** Domestic Drudgery, Galactic Glory **
At All Costs is Weber at his most uneven. Much of the book bogs down in domestic drama and organizational grind—material that felt tedious, especially as escapist reading. I would say I skipped sections without guilt, but actually o just kept falling asleep. Weber simply isn’t compelling in the register of family life and middle management.
Where he excels is in politics and naval warfare. As the Republic of Haven grows more morally ambiguous, the series gains depth; villains and heroes blur. Weber writes these macro-level tensions with an authority missing from his micro-level character work.
Then comes the payoff: the climactic battle, a masterclass in military fiction. This is a vivid depiction of a conflict where offensive capability overwhelms defense on both sides. After a slog of setup, I was riveted—arguably the most gripping fight sequence in the Honorverse and maybe in any space opera.
so: just enough missile ammunition to keep going with the series