Getting Started With A Morbid Taste For Bones
A Morbid Taste For Bones is the second novel in David Weber's Honor Harrington series, released in 1991. It picks up after Events of Manticore and follows Commodore Harrington as she deals with political maneuvering, assassination attempts, and a growing alien threat on the planet Grayson. The book is roughly 370 pages in most paperback editions and sits at a comfortable middle ground between the introduction in the first book and the bigger fleet actions later in the series. The book is widely available across all major platforms. If you want a physical copy, Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and independent bookstores all carry it under ISBN 978-0061052874 for the mass market paperback. The ebook version is on Kindle, Kobo, and Apple Books. Audiobook narrated by Grover Gardner runs about 11 hours and is available on Audible and many other retailers. I've read it in all three formats at some point, and honestly, the audiobook adds decent value here because Gardner does distinct voices for the character ensemble without going overboard. If you are downloading through legitimate channels, expect to pay between nine and fourteen dollars depending on format and retailer. The ebook often goes on sale for around six dollars during promotions.
What the Book Is Actually About
The story follows Honor Harrington after her promotion to commodore and her posting to the Royal Manticoran Navy's Eighth Fleet. Manticore is expanding its territory and getting involved in complex political situations. Harrington arrives at one of the newer colonies and immediately runs into trouble. There is a faction on the local planet that is violently opposed to outside influence, and they have the means and willingness to make good on their threats. The narrative covers political conspiracy, religious extremism, and naval strategy simultaneously. Weber was already comfortable with his worldbuilding at this point, so the technology details and institutional structure feel more organic than in the first book. The core tension comes from Harrington being both a military commander and someone trying to navigate a society with deeply held beliefs that directly conflict with Manticoran values. She cannot just shoot her way out of the situation, which makes the stakes feel different from the opening book.
Key Mechanics and Plot Elements
For anyone reading this as part of a series, a few things worth noting. The ship-to-ship combat uses what Weber calls "hyper-capable" missile systems and grav lance technology. These are not just generic space battles. The tactics involve sensor spoofing, missile pod allocation, and electronic warfare in ways that matter to the outcome. I found myself tracking which ships used which tactics more carefully than I expected to, and it pays off when the later books escalate to fleet actions. The Grayson cultural elements are important here. The planet's religious hierarchy, the Protector's role, and the existence of genetic modification policies all come into play. Some readers find the exposition heavy in the middle sections. You can skip around slightly in those passages without losing the plot, but the information matters for the ending.
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Common Issues People Run Into
One problem I noticed when introducing new readers to this book is that the political subplot involving the local clergy can drag if you are expecting nonstop action. The narrative spends time establishing why certain characters act the way they do. If you skip ahead looking for combat scenes, you miss the setup that makes the later confrontation actually work. I usually tell people to push through the middle section carefully. The payoff comes in the last hundred pages. Another issue is continuity. If you have not read the first book, Peep's War, you will recognize some character names and institutions but the emotional context will be missing. Harrington's relationship with certain people has history. The book assumes you know where she came from. I would strongly recommend reading Peep's War first, even if it means doing so immediately before this one.
How It Fits in the Series
This book establishes the Honorverse political landscape in a more mature way than the debut. The enemies are more clearly defined, the naval doctrine feels more developed, and the supporting cast has more screen time. The villain from the previous book returns in a diminished capacity, which some fans consider a missed opportunity and others consider realistic storytelling. The alien threat introduced here becomes a major recurring element throughout the entire series, so pay attention to how it is presented. Later books like The Honor of the Queen and At All Costs reference events from this one. Knowing what happens here gives context to character decisions three or four books down the line.
Who Should Read This
The Honor Harrington series targets readers who enjoy military science fiction with political depth. Weber writes long books with large casts, so patience is required. If you prefer fast punchy plots with minimal characterization, this may not be your thing. If you like detailed worldbuilding, naval tactics, and morally complex political situations, you will probably find this one rewarding. The book is standalone enough that you can enjoy it on its own merits even if you never finish the rest of the series.
