Great Continuation of the Television Series, 22 Jan 2003
The year is 2262 and Londo has just become Emperor of Centauri Prime. But what might have been his best chance to help his people and make up for his past becomes an exercise in frustration for him, as he must submit to the will of the Drakh Entire. Watched over by his keeper, he is only fully able to do what they desire. Meanwhile, Vir suspects something might be wrong with his friend. But can he find out what is really happening in the palace?

Peter David has done a wonderful job with this book. Londo becomes a truly sympathetic character. The climax is almost painful it's so well written and leaves the reader anxious to pick up the next book. Mr. David has captured each character exactly as they appear in the series. It's very easy to "hear" the actors deliver the lines and picture the settings from the series. He also works in references to several pivotal and obscure moments in the show, making this seem to fit perfectly in the Babylon 5 universe. The new characters are fully developed and help advance the story. Interesting, two of Londo's wives, from an episode of the show that Mr. David wrote, also play important parts in the story.

There is one small detraction for fans of the series. The book plays a little loosely with the timeline of season 5. However, I find the timeline presented here to be a little more realistic and something only worth noting in passing.

Fans of Babylon 5 who haven't read this book are in for a real treat. People who haven't seen the show will enjoy this book as well, but might be confused by a few things mentioned in passing. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. A truly top notch read.

Bab5 as it should be., 19 Apr 2000
I always got the impression from the TV series that JMS wanted to keep the space battles in their place and concentrate more on characters, politics and motivations. Well that's exactly where this book goes, and masterfully. I really enjoyed Londo in the TV series and I think this book adds even more depth to the character. I really enjoyed this book and it's hurting me having to wait for the next one!

Couldn't put it down., 05 Apr 2000
After the fabulous Psi Corps trilogy I awaited the Centauri Prime trilogy with eager anticipation. I was not to be disappointed. "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" is compelling reading, and the characterisation is excellent.

I can't wait till part 2 of the trilogy is available.

A must read for Babylon 5 fans.

True to the B5 Universe, a great addition., 01 Mar 2000
I am a B5 fanatic. The universe JMS created was somehow more believable than others franchises. This book carries that feeling on further. It is however for folks that have followed B5. It will be fairly meaningless to the casual reader. That aside, it keeps to the characters flawlessly. Londo and Vir are true to form. You cannot help but get caught up in the emotion and feel sorry for the characters with no choice. I look forward to finding out the rest of the story and how well it ties into Crusade. Go read NOW!

A highly captivateing read., 02 Feb 2000
After I read the fairly new si corps trilogy I was hungry for more quality Babylon 5. Which in a nut shell this was. Instead of huge space battles or climatic fight scenes. This book masterfully keeps to the subject at hand. When tie-ins with the series are required they are done seamlessly and from a variety of different perspectives. The main character is seldom deviated from and it is almost written in a memoir style concerning him. Though the thing i most enjoyed and which speared me on to read this novel in less than a day was the knowledge the author had about Babylon 5. Bring on the sequel...

Great Continuation of the Television Series, 22 Jan 2003
The year is 2262 and Londo has just become Emperor of Centauri Prime. But what might have been his best chance to help his people and make up for his past becomes an exercise in frustration for him, as he must submit to the will of the Drakh Entire. Watched over by his keeper, he is only fully able to do what they desire. Meanwhile, Vir suspects something might be wrong with his friend. But can he find out what is really happening in the palace?

Peter David has done a wonderful job with this book. Londo becomes a truly sympathetic character. The climax is almost painful it's so well written and leaves the reader anxious to pick up the next book. Mr. David has captured each character exactly as they appear in the series. It's very easy to "hear" the actors deliver the lines and picture the settings from the series. He also works in references to several pivotal and obscure moments in the show, making this seem to fit perfectly in the Babylon 5 universe. The new characters are fully developed and help advance the story. Interesting, two of Londo's wives, from an episode of the show that Mr. David wrote, also play important parts in the story.

There is one small detraction for fans of the series. The book plays a little loosely with the timeline of season 5. However, I find the timeline presented here to be a little more realistic and something only worth noting in passing.

Fans of Babylon 5 who haven't read this book are in for a real treat. People who haven't seen the show will enjoy this book as well, but might be confused by a few things mentioned in passing. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. A truly top notch read.

Bab5 as it should be., 19 Apr 2000
I always got the impression from the TV series that JMS wanted to keep the space battles in their place and concentrate more on characters, politics and motivations. Well that's exactly where this book goes, and masterfully. I really enjoyed Londo in the TV series and I think this book adds even more depth to the character. I really enjoyed this book and it's hurting me having to wait for the next one!

Couldn't put it down., 05 Apr 2000
After the fabulous Psi Corps trilogy I awaited the Centauri Prime trilogy with eager anticipation. I was not to be disappointed. "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" is compelling reading, and the characterisation is excellent.

I can't wait till part 2 of the trilogy is available.

A must read for Babylon 5 fans.

True to the B5 Universe, a great addition., 01 Mar 2000
I am a B5 fanatic. The universe JMS created was somehow more believable than others franchises. This book carries that feeling on further. It is however for folks that have followed B5. It will be fairly meaningless to the casual reader. That aside, it keeps to the characters flawlessly. Londo and Vir are true to form. You cannot help but get caught up in the emotion and feel sorry for the characters with no choice. I look forward to finding out the rest of the story and how well it ties into Crusade. Go read NOW!

A highly captivateing read., 02 Feb 2000
After I read the fairly new si corps trilogy I was hungry for more quality Babylon 5. Which in a nut shell this was. Instead of huge space battles or climatic fight scenes. This book masterfully keeps to the subject at hand. When tie-ins with the series are required they are done seamlessly and from a variety of different perspectives. The main character is seldom deviated from and it is almost written in a memoir style concerning him. Though the thing i most enjoyed and which speared me on to read this novel in less than a day was the knowledge the author had about Babylon 5. Bring on the sequel...

Definitely worth it, 02 Apr 2006
I first saw this book a few months ago and was put off by the lack of reviews. However whilst in London i found myself buying against my better judgement and im glad i did. i have so far bought and read thefirst three volumes of this series and i will definately be buying more. I can understand how some have been put off by the love implications between the two main MALE characters, however it doesn't really bother me. Both me and my friends adore the series and think it is great. It is definately one of clamps better works and worth taking a look at.

The Sakura are pretty, aren't they? ^_^, 26 Nov 2004
This is probably one of my favourite Clamp series so far and would recommend people to read this series - unless you are a bit fidgety over shounen-ai/male x male implications (well the ladies of Clamp are known to do weird things in their works).

I first discovered Tokyo Babylon via the X TV series and the minute I set eyes on Seishirou and Subaru and the past they shared, I was interested in them straightaway. As a result I took a peek into Tokyo Babylon and I can officially say it has got me hooked.

The main characters consist of the trio Sakurazuka Seishirou, Sumeragi Subaru and Sumeragi Hokuto and they all have their own supernatural powers. Character-wise, Subaru is sweet, naive and polite, if not very feminine for a boy. Hokuto is his older twin sister but acts the complete opposite to him (loud and flamboyant). As well as being a wild dresser, she makes Subaru's wardrobe.

Seishirou is the oldest out of the three and is a veterinarian. On the outside he is happy-go-lucky and often teases Subaru, making him blush and also acts goofy around his friends. As we turn the pages, we see there is a mysterious side to Seishirou. Is he the dangerous Sakurazukamori? The Sakurazukamori are also Onmyouji like Subaru however they use their powers for killing and only appear during the night. On the one hand, the Sumeragi clan protect people with their supernatural powers.

This first volume is enjoyable because you have a mix of mystery and light comedy (Subaru face faults a lot of times in this volume - and not because of Seishirou's teasing). It makes you want to read more.

Fantastic - A must for any CLAMP or manga fan!, 08 Mar 2004
This is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces CLAMP has produced as of yet. And considering I've read practically everything I can get my hands, that's an awful lot of manga to choose from (even TSUBASA: Reservoir Chronicles and XXXholic - which, may I point out isn’t all that good-).

Anyway, this is a sort of prelude to X:1999 and follows the same kind of vein so if you like X... But I think the characters are better. Although you don't need to have read X to understand this, nor do you have to go onto reading X after you've finished this but it does make sense to do so.
This follows the life of the lovable Subaru Sumeragi - our main character. At the age of 16, he became the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan - some of the top onmyouji (a type of exorcist, they speak top the dead and send them... off to wherever they have to go).
Backing up Subaru is Hokuto (Subaru's twin sister) and Seishirou Sakurazuka. The hyperactive Hokuto is always teasing Subaru and claiming that he and Seishirou will be married one day (and yes they are both guys, this manga does contain shonen ai (male/male relationships)) but is Seishirou related to the Sakurazuka-mori? An 'assassin group' that uses the same skills as the Sumeragi's to kill?

This is a fascinating series filled with moments of sudden and unexpected humour, heart-wrenching angst, betrayal, sweet bits of romantic fluff, mystery, magic, and a dark underlying theme of death and murder... In other words it has something for everyone!

I haven't read the Tokyo pop version of this manga, so I don't know what they've done to it, but I can assure you that it is a brilliant read that will capture your attention and leave you begging for more.

Great Continuation of the Television Series, 22 Jan 2003
The year is 2262 and Londo has just become Emperor of Centauri Prime. But what might have been his best chance to help his people and make up for his past becomes an exercise in frustration for him, as he must submit to the will of the Drakh Entire. Watched over by his keeper, he is only fully able to do what they desire. Meanwhile, Vir suspects something might be wrong with his friend. But can he find out what is really happening in the palace?

Peter David has done a wonderful job with this book. Londo becomes a truly sympathetic character. The climax is almost painful it's so well written and leaves the reader anxious to pick up the next book. Mr. David has captured each character exactly as they appear in the series. It's very easy to "hear" the actors deliver the lines and picture the settings from the series. He also works in references to several pivotal and obscure moments in the show, making this seem to fit perfectly in the Babylon 5 universe. The new characters are fully developed and help advance the story. Interesting, two of Londo's wives, from an episode of the show that Mr. David wrote, also play important parts in the story.

There is one small detraction for fans of the series. The book plays a little loosely with the timeline of season 5. However, I find the timeline presented here to be a little more realistic and something only worth noting in passing.

Fans of Babylon 5 who haven't read this book are in for a real treat. People who haven't seen the show will enjoy this book as well, but might be confused by a few things mentioned in passing. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. A truly top notch read.

Bab5 as it should be., 19 Apr 2000
I always got the impression from the TV series that JMS wanted to keep the space battles in their place and concentrate more on characters, politics and motivations. Well that's exactly where this book goes, and masterfully. I really enjoyed Londo in the TV series and I think this book adds even more depth to the character. I really enjoyed this book and it's hurting me having to wait for the next one!

Couldn't put it down., 05 Apr 2000
After the fabulous Psi Corps trilogy I awaited the Centauri Prime trilogy with eager anticipation. I was not to be disappointed. "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" is compelling reading, and the characterisation is excellent.

I can't wait till part 2 of the trilogy is available.

A must read for Babylon 5 fans.

True to the B5 Universe, a great addition., 01 Mar 2000
I am a B5 fanatic. The universe JMS created was somehow more believable than others franchises. This book carries that feeling on further. It is however for folks that have followed B5. It will be fairly meaningless to the casual reader. That aside, it keeps to the characters flawlessly. Londo and Vir are true to form. You cannot help but get caught up in the emotion and feel sorry for the characters with no choice. I look forward to finding out the rest of the story and how well it ties into Crusade. Go read NOW!

A highly captivateing read., 02 Feb 2000
After I read the fairly new si corps trilogy I was hungry for more quality Babylon 5. Which in a nut shell this was. Instead of huge space battles or climatic fight scenes. This book masterfully keeps to the subject at hand. When tie-ins with the series are required they are done seamlessly and from a variety of different perspectives. The main character is seldom deviated from and it is almost written in a memoir style concerning him. Though the thing i most enjoyed and which speared me on to read this novel in less than a day was the knowledge the author had about Babylon 5. Bring on the sequel...

Definitely worth it, 02 Apr 2006
I first saw this book a few months ago and was put off by the lack of reviews. However whilst in London i found myself buying against my better judgement and im glad i did. i have so far bought and read thefirst three volumes of this series and i will definately be buying more. I can understand how some have been put off by the love implications between the two main MALE characters, however it doesn't really bother me. Both me and my friends adore the series and think it is great. It is definately one of clamps better works and worth taking a look at.

The Sakura are pretty, aren't they? ^_^, 26 Nov 2004
This is probably one of my favourite Clamp series so far and would recommend people to read this series - unless you are a bit fidgety over shounen-ai/male x male implications (well the ladies of Clamp are known to do weird things in their works).

I first discovered Tokyo Babylon via the X TV series and the minute I set eyes on Seishirou and Subaru and the past they shared, I was interested in them straightaway. As a result I took a peek into Tokyo Babylon and I can officially say it has got me hooked.

The main characters consist of the trio Sakurazuka Seishirou, Sumeragi Subaru and Sumeragi Hokuto and they all have their own supernatural powers. Character-wise, Subaru is sweet, naive and polite, if not very feminine for a boy. Hokuto is his older twin sister but acts the complete opposite to him (loud and flamboyant). As well as being a wild dresser, she makes Subaru's wardrobe.

Seishirou is the oldest out of the three and is a veterinarian. On the outside he is happy-go-lucky and often teases Subaru, making him blush and also acts goofy around his friends. As we turn the pages, we see there is a mysterious side to Seishirou. Is he the dangerous Sakurazukamori? The Sakurazukamori are also Onmyouji like Subaru however they use their powers for killing and only appear during the night. On the one hand, the Sumeragi clan protect people with their supernatural powers.

This first volume is enjoyable because you have a mix of mystery and light comedy (Subaru face faults a lot of times in this volume - and not because of Seishirou's teasing). It makes you want to read more.

Fantastic - A must for any CLAMP or manga fan!, 08 Mar 2004
This is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces CLAMP has produced as of yet. And considering I've read practically everything I can get my hands, that's an awful lot of manga to choose from (even TSUBASA: Reservoir Chronicles and XXXholic - which, may I point out isn’t all that good-).

Anyway, this is a sort of prelude to X:1999 and follows the same kind of vein so if you like X... But I think the characters are better. Although you don't need to have read X to understand this, nor do you have to go onto reading X after you've finished this but it does make sense to do so.
This follows the life of the lovable Subaru Sumeragi - our main character. At the age of 16, he became the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan - some of the top onmyouji (a type of exorcist, they speak top the dead and send them... off to wherever they have to go).
Backing up Subaru is Hokuto (Subaru's twin sister) and Seishirou Sakurazuka. The hyperactive Hokuto is always teasing Subaru and claiming that he and Seishirou will be married one day (and yes they are both guys, this manga does contain shonen ai (male/male relationships)) but is Seishirou related to the Sakurazuka-mori? An 'assassin group' that uses the same skills as the Sumeragi's to kill?

This is a fascinating series filled with moments of sudden and unexpected humour, heart-wrenching angst, betrayal, sweet bits of romantic fluff, mystery, magic, and a dark underlying theme of death and murder... In other words it has something for everyone!

I haven't read the Tokyo pop version of this manga, so I don't know what they've done to it, but I can assure you that it is a brilliant read that will capture your attention and leave you begging for more.

The final triumphs and tragedies of Galen the Techno Mage!!, 11 May 2005
ON the 1st of March this year (2005) J. Michael Strayzinski announced that plans for a new Babylon 5 movie (cautiously titled 'Memories of Shadows') in the near future were to be scrapped due to production problems. How fantastic would that have been and how disappointed am I? Very and extremely. But who needs a Babylon 5 Movie when you have such a magnificent story, as this trilogy has proven to be, also set in that world and probably just as engaging?

Okay...I DO! And so do you too probably, but still...at least we have something new to sink our teeth into while Sheridan, Delenn, Garabaldi and all the rest get some time off our screens.

"Invoking Darkness", book 3 in The Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy concludes grippingly and beautifully the story of Galen, who began as an eager and powerful young mage and tells how now he must now deal with the true destructive power he wields. At one point in this novel I did feel like I was simply getting the same ending as the last book, but this impression was quickly blown to pieces as the action took unexpected turn after unexpected turn and continued to surprise until the every end. Not all the loose ends are tied up and this feels justified considering Babylon 5's habit of holding information back and preferable also because there is room for (at the very least) a sequel from the author some time in the future (*fingers crossed).

The next Babylon 5 book I plan to buy is "Long Night of Centauri Prime", which apparently reveals all concerning the events that occurred in the last 20 years of Sheridan's life, including his and Delenn's son David and also the legacy of the Shadows. I can only hope Peter David (an excellent author, by the way!) will equal Jeanne Cavelos in style, content and talent for illuminating the Babylon 5 universe and bringing characters to life on the page.

excellent character development, 16 Jun 2002
a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy, although not as unputdownable as the Centuri trilogy.
I enjoyed Galen's struggle with his own violent suicidal nature and it is cleverly matched with events in the series. It confirms that Galen was the most interesting character in Crusade.

My only frustration is when oh when! will someone write the Crusade story so we can all find out what happened.

Brilliant, 22 Jan 2002
This book is simply stunning... the amount of extra infomation given about the Shadows / Vorlons is amazing. Also the way it seemlessly ties in with the TV show I wouldn't be supprised if it had been written at the same time, rather than years later. It doesn't rewrite what happened, just explain and fill in some of the holes from the TV series.

This book continues Galens stroy in a rivetting way, I found this book hard to put down till I had finished it, and was then forced to rewatch my B5 collection and reread all 3 of the technomage books....

This is the 3rd part of a trilogy so do your self a favour and read all books, they are the best of the B5 novels... and that is saying a lot as both the Psicore and Centauri trilogys are excellent...

Now all I say is GIVE US MORE B5 NOVELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best book I have ever read!, 12 Dec 2001
I pre ordered this book on the back of the first two in the trilogy. I was definitely not disappointed!

The way the writer makes you feel you're really there is amazing. If you've ever watched Babylon 5 or Crusade and had wondered what happened in other parts of the galaxy while the series was running, this book explains it all! (Well, in relation to the Techno Mages anyway!) The amount of research put into this book must have been tremendous. The way it connects with all the other things going on in and around Babylon 5 is just fantastic. All the way through the book I was saying to myself, " Ah, so that's why.."

Just buy it and see what I mean!

As with everythin Babylon 5-Brilliant, 11 Dec 2001
The various triology's have all been of a very high standard. Usually, they hold real importance to the Babylon 5 universe. The technomage trilogy is no different. Based around Galen, the wonderfull technomage seen in Crusade, the trilogy began around 2258 and by this book it's around 2259-60. That gives you an idea on the status of the Shadow war. Reading theses books, secrets will revealed to you. The origins of the mages being the biggest expose, explained in book 2 and gone into more detail in 3. The books are accessiable to the casual fan. There real quality will be missed though. So surprise, surprise these books are awsome. JMS, Jeanne Cavelos, I salute you.

Great Continuation of the Television Series, 22 Jan 2003
The year is 2262 and Londo has just become Emperor of Centauri Prime. But what might have been his best chance to help his people and make up for his past becomes an exercise in frustration for him, as he must submit to the will of the Drakh Entire. Watched over by his keeper, he is only fully able to do what they desire. Meanwhile, Vir suspects something might be wrong with his friend. But can he find out what is really happening in the palace?

Peter David has done a wonderful job with this book. Londo becomes a truly sympathetic character. The climax is almost painful it's so well written and leaves the reader anxious to pick up the next book. Mr. David has captured each character exactly as they appear in the series. It's very easy to "hear" the actors deliver the lines and picture the settings from the series. He also works in references to several pivotal and obscure moments in the show, making this seem to fit perfectly in the Babylon 5 universe. The new characters are fully developed and help advance the story. Interesting, two of Londo's wives, from an episode of the show that Mr. David wrote, also play important parts in the story.

There is one small detraction for fans of the series. The book plays a little loosely with the timeline of season 5. However, I find the timeline presented here to be a little more realistic and something only worth noting in passing.

Fans of Babylon 5 who haven't read this book are in for a real treat. People who haven't seen the show will enjoy this book as well, but might be confused by a few things mentioned in passing. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. A truly top notch read.

Bab5 as it should be., 19 Apr 2000
I always got the impression from the TV series that JMS wanted to keep the space battles in their place and concentrate more on characters, politics and motivations. Well that's exactly where this book goes, and masterfully. I really enjoyed Londo in the TV series and I think this book adds even more depth to the character. I really enjoyed this book and it's hurting me having to wait for the next one!

Couldn't put it down., 05 Apr 2000
After the fabulous Psi Corps trilogy I awaited the Centauri Prime trilogy with eager anticipation. I was not to be disappointed. "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" is compelling reading, and the characterisation is excellent.

I can't wait till part 2 of the trilogy is available.

A must read for Babylon 5 fans.

True to the B5 Universe, a great addition., 01 Mar 2000
I am a B5 fanatic. The universe JMS created was somehow more believable than others franchises. This book carries that feeling on further. It is however for folks that have followed B5. It will be fairly meaningless to the casual reader. That aside, it keeps to the characters flawlessly. Londo and Vir are true to form. You cannot help but get caught up in the emotion and feel sorry for the characters with no choice. I look forward to finding out the rest of the story and how well it ties into Crusade. Go read NOW!

A highly captivateing read., 02 Feb 2000
After I read the fairly new si corps trilogy I was hungry for more quality Babylon 5. Which in a nut shell this was. Instead of huge space battles or climatic fight scenes. This book masterfully keeps to the subject at hand. When tie-ins with the series are required they are done seamlessly and from a variety of different perspectives. The main character is seldom deviated from and it is almost written in a memoir style concerning him. Though the thing i most enjoyed and which speared me on to read this novel in less than a day was the knowledge the author had about Babylon 5. Bring on the sequel...

Definitely worth it, 02 Apr 2006
I first saw this book a few months ago and was put off by the lack of reviews. However whilst in London i found myself buying against my better judgement and im glad i did. i have so far bought and read thefirst three volumes of this series and i will definately be buying more. I can understand how some have been put off by the love implications between the two main MALE characters, however it doesn't really bother me. Both me and my friends adore the series and think it is great. It is definately one of clamps better works and worth taking a look at.

The Sakura are pretty, aren't they? ^_^, 26 Nov 2004
This is probably one of my favourite Clamp series so far and would recommend people to read this series - unless you are a bit fidgety over shounen-ai/male x male implications (well the ladies of Clamp are known to do weird things in their works).

I first discovered Tokyo Babylon via the X TV series and the minute I set eyes on Seishirou and Subaru and the past they shared, I was interested in them straightaway. As a result I took a peek into Tokyo Babylon and I can officially say it has got me hooked.

The main characters consist of the trio Sakurazuka Seishirou, Sumeragi Subaru and Sumeragi Hokuto and they all have their own supernatural powers. Character-wise, Subaru is sweet, naive and polite, if not very feminine for a boy. Hokuto is his older twin sister but acts the complete opposite to him (loud and flamboyant). As well as being a wild dresser, she makes Subaru's wardrobe.

Seishirou is the oldest out of the three and is a veterinarian. On the outside he is happy-go-lucky and often teases Subaru, making him blush and also acts goofy around his friends. As we turn the pages, we see there is a mysterious side to Seishirou. Is he the dangerous Sakurazukamori? The Sakurazukamori are also Onmyouji like Subaru however they use their powers for killing and only appear during the night. On the one hand, the Sumeragi clan protect people with their supernatural powers.

This first volume is enjoyable because you have a mix of mystery and light comedy (Subaru face faults a lot of times in this volume - and not because of Seishirou's teasing). It makes you want to read more.

Fantastic - A must for any CLAMP or manga fan!, 08 Mar 2004
This is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces CLAMP has produced as of yet. And considering I've read practically everything I can get my hands, that's an awful lot of manga to choose from (even TSUBASA: Reservoir Chronicles and XXXholic - which, may I point out isn’t all that good-).

Anyway, this is a sort of prelude to X:1999 and follows the same kind of vein so if you like X... But I think the characters are better. Although you don't need to have read X to understand this, nor do you have to go onto reading X after you've finished this but it does make sense to do so.
This follows the life of the lovable Subaru Sumeragi - our main character. At the age of 16, he became the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan - some of the top onmyouji (a type of exorcist, they speak top the dead and send them... off to wherever they have to go).
Backing up Subaru is Hokuto (Subaru's twin sister) and Seishirou Sakurazuka. The hyperactive Hokuto is always teasing Subaru and claiming that he and Seishirou will be married one day (and yes they are both guys, this manga does contain shonen ai (male/male relationships)) but is Seishirou related to the Sakurazuka-mori? An 'assassin group' that uses the same skills as the Sumeragi's to kill?

This is a fascinating series filled with moments of sudden and unexpected humour, heart-wrenching angst, betrayal, sweet bits of romantic fluff, mystery, magic, and a dark underlying theme of death and murder... In other words it has something for everyone!

I haven't read the Tokyo pop version of this manga, so I don't know what they've done to it, but I can assure you that it is a brilliant read that will capture your attention and leave you begging for more.

The final triumphs and tragedies of Galen the Techno Mage!!, 11 May 2005
ON the 1st of March this year (2005) J. Michael Strayzinski announced that plans for a new Babylon 5 movie (cautiously titled 'Memories of Shadows') in the near future were to be scrapped due to production problems. How fantastic would that have been and how disappointed am I? Very and extremely. But who needs a Babylon 5 Movie when you have such a magnificent story, as this trilogy has proven to be, also set in that world and probably just as engaging?

Okay...I DO! And so do you too probably, but still...at least we have something new to sink our teeth into while Sheridan, Delenn, Garabaldi and all the rest get some time off our screens.

"Invoking Darkness", book 3 in The Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy concludes grippingly and beautifully the story of Galen, who began as an eager and powerful young mage and tells how now he must now deal with the true destructive power he wields. At one point in this novel I did feel like I was simply getting the same ending as the last book, but this impression was quickly blown to pieces as the action took unexpected turn after unexpected turn and continued to surprise until the every end. Not all the loose ends are tied up and this feels justified considering Babylon 5's habit of holding information back and preferable also because there is room for (at the very least) a sequel from the author some time in the future (*fingers crossed).

The next Babylon 5 book I plan to buy is "Long Night of Centauri Prime", which apparently reveals all concerning the events that occurred in the last 20 years of Sheridan's life, including his and Delenn's son David and also the legacy of the Shadows. I can only hope Peter David (an excellent author, by the way!) will equal Jeanne Cavelos in style, content and talent for illuminating the Babylon 5 universe and bringing characters to life on the page.

excellent character development, 16 Jun 2002
a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy, although not as unputdownable as the Centuri trilogy.
I enjoyed Galen's struggle with his own violent suicidal nature and it is cleverly matched with events in the series. It confirms that Galen was the most interesting character in Crusade.

My only frustration is when oh when! will someone write the Crusade story so we can all find out what happened.

Brilliant, 22 Jan 2002
This book is simply stunning... the amount of extra infomation given about the Shadows / Vorlons is amazing. Also the way it seemlessly ties in with the TV show I wouldn't be supprised if it had been written at the same time, rather than years later. It doesn't rewrite what happened, just explain and fill in some of the holes from the TV series.

This book continues Galens stroy in a rivetting way, I found this book hard to put down till I had finished it, and was then forced to rewatch my B5 collection and reread all 3 of the technomage books....

This is the 3rd part of a trilogy so do your self a favour and read all books, they are the best of the B5 novels... and that is saying a lot as both the Psicore and Centauri trilogys are excellent...

Now all I say is GIVE US MORE B5 NOVELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best book I have ever read!, 12 Dec 2001
I pre ordered this book on the back of the first two in the trilogy. I was definitely not disappointed!

The way the writer makes you feel you're really there is amazing. If you've ever watched Babylon 5 or Crusade and had wondered what happened in other parts of the galaxy while the series was running, this book explains it all! (Well, in relation to the Techno Mages anyway!) The amount of research put into this book must have been tremendous. The way it connects with all the other things going on in and around Babylon 5 is just fantastic. All the way through the book I was saying to myself, " Ah, so that's why.."

Just buy it and see what I mean!

As with everythin Babylon 5-Brilliant, 11 Dec 2001
The various triology's have all been of a very high standard. Usually, they hold real importance to the Babylon 5 universe. The technomage trilogy is no different. Based around Galen, the wonderfull technomage seen in Crusade, the trilogy began around 2258 and by this book it's around 2259-60. That gives you an idea on the status of the Shadow war. Reading theses books, secrets will revealed to you. The origins of the mages being the biggest expose, explained in book 2 and gone into more detail in 3. The books are accessiable to the casual fan. There real quality will be missed though. So surprise, surprise these books are awsome. JMS, Jeanne Cavelos, I salute you.

A Great Guide to a Great Series, 07 May 2004
Babylon 5 was unique in television. The main plot for the entire series was mapped out before the show even started. As a result, it developed a loyal fan base that still loves it.

This book is the fifth in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the fifth season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I'm looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Since the fourth season finale was actually the first episode of the fifth season production schedule, it's actually the first episode discussed here, creating a bonus, twenty-third chapter.

Starting out the book are two essays. The first is a summary of just what the show accomplished over its five year run. While fans and those reading these books will find little new, it's nice to have it all summarized in one place. I especially like the page of quotes from cast members about what the show meant to them. The second in an introduction to the fifth season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season.

Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.

JMS' didn't like it..., 14 May 1999
The writer/producer/creator of Babylon 5 did not like this book. He said that the author's commentary about season 5 (mostly negative) was mainly opinion based on dubious facts. One example of a dubious fact used by the author was the reduced shooting time from 7 to 6 days. The author claimed this contributed to season 5's less-than-stellar plot. According to JMS, it was not a factor, because previous seasons *already* were shooting 6 day schedules with the 7th day used in only rare circumstances. This is just one example of many inaccurate "facts" that J. Michael Straczynski disputes.

A solid digest of the 5th season of B5, 09 Apr 1999
Compliments the other books in the series quite well. A bit less detailed than the 4 other series guides, in my view, but still a welcome non-on-line resource for the series.

Great addition to the set, 26 Mar 1999
Like the series, this book caps the progression of events and adds some behind the scenes notes. I enjoyed reading about episodes that I had missed and loved reliving the ones I had seen. I hope that Jane Kiillick continues her association with Babylon 5 and does the same thing for Crusade.

The US Version is Excellent, 24 Mar 1999
I've read Jane Killick's other episode guides, and I thought this was the best of the lot. It was a real treat to watch the cast and crew bring the 5th season, and the show, to its long-awaited end. Reading about how they felt when filming their last scenes, watching the sets being pulled down, and saying their last farewells, on and off the screen, was a very moving experience. This one will become a "keeper" for me.

Great Continuation of the Television Series, 22 Jan 2003
The year is 2262 and Londo has just become Emperor of Centauri Prime. But what might have been his best chance to help his people and make up for his past becomes an exercise in frustration for him, as he must submit to the will of the Drakh Entire. Watched over by his keeper, he is only fully able to do what they desire. Meanwhile, Vir suspects something might be wrong with his friend. But can he find out what is really happening in the palace?

Peter David has done a wonderful job with this book. Londo becomes a truly sympathetic character. The climax is almost painful it's so well written and leaves the reader anxious to pick up the next book. Mr. David has captured each character exactly as they appear in the series. It's very easy to "hear" the actors deliver the lines and picture the settings from the series. He also works in references to several pivotal and obscure moments in the show, making this seem to fit perfectly in the Babylon 5 universe. The new characters are fully developed and help advance the story. Interesting, two of Londo's wives, from an episode of the show that Mr. David wrote, also play important parts in the story.

There is one small detraction for fans of the series. The book plays a little loosely with the timeline of season 5. However, I find the timeline presented here to be a little more realistic and something only worth noting in passing.

Fans of Babylon 5 who haven't read this book are in for a real treat. People who haven't seen the show will enjoy this book as well, but might be confused by a few things mentioned in passing. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. A truly top notch read.

Bab5 as it should be., 19 Apr 2000
I always got the impression from the TV series that JMS wanted to keep the space battles in their place and concentrate more on characters, politics and motivations. Well that's exactly where this book goes, and masterfully. I really enjoyed Londo in the TV series and I think this book adds even more depth to the character. I really enjoyed this book and it's hurting me having to wait for the next one!

Couldn't put it down., 05 Apr 2000
After the fabulous Psi Corps trilogy I awaited the Centauri Prime trilogy with eager anticipation. I was not to be disappointed. "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" is compelling reading, and the characterisation is excellent.

I can't wait till part 2 of the trilogy is available.

A must read for Babylon 5 fans.

True to the B5 Universe, a great addition., 01 Mar 2000
I am a B5 fanatic. The universe JMS created was somehow more believable than others franchises. This book carries that feeling on further. It is however for folks that have followed B5. It will be fairly meaningless to the casual reader. That aside, it keeps to the characters flawlessly. Londo and Vir are true to form. You cannot help but get caught up in the emotion and feel sorry for the characters with no choice. I look forward to finding out the rest of the story and how well it ties into Crusade. Go read NOW!

A highly captivateing read., 02 Feb 2000
After I read the fairly new si corps trilogy I was hungry for more quality Babylon 5. Which in a nut shell this was. Instead of huge space battles or climatic fight scenes. This book masterfully keeps to the subject at hand. When tie-ins with the series are required they are done seamlessly and from a variety of different perspectives. The main character is seldom deviated from and it is almost written in a memoir style concerning him. Though the thing i most enjoyed and which speared me on to read this novel in less than a day was the knowledge the author had about Babylon 5. Bring on the sequel...

Definitely worth it, 02 Apr 2006
I first saw this book a few months ago and was put off by the lack of reviews. However whilst in London i found myself buying against my better judgement and im glad i did. i have so far bought and read thefirst three volumes of this series and i will definately be buying more. I can understand how some have been put off by the love implications between the two main MALE characters, however it doesn't really bother me. Both me and my friends adore the series and think it is great. It is definately one of clamps better works and worth taking a look at.

The Sakura are pretty, aren't they? ^_^, 26 Nov 2004
This is probably one of my favourite Clamp series so far and would recommend people to read this series - unless you are a bit fidgety over shounen-ai/male x male implications (well the ladies of Clamp are known to do weird things in their works).

I first discovered Tokyo Babylon via the X TV series and the minute I set eyes on Seishirou and Subaru and the past they shared, I was interested in them straightaway. As a result I took a peek into Tokyo Babylon and I can officially say it has got me hooked.

The main characters consist of the trio Sakurazuka Seishirou, Sumeragi Subaru and Sumeragi Hokuto and they all have their own supernatural powers. Character-wise, Subaru is sweet, naive and polite, if not very feminine for a boy. Hokuto is his older twin sister but acts the complete opposite to him (loud and flamboyant). As well as being a wild dresser, she makes Subaru's wardrobe.

Seishirou is the oldest out of the three and is a veterinarian. On the outside he is happy-go-lucky and often teases Subaru, making him blush and also acts goofy around his friends. As we turn the pages, we see there is a mysterious side to Seishirou. Is he the dangerous Sakurazukamori? The Sakurazukamori are also Onmyouji like Subaru however they use their powers for killing and only appear during the night. On the one hand, the Sumeragi clan protect people with their supernatural powers.

This first volume is enjoyable because you have a mix of mystery and light comedy (Subaru face faults a lot of times in this volume - and not because of Seishirou's teasing). It makes you want to read more.

Fantastic - A must for any CLAMP or manga fan!, 08 Mar 2004
This is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces CLAMP has produced as of yet. And considering I've read practically everything I can get my hands, that's an awful lot of manga to choose from (even TSUBASA: Reservoir Chronicles and XXXholic - which, may I point out isn’t all that good-).

Anyway, this is a sort of prelude to X:1999 and follows the same kind of vein so if you like X... But I think the characters are better. Although you don't need to have read X to understand this, nor do you have to go onto reading X after you've finished this but it does make sense to do so.
This follows the life of the lovable Subaru Sumeragi - our main character. At the age of 16, he became the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan - some of the top onmyouji (a type of exorcist, they speak top the dead and send them... off to wherever they have to go).
Backing up Subaru is Hokuto (Subaru's twin sister) and Seishirou Sakurazuka. The hyperactive Hokuto is always teasing Subaru and claiming that he and Seishirou will be married one day (and yes they are both guys, this manga does contain shonen ai (male/male relationships)) but is Seishirou related to the Sakurazuka-mori? An 'assassin group' that uses the same skills as the Sumeragi's to kill?

This is a fascinating series filled with moments of sudden and unexpected humour, heart-wrenching angst, betrayal, sweet bits of romantic fluff, mystery, magic, and a dark underlying theme of death and murder... In other words it has something for everyone!

I haven't read the Tokyo pop version of this manga, so I don't know what they've done to it, but I can assure you that it is a brilliant read that will capture your attention and leave you begging for more.

The final triumphs and tragedies of Galen the Techno Mage!!, 11 May 2005
ON the 1st of March this year (2005) J. Michael Strayzinski announced that plans for a new Babylon 5 movie (cautiously titled 'Memories of Shadows') in the near future were to be scrapped due to production problems. How fantastic would that have been and how disappointed am I? Very and extremely. But who needs a Babylon 5 Movie when you have such a magnificent story, as this trilogy has proven to be, also set in that world and probably just as engaging?

Okay...I DO! And so do you too probably, but still...at least we have something new to sink our teeth into while Sheridan, Delenn, Garabaldi and all the rest get some time off our screens.

"Invoking Darkness", book 3 in The Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy concludes grippingly and beautifully the story of Galen, who began as an eager and powerful young mage and tells how now he must now deal with the true destructive power he wields. At one point in this novel I did feel like I was simply getting the same ending as the last book, but this impression was quickly blown to pieces as the action took unexpected turn after unexpected turn and continued to surprise until the every end. Not all the loose ends are tied up and this feels justified considering Babylon 5's habit of holding information back and preferable also because there is room for (at the very least) a sequel from the author some time in the future (*fingers crossed).

The next Babylon 5 book I plan to buy is "Long Night of Centauri Prime", which apparently reveals all concerning the events that occurred in the last 20 years of Sheridan's life, including his and Delenn's son David and also the legacy of the Shadows. I can only hope Peter David (an excellent author, by the way!) will equal Jeanne Cavelos in style, content and talent for illuminating the Babylon 5 universe and bringing characters to life on the page.

excellent character development, 16 Jun 2002
a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy, although not as unputdownable as the Centuri trilogy.
I enjoyed Galen's struggle with his own violent suicidal nature and it is cleverly matched with events in the series. It confirms that Galen was the most interesting character in Crusade.

My only frustration is when oh when! will someone write the Crusade story so we can all find out what happened.

Brilliant, 22 Jan 2002
This book is simply stunning... the amount of extra infomation given about the Shadows / Vorlons is amazing. Also the way it seemlessly ties in with the TV show I wouldn't be supprised if it had been written at the same time, rather than years later. It doesn't rewrite what happened, just explain and fill in some of the holes from the TV series.

This book continues Galens stroy in a rivetting way, I found this book hard to put down till I had finished it, and was then forced to rewatch my B5 collection and reread all 3 of the technomage books....

This is the 3rd part of a trilogy so do your self a favour and read all books, they are the best of the B5 novels... and that is saying a lot as both the Psicore and Centauri trilogys are excellent...

Now all I say is GIVE US MORE B5 NOVELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best book I have ever read!, 12 Dec 2001
I pre ordered this book on the back of the first two in the trilogy. I was definitely not disappointed!

The way the writer makes you feel you're really there is amazing. If you've ever watched Babylon 5 or Crusade and had wondered what happened in other parts of the galaxy while the series was running, this book explains it all! (Well, in relation to the Techno Mages anyway!) The amount of research put into this book must have been tremendous. The way it connects with all the other things going on in and around Babylon 5 is just fantastic. All the way through the book I was saying to myself, " Ah, so that's why.."

Just buy it and see what I mean!

As with everythin Babylon 5-Brilliant, 11 Dec 2001
The various triology's have all been of a very high standard. Usually, they hold real importance to the Babylon 5 universe. The technomage trilogy is no different. Based around Galen, the wonderfull technomage seen in Crusade, the trilogy began around 2258 and by this book it's around 2259-60. That gives you an idea on the status of the Shadow war. Reading theses books, secrets will revealed to you. The origins of the mages being the biggest expose, explained in book 2 and gone into more detail in 3. The books are accessiable to the casual fan. There real quality will be missed though. So surprise, surprise these books are awsome. JMS, Jeanne Cavelos, I salute you.

A Great Guide to a Great Series, 07 May 2004
Babylon 5 was unique in television. The main plot for the entire series was mapped out before the show even started. As a result, it developed a loyal fan base that still loves it.

This book is the fifth in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the fifth season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I'm looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Since the fourth season finale was actually the first episode of the fifth season production schedule, it's actually the first episode discussed here, creating a bonus, twenty-third chapter.

Starting out the book are two essays. The first is a summary of just what the show accomplished over its five year run. While fans and those reading these books will find little new, it's nice to have it all summarized in one place. I especially like the page of quotes from cast members about what the show meant to them. The second in an introduction to the fifth season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season.

Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.

JMS' didn't like it..., 14 May 1999
The writer/producer/creator of Babylon 5 did not like this book. He said that the author's commentary about season 5 (mostly negative) was mainly opinion based on dubious facts. One example of a dubious fact used by the author was the reduced shooting time from 7 to 6 days. The author claimed this contributed to season 5's less-than-stellar plot. According to JMS, it was not a factor, because previous seasons *already* were shooting 6 day schedules with the 7th day used in only rare circumstances. This is just one example of many inaccurate "facts" that J. Michael Straczynski disputes.

A solid digest of the 5th season of B5, 09 Apr 1999
Compliments the other books in the series quite well. A bit less detailed than the 4 other series guides, in my view, but still a welcome non-on-line resource for the series.

Great addition to the set, 26 Mar 1999
Like the series, this book caps the progression of events and adds some behind the scenes notes. I enjoyed reading about episodes that I had missed and loved reliving the ones I had seen. I hope that Jane Kiillick continues her association with Babylon 5 and does the same thing for Crusade.

The US Version is Excellent, 24 Mar 1999
I've read Jane Killick's other episode guides, and I thought this was the best of the lot. It was a real treat to watch the cast and crew bring the 5th season, and the show, to its long-awaited end. Reading about how they felt when filming their last scenes, watching the sets being pulled down, and saying their last farewells, on and off the screen, was a very moving experience. This one will become a "keeper" for me.

A Great episode of the Babylon 5 saga, 16 Jun 2003
Pre-sequel of the series, this episode tells us what happend in the beginning: how the war Earth-Minbari started (also showned in one episode of the 4th season of the serie, and spoken in some other episodes); where the main caracteres were; the battle of the line and why the war stopped (as showned in the first episode of the 2nd series).

Told by Londo in a burning Centauri Prime this novels catchs the spirit of the show and its a great book even for the people that saw the movie that it novelizes.

Great Continuation of the Television Series, 22 Jan 2003
The year is 2262 and Londo has just become Emperor of Centauri Prime. But what might have been his best chance to help his people and make up for his past becomes an exercise in frustration for him, as he must submit to the will of the Drakh Entire. Watched over by his keeper, he is only fully able to do what they desire. Meanwhile, Vir suspects something might be wrong with his friend. But can he find out what is really happening in the palace?

Peter David has done a wonderful job with this book. Londo becomes a truly sympathetic character. The climax is almost painful it's so well written and leaves the reader anxious to pick up the next book. Mr. David has captured each character exactly as they appear in the series. It's very easy to "hear" the actors deliver the lines and picture the settings from the series. He also works in references to several pivotal and obscure moments in the show, making this seem to fit perfectly in the Babylon 5 universe. The new characters are fully developed and help advance the story. Interesting, two of Londo's wives, from an episode of the show that Mr. David wrote, also play important parts in the story.

There is one small detraction for fans of the series. The book plays a little loosely with the timeline of season 5. However, I find the timeline presented here to be a little more realistic and something only worth noting in passing.

Fans of Babylon 5 who haven't read this book are in for a real treat. People who haven't seen the show will enjoy this book as well, but might be confused by a few things mentioned in passing. Personally, I had trouble putting this book down and can't wait to read the next book in the trilogy. A truly top notch read.

Bab5 as it should be., 19 Apr 2000
I always got the impression from the TV series that JMS wanted to keep the space battles in their place and concentrate more on characters, politics and motivations. Well that's exactly where this book goes, and masterfully. I really enjoyed Londo in the TV series and I think this book adds even more depth to the character. I really enjoyed this book and it's hurting me having to wait for the next one!

Couldn't put it down., 05 Apr 2000
After the fabulous Psi Corps trilogy I awaited the Centauri Prime trilogy with eager anticipation. I was not to be disappointed. "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" is compelling reading, and the characterisation is excellent.

I can't wait till part 2 of the trilogy is available.

A must read for Babylon 5 fans.

True to the B5 Universe, a great addition., 01 Mar 2000
I am a B5 fanatic. The universe JMS created was somehow more believable than others franchises. This book carries that feeling on further. It is however for folks that have followed B5. It will be fairly meaningless to the casual reader. That aside, it keeps to the characters flawlessly. Londo and Vir are true to form. You cannot help but get caught up in the emotion and feel sorry for the characters with no choice. I look forward to finding out the rest of the story and how well it ties into Crusade. Go read NOW!

A highly captivateing read., 02 Feb 2000
After I read the fairly new si corps trilogy I was hungry for more quality Babylon 5. Which in a nut shell this was. Instead of huge space battles or climatic fight scenes. This book masterfully keeps to the subject at hand. When tie-ins with the series are required they are done seamlessly and from a variety of different perspectives. The main character is seldom deviated from and it is almost written in a memoir style concerning him. Though the thing i most enjoyed and which speared me on to read this novel in less than a day was the knowledge the author had about Babylon 5. Bring on the sequel...

Definitely worth it, 02 Apr 2006
I first saw this book a few months ago and was put off by the lack of reviews. However whilst in London i found myself buying against my better judgement and im glad i did. i have so far bought and read thefirst three volumes of this series and i will definately be buying more. I can understand how some have been put off by the love implications between the two main MALE characters, however it doesn't really bother me. Both me and my friends adore the series and think it is great. It is definately one of clamps better works and worth taking a look at.

The Sakura are pretty, aren't they? ^_^, 26 Nov 2004
This is probably one of my favourite Clamp series so far and would recommend people to read this series - unless you are a bit fidgety over shounen-ai/male x male implications (well the ladies of Clamp are known to do weird things in their works).

I first discovered Tokyo Babylon via the X TV series and the minute I set eyes on Seishirou and Subaru and the past they shared, I was interested in them straightaway. As a result I took a peek into Tokyo Babylon and I can officially say it has got me hooked.

The main characters consist of the trio Sakurazuka Seishirou, Sumeragi Subaru and Sumeragi Hokuto and they all have their own supernatural powers. Character-wise, Subaru is sweet, naive and polite, if not very feminine for a boy. Hokuto is his older twin sister but acts the complete opposite to him (loud and flamboyant). As well as being a wild dresser, she makes Subaru's wardrobe.

Seishirou is the oldest out of the three and is a veterinarian. On the outside he is happy-go-lucky and often teases Subaru, making him blush and also acts goofy around his friends. As we turn the pages, we see there is a mysterious side to Seishirou. Is he the dangerous Sakurazukamori? The Sakurazukamori are also Onmyouji like Subaru however they use their powers for killing and only appear during the night. On the one hand, the Sumeragi clan protect people with their supernatural powers.

This first volume is enjoyable because you have a mix of mystery and light comedy (Subaru face faults a lot of times in this volume - and not because of Seishirou's teasing). It makes you want to read more.

Fantastic - A must for any CLAMP or manga fan!, 08 Mar 2004
This is, in my opinion, one of the best pieces CLAMP has produced as of yet. And considering I've read practically everything I can get my hands, that's an awful lot of manga to choose from (even TSUBASA: Reservoir Chronicles and XXXholic - which, may I point out isn’t all that good-).

Anyway, this is a sort of prelude to X:1999 and follows the same kind of vein so if you like X... But I think the characters are better. Although you don't need to have read X to understand this, nor do you have to go onto reading X after you've finished this but it does make sense to do so.
This follows the life of the lovable Subaru Sumeragi - our main character. At the age of 16, he became the 13th head of the Sumeragi clan - some of the top onmyouji (a type of exorcist, they speak top the dead and send them... off to wherever they have to go).
Backing up Subaru is Hokuto (Subaru's twin sister) and Seishirou Sakurazuka. The hyperactive Hokuto is always teasing Subaru and claiming that he and Seishirou will be married one day (and yes they are both guys, this manga does contain shonen ai (male/male relationships)) but is Seishirou related to the Sakurazuka-mori? An 'assassin group' that uses the same skills as the Sumeragi's to kill?

This is a fascinating series filled with moments of sudden and unexpected humour, heart-wrenching angst, betrayal, sweet bits of romantic fluff, mystery, magic, and a dark underlying theme of death and murder... In other words it has something for everyone!

I haven't read the Tokyo pop version of this manga, so I don't know what they've done to it, but I can assure you that it is a brilliant read that will capture your attention and leave you begging for more.

The final triumphs and tragedies of Galen the Techno Mage!!, 11 May 2005
ON the 1st of March this year (2005) J. Michael Strayzinski announced that plans for a new Babylon 5 movie (cautiously titled 'Memories of Shadows') in the near future were to be scrapped due to production problems. How fantastic would that have been and how disappointed am I? Very and extremely. But who needs a Babylon 5 Movie when you have such a magnificent story, as this trilogy has proven to be, also set in that world and probably just as engaging?

Okay...I DO! And so do you too probably, but still...at least we have something new to sink our teeth into while Sheridan, Delenn, Garabaldi and all the rest get some time off our screens.

"Invoking Darkness", book 3 in The Passing of the Techno-Mages trilogy concludes grippingly and beautifully the story of Galen, who began as an eager and powerful young mage and tells how now he must now deal with the true destructive power he wields. At one point in this novel I did feel like I was simply getting the same ending as the last book, but this impression was quickly blown to pieces as the action took unexpected turn after unexpected turn and continued to surprise until the every end. Not all the loose ends are tied up and this feels justified considering Babylon 5's habit of holding information back and preferable also because there is room for (at the very least) a sequel from the author some time in the future (*fingers crossed).

The next Babylon 5 book I plan to buy is "Long Night of Centauri Prime", which apparently reveals all concerning the events that occurred in the last 20 years of Sheridan's life, including his and Delenn's son David and also the legacy of the Shadows. I can only hope Peter David (an excellent author, by the way!) will equal Jeanne Cavelos in style, content and talent for illuminating the Babylon 5 universe and bringing characters to life on the page.

excellent character development, 16 Jun 2002
a thoroughly enjoyable trilogy, although not as unputdownable as the Centuri trilogy.
I enjoyed Galen's struggle with his own violent suicidal nature and it is cleverly matched with events in the series. It confirms that Galen was the most interesting character in Crusade.

My only frustration is when oh when! will someone write the Crusade story so we can all find out what happened.

Brilliant, 22 Jan 2002
This book is simply stunning... the amount of extra infomation given about the Shadows / Vorlons is amazing. Also the way it seemlessly ties in with the TV show I wouldn't be supprised if it had been written at the same time, rather than years later. It doesn't rewrite what happened, just explain and fill in some of the holes from the TV series.

This book continues Galens stroy in a rivetting way, I found this book hard to put down till I had finished it, and was then forced to rewatch my B5 collection and reread all 3 of the technomage books....

This is the 3rd part of a trilogy so do your self a favour and read all books, they are the best of the B5 novels... and that is saying a lot as both the Psicore and Centauri trilogys are excellent...

Now all I say is GIVE US MORE B5 NOVELS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

The best book I have ever read!, 12 Dec 2001
I pre ordered this book on the back of the first two in the trilogy. I was definitely not disappointed!

The way the writer makes you feel you're really there is amazing. If you've ever watched Babylon 5 or Crusade and had wondered what happened in other parts of the galaxy while the series was running, this book explains it all! (Well, in relation to the Techno Mages anyway!) The amount of research put into this book must have been tremendous. The way it connects with all the other things going on in and around Babylon 5 is just fantastic. All the way through the book I was saying to myself, " Ah, so that's why.."

Just buy it and see what I mean!

As with everythin Babylon 5-Brilliant, 11 Dec 2001
The various triology's have all been of a very high standard. Usually, they hold real importance to the Babylon 5 universe. The technomage trilogy is no different. Based around Galen, the wonderfull technomage seen in Crusade, the trilogy began around 2258 and by this book it's around 2259-60. That gives you an idea on the status of the Shadow war. Reading theses books, secrets will revealed to you. The origins of the mages being the biggest expose, explained in book 2 and gone into more detail in 3. The books are accessiable to the casual fan. There real quality will be missed though. So surprise, surprise these books are awsome. JMS, Jeanne Cavelos, I salute you.

A Great Guide to a Great Series, 07 May 2004
Babylon 5 was unique in television. The main plot for the entire series was mapped out before the show even started. As a result, it developed a loyal fan base that still loves it.

This book is the fifth in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the fifth season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I'm looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Since the fourth season finale was actually the first episode of the fifth season production schedule, it's actually the first episode discussed here, creating a bonus, twenty-third chapter.

Starting out the book are two essays. The first is a summary of just what the show accomplished over its five year run. While fans and those reading these books will find little new, it's nice to have it all summarized in one place. I especially like the page of quotes from cast members about what the show meant to them. The second in an introduction to the fifth season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season.

Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.

JMS' didn't like it..., 14 May 1999
The writer/producer/creator of Babylon 5 did not like this book. He said that the author's commentary about season 5 (mostly negative) was mainly opinion based on dubious facts. One example of a dubious fact used by the author was the reduced shooting time from 7 to 6 days. The author claimed this contributed to season 5's less-than-stellar plot. According to JMS, it was not a factor, because previous seasons *already* were shooting 6 day schedules with the 7th day used in only rare circumstances. This is just one example of many inaccurate "facts" that J. Michael Straczynski disputes.

A solid digest of the 5th season of B5, 09 Apr 1999
Compliments the other books in the series quite well. A bit less detailed than the 4 other series guides, in my view, but still a welcome non-on-line resource for the series.

Great addition to the set, 26 Mar 1999
Like the series, this book caps the progression of events and adds some behind the scenes notes. I enjoyed reading about episodes that I had missed and loved reliving the ones I had seen. I hope that Jane Kiillick continues her association with Babylon 5 and does the same thing for Crusade.

The US Version is Excellent, 24 Mar 1999
I've read Jane Killick's other episode guides, and I thought this was the best of the lot. It was a real treat to watch the cast and crew bring the 5th season, and the show, to its long-awaited end. Reading about how they felt when filming their last scenes, watching the sets being pulled down, and saying their last farewells, on and off the screen, was a very moving experience. This one will become a "keeper" for me.

A Great episode of the Babylon 5 saga, 16 Jun 2003
Pre-sequel of the series, this episode tells us what happend in the beginning: how the war Earth-Minbari started (also showned in one episode of the 4th season of the serie, and spoken in some other episodes); where the main caracteres were; the battle of the line and why the war stopped (as showned in the first episode of the 2nd series).

Told by Londo in a burning Centauri Prime this novels catchs the spirit of the show and its a great book even for the people that saw the movie that it novelizes.

A Great Guide to a Great Series, 22 Jan 2004
Babylon 5 was unique in television. The main plot for the entire series was mapped out before the show even started. As a result, it developed a loyal fan base that still loves it.

This book is the fourth in a series of five episode guides to the series. Covering the fourth season, it has a separate chapter for each of the twenty-two episodes. Each starts with a plot summary, but then goes into behind the scenes stories and commentaries. Through interviews with cast, crew, and creator J. Michael Straczynski, author Jane Killick is able to give a full picture of what went into each episode. Some of my favorite parts are the stories of bloopers or jokes the cast played on each other. I also find the summaries useful if I’m looking for a particular episode to rewatch. Because the season finale was filmed as late (as part of the fifth season production schedule), it only has a summary here. The behind the scenes stuff was included in the book for season 5, however.

Starting out the book are two essays. The first provides a detailed account of the making of any episode. Every part is discussed from scriptwriting to pre-production, scheduling, post filming special effects, and the music of the show. The second in an introduction to the fourth season, painting broad strokes of the story arcs introduced and developed over the course of the season.

Any fan will love to have this well researched book for a behind the scenes look at a wonderful piece of science fiction television history.