Helpful Score: 6
For those who need the heads-up, this is very hard science fiction. So hard that the frequent and lengthy science, technology, and weapon-related asides made my eyes glaze over a bit. Necessarily as the first novel in a fairly long series, this does provide a lot of background, fundamental universe structure, and a firm grounding in How Things Work here, and this Weber managed commendably well.
The story itself is a gradual, somewhat grinding buildup to the final ship battle (which, oh man, it's *epic* and well worth the wait), and it almost always feels slightly disconnected from what's going down "on the ground." While at times frustrating, this *works* for the story, as it's told from command central.
I thought, at first, that it lacked much of the interpersonal relations that make characters interesting (apart from a secondary character's ongoing inner conflict) until I caught myself going "duh". The military demands professionalism, not tete-a-tetes, and so much of the character interaction remains very true to what one should expect in that atmosphere. Honor is an undeniably strong and driven female lead, something relatively unusual in hard science fiction, though I admit that I'm still waiting for actual flaws to balance out the character.
If this first novel is anything to go by, the series looks as if it should be quite promising.
The story itself is a gradual, somewhat grinding buildup to the final ship battle (which, oh man, it's *epic* and well worth the wait), and it almost always feels slightly disconnected from what's going down "on the ground." While at times frustrating, this *works* for the story, as it's told from command central.
I thought, at first, that it lacked much of the interpersonal relations that make characters interesting (apart from a secondary character's ongoing inner conflict) until I caught myself going "duh". The military demands professionalism, not tete-a-tetes, and so much of the character interaction remains very true to what one should expect in that atmosphere. Honor is an undeniably strong and driven female lead, something relatively unusual in hard science fiction, though I admit that I'm still waiting for actual flaws to balance out the character.
If this first novel is anything to go by, the series looks as if it should be quite promising.
A brilliant start to a brilliant series. Honor Harrington is a character who inspires admiration and affection as does her empathic companion, the treecat, Nimitz. Tight science for the technophiles, plenty of action for adventure buffs, complex and multilayered background world promising a rich environment for future development...
I am addicted to this series and its spinoffs... 5 stars from me...
I am addicted to this series and its spinoffs... 5 stars from me...
Cheryl P. (Engsetterlover) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 54 more book reviews
Helpful Score: 1
This book is an enjoyable read and I am looking forward to reading the second in the Honor series. This is written in the same vein as Elizabeth Moon's and Lois McMaster Bujold's novels.
Stephen P. (thelad48) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 495 more book reviews
After I read this, I was hooked and proceeded to buy the rest of the series. This female Horatio Hornblower ins space is one of the strongest characters I've come across.
Dee E. (weyrdesigns) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 23 more book reviews
The first and the best of an incredible series - this introduces Honor Harrington and Nimitz and sets the stage for all that comes after. A great story in and of itself, it serves as a terrific foundation for a truly great series. Rip-roaring space opera, with characters that are wonderfully drawn. The battle scenes are great and very believable. Weber has the unique ability to create strong women characters without emasculating the men around her. Honor makes a wonderful role model for any young woman.
A great book, full of action and personal details.
Garrett M. (gmartin64) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Great setup for the entire series..
The first Honor book and Honor's first real command. One of the best Honor books, in my opinion.
One of my favorite Honor books as she goes up against the powerful elite and proves her reliability and leads her crew with dedication to serve with integrity.
Barbara R. (Crop4Fun) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 1217 more book reviews
Amazon.com:
On Basilisk Station (or "HH1" as it's known to the faithful) is the first installment in David Weber's cult hit Honor Harrington series, which has charmed the socks off schoolgirls and sailors alike. Honor--the heroine of this fast-paced, addictive space opera--is a polished, plucky bulldog of a naval officer, part Horatio Hornblower, part Miles Vorkosigan, part Captain Janeway, and with a razor-clawed telepathic cat thrown over her shoulder for good measure.
The series' kickoff puts a giddy Commander Harrington at the helm of her first serious starship, the HMS Fearless. But her excitement quickly fades--political maneuvering by top brass in the Manticoran navy has left her light cruiser outfitted with a half-baked experimental weapons system. Against all odds (just the way Honor likes it), she still manages a clever coup in tactical war games, a feat that earns her accolades--and enemies. The politicians she's offended banish her to a galactic backwater, Basilisk Station. But that outpost soon proves to be a powder keg, and it's up to Harrington and the Fearless crew to thwart the aggressive plans of the Haven Republic. A perfect mix of military SF and high adventure--if you enjoy your tour, re-up with HH2, The Honor of the Queen. .
From School Library Journal
YA-Move over gutsy female detectives-here's a daring woman spaceship commander waiting to claim a place in readers' hearts. Honor Harrington is sent in disgrace to the forlorn outpost of Basilisk Station, where military authorities hope she will be forgotten about. Instead, with her woefully under-armed vessel, the Fearless, she executes incredible flying maneuvers in an attempt to stop foreign takeover of a major space station.
On Basilisk Station (or "HH1" as it's known to the faithful) is the first installment in David Weber's cult hit Honor Harrington series, which has charmed the socks off schoolgirls and sailors alike. Honor--the heroine of this fast-paced, addictive space opera--is a polished, plucky bulldog of a naval officer, part Horatio Hornblower, part Miles Vorkosigan, part Captain Janeway, and with a razor-clawed telepathic cat thrown over her shoulder for good measure.
The series' kickoff puts a giddy Commander Harrington at the helm of her first serious starship, the HMS Fearless. But her excitement quickly fades--political maneuvering by top brass in the Manticoran navy has left her light cruiser outfitted with a half-baked experimental weapons system. Against all odds (just the way Honor likes it), she still manages a clever coup in tactical war games, a feat that earns her accolades--and enemies. The politicians she's offended banish her to a galactic backwater, Basilisk Station. But that outpost soon proves to be a powder keg, and it's up to Harrington and the Fearless crew to thwart the aggressive plans of the Haven Republic. A perfect mix of military SF and high adventure--if you enjoy your tour, re-up with HH2, The Honor of the Queen. .
From School Library Journal
YA-Move over gutsy female detectives-here's a daring woman spaceship commander waiting to claim a place in readers' hearts. Honor Harrington is sent in disgrace to the forlorn outpost of Basilisk Station, where military authorities hope she will be forgotten about. Instead, with her woefully under-armed vessel, the Fearless, she executes incredible flying maneuvers in an attempt to stop foreign takeover of a major space station.
Katy R. (piratebuttercup) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 14 more book reviews
Very enjoyable. For a long book, there really are no dull moments.
This is a great book. The Heroine is strong, but not perfect, and her adventures are intriguing. I'm looking forward to reading the rest of the series.
Great space battle sequence.
Eleni P. (justleni) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 127 more book reviews
Great stuff by Weber with a female protagonist
I liked this book & the whole series very much. This is the second time through them. I very much recommend them.
Lauran H. (Bookerskid) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 82 more book reviews
I loved Honor and all she went through. I can't wait to read the next book.
Good and interesting protagonist. Good Sci Fi novel.
Tiffany H. (tiffanyblitz) - , reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 71 more book reviews
This is a truly wonderful book, and a terrific main character - a woman in space who manages to just be a great character! I've read all of these, and love them...
Dianne L. (stargazer00) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 151 more book reviews
"Having made him look the fool, she's been exiled to Basilisk Station in disgrace and set up for ruin by a superior who hates her. Her demoralized crew blames her for their ship's humiliating posting to an out-of-the-way picket station. The aborigines of the system's only habitable planet are smoking homicide-inducing hallucinogens.
Parliament isn't sure it wants to keep the place; the major local industry is smuggling; the merchant cartels want her head; the star-conquering, so-called 'Republic' of Haven is Up To Something; and Honor Harrington has a single, over-age light cruiser with an armament that doesn't work to police the entire system.
But the people out to get her have made one mistake. They've made her mad.
Parliament isn't sure it wants to keep the place; the major local industry is smuggling; the merchant cartels want her head; the star-conquering, so-called 'Republic' of Haven is Up To Something; and Honor Harrington has a single, over-age light cruiser with an armament that doesn't work to police the entire system.
But the people out to get her have made one mistake. They've made her mad.
This series is one of my all time favorite series. The plot takes a while to come to a point, but that's ok, as it makes the conclusion more enjoyable.
What a great heroine - Bought the whole series - Highly recommended.
good read!
Art K. (remlikreads) reviewed On Basilisk Station (Honor Harrington, Bk 1) on + 10 more book reviews
A great book with a very exciting ending! Very well done!
Great sci-fi series. Capital ship warfare in the future.
1st in Honor Harrington series
