Picking up where Echoes of Honor left off, the ecstatic reunion that begins Ashes proves short-lived as Honor once again lives up to her nickname of "The Salamander," always ending up where the fire's hottest. In the longest book of this naval space-opera series, David Weber plunges his beloved heroine (now an admiral!) into a thick tangle of political plots, as she takes on a more mature, behind-the-scenes role than in previous books. But don't fret: there's still some good action as HH prevents an assassination attempt and Manticore and its allies test-drive their new weaponry. And quite a few characters get what's coming to them too, including a few who drop like picked-off Peeps. All in all, yet another worthy instalment in the series--check out On Basilisk Station first if you're new to HH. --Paul Hughes, Amazon.com

The political situation in Manticore and Grayson has not grown any easier, and the devious Peeps are doing their best to destroy any Manticoran victory.

Ms. Harrington is now upped to an Admiral in the Manticoran navy. She has, of course, been an admiral on Grayson for a long time. While Honor's face and arm are repaired and replaced Manticore decides to use her as teacher and advisor in the Navy. The problem of helping Nimitz communicate has to be solved.

Queen Elizabeth decides to pay Grayson a visit, but evil forces (read Peeps and conservative Graysons) plan an assasination of her and her heads of state in addition to protector Benjamin.


Honor, Honor, Honor...   January 8, 2004
 10 out of 11 found this review helpful

Much of the book has to do with politics, the healing of Nimitz and Honor, and Honor having to deal with all the problems of coming back from the dead. She finds much embarrassing. Readers find much satisfaction!
Readers will also be excited to see all that happens to the Peeps and the manipulative bas...uh, citizens who govern them. There are not as many battle scenes as in previous books, but let's face it, Honor is coming back as medical mess and healing takes awhile. But just because she is only involved in one actual space battle, does not mean you won't see the Manicorian and Grayson Navy kick some serious butt!

All-in-all, another winner by David Weber!

Reviewed by Detra Fitch of Huntress Reviews.


Not what it could have been   September 12, 2001
 3 out of 3 found this review helpful

Is it just me or did this particular volume seem to be a little rushed...Also for a student of political systems not of America he seems to have missed the obvious answer to Manticore's political crisis, Queen Elizabeth could simply threaten to create dozens of new peers (from out of distinguished naval officers, as a reward for their service). This devaluing of their titles would shock the opposition into behaving themselves, the British government did much the same thing in 1911 to reform the House of Lords.