Rating: 
Summary: Great Fourth Book of the Trilogy---Can't Wait for the Third!
Review: In true serialized novel form, I couldn't wait for the final book after reading the first two books of the trilogy. After the discovery of telepaths, the birth of the Psi-Corps, the growth of the resistance, the ironic twisting of its prodigy into the vistage of Bester (who has always been an exquisitely credible B5 supporting character in his own rite), I eagerly awaited the climax. Instead, I was treated to the denoumount. The authors (both writer and outliner) decided it best to skip decades of monumental struggle and go straight from "Bester Ascendent" to "Bester Descendent"---apparently "Bester at Apogee" wasn't worth attending to at this time. Or maybe (my best hope) I justed missed the third book and picked up the fourth by mistake. Don't be mistaken: this book as well as the entire trilogy is a fine read. Mr. Keyes writes believable dialogue and the B5 universe lends itself well to the novel form in the hands of such an excellent craftsman. Quite frankly, it offers a better "B5 fix" than the entirety of "Crusade-The Series" (which reminds me that-- in addition to skipping over the entire Psi-War-- people in the book speak about the Drahk Plague the same way we'd talk about the inconvenience of Arab Oil Embargo and speak about "the Excalibur expeditions" with the same awe and respect that characters in other SciFi story lines speak of old Jim Kirk's five-year run with the Enterprise---spooky...but I digress). Bester's characterization here seems discontinuously at odds with his portrayal elsewhere (including earlier in the same book). Is the sloppy Bester at the end of novel really the same man who handily disposes of a whole crew of hunter-telepaths in the prologue? Is the puppy love-sick septegenarian (with a MUNDANE?!?)really the same man who betrayed his first real true love to the Corps (a fellow Teep, no less) in the second novel? Isn't that deus-ex-virus which suddenly pops to offer Garabaldi a lead just a little too convenient a plot device? Enjoy the book [you know you've got to read it]. Try not to judge it against your expectations following the first two books. Hope the authors get around to back-writting Book #3. Grow accustomed to being beast of burden to other peoples' needs.
Rating: 
Summary: Be seeing you.
Review: This book, based on an outline from Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski (so you know it's official), covers the period in B5's history detailing the final years in the life of Psi Cop Alfred Bester.There are many parts of the Babylon 5 story that have only been hinted at throughout the series, the Telepath War being one of the biggest. Not many questions are answered about that in this book, being that it's set after the war and it's obvious Bester was on the losing side. Now hiding out as a literary critic in Paris, Bester actually makes an effort to put all that behind him, but Michael Garibaldi is soon on his trail, not forgetting what Bester did to him long ago and is out to settle the score. One thing I liked is how grounded on Earth the Psi Corps Trilogy was. There were scenes on other worlds and brief appearances by aliens, the first book briefly touching on Earth's first contact with the Centauri, but for the most part it concentrated on humans, on Earth, and how all the various peoples and factions involved dealt with "the telepath problem." This book wraps up the life of the Babylon 5 villain you just love to hate, and it's a must-read.
Rating: 
Summary: "A Must For All B5 Fans"
Review: This is the story Babylon 5 fans have waited so long for. What happens to the sinister Psi Cop Al Bester. The book went in a different direction than expected, but that's not a complaint. You learn a lot about Bester's character, aspects you'd never expect from someone so vile. First off, he becomes involved with a non-telepath woman while hiding out in Paris . . . and Bester is as bigoted against normal humans as you can get. His love for Louise is real, and makes him re-think his life on the run and all the horrible things he's done. Bester actually showing remorse! Who would have guessed? The man also has a cultured side to him. He loves wine, art and literature, and even becomes a literary critic for a small Parisian newspaper. But just when you think Bester has become an okay person, situations arise that force him to revert to his old ways. The climax was awesome. I loved the final confrontation between Garibaldi and Bester. There was also a fantastic mind battle between Bester and another P12 telepath. Very descriptive. You could really feel Bester's pain. If you are a B5 fan and don't have this book, get it.
Rating:
Summary: Disappointing
Review: I would have liked the book more if I had not had such great expectations of it - that it would go through the Telepath War, explain what happened to Lyta, etc. Reading JMS's comments in mags and the Lurker's Guide certainly gave me the impression that these topics would be covered in the Psi Corps trilogy. I am excited about the upcoming Centauri Prime books, but I'm afraid it would look something like this: 1) Londo's childhood; 2) Londo's decision to go to Babylon 5; 3) After Londo is made Emperor, he has some affairs, travels to Paris, writes some book critiques. I know, I know, the excerpt in the back of The Final Reckoning would appear to suggest the content of the books might actually answer some unanswered questions, but so did the back page of The Final Reckoning! Overall, I'd have to say that Keyes writes well, the dialogue seemed very true to character, and the book flowed well. But, I was hoping for more answers to questions raised in Babylon 5 and Crusade.
Rating:
Summary: Poetic Fate for My Favorite B5 Villain
Review: Final Reckoning is a worthy conclusion to the Psi Corp Trilogy. True fans will enjoy this addition to the B5 tapestry. For the non-fan, however, I don't think "Final Reckoning" stands-up as well as the first two parts of the trilogy. This is caused, in part, by a decision made by series creator and story outliner J. Michael Straczynski -leaving us still curious about the famous telepath crises. Thus, "Final Reckoning" is really part four, with the third part of the story still untold. The missing third part of the story is closely guarded by JMS and, according to a trusted source, a script has already been written for a potential movie. Another weak aspect of "Final Reckoning" is the sudden appearance of Bester's nemesis Michael Garibaldi. Keyes's writing is first rate, surpassing, in ways of economy and characterization, his work on the first two parts of the trilogy. However, I think that Garibaldi's motivation might have been a bit of a mystery for those unfamiliar with the B5 television series. Keyes could have done more work here. Sorry Greg, "Nothing was ever improved by applause." The treatment of Bester at the end of his days was thoroughly convincing and parallels the lives of many war criminals trying to escape their pasts. Keyes's treatment is beautifully melancholy and sadly poignant. Once feared and honored, Bester goes into hiding, developing neglected aspects of his personality, finding love knowing he doesn't deserve it and trying to escape a past that refuses to go away. The plot was engaging and enthralling -there were some clever twists and wonderful use of irony. Keyes's incorporation of scenes from the television series was natural and filled in the story nicely. I felt glum after finishing the story -grieving for my favorite B5 villain. Of course, his poetic fate is not exactly what I imagined it would be. You'll have to discover this for yourself.
Rating:
Summary: The best of the trilogy
Review: The year is 2271. The telepath war is over, and many of the old Psi Corp leaders are on the run or in prison as war criminals. Bester has managed to evade his pursuers. But with Garibaldi using the Edgars' fortune to find him, can he stay hidden for much longer? I will admit I didn't enjoy the other two books in this series as much as I had hoped I would. But, being a fan of the TV series, I kept reading. This book is much better then the others, partially because the author has a definite story to tell. The plot was engrossing, and I had a hard time putting it down. Keeping the tradition of the series alive, it doesn't give pat answers, but raises some interesting questions about telepaths and their treatment. The characterizations are top notch, and there are times I could "hear" Bester, Garibaldi, and Lise from the show. This book may not break any new ground plot wise and probably won't appeal to anyone who hasn't watched the show, but for those who have, this is must reading that will hook them from start to finish.
Rating:
Summary: A fun book!
Review: I was hoping for the fall of the psi corps in this book but it skipped past it to Bester being hunted as a war criminal after the telepath war. Still this book is fun. Based in Paris it holds a great enviroment.
Rating:
Summary: The Best of the Psi Corps/Alfred Bester Trilogy
Review: Much to his credit, J. Gregory Keyes has written a swashbuckling thriller which will appeal mostly to those interested in seeing Garibaldi and Bester again. It is an intriguing look at the Psi Corps' fate following the Telepath War, set nearly a decade after the events shown during the final season of "Babylon 5". However, the quality of writing isn't better than what you might find in a typical "Star Trek" novel.
Rating:
Summary: Pulp Fiction rewrite
Review: While I am a huge B5 fan, this book reads like any of a dozen old pulps about spy and nazi hunters. The whole "the villan really has a heart" theme was over done before Fate of Bester. This adds nothing to the genre except a grabbag of overused sci fi cliche. For those who love B5, there is some interesting things here to learn. Unfortunately, neither the novel nor the series has ever done what it proported to do, namely tell us about the psi wars. Instead they are skiped over entirely, perhaps because of another planned series. Whatever the reason, only die hard fans will enjoy this. If you are not, I suggest looking elsewhere. The novel is a quick read,but nothing to write home about.
Rating:
Summary: Good Story - Hope for More
Review: Like other Psi-Corps fans, I liked the story; like other Psi-Corpos fans, I am also hoping a trilogy will be written about the Psi-Corps civil war. PSI-CORPS IS MOTHER. PSI-CORPS IS FATHER.
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