The Honor of the Queen

Honor Harrington, Book 2

By: David Weber

Narrated by: Allyson Johnson

Length: 16 hrs and 12 mins

Publisher's summary

It's hard to give peace a chance when the other side regards conquest as the only option and a sneak attack as the best means to that end. That's why the Kingdom of Manticore needs allies against the Republic of Haven, and the planet Grayson is strategically situated to make a very good ally indeed. But Her Majesty’s Foreign Office overlooked a “minor cultural difference” when they chose Honor Harrington to carry the flag: women on the planet of Grayson are without rank or rights and Honor’s mere presence is an intolerable affront to every male on the planet.

At first Honor doesn’t take it personally. But, in time, such treatment becomes taxing and she makes plans to withdraw until Grayson’s fratricidal sister planet attacks without warning. Now, Honor must stay and prevail, not just for her honor, but for her sovereign’s, for the honor of the Queen.

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.

Listen to another Honor Harrington adventure.

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

Critic reviews

"Following in the best tradition of C.S. Forester, Patrick O'Brian and Robert A Heinlein! These hugely entertaining and clever adventures are the very epitome of space opera." ( Publishers Weekly)

Excellent Book, well narrated

I loved this series when I first read it, and am enjoying a second time on audio. Another great piece of work by David Weber with all the space battles, politics, and theoretical physics you could want. The narrator does an excellent job of voicing the characters as they are described in the books, particularly the main character's clipped feminine soprano. The narrator has also picked up on the fact that the Republic of Haven bears a great deal of resemblence to the French (their capitol is even named New Paris), and the Kingdom of Manticore to the British, and capitolized on it by giving the characters from each star nation the correct accents. This really helps highlight when the story has changed viewpoints and makes for a more interesting narration.

OMG!

Love this series! Hard core space battles, fascinating characters and very realistic engagements! Fast-paced and excellently read!! The author does not glorify war nor does he look away from the damage it does: instead, he shows what our Soldiers have to deal with and creates even more respect for the choices they have to make! Excellence in leadership and very pro-female! Worth PAYING for if you don't have credits! Well done!

Defenders of Grayson

This particular tale involves the unlikely defense of Grayson, a would be ally of the Manticoran Kingdom. Along with strife with the people's republic, religious fanatics, unreasoning hostility towards women, they also find themselves badly outgunned. Honor Harrington and her crew take on the challenge against overwhelming odds and it is wondrous to see.

Interesting but too many characters

What made the experience of listening to The Honor of the Queen the most enjoyable?

This is an interesting take on what it would be like to serve in a space Navy. This is the second, and hearing the first may be helpful, but I had trouble keeping up with where we were and if the enemy was speaking, or not. Suggest you keep a list of characters as you go. The performance was good, but not great. The voice was picked for the heroine, but it didn't morph well into the other characters' personnas. Lots of death and blood and space battles, with redeeming honor.

Enjoyed it, but don't think I will get the rest of the series.

Honor's honor

The second book in the series introduces the planet Grayson, and its misogynistic people. But not as misogynistic as the Masadans! Honor once again saves the day, several times, and manages to make some powerful enemies as well as some good friends. The narrator did an excellent job, even with all the different characters she has to voice.

Horatio Hornblower Was a Pansey

Would you consider the audio edition of The Honor of the Queen to be better than the print version?

No, yet as I make that flat out statement, I do not wish to take away from Ms Johnson's talented reading skills. In the first book I was prepared not to like the way she read. Well. ... . maybe that is only a half truth. I was determined not to like the way she read. But, by the end of the fourth chapter, I was willing to admit that she was not bad, still not good by any means but not bad. By the end of the seventh chapter she was getting better and by the end of the ninth chapter we were old friends.
She continues her high level of reading into the second book as well. So, if I think this highly of her reading skills why do I still think that personal reading is better. . .? When you read a book on your own you need to be so wraped up in the reading that you literly climb into the book and let it transport you to the time and place you are reading about. When someone elser is reading to you, your mind has a tendency to wander more often than when you personally read the text.

What was one of the most memorable moments of The Honor of the Queen?

Again Weber makes several memorable moments in his books and this one is no excception. The best I believe is when Nimitz and Honor show their willingness to get up close and personal with the assains that attempted to assinate Proctector Benjamine.
Another when Honor proves human and looses control and slaps Reginald Houseman across the room and again at the Blackbird base and had to be restrained by Scotty Tremaine.
And once again in the final battle as to how her people again and again surpass the best that can be done to reach mythic proportions. We have many stories of such daring in extream crisis throughout the history of mankind and each and all can be attributited to the mark that one person made upon another by great sacrifice in the face of adversity.

Which scene was your favorite?

The final run for Grayson by the Masadan's who had finally figured out that all they had to do to defeat Harrington was to keep coming and pounding away at her because their ship was bigger, meaner, and tougher. She could not last. Honor realizing this and having already made up her mind that it would be her final attempt to stop or slow them down, turned to the communications office and requested that Hammermill be played as they made the final run.

If you were to make a film of this book, what would the tag line be?

Curage, Guts, and integrity . . . . Honor Harrington makes Horatio Hornblower look like a Pansey!

Any additional comments?

I have read every book in the Honor Harrington universe twice over and listened to all at least once. Many people complain about his (Mr Weber) penchant for techno babble. . . . . if a world class chef cooks me a prim cut of steak and it is the best in existance. . . . I will listen to him tell me how he is going to prepare it and tenderize it and flavour it and any other thing he wants to tell me, as long as he delivers the most magnificent piece of meat I have ever eaten!

Only 1 complaint

The narrator does a fine job and I would listen to her again under one condition, She learns how to say Manticoran...

Impressive VA

Reader did a great job with some very charged material, it cant have been easy.

Still mispronouncing Manticoran

The reader is still mispronouncing Manticoran. It is pronounced man ti’ cor’ an, not man tik’ or an.

However, the above not withstanding, David weaves an excellent yarn!

A great listen

I really enjoyed this book. Alot of comments about the narrator being no good but I thought she was great. Great space battles.