Book two in David Weber and Richard Fox's Ascent to Empire series.
HE NEVER WANTED TO BE A REBEL
The Five Hundred, the elite families who rule the Terran Federation, control its political power and its wealth, and they've grown steadily wealthier and more powerful, thanks to the war against the Terran League. War may be hard on the people who get caught in its path, but it's very good for business, in the short term, and the Five Hundred own the shipyards that build the Navy's ships. They own virtually all the industry that produces the weapons and matériel the war consumes so voraciously . . . and they've made damn sure someone else does the dying. True, there are a few flies in the Five Hundred's ointment.
There's the growing hatred and resentment of the Fringe Worlds, whose children do eighty percent of the dying in the Five Hundred's war. But the Five Hundred have made sure the Fringe knows what will happen to any system that goes "out of compliance."
There are the lunatic conspiracy nuts who insist that the alien Rishathan Sphere is secretly aiding the League's military, but the Five Hundred have forced them to keep their mouths shut where it matters.
And then there's Terrence Murphy, a man of honor who loves the Federation, who springs from the Five Hundred, yet knows it for what it is and is determined to speak for its victims. But the five hundred have dispatched ample force to deal with him and his handful of lunatic followers.
Unfortunately, the Fringe has paid enough of its children's lives, and it no longer cares what may happen if it dares to defy the Five Hundred.
Worse, the lunatic conspiracy nuts were right, and the Rish have planned carefully for the Federation's destruction.
And, worst of all, the Five Hundred have fatally underestimated Terrence Murphy.
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Praise for David Weber:
". . . a balanced mix of interstellar intrigue, counterespionage, and epic fleet action . . . with all the hard- and software details and tactical proficiency that Weber delivers like no one else; along with a large cast of well-developed, believable characters, giving each clash of fleets emotional weight." —Booklist
". . . moves . . . as inexorably as the Star Kingdom's Grand Fleet, commanded by series protagonist Honor Harrington. . . . Weber is the Tom Clancy of science fiction. . . . His fans will relish this latest installment. . . ." —Publishers Weekly
"This entry is just as exciting as Weber's initial offering. . . . The result is a fast-paced and action-packed story that follows [our characters] as they move from reaction to command of the situation. Weber builds Shadow of Freedom to an exciting and unexpected climax." —The Galveston County Daily News
"Weber combines realistic, engaging characters with intelligent technological projection and a deep understanding of military bureaucracy in this long-awaited Honor Harrington novel. . . . Fans of this venerable space opera will rejoice to see Honor back in action." —Publishers Weekly
"This latest Honor Harrington novel brings the saga to another crucial turning point. . . . Readers may feel confident that they will be Honored many more times and enjoy it every time." —Booklist
". . . everything you could want in a heroine. . . . Excellent . . . plenty of action." —Science Fiction Age
"Brilliant! Brilliant! Brilliant!" —Anne McCaffrey
"Compelling combat combined with engaging characters for a great space opera adventure."—Locus
"Weber combines realistic, engaging characters with intelligent technological projection. . . . Fans of this venerable space opera will rejoice . . ." —Publishers Weekly