Mission of Honor: Honor Harrington, Book 12

By: David Weber

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

Length: 24 hrs and 13 mins

Publisher's summary

The Star Kingdom of Manticore and the Republic of Haven have been enemies for Honor Harrington's entire life, and she has paid a price for the victories she's achieved in that conflict. And now the unstoppable juggernaut of the mighty Solarian League is on a collision course with Manticore. The millions who have already died may have been only a foretaste of the billions of casualties just over the horizon, and Honor sees it coming.

She's prepared to do anything, risk anything, to stop it, and she has a plan that may finally bring an end to the Havenite Wars and give even the Solarian League pause. But there are things not even Honor knows about. There are forces in play, hidden enemies in motion, all converging on the Star Kingdom of Manticore to crush the very life out of it, and Honor's worst nightmares fall short of the oncoming reality. But Manticore's enemies may not have thought of everything after all. Because if everything Honor Harrington loves is going down to destruction, it won't be going alone.

A Note from Author David Weber
There’s been some confusion—not to say, um, energetic debate, readers and fans being readers and fans—about the correct pronunciation of “Manticoran.” The truth, alas, is that a stitch was dropped. An error occurred. A mistake was made... and it wasn’t Audible’s fault. It was mine. Before Audible recorded the very first Honor Harrington book, narrator Allyson Johnson and I not only corresponded by e-mail but actually spoke to one another by phone. She wanted to make absolutely certain she had the correct pronunciations for names, places, star nations, etc., and I tried to make certain all of her questions were answered. And so they were. Unfortunately, at some point in the process, I replied to one of her e-mails by telling her that “Man-ti-core-ahn” was pronounced “Man-tik-er-ahn.” Exactly how this happened is more than I can say at this point, except to blushingly disclose that the original e-mail remains intact, confirming to all the world that it was, indeed, my fault. I can ascribe it only to a temporary mental hiccup on my part and crave your forgiveness. If, however, you must blame someone for the mix-up, that someone should be me and not Audible, who have done everything they could to get it right.

©2010 David Weber (P)2010 Audible, Inc.

Critic reviews

“Weber… combines realistic, engaging characters with intelligent technological projection and a deep understanding of military bureaucracy in the long-awaited 12th Honor Harrington novel….Fans of this venerable space opera will rejoice to see Honor back in action.” ( Publishers Weekly)

A Must Have Series!!!

This is a series that will Hold You. If you want to give your brain and body a rest and go some place of wonder with many folks that become almost friends this is It. It is loaded with adventure, humor, love,war without being dark. I am waiting for March for next book. I am 69 and I do not do that very often. Go for this series.

At last...

I'll keep this simple. This book wasn't the best one in the "Harrington" series but this is a worthy addition to the ongoing series. This series is the best sci-fi I've ever read.

Details details details

David Weber is a complete writer, one that is in a league of his own. So much detail that I've gained an education. His writing let's you feel fully informed of the tech the characters and the universe. I read the Honor books years ago, but it never clicked like my latest read. Sci-fi comes alive and becomes sci-fact. What a joy! Simply a must read for every military sci-fi fan and a great first read too. Do yourself a favor and listen to the stories of Honor Harrington by David Weber, you'll love every moment.

Mission of Honor

Seem when I start a book in the Honor series everything comes to a stop as I can not stop listening until the book is finished. Allyson Johnson does a good job narrating the book. At times information was repeated as it was relayed from one person to another but the suspense was great. There were a few exciting space battles for which Weber is famous. The political drama was intense between Manticore and Haven. The book created an end to the story of all the past books and sets the ground work for a new story line. Can not wait for the next book. I will now start on all the sub-series I can obtain and hope Audible will carry all of them.

Honor Harrington Universe Book 21

"Pride goes before a fall"

First time in 400 year history of Manticore, foreign star nation have attacked the home fleet.
Millions of lives lost at least 350 ships of the wall and screen were destroyed it was the greatest battle in modern history.

Home fleet is completely destroyed third fleet is unsalvageable, only 8th fleet under the command of Fleet Admiral Honor Harrington stands between Star Empire of Manticore and it's destruction, let's hope it will be enough.

Meanwhile in Talbot cluster (Quadrant) 10th fleet under command of Admiral Michelle Henke also have to get it's hands dirty.
The exchange of fire between Manticoran ships and SLN, first time in 300 years SLN ship was destroyed in battle
Solarian League Navy (SLN) The biggest, The most Powerful, The most modern Navy in human history, OR IS IT ?!

More than twenty years of war "War of Annihilation" between Manticore and PRH, twenty years of battle hardened training and professionalism , twenty years during which R&D on both sides
was working like mad to overcome enemy's technological superiority, Twenty years in which tactical doctrine have completely changed , the time in which LAC became as powerful as old time Destroyer, the time in which FTL communication became a norm of warfare and even some civilian operations. The Royal Manticoran Navy Changed.
IS IT REALLY JUST NEO-BARBARIAN VERGE NAVY?

Over this same Twenty years PRH political system have completely changed or perhaps it was taken back to it's root
Legislaturalists are no longer in power, neither is Tyrannical rule of Rob S. Pierre, and Dictatorship of Oscar Saint-Just was also overthrown. First time in two hundred years People Republic Haven is a Democracy.

And agian Status change:
PRH is in turmoil sneak attack on Manticoran star system failed, raids by 8th fleet completely destroyed infrastructure of 8 star systems, with the loss of units during Operation "BEATRICE" fleet is decimated, and it was all their own fault!!!!!

NEXT BOOK IS " A Rising Thunder"

Was not as happy with this one

What did you like best about Mission of Honor? What did you like least?

When we got to finally pickup from the previous books plot I really enjoyed it, and as always like the POV shifts to fill in for us and bring other characters alive.

That said, I am not a fan at all of a book that goes back into previously covered material, even if it was only alluded to to 'flesh it out'. This is the first book of the series were I found myself wondering if I wasted my money. I think Mr Weber could have succeeded in far less pages with the same clarity and provided newer content then the few parcels that really made it to the book. I think this might be because originally this was supposed to be the last book with Honor in it but changed in the stream of writing?

I still enjoy the book but hope this is the last that bounces back and forth in time perspective.

Would you be willing to try another book from David Weber? Why or why not?

I am actually planning on trying the Star Kingdom series next. I was 'turned on' to Mr Weber from his collaboration with David Drake and Eric Flint. After reading Drake's RCN series I noticed via other works done by Mr Drake and then remembered the name from some of the Grantville 'verse books.

What about Allyson Johnson’s performance did you like?

She is talented and does an admirable job of bringing life to characters with emotional depth and her skills are an asset to the series.

Did Mission of Honor inspire you to do anything?

No, nothing that I can say other then it might have inspired my patience with a writing style I do not like as noted above.

Lots of nitty gritty in spots

And summaries in other areas. The summaries come from Honorverse books which have the complete story and also fill in a few other gaps not summarized.

Mission Of Honor

Its been a long wait for Honor to return and it was well worth the wait.
A group of new villians, really made the grade, they are down right despicable. I've listened to the book completely twice, seems a tad short, not too long at all, but I do like alot of detail. Bring on The Sollies. Cannot wait for the next installment of this fine series. I was a bit suprised there was not a bit more from the Grayson side of things, But alot of new direction to the new bad guys made up for that. It was a good follow up to At All Costs.

Another great Honor Harrington book

The only criticism I have is Allyson Johnson's inexplicable accent selection - why in the world would people coming from the same place, going to the same schools have different accents based on their ethnic backgrounds? And why would say, Abigail Hearns who comes from Grayson where people came from North America originally speak with a pseudo Irish accent?

She should correct these inconsistencies if she is going to stay on the series.

Great series, great story, troublesome narration

If you are a fan of the Honorverse series, it goes without saying this is a 'Must Read'. It wraps up one portion of the series-long story arc, but pushes you headlong into a new one. Unfortunately it leaves you hanging for the next installment, but that's the way it goes. If you have not read (listened to) the previous Honorverse novels, this is not the place to start - you will be totally lost. Start at the beginning, and you will be glad you did.
My only criticism is the narration. In general it is OK although I would echo some of the other comments about the random use of accents. But what bothered me most was the narrator's voice for Honor Harrington herself - the major character. She came off sounding like a 14-year old teenage girl to me. Yes, she is described as having a soprano voice, and yes, these characters have 'prolonged' lifespans, but I can't take the most famous admiral of the Royal Manticoran Navy seriously when she sounds like an eighth-grader!