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Friday, 17 May 2013 09:15 pm
Book Review: On Basilisk Station
Continuing my questionable habit of starting a series with the earliest book, I made this my introduction to David Weber's "Honorverse," as fans call the Honor Harrington franchise setting. I have no idea how it compares to later entries, but I am willing to give those a try eventually. At least this one doesn't make amateurish choices like The Colour of Money.
One major draw is the egalitarianism. Roughly half the identified characters are female, some of them in commanding positions. Honor may be the only one we feel like we know very well, but the rest aren't vacant either. They behave differently, most tho not all worthy of respect, none functioning as decoration (despite the cover artist's unduly photogenic face for Honor). And unlike some attempts at dignified heroines, Honor is decidedly not a man in a woman's body, as reflected in an important plot point, nor a Mary Sue like I feared.
As space operas go, OBS is pretty credible, at least to a science layman like me. It puts little focus on SF innovations; the main standout in this regard is Honor's pet treecat, an enviably empathic little ET who actually does serve as just a decoration, however welcome. It's set far enough in the future for human-populated planetary systems to war with each other, yet humans still act fully relatably (none improbably smart or stupid) and have recognizable names of various nationalities. The major struggles are hard and costly.
The one thing I don't like is the military aspect. As it happens, a forumite recently pointed out that spaceship battles are duller than you'd think, in any medium. That would explain why The Forever War had more engaging action scenes. In truth, OSB has a lot more talk than action, and I appreciate the talk better -- except when it gets bogged down in technical and naval jargon like a highbrow Star Trek fanfic. Generally, I favor the emotional, interpersonal human (and occasional alien) side over the rest. Still, it never bored me for long.
Now reading Shadowplay. Turns out I don't remember its predecessor Shadowmarch as well as I thought, and unlike other Tad Williams sequels, it starts with no synopsis. I have some catching up to do, but at least the heroes are on the move.
One major draw is the egalitarianism. Roughly half the identified characters are female, some of them in commanding positions. Honor may be the only one we feel like we know very well, but the rest aren't vacant either. They behave differently, most tho not all worthy of respect, none functioning as decoration (despite the cover artist's unduly photogenic face for Honor). And unlike some attempts at dignified heroines, Honor is decidedly not a man in a woman's body, as reflected in an important plot point, nor a Mary Sue like I feared.
As space operas go, OBS is pretty credible, at least to a science layman like me. It puts little focus on SF innovations; the main standout in this regard is Honor's pet treecat, an enviably empathic little ET who actually does serve as just a decoration, however welcome. It's set far enough in the future for human-populated planetary systems to war with each other, yet humans still act fully relatably (none improbably smart or stupid) and have recognizable names of various nationalities. The major struggles are hard and costly.
The one thing I don't like is the military aspect. As it happens, a forumite recently pointed out that spaceship battles are duller than you'd think, in any medium. That would explain why The Forever War had more engaging action scenes. In truth, OSB has a lot more talk than action, and I appreciate the talk better -- except when it gets bogged down in technical and naval jargon like a highbrow Star Trek fanfic. Generally, I favor the emotional, interpersonal human (and occasional alien) side over the rest. Still, it never bored me for long.
Now reading Shadowplay. Turns out I don't remember its predecessor Shadowmarch as well as I thought, and unlike other Tad Williams sequels, it starts with no synopsis. I have some catching up to do, but at least the heroes are on the move.