Rating: 
Summary: Good--Not a Masterpiece, But Good
Review: In his preface, J. Michael Straczynski describes this book as "a remarkable achievement . . . a breathtaking accomplishment". In fairness, however, let's remember that the novel was written by his wife about his universe!Drennan does a very good job of imagining the difficulties of Sinclair's transition from Babylon 5 commander to Earth ambassador to Entil'zha. She also fills in Marcus Cole's backstory. The problem with this type of novel is that, being backstory of familiar characters, it's very difficult to generate suspense. Any Fiver reading this novel already knows the outcome of the Shadow attack on the Arisia mining colony, for instance. However, Drennan does make Sinclair an interesting and compelling character (much more so than I found him onscreen). Other characters don't fare so well. Marcus' whole life up to his being on Arisia is summarized in a single page; his interactions with his brother William are just interesting enough to make you want a little more depth. The plot is serviceable, most interesting when it focuses on Sinclair; there's some quiet humor as he tries to adjust to life on Minbar. Action sequences are good, and we finally learn the details of the attack on Arisia and where Sinclair got that scar on his face. The climactic mission, however, lacks punch. Most dedicated Fivers will be able to predict its outcome. The prose style is competent, but pedestrian; I was ready to scream when "the Minbari penchant for the half-truth" was alluded to for the umpteenth time. These caveats aside, this is an enjoyable book for the "Bab5" fan (and also--alas!--the only one likely to feature Marcus Cole as a character). It's considered canonical for the series and does fulfill its mission of rounding out Jeffrey Sinclair's story. A "breathtaking accomplishment" it's not. A competently-written,good solid read for "Babylon 5" fans--most definitely.
Rating: 
Summary: - - To dream of a better future.
Review: It has long been wondered about Jeffrey Sinclair's fate after he was reassigned as Earth's first ambassador to Minbar. The chain of events that led him to become Entil'Zha. The fate of his fiancée Catherine Sakai. And the events that led Marcus Cole to become Anla'shok. While the story of Babylon 5 as a whole makes perfect sense, there are subtle things that need further clarification, questions that need to be answered and explanations that will put to rest the very need to know more about the fate of some of the most important characters in the series as exemplified above. To Dream In The City Of Sorrows does just that. It irons out seeming discontinuities, explains what was not explained, and ties together seemingly unrelated threads. Words can't quite explain what a beautiful job this book does in telling the story of Sinclair, Sakai, and Marcus Cole. The story is told in such a way that it is as if you were watching an actual episode. You are able to hear the character's voices in your head and imagine the settings, their facial expressions and even the noises around them. As you immerse yourself in the story, you begin to imagine, and perhaps feel, all the things Sinclair, Sakai, and Marcus must have felt as they experienced life-changing events. In the end, the need to know more will still be there. Perhaps new questions will emerge that will need to be answered. And so, the story must go on, perhaps not in the form of a book or an actual episode but in the form of our imagination running wild. To dream in the City of Sorrows, is to dream of a better future.
Rating:
Summary: - - To dream of a better future.
Review: It has long been wondered about Jeffrey Sinclair's fate after he was reassigned as Earth's first ambassador to Minbar. The chain of events that led him to become Entil'Zha. The fate of his fiancée Catherine Sakai. And the events that led Marcus Cole to become Anla'shok. While the story of Babylon 5 as a whole makes perfect sense, there are subtle things that need further clarification, questions that need to be answered and explanations that will put to rest the very need to know more about the fate of some of the most important characters in the series as exemplified above. To Dream In The City Of Sorrows does just that. It irons out seeming discontinuities, explains what was not explained, and ties together seemingly unrelated threads. Words can't quite explain what a beautiful job this book does in telling the story of Sinclair, Sakai, and Marcus Cole. The story is told in such a way that it is as if you were watching an actual episode. You are able to hear the character's voices in your head and imagine the settings, their facial expressions and even the noises around them. As you immerse yourself in the story, you begin to imagine, and perhaps feel, all the things Sinclair, Sakai, and Marcus must have felt as they experienced life-changing events. In the end, the need to know more will still be there. Perhaps new questions will emerge that will need to be answered. And so, the story must go on, perhaps not in the form of a book or an actual episode but in the form of our imagination running wild. To dream in the City of Sorrows, is to dream of a better future.
Rating:
Summary: All the right stuff
Review: It's easy to rave about this book if you're a fan of Babylon 5. However, the book is strong and solid on its own merits. The characters are solid, believable, easy to care for, and the plot has both consistency and surprises. Drennan is the best B5 writer for the novels. If you love B5, you must read this book. If you want a good book to read and you are mildly into the series, it's still a must-read.
Rating:
Summary: wonderful story that completes the B5 saga
Review: Normally I hate novelizations or TV/movie tie-in books. Most of the time, the authors' voice is different from that of the series creator. This book is a happy exception. The story makes sense in every way and you can visualize it as a very good episode of the show. Even the speech patterns seems to match the characters on the show. Bravo!
Rating:
Summary: Best B5 book to date--hands down.
Review: Not only does this book answer all the questions you see in all the other reviews, but it has one important thing that none of the other B5 books has: Joe M. Straczynski's seal of approval. He wrote the forward and he states "While most of the Dell books to date have contained some elements that are considered canon, this is the very first one that is considered canonical in every small detail....[it] should be considered as authentic as any episode in the regular series." So even if you haven't read any of the other B5 books, you MUST read this one if you're a TRUE Bab-o-Phile. :) Also, this is the author's first novel. I've already instructed Amazon.com's excellent EYES server to let me know the SECOND she produces another one. She's quite good.
Rating:
Summary: A long novel but is worth the time that you put in it
Review: Now, this book is worth the long time in reading it, but like any epic novel, this story starts out slowly with all of the people at their worst just trying to deel with what was through onto them. As the novel progress through the many the mouths we see more and more of the fillumar arks of the show that we all come to love or hate. This novel answers many of the unanswered questions that have pop up while in the show. It a great read, if you love Sniclar, Marcous, or just love to find things out about a show. Now, JMS, the person who made this show, has a short prolog to it and it he tells you that it a great read, you should read it.
Rating:
Summary: A treasure...
Review: Okay, I'm a Babylon 5 fan, and when I REALLY delight in something, I try and "ingest" everything about it that I can, so I have read all of the Bab 5 novels - however this is the first one that was enjoyable not only as a tie-in but as a well written piece of science fiction. This is an excellent book and I'm afraid, in comparison, the remaining novels suffer. Drennan has the laudable ability to get inside her characters' minds, to mimic their speech patterns and to make them come alive for the readers. I always wondered how Sinclair felt, being yanked off Babylon 5 and sent to Mimbar... I need wonder no more. Almost all the loose threads are tied up here, from the larger questions surrounding Sinclair and the Rangers to tantalizing tidbits concerning just how Marcus might have managed to get bacon for Susan and from whence came that obscure reference to "Lucy and Ethel." It is small jewels like these that make this book a treasure to read. Only two complaints. One, the book tries to cover too much in one novel. Although Drennan does a superb job of packing in the information, the story could have been stretched out over two or three novels, giving us more to satiate our need for good Babylon 5 fiction! And second, there is a short description of Sheridan's behavior during his time in the Academy which I found out of character. He never struck me as the type to relentlessly torment someone over a mishap, even in the name of "tradition," but this is a very small grievance in light of the rest of this masterful work. Buy it. Read it. And ENJOY! May we hear from Drennan again!
Rating:
Summary: Great Maker, what a book! Entil'Zha Veni!
Review: On my coffee table I have about a dozen books, from 150-pagers to six-story anthologies, all of which I want to read. While at a bookstore, I noticed this book and thought I'd buy it right then since I was already at the store, but figured I wouldn't get to it for 4-6 months.
I decided to grab a bite to eat at a local restaurant and, while waiting for my food, read the introduction and prologue. As Ambassador Kosh might say, the avalanche had just started. After eating, I got home and continued reading. By the end of the first chapter, I was intrigued; by the third, I was hooked. The other books could wait.
"To Dream in the City of Sorrows" is the jigsaw puzzle piece you've been looking for. Set just after "Grey 17 is Missing," it chronicles the transformation of Commander Sinclair in "Chrysalis" into Entil'Zha in "War Without End." Every loose end I can think of -- from "Where did the Sinclair's scar comes from?" to "Who *was* that masked Vorlon?" -- is dealt with expertly.
This is an excellent, 99.44% canonical story that has made one person's summer-long wait for new episodes a little easier.
Rating:
Summary: Capturing the essence of Babylon 5
Review: One of the most difficult problems faced by authors writing books based on television shows is being able to truely capture the essence of that show and it's charactors. Although the story may be wonderfully written, there are many times when I read these type of books where I really don't feel like these are the same charactors I have come to know and love on the TV show. Kathrynn Drennan has the wonderfully rare gift of being truely able to capture the essences of both the show itself and the charactors therein. "To Dream in the City of Sorrows" focuses on what happened to Commander Sinclair after he was assigned to Minbar, as well as his engagement to Catherine Sakai. It also shows us how Marcus Cole came to join the Rangers. This book is excellently written and you can truely believe you are reading about these same charactors. The story answered many questions but also asked just enough to make you want more! I would love to see Ms. Drennan write a follow-up book involving Babylon 4 and Sinclair's transformation to Valen.
| 
