Fans of the Honor Harrington series will undoubtedly be thrilled by this first book in a new prequel series, exploring the origins of Manticore. Although I haven’t read the Honor series myself, it didn’t hinder my enjoyment of this book. Having read other works by David Weber—particularly the Safehold series—I’ve come to expect his books to start a bit slowly. This one is no exception. However, once the action kicks off, it’s a relentless thrill ride.

As the start of a new series, the emphasis on world-building is understandable, though the slower pacing might discourage some readers. The story centers on Travis Uriah Long, a new enlistee in the Manticore Royal Navy. Seeking discipline and escape from his past, Travis discovers that the Navy has its own issues—most notably, politicians threatening to shut it down to cut costs. Throw in a few pirates, and the story hurtles toward an intense, cliffhanger ending.

While the pacing may test your patience early on, the payoff is worth it. This is a series with great potential, and I recommend sticking with it. Fans of Weber’s work—and newcomers interested in rich, character-driven space opera—will find plenty to enjoy.