The Honor of the Queen

Last updated

The Honor of the Queen
TheHonorOfTheQueen.jpg
First edition
Author David Weber
Cover artistLaurence Schwinger
LanguageEnglish
Series Honor Harrington series
Genre Military science fiction
Publisher Baen Books
Publication date
1993
Publication placeUnited States
Media typePrint (hardback and paperback)
Pages422
ISBN 0-671-72172-0
OCLC 316892473
813/.54
LC Class PS3573.E217 H69 2000
Preceded by On Basilisk Station  
Followed by The Short Victorious War  

The Honor of the Queen is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, initially published in 1993. It is the second book in the Honor Harrington series. Sent to participate in diplomatic talks between the Kingdom of Manticore and the Republic of Haven, Honor Harrington discovers that she is stranded on the fiercely patriarchal, misogynist planet Grayson.

Contents

Plot summary

Three years after the events of On Basilisk Station , Captain Honor Harrington returns to the Star Kingdom following an extended anti-piracy campaign in the Silesian Confederacy. Harrington's ship, HMS Fearless, is tasked with escorting a small Manticoran squadron on a diplomatic mission to the planet Grayson, a society giverned by a deeply sexist and patriarchal norms.The mission led by Admiral Raoul Courvosier, Honor's mentor and close friend. As the long-anticipated war with Haven looming close, Manticore is working to form an Alliance with many small nations. Grayson is critical to this effort. Adding to the tension, Haven is negotiating its own alliance with Masada, Grayson's historical rival.

The Manticoran ships arrive at the star system where Grayson is located, and are greeted by the small Grayson Navy. The welcome is soured when the Graysons see Harrington, a woman, in uniform. After several hostile confrontations, Harrington leaves the system to escort a convoy of freighters, even though Courvosier tries to convince her to stay.

After Harrington departs with three of the four Manticoran warships, Courvosier begins diplomatic efforts with Admiral Bernard Yanakov, the commander of the Grayson Navy. However, their efforts are abruptly halted as a Masadan fleet attacks Grayson, targeting space stations across the system. Courvosier and Yanakov join forces against the Masadans. Unbeknownst to them, the Masadans command two Havenite warships that swiftly overwhelm Grayson's outdated defenses, resulting in the tragic deaths of both Courvosier and Yanakov.

Harrington's ships return to Grayson and are attacked by Masadan, damaging one of her ships. After entering Grayson's orbit, they are apprised of the critical situation following the battle and the death of Courvosier. Honor strong-arms Protector Benjamin into allowing her to take a leading role in the defense of Grayson. She also then defends him against Masadan assassins, losing one of her eyes, earning her a great deal of acclaim from the Grayson people.

Grayson soon learns that Masada has built an advanced base within Grayson's star system. Leading her ships and the remnants of the Grayson fleet, Harrington defeats a group of Masadan warships and captures a hostage who tells Harrington that there are female POWs at the base that he suspects they are being ill-treated. An assault follows and the Masadan base is captured, finding most of the prisoners executed and all the female prisoners horrifically brutalized. Harrington nearly performs an on-the-spot execution of the Masadan commander.

On Masada, the Havenite advisers see that Masada's bid to conquer Grayson is doomed and try to pull out. However, the Masadans find out and seize control of the Saladin, which they have renamed Thunder of God. Captain Yu catches wind of the mutiny and pulls as many Havenite crewmembers off the ship as he can, leaving the Masadan fanatics in ownership of a Sultan-class battle cruiser that outguns Harrington's remaining ships.

Harrington calls for reinforcements, while she prepares to fight the Masadans. The Manticorans' superior tactical skills, and the Masadans' unfamiliarity with their ship, allow them to inflict much more damage on Thunder of God than they ought to have done, but Thunder of God by sheer weight of fire is able to destroy a ship and inflict equal damage on Fearless. Manticoran reinforcements arrive in-system undetected. Despite knowing the outcome is hopeless, Harrington commits Fearless against Thunder of God hoping to do enough damage to prevent them from carpet bombing Grayson. In a desperate gamble, the Manticoran reinforcements distract the Masadan crew at a crucial moment and allow Fearless to deliver the killing blow.

With Grayson secured, a joint Manticore-Grayson fleet attacks Masada and occupies the planet. The Havenite refugees from Saladin, led by Alfredo Yu, surrender to the Graysonites; several others defect, including Yu himself. Harrington recovers from the wounds sustained during the numerous battles and the attack, receiving a prosthetic eye. Protector Benjamin decorates her with the Star of Grayson and appoints her as Steadholder (governor) of a new fief on Grayson, allowing her to help Benjamin speed up his planned social reforms. Finally, the Manticoran government creates Harrington a Countess and names her a Companion of the Knights of King George.

Analysis

The Grayson society introduced in this book has been a subject of academic analysis by Steven Hrotic in his book Religion in Science Fiction. Hrotic writes that the Graysons represent "positive examples of a religion not because they lack flaws, but because they are willing to admit their flaws, and change". [1]

Reviews

The book was reviewed for the Polish fanzine Esensja  [ pl ] by Magda Fabrykowska. [2]

Related Research Articles

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Honorverse</span> Fictional universe created by David Weber

The Honorverse is a military science fiction book series, its two subseries, two prequel series, and anthologies created by David Weber and published by Baen Books. They are centered on the space navy career of the principal protagonist Honor Harrington. The books have made The New York Times Best Seller list.

<i>On Basilisk Station</i> 1993 novel by David Weber

On Basilisk Station is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, first published in 1993. It is the first book in his Honor Harrington series, and follows Commander Honor Harrington and Her Majesty’s light cruiser Fearless during their assignment to the Basilisk system. Though Basilisk Station and the planet of Medusa have become a dumping ground for military officers from Honor's home star system of Manticore who are currently in disfavor, she is determined to discharge her duty regardless of the circumstances.

<i>Honor Among Enemies</i> 1996 novel by David Weber

Honor Among Enemies is a 1996 science fiction novel by American writer David Weber. It is the sixth book in the Honor Harrington series. In the book, Honor returns to active duty from her political exile on Grayson to command a Q-ship and fight space pirates.

<i>The Short Victorious War</i> 1994 science fiction novel by David Weber

The Short Victorious War is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, first published in 1994. It is the third book in the Honor Harrington series.

<i>Flag in Exile</i> 1995 novel by David Weber

Flag in Exile is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, first published in 1995. It is the fifth book in the Honor Harrington series. In the story, the disgraced Honor enters a self-imposed exile on Grayson.

<i>Field of Dishonor</i> 1994 novel by David Weber

Field of Dishonor is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, first published in 1994. It is the fourth book in the Honor Harrington series, the only book in the series to not feature space warfare.

<i>In Enemy Hands</i> (novel) 1996 novel by David Weber

In Enemy Hands is a military science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, first published in 1996. It is the seventh book in the Honor Harrington series and Like most novels in the series, its text is available in the Baen Free Library.

<i>Echoes of Honor</i> 1998 novel by David Weber

Echoes of Honor is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber. It is the eighth book in the Honor Harrington series.

<i>Ashes of Victory</i> 2000 novel by David Weber

Ashes of Victory is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber. It is the ninth book in the Honor Harrington series.

<i>War of Honor</i> 2002 science fiction novel by David Weber

War of Honor is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, the tenth book in the Honor Harrington series. It was first published in 2002.

<i>More Than Honor</i>

More Than Honor, published in 1998, was the first anthology of stories set in the Honorverse. The stories in the anthologies serve to introduce characters, provide deeper more complete backstory and flesh out the universe, so claim the same canonical relevance as exposition in the main series. David Weber, author of the mainline Honor Harrington series, serves as editor for the anthologies, maintaining fidelity to the series canons.

<i>Worlds of Honor</i>

Worlds of Honor, published in 1999, was the second anthology of stories set in the Honor Harrington universe or Honorverse. The stories in the anthologies serve to introduce characters, provide deeper more complete backstory and flesh out the universe, so claim the same canonical relevance as exposition in the main series. David Weber, author of the mainline Honor Harrington series, serves as editor for the anthologies, maintaining fidelity to the series canons.

<i>Changer of Worlds</i>

Changer of Worlds, published in 2001, was the third anthology of stories set in the Honor Harrington universe or Honorverse. The stories in the anthologies serve to introduce characters, provide deeper more complete backstory and flesh out the universe, so claim the same canonical relevance as exposition in the main series. David Weber, author of the mainline Honor Harrington series, serves as editor for the anthologies, maintaining fidelity to the series canons.

<i>The Service of the Sword</i> 2003 science fiction anthology by David Weber

The Service of the Sword, published in 2003, was the fourth anthology of stories set in the Honor Harrington universe or Honorverse. The stories in the anthologies serve to introduce characters, provide deeper more complete backstory and flesh out the universe, so claim the same canonical relevance as exposition in the main series. David Weber, author of the mainline Honor Harrington series, serves as editor for the anthologies, maintaining fidelity to the series canons.

<i>The Shadow of Saganami</i> 2004 novel by David Weber

The Shadow of Saganami is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, published in 2004. Set in the Honorverse, it is the first in the Saganami Island series, spun off from the main Honor Harrington series. It debuted at No. 16 on The New York Times best seller list for hardcover fiction.

Seven ships of the Royal Navy have been named HMS Fearless:

<i>At All Costs</i> (Weber novel) 2005 science fiction novel by David Weber

At All Costs is a science fiction novel by American author David Weber, first published in 2005. It is the eleventh book in the Honor Harrington series.

<i>Mission of Honor</i> 2010 novel by David Weber

Mission of Honor is a science fiction novel by American writer David Weber, published on June 22, 2010 by Baen Books. It is the twelfth novel set in the Honorverse in the main Honor Harrington series.

<i>A Rising Thunder</i> 2012 novel by David Weber

A Rising Thunder is a science fiction novel by American writer by David Weber, released on March 6, 2012 by Baen Books. It is the thirteenth novel set in the Honorverse in the main Honor Harrington series. The novel was originally split into two books due to its size, leading in a delay of publication.

<i>Uncompromising Honor</i> 2018 novel by David Weber

Uncompromising Honor is a science fiction novel by American writer by David Weber, released on October 2, 2018 by Baen Books. It is the fourteenth novel set in the Honorverse in the main Honor Harrington series. It was the first main series Honor Harrington book in five years.

References

  1. Hrotic, Steven (July 31, 2014). Religion in Science Fiction: The Evolution of an Idea and the Extinction of a Genre. A&C Black. pp. 157–159. ISBN   978-1-4725-3427-9.
  2. Fabrykowska, Magda (March 1, 2002). ""Odpowiedź jest oczywista"". Esensja.pl (in Polish). Retrieved March 11, 2024.
Preceded by
On Basilisk Station

Preceding Short Story:
in Changer of Worlds
 (sub-series: Worlds of Honor #3) 
 
  Ms. Midshipwoman Harrington

The Honor of the Queen
Honor Harrington books

Central figure:
Honor Harrington

In Chronological Order:
Second Novel in book series
 Publication order: Second work published
(©1993 MMPB, 2000 HC)
Succeeded by
The Short Victorious War
 (1994 MMPB, 2000 HC)
 HC: ISBN   0-671-87596-5