Baen, 2000, $7.99, ISBN 0-671-31977-9, paperback, 647 pgs.

This, the 9th Honor Harrington book, picks up where # 8 left off with Honor back at home with a half million liberated POWs and enough stolen ships to bring 'em back.

Sadly, this book is pretty much a dud. It should be called Ashes of Plot, because that's all that's left.

It's incredible that such a vibrant series should founder on the rocks of plotless yapping. He must have tired of writing action scenes because he concentrates on politics and governments, and such. There's a lot of talking and schmoozing, and background filler, but not as much plot development as previous books. Maybe the success of his previous books scared Baen editors from editing.

In any case, you'll find flashes of brilliance mixed with increasing amounts of hanging around waiting for something to happen. It's a pity. The first half dozen books were quite good. Maybe it's time for Honor to retire.

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