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)

One of my favorites

The whole series is great, but this one and a couple others stand out. There are a lot of great themes. Courage, facing death, honor, how very different societies interact, diplomacy, loss, ETC.

Overall a very worthwhile book.

Epic Space Opera

David Weber paints the characters without flaw in immersive details in a way that you feel you know them. Allyson Johnson narration is spectacular she adds a unique adaptation to each character so that you forget it’s just one person telling the story. The Honor of the Queen touches on relevant issues that we face in our own society and paints a picture of what happens when we radicalize in our beliefs. However, it also demonstrates how even those who only know one way can be shown and changed by acts of bravery and sacrifice. I can’t wait for the next book!!!!

The Honorverse is amazing and easy to be drawn in!!! This epic universe is amazing and you seem to plug in a relate without much effort.

This is second installment in the series and though you don’t have to have read the first book I’d recommend it.

One of the Best in the Series

I've read all of the series over the years, and listened to two Audible versions. If you are new to the series, and don't want to start with the first chronologically in the life to the heroine, Honor Harrington, then I suggest you start here. The later books get a little wordy and could have used better editing. By contrast, the here the character is developed well and the action scenes come along at a tolerable pace.

Well narrated.

One of the things I like most about Honor is that she is a strong, self-possessed person. That comes throught well here.

The

Great story

Great story with good pacing. I also like the narrator of the story. I recommend it and will be getting the next one in the series.

Entertaining page turner

Great story with nonstop action and characters that you care for. The villains are complex and interesting which makes the story much better.

predictable hero story, but still a wonderfulstory

Predictable but very well written story. enjoyed it greatly And look forward to the next story in the series.

exceptional!

This book does everything a book is supposed to do. Loved this book!! You feel the emotions,root for the good characters and desperately want the bad guys handed their foot. it's great!

Slightly improved narration over first book

Excellent story as with the first book. Narration sounds more natural to me (the narrator was getting noticeably better through the first book). Maybe I'm more used to the context/viewpoint switches now than in the first, but it was easier to keep track of who was talking and what was going on where.

Narration has improved - slightly

This is another of David Weber's books that cannot be put down, with action aplenty and a believable universe.

I am disappointed that the narrator has continued on after the first book, but she seems a little more comfortable here. Fewer obvious mispronunciations, but the author continues to make demands that the narrator cannot meet. "Curtly", "flatly" and similar adverbs seem to have no impact on the narrators efforts.

Regarless, the story stands out and is well worth a listen - or indeed a read.

the story continues

once again we find Honor thrown into a fight she shouldn't win. but she has shown that both her ship and it's crew can battle and come out on top.