Cauldron of Ghosts

By: David Weber, Eric Flint

Narrated by: Peter Larkin

Length: 22 hrs and 53 mins

Publisher's Summary

Sequel to national best sellers Torch of Freedom and Crown of Slaves, book three in the Crown of Slaves-Honor Harrington universe. Secret agent Anton Zilwicki and Victor Cachat return in this classic tie-in series set in David Weber's Honorverse.

Toil and trouble in the cauldron of ghosts

The Mesan Alignment: a centuries-old cabal that seeks to impose its vision of a society dominated by genetic rank onto the human race. Now the conspiracy stands exposed by spies Anton Zilwicki and Victor Cachat - one an agent of Honor Harrington’s Star Kingdom of Manticore, the other a Havenite operative. The outing of the Alignment has turned the galaxy’s political framework topsy-turvy. Old coalitions have disintegrated. New alliances have been born.

For starters, the long and hard-fought war between the Republic of Haven and the Star Empire of Manticore is not only over, but these bitter enemies have formed a new pact. Their common foe: the Mesan Alignment itself.

But more information is needed to bring the Alignment out of the shadows. Now, defying the odds and relying on genetic wizardry themselves for a disguise, Zilwicki and Cachat return to Mesa - only to discover that even they have underestimated the Alignment’s ruthlessness and savagery.

Soon they are on the run in Mesa’s underworld, not only hunted by the Alignment but threatened by the exploding conflict on the planet between Mesa’s overlords and the brutalized slaves and descendants of slaves who have suffered under their rule for so long. But if Zilwicki and Cachat succeed in rooting out the ancient conspiracy, a great evil may be finally removed from the galaxy - and on a long-oppressed planet, freedom may finally dawn.

©2014 Words of Weber, Inc., and Eric Flint (P)2014 Audible, Inc.

Spies in Mesa

This is the third book in the “Crown of Slaves Series” set in the “Honoverse”, the world of Honor Harrington. Victor Cachet, spy from the Republic of Haven and Anton Zilwicki spy from the Empire of Manticore are the two main characters in the “Crown of Slaves series” In prior books they began working together in Torch a planet of ex-slaves who elected Berry Zilwicki , Anton’s youngest daughter their Queen. They had discovered that Mesa, who create genetic slaves, plot to set Haven and Manticore to war with each other. If you have not read the main series it is best to start at the beginning with “On Basilisk Station” and proceed through the series and sub series, the books do not do well as standalone books. Cachet and Zilwicki decide they need to go back to Mesa and try to find out more about what is happening with the newly discovered Mesan Alignment and how it ties into events and situation that have been happening. They adopt new personas and new skin (literally) through the wonders of modern Beowulf genetics and medical engineering. Accompanied by General Thandi Plane (Chief of Staff of Torch military) and Yana Tretiakovna (super solider) also of Torch. Weber has been known for producing very large volume books and this is no exemption. Weber goes into long explanation of the technology and society which I find helpful in obtaining a complete understanding of the world he creates. This book has less of the explanations instead it focused on moving the story along. Our spies find that the Mesa Alignment has been moving their personnel off Mesa and creating large scale attack resulting massive amounts of deaths to cover all their missing people. Of course, the Mesa Alignment blames the “ballroom” (group of ex-slaves) for the terrorist attacks. Victor and Anton help out the main crime boss of the slums in resisting the reprisals by the police and Mesa military. Honor Harrington plays only a background role. I sure hope Weber does another book staring Honor. When it looks like the end for our heroes a large Manticore Naval Fleet suddenly appears. We knew from the last book that the fleet was on the way commanded by Honor’s friend Admiral Goldpeak also known as Michele Henke niece of Queen Elizabeth of Manticore. Weber has set us up again anxiously waiting for the next book. Peter Larkin does a good job narrating the book

6 of 6 people found this review helpful

Another Strong Honorverse Title

Would you consider the audio edition of Cauldron of Ghosts to be better than the print version?

I've read the book and am listening to the audiobook. The story while long and sometimes too involved holds together well with great characters. Unfortunately the narrator should stick to narration but his characterizations are terrible. His range seems to be making people sound very old or very young and it seems like there's been no prep work done by listening to previous Honorverse titles. Please find another narrator for these titles.

Would you be willing to try another one of Peter Larkin’s performances?

Not unless it's a children's book or a non-fiction.

10 of 11 people found this review helpful

Nothing has changed

You didn’t love this book... but did it have any redeeming qualities?

Same repetitive story. there may have been an intro for three new characters and one story element but otherwise the authors are continuing to milk money from loyal readers. I am beginning to wish for the series to end (Honor Harrington) so I can never again buy another book written by them. but until then I am stuck

4 of 6 people found this review helpful

one of the better books

I was hesitant to get this book especially after the the last few books in the series in the main story line. after all the voices changed so dramatically for the worse and the overall performances were so far below the standard set by the earlier books. But I was pleasantly surprised by this book. it was interesting in its own right and done pretty well.

Great story - rough language

A great David Weber story. But perhaps a little too accurate in the language of the war fighters. I could not listen to the story on a speaker in my home with children present.

Wish it had been narated by Ms A. Johnson

Nothing against Mr. Larkin, it's just that Ms. Johnson has been the voice of my Honorverse for 14 books.

Great end to a great series

Eric Flint and David Weber added a fine addition to the Honorverse. I truly believe that sadly this and the main story line in the Homer Harrington saga is soon coming to an end. with in takeover of the planet Mesa the final battle is soon to take place and that the fall of the Soloarin league.

excellent

fills the holes from the Honor Harrington stories. highly recommend this book to all Honor Fans.

Just as good as reading

Even though it took me longer to listen to it still was as good as reading the book. In some ways it was better to listen too because the reader's voice had more emotion.

Much rehashing of previous books, Flat performance

What made the experience of listening to Cauldron of Ghosts the most enjoyable?

I have generally enjoyed all the Honorverse books. The stories are enjoyable.

What other book might you compare Cauldron of Ghosts to and why?

It is very comparable to the other Honorverse books (sidestories to the Honor Harrington books). These include Crown of Slaves, Shadow of Saganami, Storm from the Shadows, Torch of Freedom, Shadow of Freedom) listed in internal chronological order.

Who would you have cast as narrator instead of Peter Larkin?

I preferred Allyson Johnson, she did a tremendous job on the 13 main Honor Harrington books. I could tell where people were from by the accents (French for Haven, Scottish for Gryphon, etc.). Since Weber switches locale without any statement . . . this was very helpful. Larkin (this book) is a good "reader" but not a good "performer" and the bad pronunciation of French names and words is just really bad.

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

I found it annoying and a big let down that the reading performance (Peter Larkin) is so flat and without the wonderful accents and flavor of the previous (Allyson Johnson) books. There is also a significant amount of reprinting of sections from other books. (Rising Thunder and Shadow of Freedom)

Any additional comments?

The story or does progress. I'm terribly disappointed in the quality of the performance, though. Glad I only payed the "add on" price to the kindle book.

Appalling narration spoils a good story

Would you try another book written by David Weber and Eric Flint or narrated by Peter Larkin?

I love David Weber's writing and the whole Honor Harrington series, but I can't finish this, the narration is so dreadful.

What was one of the most memorable moments of Cauldron of Ghosts?

I haven't got to the end, I'll have to wait till I read the book.

How could the performance have been better?

Another narrator - almost anyone would be an improvement.

2 of 2 people found this review helpful

It finished too soon!

This book pulls you in and doesn't let go until the end. So good, thankyou!

I can't believe where this book ended

I feel like my life is ina hostage situation with where this story ended!! I will have to start a different sub-series to get to the 3rd book that will complete- this series. I love this whole Honourverse. I think Peter is improving as a narrator. He changed Victor's voice quite nicely in this book so I always knew when it was him. Now I will wait a few months and start the other books. I'm running too low on these books to read them too fast! #VictorsIrregulars #Bromance #AlignmentMustFall