The Short Victorious War (Honor Harrington, Book 3) – David Weber

Title: The Short Victorious War

Series: Honor Harrington, Book 3

Author: David Weber

Genre: Science Fiction

Weber’s Honor Harrington books never disappoint, but there are always those which stand out more than others. This one, unfortunately never quite lives up to the punch of the first two in the series (Basilisk Station and Honor of the Queen). The climatic battle is actually rather short compared to other books in the series, and though there are a few other “skirmishes” scattered throughout, only a few are narrated through and the only one involving Honor is, like some of the others, is only summarized in retrospect.

I must admit that what I loved the most about the first few books of the series was the unrelenting drive of the narration and the fact that there were battles and action all along the way. This book finds Weber indulging his more politically inclined writing abilities as he starts to really develop the political climate which will drive the war and battles which prove the backdrop for the many books to follow.

If you’ve never read an Honor Harrington novel, start with Basilisk Station and move through the books in order. This one is a solid addition to the series, but as good as it is, it definitely pales in comparison to some of the others. Was I disappointed? Not really, but as I finished the last few pages, I was more feeling like asking Weber, “That’s it?! That’s all?! C’mon!”

In the end, I hesitantly recommend this book – but mainly for those fans of the Honor Harrington series. This is the book where Honor meets one of the few loves of her life Paul Tankersley as well as where she is beginning to really move up the chain of command in the Manticoran Navy. It is definitely worth reading as part of the series, and it does stand on it’s own a solid work of science fiction.

Worldview: Secular

Age Recommendation: Due to a few more sexually themed situations as well as the violence I wouldn’t recommend this for those younger than the later years of High School