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

I was intrigued and disappointed by the telepaths in the Babylong Five television series -- too much about the normals! I snatched up this book as soon as I found it. I was not disappointed. The characters seem believable and the action fast paced. Leaves you wanting more.

This book in a some what hurried view explains the history of propably one of the most intersting aspects of the Babylon 5 genre. In a sense you could look at this book as a future history as it is not set at the current time of events in the B5 universe. If you are well versed in B5 this book will effortlesly add to your knowledge and deliver invaliable incite into the Psi-Corps history. If on the other hand you are knew to B5 this book will begin to establish a solid foundation for you to use to expand your interest in the subject.

"Dark Genesis" gives a concise history of the origins of the Psi Corps, and some of the hidden forces and secret agendas that made it what it was during the time covered by the show. Possibly the most interesting aspect of the book is the moral ambiguity; it is not at all clear that the Corps is bad and the resistance good. The Corps, in the beginning, is a tool of the Vorlons, while the resistance fighters, whether they know it or not, advance the ideology of the Shadows. From the viewpoint of normal humans, both are potentially dangerous enemies. It was also interesting to see the histories of the bloodlines that will ultimately give rise to the final leaders of the two factions, Alfred Bester and Lyta Alexander. All in all, a good read.

I have to say that this book is the best novel i'ved read in the babylon 5 world. It explains how the world is there and how the Psi corps got started. To just know how humans were and how they treated the telepaths then from them to becoming part of thier system is just amazing. This detail is what was missing in the Babylon 5 shows. This is the book to see the history of bester and lyta alexander. "Corps is mother and corps is father".

Though I was not especially interested in the Psi Corps story line and bought the book simply to get a fuller view of the B5 universe, the story won me over. Dark Genesis fills in great background info. on the discovery, and subsequent treatment of, the telepaths and Psi Corps at the same time that it provides an additional layering of meaning and understanding regarding the Vorlons and Shadows. It's also intriguing to see the social background and ancestry of specific B5 characters such as Talia Winters, Lyta Alexander, and, of course, Alfred Bester. Occasionally, the chronology is a bit confusing, but all in all it's a great read. Nice prose style and good character development. Keyes helps the reader understand, and even care about, the "bad" guys as well as the "good" guys. He also does a nice job of giving a satisfying end to this novel while at the same time arousing one's interest in the next two novels.