
Why this book:
I’ve always been fascinated by Honor Harrington. The warp point militaria stories of David Weber make me happy. I love them. I’ve read his Starfire books...and re-read them...and am re-reading them again this year. All four of them are on my re-read pile. The Honoriad is a fellow traveller to those stories. The Honor Harrington books use the warp point and militaria aspects in a different, parallel universe. I love Weber’s military Starfire-ish books.
_________________________________________________________________________
Favorite Character:
Honor Harrington is one of the best characters in literature. She’s a hidden gem.
Character I Most Identified With:
I love Honor Harrington and want to be her.
The Feel:
This is great military sci fi.
Favorite Scene:
When the Grayson government council is debating “allowing” Honor to act in her official military capacity despite their social and cultural mores and the Voice of the Church stands up for reason in the face of society. It’s a well constructed scene with all the conservative stick-in-the-muds surprised that the religious voice comes across logical and liberal. Well done.
When Nimitz lets loose when he recognizes the assassination squad coming into the Protector’s residence...damn. The treecats are some bad mothers. Awesome fight scene too. And awesome denouement to the scene.
Pacing:
The pace is awesome.
Hmm Moments:
I love this quote from the book. It reads like an indictment of modern American political point of views.
“...sweeping, simplistic solutions to complicated problems are much more appealing than tackling the real thought that might actually solve them.”
Why isn’t there a screenplay?
I’m just not sure if there is a market for it. Military sci fi seems to be having a hard time at the box office. Jupiter Ascending didn’t do so well. I would love to see Honor Harrington go big on the big screen. Maybe in the post new Star Wars era, there’ll be more of an appetite.
Casting call:
I just don’t know who to cast as Honor. Kate Beckinsale or Rhona Mitra...maybe.
______________________________________________________________________________
Last Page Sound:
The last 75 to 100 pages are an awesome blur of good scenes and characters.
Author Assessment:
I will be reading more of David Weber’s stuff.
Editorial Assessment:
This was tightly edited.
Knee Jerk Reaction:
instant classic
Disposition of Book:
e-Book
Would recommend to:
everyone
______________________________________________________________________________
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LibraryThing member misericordia
Honor Harrington takes a bad ally and a worst enemies sorts them out. Friends and Allies pay the price but honor and justice is served at the end of flaming torpedos!
LibraryThing member Sojutu
I love this book because it strikes a nerve as far as people being mature enough to facedown what they don't like about themselves and others. I also like how brutally honest it is but also uncovers things that should not be tolerated. If one tolerates bad behavior, who gets hurt the most in the
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end? Besides it dealing with these social situations it also highlighted Nimitz's skill and gave us more insight into how the bond works. Show Less
LibraryThing member BobVTReader
Lot better read than the first in the series. I think that I may be becoming addicted to the series
LibraryThing member jimmaclachlan
Again, I didn't like this quite as well listening to it as reading it. There weren't as many data dumps, but Honor's insistence on taking responsibility for things outside of her control got old, something I could skim through in paper format.
Johnson did a better job with the voices, although again
It was a fun romp with Honor shining again.
Johnson did a better job with the voices, although again
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her accents struck me as strange as did her insistence on mispronouncing some common words. She did a good job pitching her tone to fit the excitement level.It was a fun romp with Honor shining again.
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LibraryThing member JohnFair
When she's told she's been selected to head up a military convoy to the planet Grayson, Honor is sure her bosses in the Admiralty have taken leave of their senses for she's no desire to learn the diplomatic niceties involved in such a command. There's a another problem, though, that Honor has
But the deep laid plans of their ancient Masadan enemies force the Graysons to compromise in order to survive.
Weber has stated that he has an overarching plan for the Honorverse but only two books into the series, there are various elements that won't quite work through to later books in the series, though it is still a great book on its own merits.
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difficulty in believing for the Graysons have been isolated for the mainstream of Galactic society for almost a millenium and the harsh nature of their world meant that their religion had lost none of its own harshness towards the status of women and if there's anything they're less likely to put up with than the ignorance of the Manticoran economics 'expert' is a female military commander.But the deep laid plans of their ancient Masadan enemies force the Graysons to compromise in order to survive.
Weber has stated that he has an overarching plan for the Honorverse but only two books into the series, there are various elements that won't quite work through to later books in the series, though it is still a great book on its own merits.
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LibraryThing member gilroy
I'm on a reread kick with these Honor Harrington novels. We're at the 25th anniversary of it's original release so I wanted to see what drew me in when I first tried them.
This novel picks up about 3 years after the end of On Basilisk Station. Honor's already had the heavy cruiser out and brought it
This feels like a commentary book, as it talks about conservatism and its staunch beliefs versus the more progressive views of the world. Funny, it felt like it matched the present political environment.
I'd forgotten that this book was where Nimitz shows his true ferocity against enemies of Honor and her friends. Also that this was the novel where Honor gets knighted, tapped as Steadholder, and made a Countess. Lots of stuff happens earlier in the series than I remembered. But then again, the previous book had dropped hints at the treecats and their ... skills.
I feel like this audiobook narrator is guessing at pronunciations. Mac-a be-us instead of Ma-cab-e-us. LACKS instead of reading the letters out. It's a bit nerve wrenching for me.
Definitely a worthy series, even with the added asides.
This novel picks up about 3 years after the end of On Basilisk Station. Honor's already had the heavy cruiser out and brought it
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back for its first refit and new orders. We continue to see the fall out of the incidents of the previous book, and hints at what's to come. I checked my files and am listening to a rereleased version, so there are more chapters with more asides than the original held. This feels like a commentary book, as it talks about conservatism and its staunch beliefs versus the more progressive views of the world. Funny, it felt like it matched the present political environment.
I'd forgotten that
I feel like this audiobook narrator is guessing at pronunciations. Mac-a be-us instead of Ma-cab-e-us. LACKS instead of reading the letters out. It's a bit nerve wrenching for me.
Definitely a worthy series, even with the added asides.
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LibraryThing member Jean_Sexton
This was a difficult book to read in some ways as it has themes of religious intolerance. I know the worst of it comes from the "bad guys," but it was difficult to read some of the male characters' hatred of a woman who doesn't conform to what they expect: staying secluded and serving the husband.
That written, there is much to admire in the book. Honor Harrington is more than competent, the good guys can learn, and it is a cracking good military SF story. I think the parts that got to me got to me because it is so well-written. I cared about the characters and I wanted the good guys to win.
This needs to be read in series order, after On Basilisk Station. If you liked that book, go ahead and get this one. Military science fiction fans, if you don't have this series, you should!
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The aftermath of rape was also hard to read.That written, there is much to admire in the book. Honor Harrington is more than competent, the good guys can learn, and it is a cracking good military SF story. I think the parts that got to me got to me because it is so well-written. I cared about the characters and I wanted the good guys to win.
This needs to be read in series order, after On Basilisk Station. If you liked that book, go ahead and get this one. Military science fiction fans, if you don't have this series, you should!
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LibraryThing member humouress
In the interests of the ongoing dance to prevent the People's Republic of Haven from encroaching on neighbouring star systems with a view to gobbling them up and moving on towards Manticore, Captain Honor Harrington is given the military command of a diplomatic mission to the planet Grayson of the
Similar to On Basilisk Station, Honor finds herself in another system, in a difficult political situation, fighting on behalf of people who don't particularly like her, and hopelessly outclassed - on paper - by the military might her opponents (Haven making a reappearance here) can command, but, as ever, she sticks to her personal code of honour. But, despite the reams of numbers which went over my head, the action sequences had me, literally, on the edge of my seat. You know Honor will come through; she has to - but how is she going to make it, against all the odds?
This time, there is an acknowledgement that it is not just sections and armament that is lost when a ship is hit, but scores of people as well, which I felt wasn't obvious in On Basilisk Station. We get to see Nimitz the tree cat launch into furious action, and explore the extent of his empathy, which surprises even Honor. I like the way the scene switches between ships, so we see the split-second decisions and repercussions from both sides during an engagement. It keeps the action flowing, and the tension high, and lets you empathise with the opposition.
This is the second instalment in the excellent Honor Harrington series.
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intervening Yeltsin's Star system. But she's just found out that women are treated as second class citizens with no legal rights on Grayson. And no-one has told the Graysonites that she's in charge. Despite her dislike for politics, Honor is going to have to learn diplomacy, and very quickly.Similar to On Basilisk Station, Honor finds herself in another system, in a difficult political situation, fighting on behalf of people who don't particularly like her, and hopelessly outclassed - on paper - by the military might her opponents (Haven making a reappearance here) can command, but, as ever, she sticks to her personal code of honour. But, despite the reams of numbers which went over my head, the action sequences had me, literally, on the edge of my seat. You know Honor will come through; she has to - but how is she going to make it, against all the odds?
This time, there is an acknowledgement that it is not just sections and armament that is lost when a ship is hit, but scores of people as well, which I felt wasn't obvious in On Basilisk Station. We get to see Nimitz the tree cat launch into furious action, and explore the extent of his empathy, which surprises even Honor. I like the way the scene switches between ships, so we see the split-second decisions and repercussions from both sides during an engagement. It keeps the action flowing, and the tension high, and lets you empathise with the opposition.
This is the second instalment in the excellent Honor Harrington series.
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LibraryThing member 3j0hn
Pretty great mil-sf story. A lot better than the first volume - probably because a lot of the infodumps did not need to be repeated - but also because the characters are definitely better developed.
LibraryThing member kmartin802
Honor Harrington and her ship Fearless are on their way to Grayson as part of a diplomatic mission to sign a treaty with Grayson which will advance Grayson technologically and provide Manticore with an ally in its conflict with the Republic of Haven.
The problem is that Grayson is a place where
What she doesn't know is that Grayson's old enemies on Masada are getting ready to invade. And their religious fanaticism makes the Graysonites look positively liberal in comparison. Add in that the Masadans have the secret support of the Republic of Haven in the form of two ships with more power than Honor's and things get tense very quickly.
I liked the way this story told what was happening on Grayson and what was happening on the ships lent to the Masadans. The story was filled with plenty of space battles but also with character development for Honor and for the people on Grayson.
The problem is that Grayson is a place where
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women are definitely second class citizens. Honor's presence is an affront to all of Grayson. She deals with prejudice and intolerance as do her female officers. Because she fears her presence will hamper treaty talks, she convinces the diplomats including her old mentor Admiral Courvosier that she should escort some freighters to their next destination which will take about 11 days. What she doesn't know is that Grayson's old enemies on Masada are getting ready to invade. And their religious fanaticism makes the Graysonites look positively liberal in comparison. Add in that the Masadans have the secret support of the Republic of Haven in the form of two ships with more power than Honor's and things get tense very quickly.
I liked the way this story told what was happening on Grayson and what was happening on the ships lent to the Masadans. The story was filled with plenty of space battles but also with character development for Honor and for the people on Grayson.
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LibraryThing member kmartin802
Honor Harrington and her ship Fearless are on their way to Grayson as part of a diplomatic mission to sign a treaty with Grayson which will advance Grayson technologically and provide Manticore with an ally in its conflict with the Republic of Haven.
The problem is that Grayson is a place where
What she doesn't know is that Grayson's old enemies on Masada are getting ready to invade. And their religious fanaticism makes the Graysonites look positively liberal in comparison. Add in that the Masadans have the secret support of the Republic of Haven in the form of two ships with more power than Honor's and things get tense very quickly.
I liked the way this story told what was happening on Grayson and what was happening on the ships lent to the Masadans. The story was filled with plenty of space battles but also with character development for Honor and for the people on Grayson.
The problem is that Grayson is a place where
Show More
women are definitely second class citizens. Honor's presence is an affront to all of Grayson. She deals with prejudice and intolerance as do her female officers. Because she fears her presence will hamper treaty talks, she convinces the diplomats including her old mentor Admiral Courvosier that she should escort some freighters to their next destination which will take about 11 days. What she doesn't know is that Grayson's old enemies on Masada are getting ready to invade. And their religious fanaticism makes the Graysonites look positively liberal in comparison. Add in that the Masadans have the secret support of the Republic of Haven in the form of two ships with more power than Honor's and things get tense very quickly.
I liked the way this story told what was happening on Grayson and what was happening on the ships lent to the Masadans. The story was filled with plenty of space battles but also with character development for Honor and for the people on Grayson.
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LibraryThing member mwchase
One of the best military/space naval book series out there.
LibraryThing member majackson
The story starts off slow, and starts to pick up (but also slowly). It's a complicated plot: a misogynist religious culture (women are source of evil because the first sin committed by mankind was Eve's fault). The Progressive branch of the religion has an extreme falling out with the smaller,
For the most part, this is a solid 3-star story, but the ending is definitely worth an extra half-star.
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Conservitive branch and the Conservatives move to another planet and now want to return and show the Progressives the error of their ways. And they plan to do it by using some dupes from a different planet (who are hoping to scam them in turn). Meanwhile, the good guys are trying to get a foot hold on the original planet because it's strategically located between them and the bad guys who are the ones trying to league themselves with the Conservatives. To add some interest, remember that both religious cultures despise women...and Honor Harrington is a woman. Initially she feels put-out by the slurs and taunts and tries to distance herself from the action only to learn that the conservatives have used the bad guys to begin a war that was only a pretext to initiate a coup de tat and her best friend/father-figure is killed in the action that she must now try to salvage.For the most part, this is a solid 3-star story, but the ending is definitely worth an extra half-star.
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LibraryThing member sgsmitty
A nice sequel to first Honorverse book. I enjoyed it for the most part although my series fatigue set in sooner than normal with is usually the third book of a series. This book is not really a sequel rather simply the next story in the life of the character of Honor Harrington. She grows as a
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person in this story and is not simply in the right place at the right time. She learns more about herself and the impact she has on others. Good stuff. I do plan on reading further installments of this series after a break. Show Less
LibraryThing member lyrrael
This is at least my tenth time reading this book, and I still love it. I think, however, some of the dimensionless villains are starting to get to me. Honestly, I think that dimensionless villains in any fiction are really starting to get to me. People without redeeming characteristics just aren't
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this common. Show Less
Subjects
Language
Original publication date
1993
Physical description
464 p.; 6.85 inches
ISBN
0743435729 / 9780743435727