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Dark Genesis: The Birth of the Psi Corps (Babylon 5)

Dark Genesis: The Birth of the Psi Corps (Babylon 5)

List Price: $6.50
Your Price: $5.85
Product Info Reviews

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Rating: 4 stars
Summary: A Great Book with a few problems
Review: Overall I thought that Dark Genesis was great, It was probably enjoyable for someone who doesn't watch B5 although they wouldn't get all the predecessors. One thing I liked about this book is that it began in the world we know, although it was 100 years in the future it was still very familiar since there were no aliens. One inconsistoncy though, at the end its 2189 and Bester is born, but this would mean in the series he would be 70, at least it explained why his name was the same as the sci-fi author's.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Dark Genesis continues with Babylon 5 tradition
Review: Reading Dark Genesis was just like watching Babylon 5; once I started, I couldn't put it down. I was hooked on B5 after one episode and hooked on the book after 1 chapter. And within the great tradition of Babylon 5, I found the book quite confusing initially but once I got the characters into my head, it was infinitely amazing. It might take a while until a reader adjusts to the unusual style of the author however if he or she is accustomed to the narrative of B5, it should not be difficult. I am thrilled with this work and eagerly await another.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: An excellent Babylon 5 adventure
Review: Based on notes made by Babylon 5 creator J. Michael Straczynski, J. Gregory Keyes has created a novel that covers a pivotal event in the B5 universe, the birth of the Psi Corps. The story consistently entertains as it spans the better part of the 22nd century while exploring the individuals, events and reasons behind the formation the infamous telepath organization. Besides the great storyline, Keyes also delivers very believable characters and great action sequences that add to the enjoyment of the novel. By balancing these critical elements, J. Gregory Keyes has created a novel that enriches the Babylon 5 universe and leaves the reader eagerly awaiting the next book in the series.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Excellent Science Fiction
Review: Unfortunately I am unable to get Babylon 5 where I live so I was not bogged down with seasons of detail to try to relate to. This book made me a fan. I love the tie in with past world history (the global reaction to the discovery of telepaths). History repeats itself. This book stands alone as good Sci. Fi. Way to go, Keyes.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Brilliant threading of the story through characters & items.
Review: J. Gregory Keyes has done a masterful job stringing together a massive span of time with solid connectivity. If you slip into careless reading, you could find yourself confused, since he's tied together the different bits of "history" primarily with characters whose lives form the bonds between the events; and it isn't difficult to forget for a moment whether character X is still young or already old. If, however, you read attentively, I believe you, too, will find answers to questions you hadn't explored yet, and even some you didn't think to ask. This was more enthralling than even the fully JMS-sanctioned _To Dream in the City of Sorrows_ - and every bit as satisfying. The intense curiosity that builds unconsciously about certain items in the tale really aids the character-links in holding the fluidity of the story to a stream. Though this book is the first of three parts, the reader is not left with frustration of the account stopping at an inopportune moment. Rather, the incentive to read the next book is left up to the wonderment of what happens after this story....

Rating: 3 stars
Summary: A fun read
Review: I found the way the writer advanced time a bit akward, but other than that the story was well told and the characters interesting enough to have me read the story in a couple of sittings. There are no big surprises for the hardcore B5 fan, but the flavor of the story and the 'I thought as much' value of the book is worth the buy. 'To Dream in the City of Sorrows' was better, but it's on par with 'The Shadow Within'. Go on... you know you want it...

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: Strong element of the B5 Universe
Review: Dark Genesis : The Birth of the Psi Corps is an excellent background book for an important element of the B5 universe. It is very well written with the hard-hitting real life problems of the B5 series. I'm really looking forward to the next 2 in the series.

Rating: 2 stars
Summary: It just doesn't flow very well.
Review: Although Mr. Keyes tries really hard to catch the "flavor" of Babylon 5, he misses his target. It is almost as if he was given the events and tried to put together a story (which is exactly what happened). Like a previous reviewer said, keeping track of characters and time jumps made the book difficult to read. Watching B5 is fun, reading this book was not. It was like reading a collection of JMS sanctioned events. There was no flow to the characters or story. I almost put it down at Chapter two since following the story at that point was nearly impossible. On the show, JMS gives us enough details to follow the action, he uses several devices to illustrate the time and place where the action is taking place. Mr. Keyes does not. He needs to learn how to inform the viewer of time jumps as part of the story and not just push the story forward. The book reads as a synopsys of events, not a novel. Finally, the ending is 100% predictable. If I can figure it out, well, then anyone can.

In conclusion, Dark Genesis contains events of the B5 story, but not the compelling storytelling that makes it so enjoyable.

Rating: 4 stars
Summary: Reminiscent of the style of "The Deconst. of Falling Stars"
Review: I have just finished the new B5 novel "Dark Genesis" I was very impressed. It is written in the style of B5. There are many layers of story, with "heaps" of foreshadowing, and tons of "a-ha's" that make the reader glad that he/she read the book. However, this book is aimed at the fan who has a good working knowledge of the show (given all of the name dropping that occurs).

In terms of style, it seems reminiscent of the style of "The Deconstruction of Falling Stars", except in terms of history for the viewer, rather than a future history. If you enjoyed the style of that show, I believe that you will enjoy the newest B5 novel.

Can't wait for the next one.

Rating: 5 stars
Summary: The B5 tie-in books just get better and better.
Review: Del Rey's committment to quality is obvious; while Dell managed to produce only two good B5 novels in their series of nine, Del Rey has gone three for three. This one, the latest, is astonishing in its daring, its complexity, and its relevance to the B5 arc. My only reservation is that it's so DARK; I was upset for quite a while after finishing it. (Fans, of course, are willing to take that risk.)

Of all B5 novels written to date, only Kathryn Drennan's "To Dream in the City of Sorrows" is its equal. All fans of the series should buy it as soon as possible -- it's an invaluable chapter of the storyline.


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