Crown of Slaves by David Weber and Eric Flint. Weber has invited Flint to collaborate in a spin off series in the Honor Harrington universe. I was very much looking forward to this collaboration as I enjoyed Flint's 1632 series (well, I'm still reading).
There are 12 books in the Honor Harrington main story line. There are two spin off series with two book each, the second one being the Saganami series.
I do think someone could read this book as the first book. Even though I'd read the complete 12 book main story line, I found myself as lost as anyone new at first. The start of the book is some ways back from where the story line had progressed in the main line. But, as confusing as the start felt with all the characters being thrown at you (and there are a LOT) -- the book eventually settles down to a gripping pace that makes the book hard to put down.
Genetic slavery is the main plot line of the book. The bad guys are into creating humans designed for specific work -- as slaves, and the good guys want to end slavery. But as much as that's the back drop, the main parts of the book are about spies. It reads like a great military spy thriller set in space with genetically modified humans instead of aliens.
The character development is superb. There are a good half dozen fully developed main characters that you follow, and a host of peripheral ones. I've heard someone describe books like this as "competency porn". The good guys are really smart and win the day through intellect, courage, and special abilities. It's like super heroes without going to the extreme of super man. I love a good "competency porn" read
Any fan of the Honor Harrington books will enjoy this one.
Happy reading,
Lee