Rating: 
Summary: Almost like watching an episode that never was...
Review: OK, let's be blunt. This is not "Stranger in a Strange Land," but it's pretty darn good. It may be the best book of its type (novelized spinoff of a successful TV series, that is) that I've read.The odd thing about this book (and the second book in this series as well) is that while I was reading it, I could almost see it play out as an episode in my imagination. The plotting, the characters, and the dialogue are very, very consistent with the series. In spite of the fact that the book is allegedly done by Peter David "from outlines by J. Michael Straczynski," some of the dialogue seems almost certainly taken from unpublished or unused B5 scripts. There are many instances where Vir or Londo says something that has the ring of Straczynski's writing to it. Not to short Peter David in any way; his writing is quite adept and vivid, and keeps the story moving. I ripped through this book in a day; I couldn't stop reading it! I can't really say that about most books I read, but for me this one was a real page-turner. I thought the world of B5, although I'm not one of those fans who dress up as Minbari to go to science fiction conventions, and for me this book was an entirely satisfactory and very interesting expansion on one of the many unfinished storylines of Babylon 5. I would recommend this book unreservedly for any B5 fans, and even for those who are not familiar with the series (and shame on you if you aren't; it was the best science fiction series ever, and I've seen 'em all) it will prove a fascinating diversion.
Rating: 
Summary: The Coming of Drakh
Review: Peter David. A lot of readers know this name from the cover of Star Trek novels. It was a surprise to see he writes Babylon 5 fiction as well. At first, I picked up "Thirdspace", a tie-in to the second B5 movie and was quite disappointed as I always are with tie-ins in which the author provides the reader with the story of the film without giving any additional information. A friend recommended to read "Legions of Fire" series and told me I wouldn't regret it. He was absolutely right! The story of the first book is a continuation of the events shown in the last season of Babylon 5. Centauri Prime is virtually destroyed and must be rebuilt. Londo Mollari, the former Centauri Ambassador on Babylon 5, has become emperor. Nevertheless life isn't easy for him, and he even thinks to commit suicide. The reason for such moods is the presence of the Drakh, the servants of the Shadows, who try to conquer the galaxy. They threaten to destroy Centauri Prime if Londo doesn't agree to serve them. To control their new slave, they join the emperor with a creature known as a keeper. Londo is supposed to be the most powerful Centauri, but in fact he is the weakest. He loses his free will. Everything he does is somehow ordered by his masters, the Drakh. And as if that was not enough, there are Centauri who try to undermine his authority. One of this bunch is Minister Durla, a personage seeking greatness for himself and his species. Gradually he transforms Centauri Prime into a police state comparable to Nazi Germany (there are a lot of metaphors and comparisons throughout the book which make it more valuable from the artistic point of view), and Londo can do nothing to stop him. The emperor is utterly helpless; he only hopes that G'Kar will come soon and kill him whereas Vir, his former attaché at Babylon 5, will become emperor as was predicted. B5 ended with many questions unanswered. This book answers some of them. It presents Londo who must pay for his sins committed during the Shadow War. It's really horrible to see how he has changed since his appearance in Babylon 5. He is a broken, aging man who desperately tries to resist but can't make any difference. Passages describing him are full of tragic and sadness. I particularly liked the atmosphere of the novel. David is a great storyteller and his writing experience made all parts of the book come together and fit in like it is supposed to be in a good book. Descriptions of life in the palace on Centauri Prime were particularly enjoyable and had a realistic touch about them. Unfortunately there were negative points as well. David seems to watch a lot of TV so that certain dialogues appear as if they were stolen from several TV shows, which they probably are. Often words don't match with characters who speak them out. As usual in David's books the supportive characters are real stereotypes you get fed up with quickly (if you don't believe me, read this book and pay particular attention to Durla!) I would have given this book 4 stars, but the positive simply outweighs the negative, so I couldn't do it. This is a great book that truly continues the Babylon 5 legacy. I can only hope the entire trilogy will be like its beginning.
Rating:
Summary: You will be alright.
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 first years of Emperor Londo Mollari's rule of Centauri Prime, all while under the thumb of the Drakh. Weaving in and out of the final episodes of the Babylon 5 series, this book gives a greater insight into the events shown, and explains things that were never fully explained as well. Plus, an unlikely hero starts to emerge from all this in the form of Vir Cotto. Initially through no fault of his own, he starts to leave behind the Flounder-ness of his character and starts to go down the path that will someday lead him to becoming Emperor himself. Strongly recommended for Babylon 5 fans.
Rating: 
Summary: Trilogy really picks up steam with book two
Review: Oddly, this trilogy about events on Centauri Prime pretty much follows the flow of the "Babylon 5" series on which it is based: Lots of character and background in the early going with hit-and-miss action, then a sensational middle to the series/trilogy, and an ending that sputters to a satisfying conclusion. There is little revelatory information in this opening part of the series. Londo Mollari, former ambassador to the B5 station, becomes emperor of Centauri Prime as had been prophesied and foreseen in the TV series. He meets a young lady who will have an inestimable impact on his life, and another Centauri female enters from his past and has as big an impact without his knowledge. But mostly Book One is a place where not a lot happens. We're being set up for the spectacular events of Book Two, however, so it's well worth reading as part of the big picture. Author Peter David wrote for the series itself, and is certainly familiar enough with the B5 universe to keep the B5 fan from feeling otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: You cannot put this book down!!!
Review: This trilogy is a MUST for B5 fans! Peter David excels when he writes books from tv series, often adding a depth to characters that television just cannot get. He nails the characters so perfectly that you can "hear" them instead of just seeing the words. This trilogy answers so many questions that the series (purposefully) left dangling in the air. We finally learn the answer to Lady Morella's riddle. We find out how Sheridan and Delenn ended up on Centauri Prime. We learn the final fate of David Sheridan and his Keeper. We see why Centauri Prime was burning. We learn how Vir ascends to the throne. We even find out what happens to two of Londo's three wives AND we find out who the Governess was at the beginning of In The Beginning! Perhaps the best part about the trilogy is the subtle way that David eases hints about the B5 universe in. In as many as a dozen sentences spread out through the three books, the reader learns more about Crusade than someone who watched the first eight episodes of that series would. Once you pick up the first book, you will not be able to stop until you have finished the trilogy.
Rating:
Summary: The Coming of Drakh
Review: Peter David. A lot of readers know this name from the cover of Star Trek novels. It was a surprise to see he writes Babylon 5 fiction as well. At first, I picked up "Thirdspace", a tie-in to the second B5 movie and was quite disappointed as I always are with tie-ins in which the author provides the reader with the story of the film without giving any additional information. A friend recommended to read "Legions of Fire" series and told me I wouldn't regret it. He was absolutely right! The story of the first book is a continuation of the events shown in the last season of Babylon 5. Centauri Prime is virtually destroyed and must be rebuilt. Londo Mollari, the former Centauri Ambassador on Babylon 5, has become emperor. Nevertheless life isn't easy for him, and he even thinks to commit suicide. The reason for such moods is the presence of the Drakh, the servants of the Shadows, who try to conquer the galaxy. They threaten to destroy Centauri Prime if Londo doesn't agree to serve them. To control their new slave, they join the emperor with a creature known as a keeper. Londo is supposed to be the most powerful Centauri, but in fact he is the weakest. He loses his free will. Everything he does is somehow ordered by his masters, the Drakh. And as if that was not enough, there are Centauri who try to undermine his authority. One of this bunch is Minister Durla, a personage seeking greatness for himself and his species. Gradually he transforms Centauri Prime into a police state comparable to Nazi Germany (there are a lot of metaphors and comparisons throughout the book which make it more valuable from the artistic point of view), and Londo can do nothing to stop him. The emperor is utterly helpless; he only hopes that G'Kar will come soon and kill him whereas Vir, his former attaché at Babylon 5, will become emperor as was predicted. B5 ended with many questions unanswered. This book answers some of them. It presents Londo who must pay for his sins committed during the Shadow War. It's really horrible to see how he has changed since his appearance in Babylon 5. He is a broken, aging man who desperately tries to resist but can't make any difference. Passages describing him are full of tragic and sadness. I particularly liked the atmosphere of the novel. David is a great storyteller and his writing experience made all parts of the book come together and fit in like it is supposed to be in a good book. Descriptions of life in the palace on Centauri Prime were particularly enjoyable and had a realistic touch about them. Unfortunately there were negative points as well. David seems to watch a lot of TV so that certain dialogues appear as if they were stolen from several TV shows, which they probably are. Often words don't match with characters who speak them out. As usual in David's books the supportive characters are real stereotypes you get fed up with quickly (if you don't believe me, read this book and pay particular attention to Durla!) I would have given this book 4 stars, but the positive simply outweighs the negative, so I couldn't do it. This is a great book that truly continues the Babylon 5 legacy. I can only hope the entire trilogy will be like its beginning.
Rating:
Summary: Trilogy really picks up steam with book two
Review: Oddly, this trilogy about events on Centauri Prime pretty much follows the flow of the "Babylon 5" series on which it is based: Lots of character and background in the early going with hit-and-miss action, then a sensational middle to the series/trilogy, and an ending that sputters to a satisfying conclusion. There is little revelatory information in this opening part of the series. Londo Mollari, former ambassador to the B5 station, becomes emperor of Centauri Prime as had been prophesied and foreseen in the TV series. He meets a young lady who will have an inestimable impact on his life, and another Centauri female enters from his past and has as big an impact without his knowledge. But mostly Book One is a place where not a lot happens. We're being set up for the spectacular events of Book Two, however, so it's well worth reading as part of the big picture. Author Peter David wrote for the series itself, and is certainly familiar enough with the B5 universe to keep the B5 fan from feeling otherwise.
Rating:
Summary: Love it
Review: Great insight on Londo, his life, and his strugle against Drakh. This is begining of best trilogy yet. Every fun of the show MUST read this book. One of my favorite facts about book is it gives answers on questions that were left out on show.
Rating:
Summary: A must for all B5 fans
Review: Here it is I have the entire trilogy and let me tell you they are awesome!!! This book really ties up alot of loose ends from the end of the series. Extremly well written.....not for the casual reader this is a work of art.
Rating:
Summary: Londo's Long Fall
Review: Londo was often considered the favorite character on the show, mainly because of his many facts. You could love, hate, cheer for, and want to strangle him--often within the same episode. That same feeling is evoked in this book. We already know the outcome, so it is like warching a train wreck you know you can't stop as the Drahk use Centauri Prime for their plan to destroy the Interstellar Alliance and President Sheridan. This first novel in the trilogy speeds us along this tragic path. Peter David's trademark style and humor are evident here, so fans of his comic book and Star Trek work should check it this entire trilogy. For B5 fans, it's a must.
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