Casting Shadows (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 1)

WOW! What a great book! My hat goes off to Jeanne Cavelos.First off, it's the first TV tie-in novel I've read since "Star Trek: The Next Generation" books back in high school. Those were good. Pretty good. The big drawback was that they didn't really matter -- they were isolated stories, like watching an episode. And they weren't canon.That's "Baylon 5" / "Crusade" creator J. Michael Straczynski's first stroke of brilliance: B5 novels are canon! They're officially a part of the "Babylon 5" universe. Second stroke? They matter! "Casting Shadows" fills in important backstory -- interweaving it with events we've seen on the small screen -- to create a story I really want to read. I want to know what happened to Isabelle. I want to know how Galen became the man he is. I want to know why the Techno-Mages left when they did (especially considering the fact that we know from "Crusade" that there was dissenting opinion) ... and when they're coming back."Casting Shadows" is the best TV tie-in novel I've read.The story is absolutely engaging. I don't think I've ever read a novel so fast! I'd plan on reading one chapter, and end up reading two or three or four. (I can't think of the last book I read about which I could actually say, "I couldn't put it down.")The author handles the subject matter with suberb skill, explaining much of how a Techno-Mage does what he or she does, but still retaining much of the mystery behind their order. The details were vital, and I think they came in just the right dose.Understanding the larger scope of the Shadow War is important to reading "Casting Shadows," so folks who haven't seen the television series might not follow as easily. Character descriptions are also not as detailed as in the average novel; I think the author assumes that the reader is already somewhat familiar with the characters from the TV shows.But it's still a great read. And for B5 fans, it's an absolute must.

Of all of the beings in the B5 universe, the TechnoMages were some of the most intriguing and least known. This book helps you to understand them very well, and you will be surprised at what you find out. I know I was. I didn't realise how diverse a group they were, and I always wondered about their origins.The book tells the story of Galen, Elric's apprentice, and how he came to be a TechnoMage. I enjoyed his character very much and seeing the TechnoMages and the upcoming Shadow war from his eyes was interesting. We gain lots of insight into TechnoMage culture, what it takes to be one, and how powerful they are. We learn much about their origins and the "tech" that gives them their power.This book is just plain fun to read. I have read the Centauri Trilogy and the Psi-Corp trilogies, but this one has a very different feel to it. I actually found it similar to Harry Potter books in a way. Don't shoot me! It's true! The beginning of the book got me thinking of the 4th Potter book in that it was a great gathering of technomages of all sorts, and at its core it's the story of two mage initiates who are trying to solve a mystery involving a powerful enemy. You don't need to know much back story to understand what happens here. It can stand alone as it's own miniseries. So, you don't have to be a rabid B5 fan to enjoy this book. If you enjoy fantasy stories of powerful wizards and evil forces, of magic and mystery, you will enjoy this book, too.Trust me.

Casting Shadows is a novel that, in my opinion, should be at the top of any must-read book list.As with her previous work, Shadow Within, a knowledge of the Babylon 5 universe is not required to enjoy this, but for those who have been following the series for some time, Casting adds a new depth, new layers, that have not been shown in any previous tie-in book.It is the rare book that not only matches the quality of the material it is based upon, but surpasses it.While I would recommend reading Shadow Within before Casting, it is not required to enjoy the novel.The majority of the action takes place in November and December of 2258, the end of the first season of B5, and the ending leads into the events seen in Geometry of Shadows, which featured Elric - Galen's mentor and teacher.There are appearances by many people we've seen within the B5 and Crusade universe, including Galen, Elric, Alwyn, Isabelle, Blaylock, Morden, Anna Sheridan, and "Johnny" Sheridan.Something I found highly unusual was the author's characterizations. They were ALL dead-on, portrayed exactly as seen on-screen, in a very three-dimensional light. The characters were, quite simply, brought to life.Events range from falling-out-of-your-chair laughter (just picturing Alwyn in a probe-spitting contest was deadly for the mountain dew I'd just swallowed!) to ripping-your-hear-out sadness.I have heard people talk before about books they just couldn't put down, that they needed "just one more chapter" before bed, but I had never experienced that feeling. Until now.It's almost twice as long as Shadow Within, and it leaves you waiting with breathless anticipation for the next one, due in July. I don't know how we will survive the wait.Would I recommend this to others? Without a Shadow of a doubt.

In Casting Shadows, Miss Cavelos begins the trilogy of the Technomages. I must admit that I loved the idea of Technomages from the first time we saw them in Geometry of Shadows. So seeing a new book in a trilogy dedicated only to the Technomages starts out on a good footing with me.The book tells the story of Galen (from Crusade), and his moving from an initiate to a full Technomage. We gain a fuller understanding of what the Technomages are, several characters that we have seen in episodes, including Morden.The story itself is very compelling and seems much shorter than the 300+ pages it takes up. Ms. Cavelos shows herself to be an excellent writer here, able to handle the demands of continuity, while still telling a fresh story. I recommend this book to all B5 fans. The novel expands on our understanding of the B5 universe, and tells a wonderful story.

Oh WOW!! I am biased,I admit that now. I love the idea, code, and mystique of the techno-mages in general and Galen in particular. His back-story is fascinating and explained in the book. It also gives insights into the workings of the techno-mage circle and its varied members. Questions are answered and some in quite surprising ways! Familiar faces from Babylon 5 like the infamous Mr. Morden drop in to shake up this enchanting tapestry of secrecy, adventure, betrayl, and, of course, technomancy! This book is a must read for anyone interested in Galen or Elric. Seeing the events of Babylon 5's first year from the techno-mage's point of was a real treat! Many thanks to Jeanne Cavelos for her superb portrayl of Galen!