On Basilisk Station

Honor Harrington, Book 1

By: David Weber

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

Length: 15 hrs and 36 mins

Publisher's summary

Having made a superior look a fool, Honor Harrington has been exiled to Basilisk Station in disgrace and set up for ruin.

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 star system.

But the people out to get her have made one mistake. They've made her mad.

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.

©2002 David Weber (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Fantastic Narration! Made the book come Alive!

What was one of the most memorable moments of On Basilisk Station?

When Honor has to declare a Case Zulu, my whole body tensed up in reaction.

What does Allyson Johnson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

She makes all the characters sound so different. Each one has their own personality and her voice changes are so impressive that it almost seems as if a full cast of different people was narrating this book.

Any additional comments?

I am listening through all the Honor Harrington series and, as long as Allyson Johnson is narrating, I'm sure they will all be fantastic. I have previously read all the Honor Harringtons many times but experiencing them as an audible with this narrator took the enjoyment level of the book to a entirely new level.

WOW

What made the experience of listening to On Basilisk Station the most enjoyable?

The main character

What did you like best about this story?

Harrington

Which scene was your favorite?

The marines on the planet fighting the drug crazed natives.

Was there a moment in the book that particularly moved you?

The reconciliation between Mckean and Harrington

Too much explaining

Although I enjoyed the book overall, I got extremely tired of all the explanations of how this or that worked, and why, and how, and eventually started skipping over these parts. The book should have been a third shorter, with all the explaining taken out, to be a really great read.

I bought this as it was on sale,am I glad I did.

What made the experience of listening to On Basilisk Station the most enjoyable?

The story kept me listening and being involved, in a way that is unusual for me, I was up until the wee small hours, just so I could see how it ended. Talk about "nail biting", I was on the edge of my seat by the end, and a complete Honor Harrington fan. I have just downloaded number two. David Weber I think you are great.

What did you like best about this story?

The story twisted and turned, but you could always keep up with it, but had no idea how it would finish up, right up to the last five minutes.

What does Allyson Johnson bring to the story that you wouldn’t experience if you just read the book?

As I have recently gone blind, finding a narrator as good as Allyson Johnson is a very big plus. She handles all the voices and accents like a champ. I just know I would not have read this book if the sample had not hooked me in the first place, then the story reeled me in. So yes Allyson Johnson brought the book alive for me.

Did you have an extreme reaction to this book? Did it make you laugh or cry?

I did not laugh or cry, but I was enthralled and trying to help Honor on, right up until the end.

Any additional comments?

I just know I shall be reading the whole series, no matter what else goes on in my life. Honor Harrington is my kind of hero!

Cool

Good listen. I went straight though books 1 and 2, and it was worth it. (note, having peeked ahead at the storyline...not looking forward to book 3)

If you have a long drive coming up, I suggest this as a great alternative.

Going to try the physical book

I honestly couldn’t stand the narrator for this book. She was monotonous at best, which is disappointing as I was looking forward to reading this after it being on my list for so long.

Story is enjoyable but narrator is not.

I listened up to chapter 21 but I am having trouble with listening to the story. The narrator has good diction but the cadence and tone of the narration belies the story.

Good book, read don't listen

I really enjoy audio books, and On Basilisk Station is an old friend from my Kindle copy. The performance for this audio book is disappointing. Pronunciation issues throughout of the incredibly common word "Manticorian" (it is the Royal Manticorian Navy after all) and even Basilisk is sometimes (but not always) pronounced "balisk". You're better off letting Alexa app read it to you than buying the Audible version.

Beware headphones

Decent story although I prefer his Call to Arms prequels. The I oy real issue I have is the sharpness of the narrators "S"s and "X"s. Most of the time I listen through earbuds and the sharpness makes me flinch sometimes. Not an issue unless you wear earbuds thiugh

First half a 3, last half a 5

Story - Since this is the first of the series, it begins with a lot of background information, character building and somewhat confusing politics, but after that's out of the way (hopefully), there is a lot going on. There is interesting crew dynamics, a mystery to solve, battle strategies to plan and plenty of actual combat. Honor is a smart, strong and dedicated starship captain who is determined to fulfill her duties regardless of risk, and I think her duties will provide for an excellent sci-fi series!

The book is not exactly what I'd call an "easy listen," but neither is it mentally or emotionally taxing. It comes to a satisfying conclusion, so it can stand alone as a story.

Narration - This narrator does a great job. I love it when men sound like men and women sound like women, and she does both sexes well. Not only that, she does some pretty decent Irish, French and Spanish accents.

Overall - This book is not a must-hear, but it provides some good background information which may be helpful if you continue the series.