Summoning Light (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, #2) by Jeanne Cavelos

Summoning Light (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, #2) Reviews

• 
  Dan

  Another great read in this worthwhile series.
• 
  Graham Lee

  The second book in the trilogy keeps up the fast pace of the first, and contains many revelations about both the background of the B5 universe and on-screen material in B5 and Crusade.
• 
  John Hefner

  This is still a very strong story that fleshes out and enhances the world of "Babylon 5," but I'm not sure how I feel about some of the choices that the author (well, authors) are making here. Straczynski plotted this, yes, but this is also a direct continuation of Cavelos' first B5 book, "The Shadow Within," which I understand she pretty much developed herself with far less direct guidance by JMS. There, she created her own sub-mythology for Anna Sheridan and especially for Mister Morden, for whom she created an entire backstory and origin that was different than JMS' original ideas. She continues to develop these original ideas of hers in this trilogy, making it feel rather like fan fiction (which all of these books are anyway, and that's not a bad thing at all). I'm very interested to see how she concludes this trilogy, especially to see how she reconciles the show's canon with her own additions.
  
  As it is, though, I'm not sure I'm too invested in any of the characters as I once was. Everyone is kind of a morally-compromised jerk at one point or other in this story, and while I understand where they're coming from, I don't really feel like I have anyone to root for anymore. I'm "Team Nobody" at this point. Thankfully, the story itself is still interesting and engaging enough that I want to see this through to the end. Hopefully I'll like these characters again at the end of their arcs.
• 
  Michelle

  This book was paced somewhat slower than the first in the series, and the scope more narrow.  Whereas the reader is invited to feel wonder and fear as Galen learns about himself and his world in the first novel, this second book is filled with a bit drudgery.  There was also a lot of introspection, which served to further weight down the story. 
  
  I've often thought that one the things that drew people to the Harry Pottery series was the constant sense of wonder and discovery.  In fact, I suppose this is actually a characteristic of most good fantasy.  Fiction spares us from the daily tedium that grinds wonder into the mundane. 
  
  I did enjoy this novel:  It's not written poorly by any stretch, the prose flows well enough.  And I love the idea of the Techo-Mages, the Shadows, and the Vorlons.  --Reading this trilogy is a return to my favorite themes in the Babylon 5 world. 
  
  But to be sure, it's not as good as the first.  And I'm still unsure if people other than a Babylon 5 viewers would enjoy the story as much as fans.
• 
  Nicholas

  Better than the first one, but still had some similar issues. Could still predict a lot of events as if using a checklist, and there's the recurring problem of the too-long-repeating-the-same-stuff internal monologues.
  
  One thing I will say is that the author has done an excellent job integrating this story into the existing Babylon 5 story, using bits from the show (and Crusade) while providing additional information. The bit with Elric on B5 was superb.
• 
  Juanfra Valero

  Mejor que la primera parte de la trilogía. Obligatoria para los amantes de Babylon 5. Continúa tras los sucesos del primer libro, a principios del año 2259. Tiene lugar durante el episodio 2x03 La geometría de las sombras. Nos cuenta todos los detalles del viaje de los tecnomagos y Elric a Babylon 5. También desvela de dónde proviene la tecnología de los tecnomagos.
• 
  Ute

  Too many convenient coincidences, and I am not sure yet if I like the proposal of the origin of the tech (and its consequences) and the extend of Galen's powers. Having a too powerful being in a story is always difficult. I liked the "technomage's pov" of the B5 episode though. Also the author tends to use the same phrases over and over again, which is a bit annoying over time.
• 
  April Helms

  This trilogy was amazing. It focuses on Galen (from Babylon 5 and Crusade), and the technomages.
• 
  Jodi McMaster

  I generally don't read books based on series, but I did enjoy the Bab-5 books that J. Michael Straczynski plotted, and this particular series was my favorite.
• 
  Kelly

  Loved this book....It tied into the tv show so well.... Very interesting learning about the techno mages and the history of the tech....
• 
  Dale Rosso

  These 3 volumes in the Babylon 5 universe are my favorite of all the books, explains so much about the Mages.
• 
  Edwin

  Enjoyed this the second time more than the first