Mission of Honor

AAAGH!!! I have to wait at least two years for the next part of the story. I love the Honor Harrington books, but the wait can be interminable. It took five years for this latest book (and four years for the accompanying side stories) I guess two is better than five, but still, I wish I didn't have to wait so long.

So here we are in the latest installment of Honor Harrington's story. The Battle of Manticore has decimated both Manticore and Haven's navies and as depicted in the supporting Torch and Talbott books, Mesa begins making its move. As is easily deduced from the title, Honor must try to achieve peace with Haven before further hostilities break out as a result of Solarian incompetence and Mesan machinations. Of course, the book ends on a cliffhanger. But unlike other stories, it is not unexpected (I saw it coming in the side stories) and is mild enough that it sets up the next book. However, it does not complete the story and the following books are necessary to see what becomes.

My main complaint with all of Weber's recent books are the pages upon pages of political machinations and technical descriptions. The politics are somewhat necessary, but sometimes the exposition seems like overkill and drags the story to a crawl. The technical aspects are interesting, but also frequently stop the action. Nothing like tangential details when a battle is raging.

Overall, Weber keeps the plot moving and the characters engaging. The stories are a little easier to call, but that happens over the course of 16 books and even more shorts. We know how the univerise should work and with few exceptions it follows the course.

On a final note, one likeable thing about the Harrington books is that no one is safe. Beloved characters (both friendly and hostile) can die and have throughout the series. War strikes all.

I can't wait for the next book, but I guess I will have to. Sigh.