On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington Series, Book 1)

Rating:
Summary: Solid Space Opera
Review: A slick military SF adventure, ON BASILISK STATION is a swift and compelling read. David Weber usually has a fairly clear prose style, and he renders action sequences on the ground and in space with a fierce energy. Characterization is about as strong as it can be in this kind of story, and Honor herself is an appealing figure, not falling into any stereotypes.

The plot is rather straightforward; Captain Harrington, after showing up superiors in a training exercise, is punished by having her ship banished to distant Basilisk Station, a backwater colony full of shady merchants and normally-docile natives who are apparently being given homicide-inducing drugs. Her one ship is forced to patrol the entire system, and it turns out that the nearby People's Republic of Haven has its eye on it...

The technology of this book is sufficiently detailed that one might, perhaps, call it Hard SF (if such distinctions mean anything to you.) But Weber is able to make the action clear and avoids descending into technobabble. Oddly enough, it was the nautical terms that threw me- I'm still not entirely sure of the difference between a ship's boat, a cutter and a pinnace. Weber is less successful rendering the politics of this future society, and more importantly I don't see why so much time is spent on it. The general idea is basically "the politicians are out of touch with the problems the military has to face", which is standard for this sort of thing, so the continued criticism of "liberal" and "conservative" attitudes (will those terms still mean anything hundreds of years in the future?) gets just a tad repetitive. The native "stilties" are shortchanged, being little more than extras for some admittedly effective action scenes. I'll also never understand why Weber chooses to end the book by resolving some silly subplot about tactical policy that only means anything for the first few chapters.

None of this keeps the book from being a good, suspenseful action story, however. In addition to some superb battles, the efforts Honor and her crew make to patrol the entire system using the resources of one ship are fascinating. The highs and lows of Honor Harrington's first major assignment make for a fine story.

Rating:
Summary: On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington Series, Book 1)
Review: I LOVE HONOR!!!!! This is a great series of books. It's kind of like the Horatio Hornblower books - I think Weber must have been a fan - but they have more meat to the stories. And any wonder considering how long the books are. Excellent! This is one of my favorite series. I go back and reread them all the time (or at least my favorite parts). I definately want more!

Weber creates a rich, complicated, screw-you-over, just like the real world, universe. It's so like real life. You meet new characters, hate them/love them, and not all of them make it through the battles. If you like sci-fi, you should definately read these books.

Rating:
Summary: Weber is the Patrick O'Brian of space
Review: I normally don't go in much for science fiction military thrillers. I picked this book up after seeing the Honor Harrington series well reviewed. Weber writes naval military thrillers set in space. The character Honor Harrington, who is introduced in this first volume of the series is a really engaging character. She is intelligent, aggressive, and a born leader. The story is character driven unlike most military thrillers. However Weber does write really engaging action scenes that keep you rapidly turning paged. Two snaps up.

Rating:
Summary: Ultimately unreal, But fun
Review: I'm reviewing from the point-of-view of someone who enjoys science and gaming.

Wormholes, hyperdrive, 6-legged telepathic space kitties, lots of tech based on the manipulation of gravity, and, of course, sailors and marines, all play prominent roles in Weber's universe.

The author has contrived a physics and technology of space flight that makes space battles exciting and tactically interesting. He attempt to "play by the rules" of physics, throwing in some speculative future science ones. Communication and sensors are limited by the speed of light, spaceships (mostly) by the familiar physics of Newton, and weapons, computers, and other gadgets to advanced versions of things that really exist right now, with the exception of a large family of devices based on a future breakthrough in the understanding of space and gravity.

For example Honor Harrington's ship, the Royal Manticoran Navy light cruiser _Fearless_, masses 88,000 tons, is powered by magnetically confined fusion, and, via its gravity-manipulating "impeller" propulsion system, capable of about 600 Gs acceleration. The danger of hitting the little bits of stuff contaminating the vacuum of space limit the maximum speed these spaceships to 60-80% the speed of light. Although never mentioned in the text, this would keep relativistic effects such as time dilation minimal (clocks slowed down 60%, etc.).

A side-effect of the ubiquitous impeller drives are powerful defensive shields that have unavoidable gaps directly fore and aft, so the Napoleonic naval tactic of "crossing the T" remains an important strategy, giving spaceship combat a 19th century naval feel, with a touch of 21st century stuff like missiles and electronic counter measures. I get the impression that Weber either has experience in military tactics, or, like myself, has played at least a few naval of sci-fi war games. His fiction seems pre-tailored for adaptation to a tactical simulation game, and has, unsurprisingly, been for at least one major game system.

Make no mistake - this is space opera, not hard science fiction. Its imaginative science is meant to enable its plot (which has mostly to do with honor, bravery, and soldiering), not teach physics. In addition to the usual plausibility problems associated with "hyperspace drive", it suffers from a common sci-fi problem I term "energy optimism". To accelerate a spaceship to half the speed of light - which Weber's ships routinely do - requires energy equivalent to 25% of their mass. Hydrogen fusion is about 0.7% efficient. So _Fearless_ would have to carry an impossible 30 times its own mass in hydrogen to pull of this feat, unimpressive as it is by space opera standards.

These science shortcomings aside, Weber avoids most of the physics absurdities of Star Trek and mysticism of Star Wars. I found myself bored at times chewing through long discourses on the nature of military command, but was rewarded at length with its gripping and viscerally exciting space battle finale.


Rating:
Summary: Honoring Honor
Review: Need a hero? Would you like that hero to really care about everyone under their command, but resolutely commit to doing the right thing, even though it may mean the whole crew may die in the attempt? Would you like that hero to receive such respect from those under their command that they will literally and willingly give their lives for the cause? Would you like that hero to never have to raise their voice in anger, or utter profanity in a misguided attempt to gain the respect of others? Honor Harrington is that kind of person - that virtuous person - who happens to be female, both immensely compassionate and ruthlessly dangerous in battle. I really like Weber's ability to build a number of believable characters, give them real depth, and provide such a vivid contrast between honorable and stupidly selfish people of both genders and many backgrounds. The personal challenges Honor faces are quite real in our own time, and she and those enlightened people who aren't afraid of strong personalities of either gender will find in her a true champion of human decency and justice.

Rating:
Summary: Honoring Honor
Review: Need a hero? Would you like that hero to really care about everyone under their command, but resolutely commit to doing the right thing, even though it may mean the whole crew may die in the attempt? Would you like that hero to receive such respect from those under their command that they will literally and willingly give their lives for the cause? Would you like that hero to never have to raise their voice in anger, or utter profanity in a misguided attempt to gain the respect of others? Honor Harrington is that kind of person - that virtuous person - who happens to be female, both immensely compassionate and ruthlessly dangerous in battle. I really like Weber's ability to build a number of believable characters, give them real depth, and provide such a vivid contrast between honorable and stupidly selfish people of both genders and many backgrounds. The personal challenges Honor faces are quite real in our own time, and she and those enlightened people who aren't afraid of strong personalities of either gender will find in her a true champion of human decency and justice.

Rating:
Summary: Great, exciting space opera
Review: Now this was a kick! In my pursuit of broader science fiction and fantasy horizons, I turned to this example of modern space opera and military science fiction. I haven't dabbled much in the military side of SF because I often get tired of long droning analyses of the technical specs of weapon systems and engines. Fortunately, the space opera zip and zing of _Basilisk Station_ overcomes the occasionally "starship manual" sections; and dammit, if Weber doesn't manage to make even those sections clear and interesting.

This first in a series about a female spaceship captain, Honor Harrington, and her service to the Kingdom of Manticore (one of many bickering human space governments), does use standard stereotype characters, and Honor isn't nearly as fascinating as the critics claim, but the book crackles with excitement. The lengthy climax with a land battle and an intense ship-to-ship duel, pours on the tension. Weber's only serious flaw as a writer is his tendency for inappropriate info-dumps of technical information. But I'll certainly read more in this series.

Rating:
Summary: A Good Introduction to the Honor Harrington Series
Review: On Basilisk Station is the first novel in the Honor Harrington series. The Star Kingdom of Manticore is relatively small compared to her longtime enemy, the Republic of Haven, which in turn is dwarfed by the Solarian League. Although only having one major Junction, Manticore is rich due to the major trade routes passing through her wormholes. Since so much of her economy is based on trade, Manticore maintains a relatively large Navy. Moreover, Manticore one of the technological leaders in the known galaxy, probably second only to the League. Consequently, the Royal Manticoran Navy usually has a technological edge over any opponents. Now the Star Kingdom is going to need that Navy, for the Republic is having economic difficulties and expansion is an easy way to divert attention and increase revenues. Haven is looking at the Basilisk Junction as the first step.

In this novel, Commander Honor Harrington is readying the light cruiser HMS Fearless for the upcoming Fleet exercises. The ship has been the victim of Admiral Sonya Hemphill's new approach to armaments; she has undergone a major refit, tearing out most of the heavy missile launchers and substituting a gravity lance and torpedo tubes. Since Fearless is no longer capable of traditional tactics, Honor concocts new ones and tries them out in the Fleet exercises. Although initially successful, the Aggressors soon learn to handle her tactics and "kill" her ship thirteen out of fourteen times.

The initial elation soon dies under the subsequent defeats and the crew of Fearless begins to think that first success was a fluke. Moreover, Admiral Hemphill is extremely disappointed with the success of the Aggressor countertactics and makes her displeasure known. Then the Fearless receives orders to transfer to Basilisk Station.

This novel is obviously based on the legend of Horatio Nelson, the legendary Admiral of the British Navy prior to the Napoleonic Wars. The story fairly reeks of machine oil and ozone and the combat tactics are based on real world naval battles. However, the author smoothly merges such tactics into the three-dimensional maneuvering of spatial combat.

This story also draws heavily from the political machinations of the French monarchy prior to the Revolution, with Manticore taking the British role. Nevertheless, the plot is only loosely based on history, for no direct equivalent of the Solar League existed in our history, although the USA grew into something like the League during the 19th century. Moreover, Haven is called a republic instead of a kingdom, but the Republic has an aristocracy if not a monarch. Also, the personnel situation onboard the Manticoran and Havenite ships is nothing like that of the late 18th century navies, although press gangs and floggings have little utility in a highly technological service.

The character of Honor Harrington is much like that of Forester's Horatio Hornblower, probably because both reflect the same historical person. She is introspective and often doubts her own abilities prior to combat, but reacts quickly, correctly and innovatively while under fire. Her treecat Nimitz is a major divergence from historical accuracy, for he has abilities of which Nelson could only dream. However, treecat talents are not readily apparent in this first novel, but have been explored in the sequels as well as a series of short stories.

Highly recommended for Weber fans and anyone else who liked Horatio Hornblower or other naval combat stories in a SF setting.

Rating:
Summary: Horatio Hornblower in Space
Review: This is the first book in many (10 and counting) that parallel the life of Horatio Hornblower through Honor Harrington (HH). The main protagonist, the People's Republic, resembles the now defunct Soviet Union (circa 1930?) and Imperial France (1790?). This unique twist -- high seas adventure meets space opera -- makes for a great read. The characterizations are very well done and the text is tightly edited. Weber is a student of history and includes enough science in his fiction to make his books believable from a technical perspective as well. Look for the star maps and appendices for explainations and past history. Since the plot follows Hornblower's adventures -- and the entertainment industry has used those exploits since 1820 for adventure themes -- you may find the story predictable. Some of the later HH books were rushed to market and Weber's verbose style leaked through the editing process, so be forwarned. He puts in a lot of previous history as mental musings or narration, which can infuriate the reader. The rest of the text is good enough that I can forgive Dave Weber and his publisher, Jim Baen. As a whole, you will either love the series or it will leave you cold.

Rating:
Summary: Solid Space Opera
Review: Weber has created a rare thing in this book...a strong female lead. This is a tremendously fun read with lots of character development and wonderful descriptions of military action. I found it to be a very good story and it drew me into the plot. I would reccommend this book to anyone who loves space battles and good character interaction. Sometimes the book bogs down in descriptions of techno-jargon but all in all it moves very well.