Invoking Darkness (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 3)

One of the many questions that the TV series left unanswered is how Sheridan was able to destroy Z'ha'dum in the episode of the same name. As the Lurker's Guide puts it,"Why weren't the Shadows vigorously protecting their homeworld? Obviously they left the White Star alone while it was in orbit because of their guarantee to Sheridan, but once it started plummeting toward one of their cities, it's odd that they didn't shoot it out of the sky. "This novel answers that question, and many others raised by the TV show and the first two installments of the trilogy. The reader is treated to a retelling of the significant events of the third season of B5 from the perspective of the most powerful beings of the B5 universe, and in this fashion, an already complex story is given additional layers of complexity. In order to not spoil the story, it will suffice to say that there are significant events involving the Vorlons, the Shadows and the Technomages that make the established B5 storyline play out as it does. Besides filling in some of the blanks of the B5 storyline (some of which we didn't even know existed), this book also fills in some of the blanks with regard to characterization. We learn what went on in Kosh's mind before, during and after his death, we gain a deeper understanding of Morden and Anna, and, naturally, we find out how Galen came to be the character we know from Crusade.All in all, a thoroughly enjoyable work that wets the appetite for a continuation and conclusion of the Crusade storyline from the same author.

Now that the Techno-mage trilogy is complete I can say that this in one of the best Sci-Fi series of all times. As I said in a review of an earlier book in the series the Techno-mages had been one of my least favorite aspects of the Babylon 5 universe. However, Jeanne Cavoelos brought them alive, placed them in perfect context in the sweep of Bablyon 5 history and wrote an exciting narrative. With all we now know about Galen and the Techno-mages I hope they play a role in the new Rangers series and I hope that the story arc started in the short lived Crusade series is somehow continued (in book form, written by Jeanne Cavoelos?).

I wish I knew where Jeanne Cavelos learned to weave such wonderful tales, and I would send all potential science fiction authors to drink from the same well of wisdom. `B5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages' trilogy is probably one of the finest science fiction works I read this past year, and having it as a tie-in to the Babylon 5 universe is an added bonus. And a `tie-in' here is not just a reuse of characters created in the original series-it literally ties in to episodes that span the entire life of the series, in ways that are enlightening, entertaining and sometimes surprising.'Invoking Darkness' picks up with the Shadow War raging, the Vorlon Kosh cut down on the B5 station, and the remaining techno-mages sequestered in their place of hiding. Seeds sown by Morden at the last techno-mage convocation several years previous have begun to come to fruition for the Shadows. Not only are Elizar and Razeel helping to wreak havoc wherever they can, some of the techno-mages at the hiding place now are beginning to think they should join the shadows as well. In an unexpected turn of events, Galen is given a mandate by the Circle to leave the hiding place and to locate and destroy the three people who threaten the techno-mages existence: Morden, Elizar, and Razeel.Unexpected revelations are made about Anna Sheridan in her role as shadow servant, the role of "the First One" Lorian, and the fate of Wierdan-the first techno-mage. This is a tale not only of revenge, redemption and good over evil-but a wonderful examination of the human condition through each characters motivations and subsequent actions. Filled with tension, suspense and adventure, 'Invoking Darkness' gets my highest recommendation.

The story concludes in fine fashion. Readers of the first two books of the trilogy will be quite satisfied with the conclusion, which wraps things up for the Technomages thru the end of the Shadow War. However, it is not an easy read - most of this book is extremely dark, as the title implies. And the continuity doesn't quite fit as well as in the last book,though there are no direct clashes with pre=established story. The end, however, provides a quite appropriate conclusion to Galen's struggles. Babylon 5 fans interested in the Shadow War and the Technomages will definitely enjoy the whole trilogy.

Jeanne Cavelos comes through with a stunning end to her "Passing of the Technomages" trilogy. Secrets first introduced in the first two books, Casting Shadows and Summoning Light, are brought to the surface and revealed; and Galen, the principal character, undergoes an unforgettable personal transformation.Character development has been one of the trademarks of the trilogy, and Invoking Darkness is no different. Not only are past questions about some of the characters answered, new ones are raised as a result, all with the ever-present Shadow war as a backdrop. For those who've read the first two books, Invoking Darkness is a sure must-read. If you're a newcomer to the Babylon 5 universe, this trilogy is an excellent starting point.