We know we’ve been enjoying this Honorverse adventure for a while when we realize the book we’re discussing this time wasn’t published when we began the podcast.  David Weber keeps writing and we’re happy to have more content to read, enjoy, and discuss with you, our co-adventurers!  What Price Victory is the seventh book in the Worlds of Honor anthology and brings us five short stories written by six authors:  Timothy Zahn, Thomas Pope, Jane Lindskold, Jan Kotouč, Joelle Presby and David Weber.  We have some familiar faces and a few new folks, too.

What Price Victory is 320 pages (hardcover), published in February 2023.

The first story in the book is Traitor, by Timothy Zahn and Thomas Pope.

It takes place sometime around 1528 PD and focuses on events surrounding a significant challenge to Andermani Emperor Gustav.  What initially appears to be quiet and professional concern that Gustav may not be fit to lead the Empire, as the concerned parties assemble, it becomes clear that the real intent is to stage a coup.  Things get wild!

Your hosts gave this story three ‘thumbs-up”.

The second story, Deception of Gryphon was written by Jane Lindskoldt.  

The last book we discussed was A New Clan which featured Stephanie Harrington and her friends.  This short story brings us back to Stephanie and Karl shortly after the events in A New Clan, but now these two heroes are on Gryphon with Stephanie’s parents.  While there, they find themselves involved in what initially looked like a suicide, but quickly questions surface about whether or not it may have been a murder.  As a credentialed law enforcement officer, Karl gets involved along with Probationary Ranger Harrington and the story unfolds.

We gave this story three “thumbs-ups”, as well.

The Silesian Command was the third story, written by Jan Kotouč.  

Now we find ourselves early in the days of what is usually called the Second Manticoran-Havenite War, probably in 1919 or 1920 PD.  The Star Kingdom of Manticore is growing and we’re seeing some of the struggles of the war spilling over into Manticore’s efforts to manage new territory gained when the Silesian Confederacy was split between the Star Kingdom and the Andermani Empire.  There’s intrigue, nuclear weapons, a rogue People’s Republic of Haven State Security officer, and pirates!

Your hosts scored this one with two “thumbs-up”, and a “neutral” vote.

If Wishes Were Space Cutters, written by Joelle Presby, was our fourth story.

Joelle takes us back to Grayson and a character named Noah Bedlam.  This young man dreams of bigger things in the future, then finds himself with a new job helping to build a space station.  He takes the job and leaves his mom (who he lives with) behind—hopefully the new work will pay him enough to improve both his and her standard of living.  High drama ensues when space debris hits the ship (a cutter) he’s stationed on, causing critical damage.  With the help of a new acquaintance, he works to stem the unfolding catastrophe and save many lives.  As a result, he’s recommended to attend pilot training.

We struggled with this one, scoring it with a “neutral” vote and two “thumbs-down”.

The fifth and final story is written by the man himself, Mr. David Weber, titled First Victory.

The events in the story unfold across a significant period of time between March 1846 and December 1877 PD.  Most of the story is at the front end of this window culminating with Honor’s birth, then there’s a leap forward to when she’s 17.

Lots of tension and love in this story.  Tension that is the relationship between Jennifer (Allison’s mom) and Allison (Honor’s mom) is broken when Allison decides to marry Alfred.  Even without the presence and support of Jennifer, the marriage of these two young doctors is a happy and prosperous one.  Years later, Honor is born, and what may be the heart of the story emerges—the family ends up coming together.  We won’t say how, but it’s pure storytelling gold.  Then the leap forward in time happens and we see Honor with an acceptance to the Academy at Saganami Island, preparing for what begins the adventure we all know and love so well.

When the dust settled, this story received three “thumbs-up” from us.  Whatever else we thought about the other stories in this volume, it ended strong with a great story from David!

Overall, we rated this whole seventh anthology volume with a 4.5, a 3.5 and a 4 (out of 5) for an overall rating of 4.

The next time we get together, we’re going back in time to discuss the novel Toll of Honor, which returns us to the events that lead to the culmination of the feud between Honor Harrington and Pavel Young.  You’re not going to want to miss it!

I know we say it every podcast, but it’s because it’s true:  we truly appreciate all of you who listen to our thoughts about these books.  More importantly, we appreciate you as participants in the adventure, at times contributing your thoughts and comments to us.  Please keep those likes and comments coming, and if you’re enjoying the podcast, be sure to tell others to join us.

You can find us, and all our episodes at http://honorverse.net, and email us at [email protected].  We look forward to hearing from you.

Now, let’s be about it!