Beginnings

This book provides five shorter works (novella or novelette length) set in Weber's Honorverse. All relate a beginning of some sort.They are a mixed bag.The first story, By the Book didn't do much for me. Meh at best.I skipped the second story, A Call to Arms, as it appears to be a shorter form of the later novel of the same name, which I had already read. ([b:A Call to Arms 25110976 A Call to Arms (Honorverse Manticore Ascendant, #2) David Weber https://i.gr-assets.com/images/S/compressed.photo.goodreads.com/books/1431607019l/25110976.SY75.jpg 44804709])The third story, Beauty and the Beast, which tells how Honor's parents met, and the fourth story, The Best Laid Plans, which tells how Honor and Nimitz came to bond, are the best in the book. Solid four stars on them both.The final story, Obligated Service, was another meh story for me. Too long and a bit unfocused.For me, 3 stars overall. YMMV.

On a story by story basis:

1. By the Book - Charles Gannon: I have no idea what this has to do with the Honorverse. The only connections are Earth, space, and a postscript written by a Ph.D. on Haven. It's a reasonably good sci-fi story, but it's not really Honorverse.

2. A Call to Arms - Timothy Zahn: This is more like it. Early RMN story of some action you've never heard of. It's recognizable as as Honorverse and well written.

3. Beauty and the Beast - David Weber: The story of Alfred Harrington and Allison Chou. Great story. Provides a lot of depth to momma and daddy Harrington.

4. Best Laid Plans - David Weber: Probably the story we've all been waiting for: how Honor met Nimitz. Very nice.

5. Obligated Service - Joelle Presby: This one felt really gritty to me, and the main character is a little bleak. It definitely shows a little of the dark side of both Grayson and Manticoran officers.