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This page consists of the newer series of books which are all set up
as trilogies. These books are definately better than most of those that
came before and are considered canon (meaning they continue the B5 storyline)
for the B5 series. All of these books were based off of a detailed outline
that J. Michael Straczynski (B5's writer and creator) wrote. So far, there
have been the Bester/Psi-Cops,
Centauri Prime/Legions of Fire and the beginning
of the Techno-Mages trilogies.
JMS AT B5 SAID:
9.26.1999
How are authors chosen [for the trilogies]?
By mutual consent; they'll suggest someone, and we'll talk about it. Keyes' work I somewhat
knew, and he seemed right...and Peter David *is* a Centauri. Jeanne Cavelos' work on the
shadow arc [see The Shadow Within] made her
correct for the technomage books.
3.3.2001
I write a fairly detailed outline for each of the books, anywhere from
10-20 pages each. (One, I think, hit 30 pages.) So figure anywhere from 30 to 85 pages per
trilogy, or thereabouts. It contains nearly all of the major beats, character moments and plot
turns. Then the authors add in another layer in all three categories as connective tissue and
do all the heavy lifting of actually making it all *work*.
NOTE: Triologies are listed by publishing date from newest to
oldest.
NOTE: Books within the trilogies are listed by publishing date from oldest to
newest.
Book I: Casting Shadows
Author: Jeanne Cavelos --
Published: Feb 2001 --
Format: Paperback
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The Passing of the Techno-Mages Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
The spectacular space epic continues, as the techno-mages face the growing threat of the
Shadows ... As Elric and his student Galen watch with taut anticipation, dragons, angels,
and shooting stars rain from the sky, heralding the arrival of the techno-mages on the
planet Soom. But rumors fly of approaching danger and Galen and his young lover, Isabelle,
are chosen to investigate the dark tidings. An ancient race has awakened after a thousand
years, thirsty for war, slaughter, and annihilation. Will the techno-mages be the deciding
factor in the war ahead? Or the first casualties?
MONICA'S REVIEW:
I was totally blown away. This series is the most page heavy of the three trilogies and it
is worth every word. I laughed, I cried, I got angry and I fell in love. This book takes
place during the first season of B5 and recounts how the mages decided to deal with the
return of the Shadows. Jeanne's background in the sciences really shines in her revealing
look into the mages technology. The only complaint is her use of the term "mind's eye". I
just wish she had come up with a more mage-like description ... Even so, I highly recommend
reading this book and in doing so, you will want to become a techno-mage before the end.
JMS AT B5 SAID:
FEB.25.2001
I tend to agree that this is probably the best of the trilogies done
to date.
FEB.28.2001
There's actually going to be a LOT of Crusade stuff in the trilogy,
because at the time I wrote the outlines, the series was still in the works. So some of
the stuff I'd planned to reveal in the series will be revealed here.
JEANNE CAVELOS AT ISN NEWS SAID:
MAR.20.2001
In writing the Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy, I was glad to be
able to write about things we hadn't seen much of on the shows. That gave me a lot of freedom.
Galen is much younger in these books than he is on Crusade, and he hasn't yet grown into that
person. So in many ways I was able to make him the way I imagined him being, so long as
readers can envision him one day becoming the Galen of Crusade.
APR.13.2001
I realized that I really wanted to figure out how the mages did what
they did, why they did it, and what price it cost them (since magic always comes at a price).
That's when I decided that I had to write this trilogy.
SEP.13.2001
I think part of the reason [Galen] wanted to become a mage was
because it was all he knew, and the idea of being a non-mage was a completely alien and
terrifying existence.
DEC.19.2001
Kane, Gwynn, and Finian were indeed all in Galen's "class," and were
initiated along with him. Back in Book 1, on p. 55, all the chrysalis-stage apprentices are
training, in preparation for their initiation. When speaking to Galen, Elizar dismisses most
of the other apprentices as unworthy and inferior:
"Elizar gave a quick tilt to his head, indicating a trio of chrysalis-stage apprentices a few
feet away. 'Kane and his crew of fools don't even deserve to be initiated.'"
I kind of enjoyed having one of my characters insult 3 of Peter's characters. It was fun. So
none of the trio gets much mage experience after their initiaton. They basically get rushed
into the hiding place and spend all their time there.
JEANNE CAVELOS AT ABOUT.COM SAID:
JUL.3.2001
I also added lots of stuff that wasn't in Joe's outline, like
storylines for Kosh and Anna Sheridan, and Galen's quest to understand the tech and
himself.
JUL.3.2001
I realized a few months ago that THE PASSING OF THE TECHNO-MAGES is
in some weird way a kind of Harry Potter for adults.
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Book II: Summoning Light
Author: Jeanne Cavelos --
Published: Jul 2001 --
Format: Paperback
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The Passing of the Techno-Mages Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
The explosive space epic continues, as the techno-mages come face-to-face with the devastating
evil of the Shadows ... War against the Shadows is inevitable, and the ruling Circle has
ordered the techno-mages into hiding. Many are unhappy with this decision—none more so
than Galen. [...] Galen will find everything he so desperately seeks—including a
shocking legacy that threatens to consume his very soul.
MONICA'S REVIEW:
I couldn't get through this book fast enough! The story really gets going as Jeanne expertly
weaves multiple storylines that are both intriguing and completely integrated. If you thought
you knew and understood techo-mages ... then you are in for a shock. I love the way Jeanne
takes a story that we thought we already knew and makes us want to watch the episodes again
to see what we -really- missed. I also loved how she brings Anna Sheridan as the heart of a
shadow ship and Kosh as the ever watchful and pensive Vorlon into this book as well. Don't
miss this trilogy!
JMS AT B5 SAID:
JUN.18.1999
[Alwyn] had been there for a few years prior to the great exodus.
(His background is explored in more detail in one of the technomage novels.)
JEANNE CAVELOS AT ABOUT.COM SAID:
JUL.3.2001
Anna has a bigger storyline in books 2 and 3—I think you'll be
surprised at some of the things she does, and at how she and Galen meet.
JEANNE CAVELOS AT ISN NEWS SAID:
AUG.3.2001
[Regarding] the book being dark. Absolutely. It's not a good time to
be a techno-mage, with the Shadows coming back. And being a techno-mage at any time may be an
inherently bad thing; while some techno-mages would debate that, Galen certainly believes it.
I realize that the darkness of it may turn some people off. But I wanted to show the
consequences of the tech's origin and nature. [...] I wanted to show that the mages not only
made a deal with the devil, but took a piece of the devil inside of them. And that, by it's
very nature, is not a happy story--for Galen or any of the mages. Since Galen has failed to
control the tech, he, in a way, is the worst sinner.
AUG.9.2001
I thought Razeel was an important character to include for several
reasons. One is that she helps show Kell's hubris--he takes on two apprentices instead of
just one, and loses control of both of them. She also helps show a different side of Elizar,
because he does have some feeling for her (while he's basically using Tilar and Bunny). I
also felt like I needed another "bad" mage besides Elizar and Tilar for Galen to fight. And
then there's the most important reason, which, of course, I'm not going to tell you.
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Book III: Invoking Darkness
Author: Jeanne Cavelos --
Published: Nov 2001 --
Format: Paperback
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The Passing of the Techno-Mages Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
The electrifying space epic reaches an explosive climax when one techno-mage battles the
ultimate evil ... As billions die and the flames of destruction rage unchecked, the Shadows
seem poised for absolute victory. Soon the entire galaxy will fall to their evil. But the war
isn't over ... not yet. [...] In this desperate, apocalyptic battle, there's no telling who
will be the victor. Or if there will be any survivors at all ...
JEANNE CAVELOS AT SCIFI WEEKLY SAID:
MAR.26.2001
"Do the techno-mages have an overall role in the B5 universe?"
The answer is yes, more than you can imagine. You will learn their role in the last sentence
of Book 3.
JEANNE CAVELOS AT ABOUT.COM SAID:
JUL.3.2001
[S]ometimes you discover that what you thought happened in the episode
isn't what actually happened at all. . . Techno-mages can be deceiving, after all.
JEANNE CAVELOS AT ISN NEWS SAID:
SEP.13.2001
I sent back my typeset pages for book 3 with all the final
corrections/changes. They arrived at the post office in mid-town Manhattan right about the
time the first plane hit the World Trade Center. I'm thinking maybe some of those pieces of
paper drifting down into the streets are my book. No sign of it since then, and Del Rey seems
closed down.
NOV.27.2001
I made up the character of Blaylock, including his name. It did not
come from JMS at all. Some readers theorized that Blaylock was the mage in ACTA--since he was
stern and disapproving, I guess--but I never meant him to be (since I always planned to kill
him off).
DEC.11.2001
As for who that mage is in ACTA, I thought I'd leave it open, but in
my own mind, I figured it was probably Miostro, based on his personality.
DEC.19.2001
I cut several other scenes from the book, including an Anna scene,
where she's receiving more instruction, and a scene where Galen confronts Londo in Down Below
and scares the c*** out of him before leaving B5. They seemed unnecessary, and the book is
incredibly long (I made the margins in the manuscript a bit narrower, hoping the editor
wouldn't realize how long the book was . . . I guess it worked.)
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Book I: The Long Night of Centauri Prime
Author: Peter David --
Published: Dec 1999 --
Format: Paperback
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Legions of Fire (AKA Centauri Prime) Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
Bombed to the brink of oblivion, the planet Centauri Prime is starting the slow and painful
process of rebuilding, under the watchful eye of Emperor Londo Mollari. But Londo is in turn
being watched—and manipulated—by the conquest-hungry Drakh. The malevolent beings
are reshaping the Centauri Republic into a secret seat of power from which to strike out at
their enemies—especially the Interstellar Alliance. [...]
MONICA'S REVIEW:
This book (and series) shows great promise at filling in all those gaps in B5 about the
Centauri and Londo's ascent to the throne. Peter David does a fine job weaving all the clues
into a coherent trilogy even if he does repeat himself with descriptions at times. Still, it
is a must read for any B5 fan. He captures the characters brilliantly and creates more that
are very complementary. This book incorporates a lot of what we saw in the series and it will
make you want to watch them again for clues you missed the first time around.
JMS AT B5 SAID:
11.6.2000
I really wanted these books to fill in the gaps and broaden the story
in a way that moved people. I'm happy they did.
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Book II: Armies of Light and Dark
Author: Peter David --
Published: May 2000 --
Format: Paperback
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Legions of Fire (AKA Centauri Prime) Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
The Drakh have assaulted Earth with deadly Shadow technology—but the worst is yet to come
in this stunning continuation of the Babylon 5 epic adventure [...] As the Drakh carry out
their horrific plans, Emperor Londo Mollari languishes on his throne, a puppet of the
Drakh-bred keeper, an insidious creature that monitors his every thought, word, and action.
[...] But Drakh control is not absolute. Vir Cotto—a most unlikely hero—has begun a
resistance movement. [...]
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Book III: Out of the Darkness
Author: Peter David --
Published: Oct 2000 --
Format: Paperback
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Legions of Fire (AKA Centauri Prime) Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
Centauri Prime declares war on the Interstellar Alliance in Book Three of the epic trilogy
that continues Babylon 5's brilliant legacy. [...] Emperor Londo Mollari possesses the key
that can reveal the presence of the Drakh, but to do so would spell disaster, so he is forced
to remain silent. But when the Drakh bring another pawn into play—David Sheridan, son of
Alliance president John Sheridan—the time for silence may be past. If Vir and the
Resistance are to prevail, it will be only through action, and with help from very strange
allies ...
JMS AT B5 SAID:
02.01.2000
[The fate of David Sheridan] will be covered in one of the Centauri
novels being written by Peter David.
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Book I: Dark Genesis (The Birth of the Psi Corps)
Author: J. Gregory Keyes --
Published: Oct 1998 --
Format: Paperback
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Psi-Cops/Bester Trilogy
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Amazon.com Price: $6.50
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DESCRIPTION:
Long before the Babylon 5 space station brought Humans face-to-face with alien races, they
discovered an extraordinary breed among their very own ... The year is 2115. Shock waves
follow in the wake of astonishing news: science has proven the existence of telepaths. Amid
media frenzy, panic, and bloodshed, Earth's government steps in to restore order—and
establish tight control over the newfound special population ... by any means necessary. Many
question the telepaths' origins, while others view them as a coveted weapon. As the Corps
tightens its iron grip, the stage is set for a cataclysmic confrontation—one in which
the future of Earth will be decided.
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Book II: Deadly Relations (Bester Ascendant)
Author: J. Gregory Keyes --
Published: Mar 1999 --
Format: Paperback
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Psi-Cops/Bester Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
The child of their greatest heroes—he was destined to become their darkest enemy ...
Raised from infancy within the Psi Corps, Alfred Bester was a telepath of exceptional ability,
determined to make his mark by transforming himself into a master of deceit. Schooled in hate
but tormented by shards of conscience, he wrestled with the seductiveness of the sinister
cause he served. But slowly stripped of humanity by the war between decency and betrayal,
he surrendered his soul—and rose to become the most dreaded figure of his time ...
JMS AT B5 SAID:
3.4.1999
I think book 2 is terrific as well, maybe in some ways better than 1
because though it's not as epic, it really makes the Psi Corps come alive in some nifty
ways. I haven't seen 3 yet, but it should be a real kick.
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Book III: Final Reckoning (The Fate of Bester)
Author: J. Gregory Keyes --
Published: Oct 1999 --
Format: Paperback
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Psi-Cops/Bester Trilogy
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DESCRIPTION:
For Alfred Bester, "the Corps was mother, the Corps was father." But now, his Corps was
doomed ... Interstellar Alliance President John Sheridan intervenes to stop the bloodshed as
a new Psi Corps rises from the ashes. Its first mission: to hunt down and neutralize war
criminals, individuals such as Bester himself. Once feared across the galaxy, the dreaded
hunter becomes the fleeing prey—with Michael Garibaldi in hot pursuit.
JMS AT COMPUSERVE SAID:
9.3.1998
[This book] takes quite a risk, because even though you see ancestors
of some of our characters (the books cover about 80 years), there are none of the regulars
in it. It's our first attempt to really flesh out the B5 universe and future history.
9.26.1998
I really wanted it to be one that stood entirely on its own. If you
never saw a frame of B5, you could pick up this book and enjoy it. It's a kick.
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