Rating: 
Summary: Not a great story, but good background information.
Review: I was very happy when I saw that a new book was coming out in the universe of my favorite show. My wife got it for me as soon as it came out (actually a day early at a local Borders since it was out on the shelf already), and I got ready to set some time aside to read it.
What I did before reading it was to look at all of the other B5 books I had to see where it would fall into place. What I discovered is that this is the same as Book #7 that came out in April 1997. The cover and description is different, but otherwise the contents of the book are exactly the same. I mention this so that if anyone already has the old books they don't rush out to buy something they already have. That is why I give this book only 2 stars. If I rated solely on content I know I would give it more.
I would say to anybody who read the trilogies and maybe the movie adaptations, but none of the original nine books to pick this up to be able to read more of the story, but if you have the book already in it's originally published form there's no reason to buy it again. I'll probably be returning this one shortly. That's my 2 cents worth.If you need the old books and you have used book stores around (Half Price Books, etc.) you should look for them. They weren't all the best, but as I stated above it's always nice to have more of this wonderful universe rather than less of it.
Rating: 
Summary: Think twice before buying
Review: I was very happy when I saw that a new book was coming out in the universe of my favorite show. My wife got it for me as soon as it came out (actually a day early at a local Borders since it was out on the shelf already), and I got ready to set some time aside to read it.
What I did before reading it was to look at all of the other B5 books I had to see where it would fall into place. What I discovered is that this is the same as Book #7 that came out in April 1997. The cover and description is different, but otherwise the contents of the book are exactly the same. I mention this so that if anyone already has the old books they don't rush out to buy something they already have. That is why I give this book only 2 stars. If I rated solely on content I know I would give it more.
I would say to anybody who read the trilogies and maybe the movie adaptations, but none of the original nine books to pick this up to be able to read more of the story, but if you have the book already in it's originally published form there's no reason to buy it again. I'll probably be returning this one shortly. That's my 2 cents worth. If you need the old books and you have used book stores around (Half Price Books, etc.) you should look for them. They weren't all the best, but as I stated above it's always nice to have more of this wonderful universe rather than less of it.
Rating: 
Summary: The perfect way to get more insight into the Shadows
Review: I've started reading this book this morning, and I just couldn't stop. This is the best book I've read in a long time, and the first one that interested me so much that I finished it in one day. This, in my thoughts, pushes "Accusations" (B5 book #2) to second place. The breath-taking story of how Morden turned into what he is and how Anna disappeared is fascinating. It is interesting to find out that Morden wasn't as bad as he is before he became a Shadow servent. The story of the Agamemnon and John Sheridan is very interesting too. Linking Sheridan to Babylon 5's safety even before the idea of him becoming it's captain came up is very clever and exciting. Also, explaining why Kosh was the last ambassador to come to Babylon 5 in a 'by the way' manner is very good. It has a subtle power and importance to it.
Rating: 
Summary: Just wanted to say hi!
Review: If anyone has any questions or would like to comment on the book, feel free to e-mail me. While I've edited books for years (incuding the previous B5 novels), this is my first novel. I'd enjoy hearing your comments. Or check out my website, which has a photo of me with my iguana, Igmoe (mentioned on the acknowledgments page of the book)
Rating:
Summary: Great book in the spirit of B5
Review: Jeanne Cavelos knows how to write in the spirit of the original Babylon5 and Crusade series. You can just picture the characters in your head while you read her words. Great book!
Rating: 
Summary: Great read Anytime!!!
Review: Okay, If you haven't read this book its really wonderful.It has a great storyline and ties in with the series well. Youshould also seethe episode In the Shadow of Zha'dum it tells more about the shadows. This book filled me in on what Morden really was ( an ally to the Shadows, and the big mistake Londo Mollari made befriending him. It could have cost him his life. After I finished this book, I never went back groping for more. ( Not like Accusations, I must have read it 100 times by now) Accusations is strill number 1 in my terms. I liked the way the author left the book roughly yet on the correct note so you feel a little glimpse of excitement every few minutes after reading the book. This book will also help you understand the meaning of trust better.
Rating:
Summary: What evil lurks in the heart of Morden? The Shadows know...
Review: Perhaps I had undue expectations of this book, but the fact is that it felt flat and left me empty.
I anticipated learning more about the Shadows: their agenda, their motivations, etc. It wasn't until later that it occured to me that the Shadows had been hibernating for a millenium. Not much agenda, not much motivation.
So that leaves the humans to wonder about, and I had certainly wondered what caused Dr. (!) Morden to side with the Shadows. Also, had Anna given herself freely or was she enslaved? Both of these questions were answered to my satisfaction.
Unexpectedly, we also learn about who John Sheridan was before he took over Babylon 5. Characteristics I had previous assumed to be the result of his temporary demise turn out to be traits he had had all the time. In hindsight, I would conclude that rather than form those traits, his experiences during the TV show caused them to resurface. It certainly explains a lot.
I hate to say it, but the writing seemed flat. I was expecting to have a few "Oh, my God!" moments, but they didn't happen. I wish I could put my finger on it. The number of references to shadows other than the Shadows -- which I can't remember being called by that name; not invented yet, I would think -- was distracting. Yes, the book is about shadows. I get it.
So, while it wasn't the seat-of-my-pants book I thought it would be, it provides a perspective on "Babylon 5" that watchers of the show wouldn't necessarily have.
Rating:
Summary: You can't even tell it's a spin off Book
Review: PROs :) This Book was great. I watch Babylon5 and I like it alot. When I saw this book I thought it would just be another corny spinoff but it wasn't. This is good enogh to be a stand alone book with the exception of some of the words (ie: Link, plasma laser, PPG, EVA suit, HeavyCuiser, ect.) that would not make sense to a non-babylon5 viewer. The Plot is great, their is actually three plots and each has it's own section in the chapter, just like the show. The cliff hanger chapters and "Commercial break like" endings to chapters won't let you stop reading, really! CONs :( It leaves some unanswered questions at the end but I suppose their trying to be dramatic. if you watch the series some questions will be answered if you don't, you probably won't even notice most of the unanswered questions. The begining starts off slow (the first chapter or so) but after that it's great. Conclusion :/ All in all you should get this book it is Great!!! If you watch the series or like Sci-fi this is the book for you.
Rating:
Summary: save your money
Review: Since the outcome is known, not much in plot surprises. But what's disappointing is that there's not much revelations on the characters neither.
Rating:
Summary: The Unfortunate End for Anna Sheridan
Review: The Shadow Within, by Jeanne Cavelos, the latest installment of Babylon 5 novels, is the most exciting and disturbing historical account to date of the Babylon 5 storyline. B5 novels provide intriguing and frequently unpublished storyline material you do not see in the weekly series. As with past novels, The Shadow Within, explores in much deeper detail a significant part of the B5 story.
For those who enjoy the weekly series and have watched it through the end of the third season, many fans have wondered about whatever happened to Anna Sheridan and the crew of the explorer vessel, Icarus, on the homeworld of the Shadows. As many suspected, Anna and her crew died when they awoke the ancient race from hibernation. We were shocked, however, to see Morden, a science officer from the Icarus, alive and well aboard the station, in the middle of Season Two. As Capt. John Sheridan, Anna's husband, began to wonder, what really happened to the Icarus and her crew? How could Morden still be alive? And were other crew members alive, including Anna? Until now, J. Michael Stracynski, creator of Babylon 5, has only hinted at the actual events at the Shadow homeworld of Z'ha'dum, and now in the latest B5 novel, you will get the full details of the fall of the Icarus and Anna Sheridan. You will also gain a deeper understanding of the Shadow's technology and cultural attitudes toward the younger races, and how Earth became aware of the Shadows' existence.
The Shadow Within is finely crafted with fascinating historical detail and insight into one of the most intriguing secrets of the B5 universe. If you read any of the B5 books, make sure it is The Shadow Within!
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