To Honor You Call Us

Man of War, Book 1

By: H. Paul Honsinger

Narrated by: Ray Chase

Length: 13 hrs and 3 mins

Publisher's summary

The Terran Union is engaged in a vast interstellar war against the Krag Ruthless aliens intent on exterminating humankind. In 2315, the wily Max Robichaux is given command of the USS Cumberland, a destroyer with state-of-the-art capabilities but a combat record so bad, she’s known as the “Cumberland Gap.” Capt. Robichaux’s first mission: to take his warship to the Free Corridor, where the Krag have secretly been buying strategic materials, and to seize or destroy any ships carrying enemy cargo. Far from the fleet and under enforced radio silence, Max relies only on his determination and guile…and the support and friendship of his chief medical officer, the brilliant Dr. Sahin. Because even as he deals with the ship’s onboard problems and the stress of carrying out her risky assignment, Max and the doctor discover that the Cumberland and her misfit crew are all that stands in the way of a deadly Krag attack that threatens to end the war - and humanity - once and for all. A far-future story in the tradition of “ships of wood, men of iron” novels, To Honor You Call Us and the Man of War series combine the adventure of exploration, the excitement of war, and the dangers of the unknown through the eyes of a ship and her crew.

©2013 H. Paul Honsinger (P)2014 Brilliance Audio, all rights reserved.

Captain Know It All and his merry band of misfits

Full disclosure...I have listened to this book once, so this review is after my second attempt at another listen. That means I liked it well enough the first time to listen again so I could refresh my memory before getting the next in the series.

First the good: this is a terrific space combat and tactical story. The enemy is clear, the action is tight and one gets the real sense of tension during each engagement. There is also a well developed cast of characters. The Captain and the Doctor for example share a special friendship that is a pleasure to read. As others have said, this is just like the Master and Commander series of the 18th century British Navy, but in space. All of the leading characters are fleshed out very well with plenty of background on them to know why they act the way they do. I also like the way the captain has to take command of a disfunctional crew and fix them. Like the Bad News Bears, everyone likes a good underdog story.

Now the bad: I'm sorry, but as my title suggests I just can't get past how the author makes our Captain Robicheaux so wise and all knowing. More than once the reader is reminded that he is a mere 28 years old, yet he talks to the crew - some twice his age - as though he is some sort of General Patton with two centuries of experience. Even when some of the smarter members of his crew question his orders and offer a reasonable suggestion, he shoots it down because he knows better. He's never arrogant about it or condescending, but he always has the answer to every problem and tells tales to his junior crew like my grandpa used to...."back in my day."

All in all, it's a worthy sci fi series that I would have enjoyed further, but my constant eye-rolling every time the Captain opens his mouth is starting to wear on me. All the author had to do was make the Captain 40-50 years old with maybe a few battle scars and some gray hair at the temples and all would be right with the world. Instead, I have to picture this fresh faced twenty something barely older than today's graduate students who somehow knows more than everyone else on his ship combined even though this is his first command.

Sorry, I can't look past that. It actual gets on my nerves to the point where I have to switch it off. I won't be continuing the series.

Excellent in all respects

After listening to the Lost Fleet Series I went through many other series that came up short but this was by far the best in terms of performance and action. It reminded me very much of the old Master and Commander series. The interplay between the captain and doctor was intelligent and the author set out detailed back histories. It also did not take itself too seriously and I enjoyed the adult language. The scifi was adequate while the real emphasis was on telling a good story.

Imaginative, Exciting, Fun

I enjoyed the story so much that I've listened to it twice already. I'm getting ready to listen to book l number two again as well because number 3 has not yet come out. I hope there are a bunch more yet to come. It reminds me of the Aubrey-Materin series by Patrick O'Brian. Well not as intellectually stimulating , it certainly is a fun series and I hope it goes on and on.

The Brits are in Space!

Have you ever read the "Master and Commander" books by Peter O'Brien? Perhaps seen the movie? Imagine the entire Aubrey/Maturin series set in the future... in space! Imagine a futuristic version of the struggles of the British Empire against the French, but in outer-space, with a completely different race (I suppose the French are the rats). Sound crazy? Maybe, but it works, if you are a fan of the genre.

For the reader that has never heard of the above works, this will still be a fun read. Just as in the Aubrey/Maturin series, the two main characters are an unlikely duo: a military genius of a commander who inherits a ship of many problems, and a civilian doctor gone navy who is part physician, philosopher, diplomat, actor, and spy.

Whether it is prize money, or an Earl Grey tea time intermission, or a bit of philosophy, or a daring military conquest, this book will be sure to please, and remind the listener of the battles of yesteryear, set in a tomorrowland not that far away.

good story

This was actually good. I enjoyed the narrator and the characters he played. I did struggle to finish but only because this was not my kind of book. My taste is different and wanted to try something new.

Great Book!!!

Great Book Great Book Great Book Great Book Great Book Great Book It is a great book................................

Not innovative but enjoyable none the less

The story and writing is nothing spectacular, but the galaxy is decently developed and solid enough.

The dialogue and interpersonal relationships between the different characters and groups is surprisingly enjoyable and is the main reason I'll continue the story with the hopes that more tense and interesting scenarios will develop and play out.

My main complaint would be with the tone of the narration and story. It comes off as a bored braggart.

Modern Day version of Patrick Obrien

Who was your favorite character and why?

Captain and Bones directly out of Aubrey and Maturin tales
But masterfully done.

What about Ray Chase’s performance did you like?

Voice overs and quality of reading is great

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

The joke on Cur Tailed watches,

Any additional comments?

Look forward to see where this series is going.
Lots to look forward to while driving

The MOST fun I've had listening to a space story.

What did you love best about To Honor You Call Us?

I really liked the characters in the story. The Captain of the Cumberland is a no-nonsense warrior who has a heart but good common sense and is an uncannily crafty tactician. The physician is very well-written and provides an excellent counterpoint to the captain. I am also very fond of the Task Force Admiral, a scurrilous curmudgeon.

What was one of the most memorable moments of To Honor You Call Us?

I laughed heartily at the Admiral's diatribe in this first book of the two. As a former naval officer, I can absolutely identify with the speech and the situation under which it was delivered.

What about Ray Chase’s performance did you like?

The narration was OUTSTANDING! Mr. Chase definitely has a knack for bringing the characters to life. I thoroughly enjoyed his gruff-voiced Robicheau and his portrayal of the admiral. BZ!

Any additional comments?

One other thing - The author's inclusion of several references to other sci-fi and fantasy works was very pleasing to me. I derived a great deal of pleasure from the fact that someone was as fond of those works as I.

some slow spots but very enjoyable listening

For a first book very enjoyable listening, there was a couple of spots that slowed but then caught back up and filled the gap. It took more than half way through the night book to find out why no women were on the ship, then it was all clear why the story was so written. Waiting for the next book.