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fogisbeautiful's review
3.0
Kind of a slow start, but a wonderful fast-paced ending. Very political and detailed (not necessarily in a good way), but the characters and relationships kept me reading. I've been told the second one is better, so we'll see!
ptothelo's review
5.0
This is one of my favorite series. I actually started with book 9 and read most of it on a greyhound trip from Boston to NYC. I literally could not tear my eyes away. But it's cool to read the series from the beginning and see her grow into herself and into her commands. The series also focuses a lot on political tactics and strategy in addition to space battle tactics so her stories always ties into the "big picture." And it's about commanding by example and always staying true to yourself and your loved ones and your ideals even when you're trapped on a podunk prison planet named Hell.
I also read most of the books as ebooks first since Baen offers them for free as a way of enticing you to read the series and then buy the actual books. It definitely worked with me since I now own all the books except the newest one.
I'm starting to read some C.S. Forester since these books are heavily inspired by his Horatio Hornblower series. In that series you also watch him grow from a midshipman to captaining his own ship and develop the leadership skills/politics needed in order to do that. I've watched the A&E series and it's always funny to watch Jamie Bamber play poor Archie Kennedy and then watch him on play Lee on Battlestar Galactica. Ioan Gruffud, who plays Horatio, now leads a very different crew as Mr. Fantastic on Fantastic Four.
I also read most of the books as ebooks first since Baen offers them for free as a way of enticing you to read the series and then buy the actual books. It definitely worked with me since I now own all the books except the newest one.
I'm starting to read some C.S. Forester since these books are heavily inspired by his Horatio Hornblower series. In that series you also watch him grow from a midshipman to captaining his own ship and develop the leadership skills/politics needed in order to do that. I've watched the A&E series and it's always funny to watch Jamie Bamber play poor Archie Kennedy and then watch him on play Lee on Battlestar Galactica. Ioan Gruffud, who plays Horatio, now leads a very different crew as Mr. Fantastic on Fantastic Four.
draceni's review against another edition
adventurous
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? Character
- Strong character development? Yes
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.25
karinlib's review
3.0
Despite the fact that I didn't understand a lot of the military aspects of this book, I did like the characters.
mike_mcallister's review
5.0
I wouldn't normally give five stars to a book of this genre...I think of deep sci-fi..state of existence or something original about the human condition. This isn't really that. However this book is so good at what it is, it is astounding. The action of the battles in space, the ideas about tactics, weaponry, defence and activity aboard these space ships is top notch. Also Weber is actually one of the best action writers I've ever read. Sad that he moves away from that in other books. But On Basilisk Station is a gem, enjoy.
spaceman5000's review
4.0
I don't want to spoil anything - this book takes a bit to get going, but holy shit, stick with it to the last 25%. IT FUCKING EXPLODES! I've been wanting to read this series for a long time and when I started it, I thought it may have been a bit overrated, but holy shit.......the ending is totally worth it. 100% satisfying. Very cinematic and worth the wait. READ IT!
bbuss's review
5.0
This is a *fantastic* space opera, geez!
The space battles and ship operations are very nice and the techno-jumble is well used. The military aspects were also very cool.
The characters are very likable, even if there are a lot of them (which mean that not all of them would be that important for the book; or for you).
Looking forward to read the following book in the series :)
The space battles and ship operations are very nice and the techno-jumble is well used. The military aspects were also very cool.
The characters are very likable, even if there are a lot of them (which mean that not all of them would be that important for the book; or for you).
Looking forward to read the following book in the series :)
jason_pym's review against another edition
3.0
Military science fiction inspired by Forester’s Hornblower series. Weber relies way too much on exposition, and there are hundreds of pages of build up before we get to the final battle. But… the final battle is a real page turner, and he’s spent so much time designing the tech, spaceships, navy and politics, this is a series definitely worth carrying on with.
mdstepp1998's review
4.0
Never having read any Weber, I had little to no expectations but was taken by the story from the first chapter.
Strengths:
1. Amazing detail of military planning and maneuvering. Weber's knowledge of naval logistics really added a sense of realism to what would be by itself a very good space opera.
2. The story, while science fiction, didn't take the easy way when it came to technologies. Weber really provided a sense that space flight and hyperdrive weren't easy and that battle isn't easily won by one lucky shot.
3. The final battle scene was outstanding and led to me reading the final half of the book in a final sitting. For one of the great one on one battles in shift literature, check it out,
Weaknesses:
1. The military planning and realism almost become too overwhelming at times as it bogs down the story right when I wanted it to pick up.
2. This was my first Honor Harrington story, the main character, and I will get bored with her plot very quickly. She's written as someone that can do no wrong and always wins everything. I guess my reading of George RR Martin has jaded me to one dimensional characters like Honor's - I like my characters floating in the vast grey area in between!
Strengths:
1. Amazing detail of military planning and maneuvering. Weber's knowledge of naval logistics really added a sense of realism to what would be by itself a very good space opera.
2. The story, while science fiction, didn't take the easy way when it came to technologies. Weber really provided a sense that space flight and hyperdrive weren't easy and that battle isn't easily won by one lucky shot.
3. The final battle scene was outstanding and led to me reading the final half of the book in a final sitting. For one of the great one on one battles in shift literature, check it out,
Weaknesses:
1. The military planning and realism almost become too overwhelming at times as it bogs down the story right when I wanted it to pick up.
2. This was my first Honor Harrington story, the main character, and I will get bored with her plot very quickly. She's written as someone that can do no wrong and always wins everything. I guess my reading of George RR Martin has jaded me to one dimensional characters like Honor's - I like my characters floating in the vast grey area in between!