It's hard to give peace a chance when the other side regards conquest as the only option and a sneak attack as the best means to that end. That's why the Kingdom of Manticore needs allies against the Republic of Haven--and the planet Grayson is strategically situated to make a very good ally indeed. But Her Majesty's Foreign Office overlooked a "minor cultural difference" when they chose Honor Harrington to carry the flag: women on the planet of Grayson are without rank or rights and Honor's mere presence is an intolerable affront to every male on the planet.

At first Honor doesn't take it personally; where she comes from gender discrimination is barely a historical memory, right up there in significance with fear of the left-handed. But in time such treatment becomes taxing and she makes plans to withdraw until Grayson's fratricidal sister planet attacks without warning. Now, Honor must stay and prevail, not just for her honor, but for her sovereign's, for the honor of the Queen.

"Following in the best tradition of C.S. Forester, Patrick O'Brian, and Robert A Heinlein! These hugely entertaining and clever adventures are the very epitome of space opera." --Publishers Weekly