Rating: 
Summary: Not big on epic space opera, this one...
Review: ...the biggest spaceship battle with as much as a significant reference is Oversteegen's run-in with The Four Yahoos (as mentioned in The Service of the Sword), although there are a few excellent Marines-aboard-ship battles and one brief but amusing standoff involving a goodly number of smaller warships.However, there is a great deal of interplay between nascent characters, a few new and interesting characters like the extremely deadly Solarian Lieutenant Thandi Plane are introduced, and a few interesting characters like Michael Oversteegen, Victor Cachat, the Audubon Ballroom and some "Scrags" get considerable depth added to their characters. We have the traditional Weber young-girls-doing-brave-things scenes, although none as young as Stephanie Harrington: Princess Ruth (also ex TSotS in "Promised Land") and Berry Zilwiki as late-teens/early-twenties get major parts and do well with them. Anton comes and goes, but I enjoy almost every scene of his in this book, his Highlander personality comes across well. There is an undercurrent of big changes afoot for the Solarian League, including an interesting new character in Solarian Captain Luiz Roszak which bodes well for the megabattle aspect in following books. All in all, a great read. Favourite quotes: CAPTAIN MICHAEL OVERSTEEGEN (commander, CA Gauntlet) "I will leave out of all this the petty consideration that we're talkin' about the life of a teenage girl. I realize that's a matter beneath your contempt. I will just take the opportunity t' tell you, since I don't believe I've ever done it before at one of our family gatherin's - not precisely, I mean - just how brainless you are, [Countess] Deborah [Fraser, Manticoran Ambassador to Erewhon]. Truly brainless. Not simply stupid. Bar-ain-less. As in: brains of a carrot." GINNY USHER (wife of Kevin Usher, head of Haven's internal security) "Don't believe 've been introduced," Ginny blurted out. Words were at a premium now, running out like water on a beach before the tidal wave hits. "You people really make me sick." The tsunami arrived, then, washing across five of the six before it was done. Some portion of Victor's brain decided he was witnessing a miracle. Two miracles, in fact - first, that any of the six diplomats had emerged unscathed, given the volume of the torrent and its volcanic energy; second, that a woman as small as Ginny could produce such a volume in the first place. [...] "See here!" he [Victor] heard one of the diplomats cry out angrily. "Sure," hissed Ginny. "Did I miss one?" She began struggling in Victor's grip, apparently determined to return and rectify the oversight.
Rating: 
Summary: Different?
Review: A very good read.Plenty of hard hitting action buit around well developed characters. a little scary, the way all the characters seem to sacrifice anybody to get their goal. The Anti slavers, even the House of Winton come accross as futuristic John Browns willing to even sacrifice the innocent for their beliefs. If your looking for space battles their not here, but if you like close combat and cold blooded killers, this books the one.
Rating: 
Summary: Wait for the paperback
Review: An avowed Honerverse fan, I picked this up as a bit of holiday reading. What the hey? Splash a little cash on myself for Xmas. Sollies, Mantys, Peeps and Erewhonese all mix it up with some interesting new characters and some background characters coming to the forefront. You?d have to be as familiar with the Honververse as the author to follow this silly mess. Another draft of two seems in order. Once again, where is the editor, or the proofreader for that matter? Weber, Flint and the rest of the incestuous gang at Baen sure do churn out some good reading ? but I think they?re spreading themselves too thin on this franchise. Weber and company ought to put the ?verse to bed for a while.
Rating:
Summary: Wait for the paperback
Review: An avowed Honerverse fan, I picked this up as a bit of holiday reading. What the hey? Splash a little cash on myself for Xmas. Sollies, Mantys, Peeps and Erewhonese all mix it up with some interesting new characters and some background characters coming to the forefront. You'd have to be as familiar with the Honververse as the author to follow this silly mess. Another draft of two seems in order. Once again, where is the editor, or the proofreader for that matter? Weber, Flint and the rest of the incestuous gang at Baen sure do churn out some good reading - but I think they're spreading themselves too thin on this franchise. Weber and company ought to put the 'verse to bed for a while.
Rating: 
Summary: Well at least a gold hair band
Review: Another very good book by Mr. Weber. As usual, the first third of the book is used for character build and social commentary. The last two thirds provides steadily building action and drama. The ending (yes it's more like the beginning of the volumes to come) is smooth and leaves you wanting more. A thouroughly good read.
Rating:
Summary: New Branch in the Honor Harrington Universe
Review: Arthur Jordin's synopsis of "Crown of Slaves" is spot-on. However, all the characters and groups and kingdoms and planets he names make me want to echo the intro to an old daytime comedy soap opera from the 1970s: "Confused? You won't be, after watching this episode of 'Soap.' " What I like about this novel is the much-needed break from the career of Honor Harrington. The "Honorverse" has steadily become richer with development, and Honor's perspective, as wide-ranging as it is, simply isn't sufficient to do justice to the rest of the emerging story lines. Hence, the spin-off. Functionally, "Crown of Slaves" does two things. First: It sets in place another strategically vital setting for the ongoing battle between Haven and Manticore. This is the wormhole junction that eventually becomes the property of the Audubon Ballroom's quasi-terrorist society of freed genetic slaves. An ideal spot from which the Ballroom can expand it's anti-slavery operations in both Havenite and Manticoran space, this junction is so positioned that it will also inevitably become a place over which Haven and Manticore will HAVE to fight ... or compromise. In both struggles, Erewhon is caught firmly in the middle. Second: Erewhon suddenly becomes a real society with its own history. Think of a sort of Italianate, patronage-driven and family-governed Switzerland founded by mob money launderers with a sense of humor -- enough so to name their capital city Maytag! We now get to see contrasts and interplay among yet more political systems: (a) the Manticore parliamentary/constitutional monarchy; (b) the Havenite People's Republic welfare state attempting to return to its long-forgotten roots as a republic; (c) the purely militaristic hereditary dictatorship of the Andermani empire; (c) the theocratic, feudal, honor-driven (pardon the pun) state of Grayson; (d) the endless chaos of greed and disorder and bad government that is the confederacy of Silesia; (e) the end-stage capitalism and rule of money in the Earth-based Sol Federation -- and now, two new spanners in the works: (f) the Erewhon system of leading families and patronage, very Roman in its origins but with dynamics that make me think of numbered bank accounts and Swiss neutrality amid a Europe at war, with Switzerland the inevitable base of espionage for all sides; and (g) the newly emerging state founded by ex-slave, anti-slavery terrorists and several "cargos" of genetically engineered human beings freed from captivity who are not necessarily terrorists at all. The latter is starting out as a nominal constitutional monarchy, but it will (I predict) end up as something else entirely, something more personal and consensual and relational. That will be interesting to watch, because I suspect it will propose a new and useful role for monarchs in a constitutionally governed republic. If it works at all. Another side of this book that I appreciate is the further development of the character of Victor Cachat, Havenite spymaster under Kevin Usher. Finally, we get an explanation of his motivations that makes sense -- and the use of sexuality as a tool of characterization is insightful. It's rather dramatic, of course, as it must be to compete with the rest of this space opera, but it's also the only possible way that Weber and Flint could make Cachat fully human. A spy with a steady girlfriend? No James Bond womanizer, Victor Cachat has become something altogether more interesting. There's much more to be said -- but it's better to read the book. Make sure you've read the entire Honor Harrington series first, and definitely read all four "Worlds of Honor" short story collections, since that's where most of the important new ideas first show up before they wend their way into the novels. Then read "Crown of Slaves" last. You'll love it.
Rating:
Summary: a valiant attempt to continue a great series
Review: co-written by eric flint, the Crown of Slaves shows great promise but falls short in execution. Pros: the best thing about this book it expands the Honor universe from the Manty point of view and includes a different look at the Solarian League, the Havenite, and different genetic breeds. There is a taste of the vast and populous Honor universe. There are several interesting characters that developed reasonably well, most notably lieutenant Palane and victor cachat. Cons: One thing I've loved most about the Honor series is the emotional rollercoaster that you as a reader feels going through the trials and tribulations of the story. This book fell flat with it. The resolutions are too neat, you didn't "feel" with the main characters and the authors threw in some silly romantic interludes (the scrag/ballroom terrorist orgy) that left me muttering Why?
Honor's cameo appearance was just silly. If you put Honor in the book put her IN the book. This book left me frustrated because there were definitely moments of intense action and amazing character development, but mostly it waxed thin with basic plots, too many characters with inadequate development and challenges that wrapped up in nice gift boxes. I think with some tinkering the next books will definitely show improvement.
Rating:
Summary: A Really Special Operation
Review: Crown of Slaves is the first novel in a new series set in the Honor Harrington universe. This novel is a sequel to From the Highlands in Changer of Worlds, in which Helen Zilwicki is kidnapped in Chicago by Scrags, genetic supermen, in the employ of Manpower, but Captain Anton Zilwicki of the Royal Manticoran Navy, gets her back with help from Victor Cachat of Haven State Security, Colonel Kevin Usher of the Haven Marines, and Jeremy X of the Audubon Ballroom. Helen also brings out two local youngster, Lars and Berry, who have helped her escape from her captors and Anton adopts them after returning home. In this novel, many years later, Hieronymus Stein, head of the Renaissance Association, has been assassinated and rumors link Manpower to the incident. Queen Elizabeth of Manticore decides to send Princess Ruth Winton, adopted daughter of her brother, Michael, to Erewhon to attend the memorial gathering in an unofficial way. The Queen requests that Anton Zilwicki and Berry accompany her. Since Ruth has ambitions to be the family spymaster, Anton also agrees to teach her tradecraft during the trip. As a subterfuge to increase Ruth's safety, she and Berry undergo nanotech surgery to trade identities. For additional security, Anton and the girls travel to Erewhon on the Pottawatomie Creek, an armed frigate, which is crewed mostly by Audubon Ballroom "terrorists" being trained by Anton in naval tactics and shiphandling. Haven also sends unofficial observers to the gathering, Kevin Usher's wife Virginia and Victor Cachat, posing as an unfaithful wife and her boy-toy. They have instructions to encourage Erewhon to change their allegiance from Manticore to Haven. While at the reception, Naomi Imbesi attempts to seduce Victor on orders from her uncle, Walter Imbesi, currently leader of the opposition in Erewhon, and of course Ginny Usher helps cover the rendezvous. The Solar League Navy also has a delegation attending the gathering. Captain Luiz Rozsak is leading a black operation on Erewhon against his nominal superior, Ingemar Cassetti. They are also tracking a group of Masadan and Scrag terrorists employed by Manpower. The SLN has its own unit of Scrag women commanded by Marine Lieutenant Thandi Palane; these "Amazons" have a grudge against the Manpower Scrags, many of whom are former boyfriends. When the Masadans and their Scrag converts attempt to kidnap Princess Ruth, they fall in a trap set by Victor Cachat and trigger a joint operation by Erewhonese, Havenites, Manticorans, Solar Leaguers, and the Audubon Ballroom against Manpower. Berry gets to play princess for a little longer while the real princess is conniving with the spooks and troops. However, Professor W.E.B. Du Havel has conceived of another role for Berry. This novel is tour de force of major proportions, an almost pure wish fulfillment fantasy, a chain of events that could only happen in an illogical and chaotic universe. Well, stranger things have happened, but it is hard to think of anything as convoluted and one-sided as this caper. Pity the poor Masadan/Scrag terrorists, not to mention the Manpower slavers, for they are steamrollered. Great fun! Totally ridiculous, but also totally enjoyable! Highly recommended for Weber and Flint fans and anyone else who enjoys special ops, political intrigue, and justice served in huge helpings.
Rating:
Summary: A New Honor????
Review: Crown of Slaves take us back to Manticore during the first half of War of Honor. Queen Elizibeth sends her niece to Erewhon along with a half pay navy captin (and master spy), his 17 year old daughter, and a multi university degreed freed slave(think Frediric Douglas). They are trying to uncover the doings of the genetic slave trading corperation Manpower.
This is much more of a mystery/spy thriller than a clasic Honor adventure. No massive space battles with fleets of Superdreadnoghts. My guess is than fans of 1632 will be disapointed in this book, while fans of 1633 will love it. (I liked 1633 better). The story has some of the expected twists, and some real suprises as well.
Crown of Slaves has a lot of complex political manuvering, and a very large cast of key players that demand a LOT of attention to follow. You will need some uninteruped time to go through the first 200 pages so you have a clear picture of the mechanisums of the different intrest groups, but the further into the book you go the more dificult it is to put down for unimportant issues like sleep, work, or food.
This is billed as the first of a new series, and I plan to buy the next as soon as it comes out in hardcover. Of course, I am also still on the edge of my seat awaiting the follow up to War of Honor!
Rating:
Summary: Splendid Addition to the Honorverse
Review: David Weber and Eric Flint have wrought yet another thrilling installment of the "Honorverse", which can be seen as a prequel to "War of Honor", setting the stage for Erewhon's defection from the Manticoran Alliance to the Republic of Haven. It is being advertised as the start of yet another series set in the Honorverse. Havenite secret agent Victor Cachat arrives on Erewhon to cultivate possible ties between it and the Republic of Haven, as the Erewhonese reconsider their relationship with Manticore, angered by the indifference shown them by Prime Minister Baron High Ridge's government. Hoping to bring Erewhon back into the fold, a Manticoran delegation led by Princess Ruth Winton, the Queen's adopted niece, former RMN captain Anton Zilwicki - who may be Manticore's best secret agent - and his daughter Berry, arrives for the state funeral of an important Solarian League politician. And a Manticoran heavy cruiser commanded by High Ridge's cousin, Captain Michael Oversteegen (His second appearance in the saga, about a year after the events of "Service of the Sword", a recent novella written by Weber.), is sent to "show the flag" in the Erewhon system. All of these Manticorans are soon drawn in Cachat's Machiavellian scheme to create a planet ruled by ex-slaves, a brand-new star nation devoted to ending slavery, along with, Thandi Palance, a dedicated Solarian Marine lieutenant who is as ruthless as Cachat. There are exciting battles aboard space stations featuring Masadan fanatics, members of the ex-slave terrorist organization Audubon Ballroom, and Mesan slavers. This is yet another splendid installment in the Honorverse, showing political brinksmanship involving Haven, Manticore, Erewhon, Mesa, and the Solarian League. Indeed, this book shows the importance of both Erewhon and the Solarian League as key star nations and empires within the Honorverse.
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