Crown Of Slaves (Hardcover)

So back to this book, as it indicates on the dust jacket and cover this is a new series in the Honor Universe and make no mistake with the exception of a 7 to 8 page cameo with Honor she is not in this book at all. My first inclination was to pass this book over and you may think the same thing, but that would be a real mistake.

Many of the characters that have been introduced in the 4 volumes of short stories are featured in this current story. Anton Zwilicki and his adopted daughter Barry are main characters as is Princess Ruth. Victor who has been featured in two short stories also plays a central role. If you read the 4 books of short stories, you already know that these are interesting and fun characters in their own right with unique strengths and weaknesses.

I liked this book first because of the aforementioned characters. They were great. You cared about them and rooted them on as the story progressed. You could also see them develop and change during the course of the story (okay, so some of the development was pretty predictable and telegraphed).

Second, the story presents a little different view of Manticore and Haven. Many of the characters from Manticore are still stand up people, but Manticore is not painted as the perfect Kingdom as it has in past books (with the exception of the final Honor book). Likewise Haven is not portrayed as the source of all evil. Its more realistic when the People's Republic and Star Kingdom are presented less black and white.

Finally, we get to see the Solarian league and we get the strong hint that they will be figuring strongly in the subsequent books in this series.

I'm not a big believer in giving a synopsis of the novel in a review, but I will say that the story takes place on Erewhon and involves much more cloak and dagger action as opposed to the large scale ship battles featured in many of Honor's books.

Lots of other story lines and loose ends are left open for future novels so I'm sure we'll be seeing plenty more of these characters.

In summation, there's very little Honor, but the writing is just as good, the characters are just as enjoyable, and its just as much a pleasure to read.

In this novel, many years later, Hieronymus Stein, head of the Renaissance Association, has been assassinated and rumors link Manpower to the incident. Queen Elizabeth of Manticore decides to send Princess Ruth Winton, adopted daughter of her brother, Michael, to Erewhon to attend the memorial gathering in an unofficial way. The Queen requests that Anton Zilwicki and Berry accompany her. Since Ruth has ambitions to be the family spymaster, Anton also agrees to teach her tradecraft during the trip.

As a subterfuge to increase Ruth's safety, she and Berry undergo nanotech surgery to trade identities. For additional security, Anton and the girls travel to Erewhon on the Pottawatomie Creek, an armed frigate, which is crewed mostly by Audubon Ballroom "terrorists" being trained by Anton in naval tactics and shiphandling.

Haven also sends unofficial observers to the gathering, Kevin Usher's wife Virginia and Victor Cachat, posing as an unfaithful wife and her boy-toy. They have instructions to encourage Erewhon to change their allegiance from Manticore to Haven. While at the reception, Naomi Imbesi attempts to seduce Victor on orders from her uncle, Walter Imbesi, currently leader of the opposition in Erewhon, and of course Ginny Usher helps cover the rendezvous.

The Solar League Navy also has a delegation attending the gathering. Captain Luiz Rozsak is leading a black operation on Erewhon against his nominal superior, Ingemar Cassetti. They are also tracking a group of Masadan and Scrag terrorists employed by Manpower. The SLN has its own unit of Scrag women commanded by Marine Lieutenant Thandi Palane; these "Amazons" have a grudge against the Manpower Scrags, many of whom are former boyfriends.

When the Masadans and their Scrag converts attempt to kidnap Princess Ruth, they fall in a trap set by Victor Cachat and trigger a joint operation by Erewhonese, Havenites, Manticorans, Solar Leaguers, and the Audubon Ballroom against Manpower. Berry gets to play princess for a little longer while the real princess is conniving with the spooks and troops. However, Professor W.E.B. Du Havel has conceived of another role for Berry.

This novel is tour de force of major proportions, an almost pure wish fulfillment fantasy, a chain of events that could only happen in an illogical and chaotic universe. Well, stranger things have happened, but it is hard to think of anything as convoluted and one-sided as this caper. Pity the poor Masadan/Scrag terrorists, not to mention the Manpower slavers, for they are steamrollered. Great fun! Totally ridiculous, but also totally enjoyable!

Highly recommended for Weber and Flint fans and anyone else who enjoys special ops, political intrigue, and justice served in huge helpings.