On Basilisk Station (or "HH1" as it's known to the faithful) is the first instalment in David Weber's cult hit Honor Harrington series, which has charmed the socks off schoolgirls and sailors alike. Honor—the heroine of this fast-paced, addictive space opera—is a polished, plucky bulldog of a naval officer, part Horatio Hornblower, part Miles Vorkosigan, part Captain Janeway, and with a razor-clawed telepathic cat thrown over her shoulder for good measure.

The series' kick-off puts a giddy Commander Harrington at the helm of her first serious star-ship, the HMS Fearless. But her excitement quickly fades—political manoeuvring by top brass in the Manticoran navy has left her light cruiser outfitted with a half-baked experimental weapons system. Against all odds (just the way Honor likes it), she still manages a clever coup in tactical war games, a feat that earns her accolades—and enemies. The politicians she's offended banish her to a galactic backwater, Basilisk Station. But that outpost soon proves to be a powder keg, and it's up to Harrington and the Fearless crew to thwart the aggressive plans of the Haven Republic. A perfect mix of military SF and high adventure—if you enjoy your tour, read HH2, The Honor of the Queen. —Paul Hughes, Amazon.com