Worlds of Honor (Worlds of Honor Series #2) »

DAVID WEBER is the author of the New York Times bestselling Honor Harrington series, the most recent of which was At All Costs. His many other novels include Mutineers’ Moon, The Armageddon Inheritance, Heirs of Empire, Path of the Fury, and Wind Rider’s Oath. He lives in South Carolina.

Growing a little impatient, Honor Harrington fans? I mean, it has been a full four months since David Weber ignited us with the blistering Echoes of Honor. If your thirst for the new Honor adventure is steadily increasing, and you're thinking there's no aid in site, well -- you're wrong. In a follow-up to More Than Honor, David Weber now presents Worlds of Honor, a collection of five new action-filled romps (two from the master himself, and three from other leading science fiction contenders), all of which feature our favorite deep-space maven, Honor Harrington.

KLIATT

In this SF set of five short stories, treecats are an indigenous species that is pushed aside by interplanetary human explorers. Over the years, the two groups have maintained a fragile relationship, basically because of mutual fear and respect. The six-legged treecats are highly evolved sentient creatures with strong telepathic powers—and the ability to live centuries. Once in a while they "adopt" a brainwave sensitive human, whom they honor and protect, even if it means they outlive the human. The title word "Honor" refers to one such person, who becomes a legend to the society because of her relationship with a special treecat. Each short story treats a different period of time, harking back to Honor's rescue (with treecat help) of avalanche-trapped humans on to a princess's dilemma over her father's murder, from evil developers to ultimate battles. Weber wrote two of the stories; the other authors are Linda Evans, Roland Green, and Jane Lindskold. Obviously, the group coordinated their stories to insure consistency over time. Cat lovers will enjoy these stories the most, since these feline-like creatures are considered so sensitive and wise. The YA protagonists in most of the stories should capture teen attention. Generally, the writing is fine if not riveting. The final episode, which deals a deathblow to the society, seems a bit out of character. There are several Honor Harrington novels, so those readers who get "hooked" on these tale can pursue the series for some time. KLIATT Codes: SA—Recommended for senior high school students, advanced students, and adults. 1999, Baen, 407p, 18cm, 98-47810, $6.99. Ages 16 to adult. Reviewer: Lesley Farmer; Lib. MediaTeacher Svcs., Cal. State Univ., Long Beach, CA, July 2000 (Vol. 34 No. 4)