Babylon 5: Armies of Light and Dark: Legions of Fire: Book II (Babylon 5: Legions of Fire) [Englisch] [Taschenbuch]

This is thesecond book in a trilogy dealing with what befalls Centauri Primebetween the end of the series Babylon 5 and the forseen death of LondoMollari.

The first book tells the tale of Mollari's falling under the shadow of the Drahk, old servants of the Shadows.

This book tells the story of his one time aide, Vir Cotto, who is his foreseen heir to the throne. Others have seen this part of the story as the corruption and degradation of Vir - his transformation into a shadow of his enemies. I don't see it that way - for Vir or Londo.

Vir is put through the wringer in this book. He learns things that no one would want to know - and you feel all of his pain with him! When he learns of what has happenned to Londo, your heart breaks with his. When he learns just what he must sacrifice of himself to save his people and his world, you share in his heartache and anguish. All of this is not the story of his corruption, but of his growth and his resolve to truly save his people. He comes face to face with the fact that if his people continue as they are, that they are doomed as surely as is Londo himself. And not for such selfless reasons as Londo has, but out of blind ignorance and herd mentality. You cry with Vir as it is brought home to him that some of the very people he wants to save, must die so that more of his people will live - and some must die by his hand! Vir tranforms from the naive confused Pollyana of his youth to the determined yet sorrowful hero that his people need him to be. And as you watch him grow, you know that you would not wish his fate on your worst enemy.

Londo and Vir are to be pitied for their fates, but admired for their devotion to their people and their homeworld. Each is willing to lay down his life for love of Centauri Prime as many times as it takes. Londo through the course of the five year series lost his soul in a misguided attempt to bring Centauri Prime the respect that he felt she deserved. It took him a long time to learn his mistake and longer to regain his soul. Yet he gives it up again to save his people, knowing that they will never know, knowing - this time - exactly what he is doing and exactly why he must do it. He gives up his soul so that his people might just have a chance to live. If he had not made that sacrifice of himself, millions would have died. Vir is making the same bargain, but there is the dim hope that he may succeed and retain at least a small part of his soul. Make no mistake, Londo lost himself unknowingly the first time, doing what he thought best. But the second time he gave himself away, knowing that what he did was the best awy to save his beloved Centauri. In these two books, we are not seeing the corruption of two good men. We are seeing the sacrifice that enobles these two ordinary men who leave room for hope for their people in a future filled with hatred and doom. As for the technical side of this book, Peter David has these characters down to the smallest detail. It is frightening how I heard the voices of the actors from the show speaking his words inside my head! Londo speaks with Peter Jurassic's voice! Andreas Katsulas is there as G'kar. Jerry Doyle is thoroughly there as Michael Garibaldi. Stephen Furst is onscreen fulltime as Vir. Even a minor character like Lou Welch is there as portrayed by David Crowley! It is simply amazing. It is like watching the show in my head.

My hat is off to you, Peter! I do not miss any book that you write. BUY THIS BOOK. END

The first book of the series focuses on Londo Mollari; the second book, 'Armies of Light and Dark', concentrates on Vir Cotto. Vir is an affable, reluctant hero, reminiscent of the hobbit Bilbo Baggins, whose integrity compensates for his naivete. 'Legions of Fire' puts Vir in truly maturing situations, from the opening action sequence, to the overall situation on his home world, to the inevitable fate of his friend Londo. Vir cannot win, but can only minimize the damage. Vir is honed in fire. He is burned in love, burned by his friend Londo, and is constantly put in danger by the few beings to whom he gives his trust. It's now Vir's time to burn. Vir becomes politic; he plots and schemes and yet retains his integrity. Vir is reluctant, not always dignified, yet he is heroic, and manages to retain his heart-of-gold.

It should be made clear that 'Armies of Light and Dark' is not book II of a trilogy. Unlike the Psi Corps trilogy by J. Gregory Keyes, 'Legions of Fire' is a single story divided into three parts; 'Armies of Light and Dark' is the second part. Also, unlike the Psi Corp Trilogy, 'Legions of Fire' is an integral part of the complete Babylon 5 story. 'Armies of Light and Dark' does not end in a narrative sense but instead lays the groundwork for part three of the story. I look forward to the final installment and hope to learn the details behind the events first revealed in episode one of Babylon 5.

The most interesting development is the leader of the "army of light." It's no other than the always affable, but rarely weighty, character of Centauri Ambassador Vir Cotto. In typical Babylon 5 fashion and somewhat reminiscent of his mentor turned unhappy Emperor Londo, Vir slowly evolves from meek and lovable to bold, manipulative, and fairly cold. This is not the same Vir of old. With the help of some other Centauri and a few Technomages, Vir shows he has the mettle to fight, if not the resources to win.

Peter David spins another strong tale that neatly incorporates many elements and characters from the television series and the short-lived sequel Crusade. As the novel takes place in roughly the same time period as Crusade, fans of the series will appreciate the background that the novels lay, including some important details about the forces arrayed against Earth.

"The Armies of Light and Dark" is a strong effort and a must read for "Babylon 5" fans.