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lyrrael's review against another edition
4.0
In some ways, I think this book is just as strong as the first; death-rides meet politics. In others, I really think Harrington's becoming super-human, and it bugs me. Additionally, the Peep characters really gain some depth in this book, but I'm still sad to say that there isn't a lot to redeem the religious extremists that pit themselves against Harrington. I dunno why I'm so picky about villains that have something to redeem them; maybe it's just that I can't believe that anyone would truly be evil simply for evil's sake.
Good read either way.
Good read either way.
jwels's review
5.0
These books get better and better. I'm more invested in the characters in every book. This book allowed me to look at religion and current events more deeply. In general Fantasy and SciFi have made me overall a more accepting person of all religions. However as this book delves into religious fanatics are a menace and a detriment to society.
_meltea_'s review against another edition
dark
emotional
tense
slow-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? Yes
- Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated
4.0
mjfmjfmjf's review against another edition
4.0
Busy and uneven book. And as a reread some parts were very difficult to read. And there is no question that Honor as the POV character is a much easier read than any of the bad guys being the POV character. And there was a lot less Navy battle. But still a good read, though a little less good. 3.5 of 5.
justafaerietayle's review against another edition
mysterious
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? Yes
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.0
bory's review against another edition
2.0
I think this my jumping off point for the series, at least for now.
Where to start? It really is the fact that the whose story was set in Grayson that left a foul taste in my mouth. Weber's insistence in trying to portray Grayson as worthy of respect, regardless of their backward cultural norms, does not hold water. I don't care how hard they've worked, or how far they've come despite their poisonous planet and technological disadvantages. I'm sorry, but this is a society that has, essentially, subjugated its entire female population based on antiquated religious views. We're told that the people of Grayson are changing for the better, but we never see any women that are moving into the workforce, the military, or the circles of government. Maybe it happens in later installment in the series, maybe it doesn't. It's never shown here, and it hurts the narrative.
I hate religious zealotry, and I detest the fact that I had to force myself to read chapter after chapter of religious nuts whose idea of the epitome of an insult against a woman is the word whore. In fact, I almost DNF'ed the book when Honor was having her battle of the faux religious quotes with Brother Marchant.
And boy, oh boy, is Mar Sue-ness out in full force in Flag in Exile. Honor Harrington is the best. She can quote religious texts she's studied for a few months better than a religious zealot who has spent decades studying said texts. She can out-duel one of the best duelist on the planet, after only a few months of training, regardless of her complete lack of experience with sword combat prior to her exile on Grayson.
But the battle between the Grayson Navy and the Peeps in the last ca. 50 pages is great. I was hoping it would take up more of the book, something like what we saw in On Basilisk Station or The Honor of the Queen, but no, we have to read multiple chapters from the point of view of several men calling Honor Satan's harlot. Time well spent it was not. In any case, those last several dozen pages is what gives this book a second star for me, because the rest was a solid 1 star material.
Where to start? It really is the fact that the whose story was set in Grayson that left a foul taste in my mouth. Weber's insistence in trying to portray Grayson as worthy of respect, regardless of their backward cultural norms, does not hold water. I don't care how hard they've worked, or how far they've come despite their poisonous planet and technological disadvantages. I'm sorry, but this is a society that has, essentially, subjugated its entire female population based on antiquated religious views. We're told that the people of Grayson are changing for the better, but we never see any women that are moving into the workforce, the military, or the circles of government. Maybe it happens in later installment in the series, maybe it doesn't. It's never shown here, and it hurts the narrative.
I hate religious zealotry, and I detest the fact that I had to force myself to read chapter after chapter of religious nuts whose idea of the epitome of an insult against a woman is the word whore. In fact, I almost DNF'ed the book when Honor was having her battle of the faux religious quotes with Brother Marchant.
And boy, oh boy, is Mar Sue-ness out in full force in Flag in Exile. Honor Harrington is the best. She can quote religious texts she's studied for a few months better than a religious zealot who has spent decades studying said texts. She can out-duel one of the best duelist on the planet, after only a few months of training, regardless of her complete lack of experience with sword combat prior to her exile on Grayson.
But the battle between the Grayson Navy and the Peeps in the last ca. 50 pages is great. I was hoping it would take up more of the book, something like what we saw in On Basilisk Station or The Honor of the Queen, but no, we have to read multiple chapters from the point of view of several men calling Honor Satan's harlot. Time well spent it was not. In any case, those last several dozen pages is what gives this book a second star for me, because the rest was a solid 1 star material.
elisenic's review against another edition
adventurous
dark
emotional
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
3.75
travelgirlut's review against another edition
3.0
Maybe 2.75 stars. This book had the same flaw in my eyes as the last one: too many politics, not enough space battles. Granted this book did have a space battle, but it sure seemed tacked on at the end just for the sake of having a space battle. Maybe I need to change my expectations of what this series is about if I'm going to continue reading it. I was looking to read more like the Lost Fleet series by [a:Jack Campbell|55547|Jack Campbell|http://d.gr-assets.com/authors/1302415236p2/55547.jpg], and so far this isn't quite it. And besides, Honor is starting to seem a little too perfect. She wins amazing space battles, she runs whole countries, and she can even sword fight, all while being perfectly honest and nice to everyone around her. Oh to have the perfection of a fiction character! :)