Crown of Slaves

By: David Weber, Eric Flint

Narrated by: Peter Larkin

The Star Kingdom's ally, Erewhon, is growing increasingly restive in the alliance because the new High Ridge regime ignores its needs. Add to that the longstanding problem of a slave labor planet controlled by hostile Mesans in Erewhon's stellar back yard, a problem which High Ridge also ignores.

Finally, the recent assassination of the Solarian League's most prominent voice of public conscience indicates the growing danger of political instability in the League - which is also close to Erewhon. In desperation, Queen Elizabeth tries to defuse the situation by sending a private mission to Erewhon led by Captain Zilwicki, accompanied by one of her nieces. When they arrive on Erewhon, however, Manticore's most capable agent and one of its princesses find themselves in a mess.

Not only do they encounter one of the Republic of Haven's most capable agents - Victor Cachat - but they also discover that the Solarian League's military delegation seems up to its neck in skullduggery. And, just to put the icing on the cake, the radical freed slave organization, the Audubon Ballroom, is also on the scene - led by its most notorious killer, Jeremy X.

Listen to another Honor Harrington adventure.©2005 David Weber (P)2009 Audible, Inc.

Great book, terrible narration.

Would you recommend this book to a friend? Why or why not?

No great book to read horrible narration

What was one of the most memorable moments of Crown of Slaves?

When I finally gave up on the book and turned it off.

What didn’t you like about Peter Larkin’s performance?

His narrator voice was ok but he constantly spoken three volumes higher when narrating than when he did his character voices so you either turn the volume up to hear his character voices and his narrator voice blows out your ears or vise versa.

Was Crown of Slaves worth the listening time?

No

Long winded in the beginning

Would you try another book from David Weber and Eric Flint and/or Peter Larkin?

Peter Larkin was capable, despite a few weirdly timed pauses and transition to new chapters happening instantly after he finishes speaking. I would probably stay away from the author duo in the future since the story started off so slowly it was difficult to pay attention.

If this book were a movie would you go see it?

Possibly, unlike most books made into movies I think this one could benefit from the scaling down that usually takes place, you wouldn't have to listen to long winded political debates in a movie.

Any additional comments?

I got it in a sale so it was worth it, wouldn't pay full price for it.

Thoroughly enjoyed the listen!

All I can say is that I liked it enough to buy the second listen in the series.

Good book

I enjoyed this book a lot, but the narration bothered me. There were some production issues, such as the vast differences in volume between one moment and the next, or the jarringly nonexistent pause between the last word of a chapter and the next chapter’s start.

But Pete Larkin himself was also at fault for failing to research the material. Michael Oversteegan’s slow, aristocratic drawl was instead a rapid, almost golden-age radio announcer’s voice. Anton Zilwiki’s highlands Gryphon accent was nothing more than a deeply pitched voice. Victor Cachat’s unshakable Nouveaux Paris accent also just sounds like someone talking in completely unaccented English.

A day of research or a half hour phone call with either David Weber or Allyson Johnson would have resolved this.

Awesome!...

I wanted to be there,to be part of the movement, lol An excellent and enjoyable read! Did I say I really liked it.