This is the first book in what has become an outstanding science fiction series. On Basilisk Station introduces us to Honor Harrington, a newly created ship's captain who has the distinction of being a brilliant tactician, an immensely capable soldier, and an honorable person able to inspire the loyalty and respect of those who serve with her. Unfortunately for all those characteristics she is also brutally straightforward and has earned the enmity of some those whose rank has been garnered by familial connections rather than any demonstrated competence. She has neither regard, nor time for general incompetence or cowardice in the face of duty.

When she inadvertently shows up a high ranking Admiral in a set of war games, she is given her first Captaincy, and exiled to patrol the armpit of the galaxy, Basilisk Station. A commission generally reserved for those deemed to be an embarrassments to the Rank and her new ships crew blames her for their perceived disgrace, little do they know that they will fight in one of the pivotal battles of their time and in the company of one of the best navel officers to come out of Saganami Military Academy.

It's Honor's commitment to her duty that causes her to make the command everything it should have been, not the neglected slackass assignment most made it into. It also put Honor, through no fault of her own, in the position of showing up the consistent military incompetence of the ranking sector commander, a man who delights in having other people take the blame for his own incompetence, when she is pitted against a surprise attack on the station by the Republic of Haven.

She successfully defends Basilisk against a much superior adversary, almost destroying her ship and in doing so earns the respect and trust of her crew and the attention of her superiors, some wish her well and some wish her disgraced or dead.

I can honestly say this is one of the SF series I've enjoyed the most and all of the novels in the Honor Harrington Series are gems. The novels enjoy the type of interaction between characters and species that appeal to Fantasy lovers, while having loads of technical specification and tactical maneuvers to satisfy the most technical of readers. Cool maps of the galaxy, diagrams of the ships, and descriptions of the armaments. Strong characters, both honorable, despicable and everything in between. A very well written book and an even better series.