B5_Obsessed
Regular
Quick Review of \"Invoking Darkness\"
Well, I just finished the third book in "The Passing of the Techno-mages" trilogy, "Invoking Darkness".
It's not a bad book at all, but it is a bit of a tough read. Some people have complained how Babylon 5 is often depressing. Well, the sadness is back again. There are a lot of tough events to sit through in this book. After a while it can wear you down.
On the positive side, you get plenty of exposition as the book delves deeper into the characters and events we've already seen on Babylon 5. On the negative side, sometimes the exposition seems like padding and sometimes it's not particularly useful anyhow. And there's way too much repetition of phrase.
Also, there is some revisionist history going on here and I DON'T LIKE IT!
For instance, the reason why
<table bgcolor=black><tr><td bgcolor=black><font size=1 color=white>Spoiler:</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2 color=black> the White Star wasn't shot down on approach to Z'ha'Dum is explained. </font></td></tr></table>
I, for one, never had a problem with the scene as shot, but many fans posted criticism to JMS saying that Sheridan would never have gotten away with his plan.
Similarly, a very important realization by Sheridan
<table bgcolor=black><tr><td bgcolor=black><font size=1 color=white>Spoiler:</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2 color=black>(that the Shadows were herding refugees into a supposed safe-zone for an all-out slaughter)</font></td></tr></table>
is shown to have been Galen's discovery instead.
I think this book has taken too much liberty at the expense of the Legend of John Sheridan. Without intervention, two of his biggest successes would've been total failures.
Another big disappointment for me (and this is just me) is that the book ends in 2261 after "Into the Fire" and does not venture into uncharted future. If you want to learn anything about the fate of Galen, you're going to have to wait a while.
Finally, some events in the book just make no sense
<table bgcolor=black><tr><td bgcolor=black><font size=1 color=white>Spoiler:</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2 color=black>(like Galen saving Morden) </font></td></tr></table>
and have no repercussions. But they can't be changed because we already know the outcome from the show.
Aside from those complaints, it's a good read. But I also think we've probably had enough of mining and rewriting the old stories. If you thought the second book complicated the events shown in "The Geometry of Shadows", just wait until you see what this one does to "Shadow Dancing" and "Z'ha'Dum".
For what it's worth, I think it's time to let the old stories rest in peace and get on with the new stories and move the characters and the B5 Universe forward.
Maybe something called "The Legend of the Rangers".
------------------
"Draal gave Zathras list of things not to say.
This was one. No.... *tsk tsk*
No. Not good.
Not supposed to mention... "one", or... THE one.
Hmmmm.
You never heard that."
Well, I just finished the third book in "The Passing of the Techno-mages" trilogy, "Invoking Darkness".
It's not a bad book at all, but it is a bit of a tough read. Some people have complained how Babylon 5 is often depressing. Well, the sadness is back again. There are a lot of tough events to sit through in this book. After a while it can wear you down.
On the positive side, you get plenty of exposition as the book delves deeper into the characters and events we've already seen on Babylon 5. On the negative side, sometimes the exposition seems like padding and sometimes it's not particularly useful anyhow. And there's way too much repetition of phrase.
Also, there is some revisionist history going on here and I DON'T LIKE IT!
For instance, the reason why
<table bgcolor=black><tr><td bgcolor=black><font size=1 color=white>Spoiler:</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2 color=black> the White Star wasn't shot down on approach to Z'ha'Dum is explained. </font></td></tr></table>
I, for one, never had a problem with the scene as shot, but many fans posted criticism to JMS saying that Sheridan would never have gotten away with his plan.
Similarly, a very important realization by Sheridan
<table bgcolor=black><tr><td bgcolor=black><font size=1 color=white>Spoiler:</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2 color=black>(that the Shadows were herding refugees into a supposed safe-zone for an all-out slaughter)</font></td></tr></table>
is shown to have been Galen's discovery instead.
I think this book has taken too much liberty at the expense of the Legend of John Sheridan. Without intervention, two of his biggest successes would've been total failures.
Another big disappointment for me (and this is just me) is that the book ends in 2261 after "Into the Fire" and does not venture into uncharted future. If you want to learn anything about the fate of Galen, you're going to have to wait a while.
Finally, some events in the book just make no sense
<table bgcolor=black><tr><td bgcolor=black><font size=1 color=white>Spoiler:</font></td></tr><tr><td><font size=2 color=black>(like Galen saving Morden) </font></td></tr></table>
and have no repercussions. But they can't be changed because we already know the outcome from the show.
Aside from those complaints, it's a good read. But I also think we've probably had enough of mining and rewriting the old stories. If you thought the second book complicated the events shown in "The Geometry of Shadows", just wait until you see what this one does to "Shadow Dancing" and "Z'ha'Dum".
For what it's worth, I think it's time to let the old stories rest in peace and get on with the new stories and move the characters and the B5 Universe forward.
Maybe something called "The Legend of the Rangers".
------------------
"Draal gave Zathras list of things not to say.
This was one. No.... *tsk tsk*
No. Not good.
Not supposed to mention... "one", or... THE one.
Hmmmm.
You never heard that."
