Audacious (Kris Longknife #5)

Audacious by Mike Shephard is the fifth book in his space opera featuring Kris Longknife.

As all of Kris Longknife's assignments, she is being sent somewhere to be kept out of trouble. And like all assignments, that is not the real mission. The problem is that no one ever tells Kris what the real reason is for her being in what feels like the wrong place at the wrong time.  

The planet of New Eden is controlled by the descendants of three Earth nations - a precarious balance that no one outside of the government really understands. Partly because of the inordinately high price to subscribe to any media source. Most citizens cannot afford to pay it. 

There are factions at work who want to overthrow the government and are using the lack of media as a kind of shield to get things started. Kris has to figure out a way to get information out of this frustrating planet. 

The one thing that might help is that Abbey, Kris's maid / bodyguard / maybe-a-spy is from New Eden. She may have sources - only she left more than a decade ago and never looked back.

The Kris Longknife series is a swashbuckling good read. 

Shephard, Mike (2007). Audacious. New York: Ace Books.

The Splinter in the Sky

The Splinter in the Sky by Kemi Ashing-Giwa is a brilliant space opera, filled with political intrigue, espionage and some deserved comeuppance! 

On the distant moon of Koriko, a territory of the Holy Vaalbaran Empire, those who live on the planet are not doing as well as they were before they were subjected to the Empire.

Tea Specialist and Scribe Enitan Ijebu is about to become a political prisoner to ensure the uneasy peace between the Empire and the Ominirish Republic. Losing both people she cares about, she is taken to the capital planet - home of the God-Emperor.

The seat of government, and the upper classes, is a floating city that hovers over the planet long abandoned by all who could. There Enitan will do everything necessary to save her sibling, exact revenge and try to free her home planet. 

Ashing-Giwa has written a wonderful science fiction, espionage story. This is a great read-a-like for fans of Arkady Martine's A Memory Called Empire. 

Ashing-Giwa, Kemi. (2023). The Splinter in the Sky. New York: Sage Press.

Resolute (Kris Longknife #4)

Resolute by Mike Shephard is the fourth book in his space opera series featuring Kris Longknife. 

To get the trouble-making (for some) Kris Longknife out of the way, she is assigned to a planet on the Rim. The planet Chance is one not many people have even heard of. She is to take over the guarding of two jump gates. 

When Kris arrives, with Jack, Penny and Abby, the station she is assigned to has been mothballed. The ship they arrived on is more a floating museum than a proper Navy ship. And she has no personnel - everyone from Chance has been retired and moved back to the planet. 

With her usual "luck" five Greenhaven ships enter the far star gate. Greenhaven has been commandeering planets since the alliance with Earth broke down. Now Kris has just a few days to invent a way to defend Chance space.

Shephard has created a badass character in Kris Longknife. This series is every entertaining. 

Shephard, Mike. (2006). Resolute. New York: ACE Books.

Deserter (Kris Longknife #2)

Deserter by Mike Shepherd is the second book in the Kris Longknife science fiction series. 

Kris is back on the planet of Wardhaven putting a new ship through its tests when she gets a call saying that Tom has been taken. He was on vacation on a cruise halfway across the galaxy. 

Taking leave for a week, Kris - along with her bodyguard and the new dresser her mother hired when Kris's grandfather became king, making Kris a princess - race to a far off planet to rescue Tom. All of which may be a trap.

Mike Shepherd has created a great character in a fun space opera series. I will be reading them all. 

Shepherd, Mike. (2004). Deserter. New York: Ace Books.

Mutineer (Kris Longknife #1)

Mutineer by Mike Shephard is the first book in the science fiction series featuring Kris Longknife. 

Born into the Longknife legacy – daughter to the planet’s Prime Minister and granddaughter to two war heroes – Kris has chosen another path. She will not run for office like her father and brother. She is joining the Space Navy of the Society of Humanity as an ensign. No special favors from on high like those who refer to her family as “those Longknifes would expect of her. 

And it looks like maybe she is getting all the worst assignments in the Navy. Her first deployment being a hostage rescue in a cabin that makes Fort Knox look like a piggy bank. 

Shephard’s first in the Kris Longknife series is a great space opera. I will be reading the entire series (currently twenty volumes). 

Shephard, Mike. (2021). Mutineer. New York: Ace Books

A Desolation Called Peace (Teixcalaan #2)

A Desolation Called Peace by Arkady Martine is the second book in the Teixcalaan empire science fiction series. 

Mahit Dzmare is the ambassador to Teixcalaan from the small Lsel Station, a nation floating in space untied to any planet. She is home after an emotional start to her job in the capital city planet of Teixcalaan. She is hoping to take a small break from the intensity of politics - only to find herself in danger from one of her counselors. 

Back in Teixcalaan, Three Seagrass has been promoted. When she gets a request from their starships at the front of a new war - a request for someone to try and understand the alien language - she assigns herself to the job. She plans to pick up Mahit Dzmare on her way, as the fighting is just outside Lsel space's jumpgate.

This second book is every bit as good as the first. Martine's series has quickly become one of my top three science fiction series of all time! Can't wait for more...

Martine, Arkady. (2021). A Desolation Called Peace. New York: Tor. 

A Chain Across the Dawn (Universe After #2)

A Chain Across the Dawn by Drew Williams is the second book in the science fiction series Universe After. 

Jane and Esa, a girl she rescued who has joined her mission, travel the stars in search of children with a gift - running into trouble occasionally. 

Jane and Esa are headed to a planet that should have little higher technology. The pulse wiped out most of it. They arrive in the middle of a war - the three sects always battling each other. 

They are looking for a young Wulf pup who controls, maybe even produces electricity. Arriving in the middle of the fighting will reduce the time they have to get him and get out safely.

Williams has written some great characters in this series. Their story continues here, with some more hints to the overall universe and what may come next. Great science fiction, fast reading.

Williams, Drew. (2019). A Chain Across the Dawn. New York: Tor.

The Stars Now Unclaimed (Universe After #1)

The Stars Now Unclaimed by Drew Williams is the first book in the Universe After series, a fast-paced race through the galaxies. 

About 100 years ago, a pulse traveled across known space, knocking out technology as it went. No all planets were hit at the same level. Some sent back to pre-combustion engine and some left virtually untouched. The one positive side-effect is that the intergalactic wars came to a halt.

Another side effect, seems to be some children being both with a skill, or power, to do what the ordinary human cannot.

Jane Kamali is a pilot, soldier and agent for the Justified. Her role is to rescue children with special gifts - children who are often look upon with suspicion on the backwards planets. 

Jane has just arrived on a planet that has about old West technology. She is looking for a child, she doesn't yet know who. Her first stop is the local church - always a good place to pick up town gossip. 

Williams has created a fun series filled with different types of sentient being, in the feel of Becky Chambers, but set in a time of unease. The wars would not have stopped if the pulse had not stranded most spaceships where they were. This is a great, fast read with some wonderful characters. 

Williams, Drew. (2018). The Stars Now Unclaimed. New York: Tor. 

Uncompromising Honor (Honor Harrington #14)

Uncompromising Honor by David Weber is the fourteenth book in his science fiction series featuring Honor Harrington.

The Grand Alliance is at war with the Solarian League - not officially, but the Sol Navy keeps attacking anyway. At some point, Manitcore and allies will have to do something to stop them.

Honor Harrington has worked her way up the ranks of the Manticore Space Navy to second in charge. She is now the First Space Lord. She has faced many enemies of her kingdom along the way, and made many allies.

Uncompromising Honor is the last book in this amazing series. Weber says not to be surprised if we see Honor in other series in the universe. There is also her time teaching at the Saganami academy (which chronologically goes after book 10 in this series).

The Honor books were meant to be a Master and Commander in space. No only did David Weber succeed, but he created what is possibly my favorite scifi series of all time.

Weber, David. (2018). Uncompromising Honor. New York: Baen.

In Fury Born

In Fury Born by David Weber is a thrilling ride through space, special ops and Greek mythology. A space opera for the ages.

Alicia DeVries is a marine like her grandfather. She is sent to far off planets who are part of the Earth empire. Tapped for an elite squad of drop commandos called the Cadre, she is a killing machine.

Follow Alicia through this store that was originally two novellas and a novel. Readers will encounter pirates, revenge, voices in their heads, artificial intelligence and more.

Weber is a master of science fiction story telling. This stand alone novel is a great introduction to him and his kick ass female characters set in world where men and women are treated as equals.

Weber, David. (2006). In Fury Born. New York: Baen

A Rising Thunder (Honor Harrington #13)

A Rising Thunder by David Weber is the thirteenth book in his science fiction, space opera featuring the amazing Honor Harrington. After years of war between the star nation of Manticore and the republic of Haven things were coming to an end when a new enemy snuck in and attacked Manticore’s home worlds. Combined with rising tensions with the Sol system this could spell trouble for Manticore.

Weber’s series features one of my favorite fiction characters. Honor Harrington started out as a captain in the Manticore Space Navy. Now she is one of the most powerful figures in her star empire. Filled with politics, military strategy, and (at this point) more characters than I can count, this is still one of my favorite series. If you are a fan of science fiction, strong female lead characters, space opera, politics, military fiction or just good story-telling, read this series. Start with this series, or the companion young adult series about Honor’s ancestor Stephanie Harrington.

Weber, David. (2012). A Rising Thunder. New York: Baen.

Mission of Honor (Honor Harrington 12)

Mission of Honor by David Weber is the twelfth book in his science fiction series featuring Honor Harrington - a kick ass space navy officer for the empire of Manticore.

After years of war with the Republic of Haven, Manticore is sending Honor Harrington to the capital city of Haven to negotiate peace and an end to the war. Honor is not a politician, but a admiral in the space Navy - one of its most decorated, best strategist and most feared by Haven.

When President Eloise Prichard hears there is a squadron of Manitcore ships near the outer limit of her planet, she is surprised to hear is it to begin a talk. She has never met Honor, like her second in charge Tomas Theisman. The woman she meets is not quite what she expected.

While talks progress, the Solarian League is trying to throw their weight around to intimidate Manticore from another angle. Sol has always been the best, biggest, strongest navy. They have never been challenged by a neobarb on the edge of the galaxy. They will show Manticore what the punishment for encroaching on their territory is.

Weber's series is one of my favorites. I highly recommend this to fans of science fiction, political thrillers and just good stories. Honor Harrington is my hero.

Weber, David. (2010). Mission of Honor. New York: Baen.

War of Honor (Honor Harrington #10)

War of Honor by David Weber is the tenth book in his science fiction series featuring Honor Harrington.

The war between the star kingdom of Manticore and the star nation of Haven has reached a cease fire. The timing has possibly saved one side from outright losing the war. Treaty negotiations are going slowly – no solely due to the enormous distance between home worlds of the two governments.

In Manticore the parliamentary style government has changed parties. The new leaders have no use for the Navy. They plan to systematically take money from the Navy to bolster social programs that have suffered due to the war. They don’t have any impetus to reach a treaty with Haven because then the war funding they are syphoning off will dry up.

The new government, due to some previous personality clashes, wants Honor Harrington away from the spotlight, and unable to speak against their policies. So when they see an un-winnable situation forming, they put her in charge – sure that the “Salamander” will either make them look good or die in the process.

Weber is a great science fiction author. This series is one of the few military science fiction / space opera series with a female lead character. And Honor is an amazing protagonist!

Weber, David. (2002). War of Honor. New York: Baen.

Ashes of Victory (Honor Harrington #9)

Ashes of Victory by David Weber is the ninth book in his science fiction series featuring Honor Harrington.

The war between the People's Republic of Haven and Manticore continues. After a setback, the Royal Manticoran Navy is about to unleash a technological jump ahead in space warfare. It may be the beginning of the end of the war.

Honor Harrington is headed home to recover from her injuries. While on Manticore she has been asked to teach classes at Saganami Island, the Naval College.

In Haven, the committee that has taken over the government is having some internal suspicions. One or more of the high ups will be displaced and the balance of power will change once again.

The Honor Harrington series is great science fiction. If you are a fan and have not read this, buy the first book today. If you like scifi and are tired of the dearth of female lead characters - look no further.

Weber, David. (2000). Ashes of Victory. New York: Baen.

Echoes of Honor (Honor Harrington 8)

Echoes of Honor by David Weber is the eighth book in his Honor Harrington science fiction series.

Manticore and its allies are at war with the People's Republic of Haven. Although Haven is under a new government and the war began under the old, it continues. Many lives have been lost along the way. Most battles have gone in favor of Manticore, but the PRH has gotten some hit in.

Right now the people in Manticore think that their beloved Commander, Honor Harrington, has been captured and executed. They do not know that on top of forging a video of her hanging, she and a small team escaped the ship while in orbit over the prison planet of Hell.

They are now stranded on a planet with hundreds of thousands of prisoners and the State Security guards. The people are kept in line by being place in far apart camps. None of the plants on Hell are edible. The only source of food is the monthly delivery by the guards. Anyone who tries to rebel or attack the deliver, gets no more food. The guards live on an island miles and miles at sea and from the nearest camp.

Honor's people have a few advantages over the prisoners. They have two small ships equipped for battle, their own rations, and (most importantly) no one knows they are there. If they can come up with a plan and bring some prisoners onto their side, they will attempt to take over the planet.

Amazing series. If you are a science fiction fan or a fan of military fiction or just good storytelling, read it.

Weber, David. (1998). Echoes of Honor. New York: BAEN.

In Enemy Hands (Honor Harrington #7)

In Enemy Hands by David Weber is the seventh book in his Honor Harrington series.

Honor Harrington has been put in charge of a join Grayson and Mantacore Navy fleet of ships. They have at least a few weeks before they will have gathered all of the parts, so in the meantime, Honor is asked to take a few ships and guard a convoy of supplies and soldiers being sent to a planet that the Allies just took back from Haven's People's Navy.

As the commodore, Honor will not be in the ship that goes ahead to scout for enemies. She will be safely in a middle ship. But about half way to their final destination, Honor and a small team, transfers to the lead ship to discuss strategy with the captain.

What they don't know is that the system they are about to enter has been taken back by the Peeps. They are flying into a trap that has already destroyed a few ships.

Weber is a master of the space opera. He can juggle many storylines and characters and make the reader think she is there. Any fans of science fiction or just good storytelling should read this series.

Weber, David. (1997). In Enemy Hands. New York: BAEN.

Honor Among Enemies (Honor Harrington #6)

Honor Among Enemies by David Weber is the sixth book in his series featuring Honor Harrington - a space captain in the Royal Mantacore Navy.

After a couple of year on Grayson, Honor is asked to rejoin the RMN. She doesn't know that she will be getting a near impossible assignment - set up by two of her political enemies.

Honor will be in charge of a small fleet of converted cargo ships retrofitted to be Q-ships (attack vessels disguised as harmless transport ships). They will be sent to cover a huge area where pirates are raiding merchant ships. The Silesian Confederacy is huge and Honor will be given just a few ships to try to control the problem.

To add insult to injury, Mantacore cannot really spare the crew to fill her ships. They will be made up of people other captains want to get rid of - the screw ups of the RMN.

Weber has created a wonderful science fiction series. Honor is a well-named character whose people would follow anywhere. Any fans of scifi who have not read this series are missing out.

Weber, David. (1996). Honor Among Enemies. New York: BAEN.

Flag in Exile (Honor Harrington 5)

Flag in Exile by David Weber is the fifth book in his series featuring Honor Harrington. Honor is a member of the Royal Manticore Space Navy and a brilliant strategist in fighting - both with her space ship and her fists.

After upsetting political opponents on Manticore, Honor is on half pay with the Navy. She has decided to go back to the planet Grayson where she has a new steading - the only off-worlder to be granted the title of steadholder.

Protector Benjamin, leader of Grayson, has been trying to bring Grayson laws and customs into the current century - after being isolated for a thousand years - while not offending the conservative steadholders.

When Benjamin appointed Honor a steadholder, he stirred up those who think a woman should be in the home, not ruling. And a small group of them have a plan to get her back - by sabotaging her company and turning the popular opinion.

Weber has created a great character in Honor, and placed her in a variety of settings (space, military, political) with the world-buidling skills few can claim. This is one of my top three favorite science fiction series ever.

Weber, Honor. (1995). Flag in Exile. New York: BAEN.