Babylon 5 - Book #6 The Shadow Within
           Author - Jeanne Cavelos, Boxtree œ4.99

As someone who has come relatively late to the Babylon 5 series,
and watched some episodes out of order, I have occasionally been
confused by references to early events in the story that I've
missed. I've often wondered "What happened before <this>?".
Luckily the B5 books often fill in the gaps, or add a whole new
layer to the plot.

This was the case with The Shadow Within which tells the story of
Anna Sheridan, wife of John Sheridan, commander of Babylon 5. I
knew she had disappeared while on a survey ship before Sheridan
went to B5. I also knew that Morden was involved with The Shadows
from the moment we first saw them and that it was later revealed
that he had also been on the Icarus with her, that he was the only
survivor. How? Why? That is largely explained by the book which
takes you from Anna's original assignment to travel to Z'Ha'dum,
which we now know to be The Shadows' base.  In parallel, it
follows John's experiences on his new command, the Agamemnon, as
he struggles to bring an unruly crew to order when danger
threatens Babylon 5 at the time of its dedication. It also links
Kosh to the story.

When I saw that this wasn't a true B5 book, I felt disappointed.
Then I started to read, and got hooked. This is a very black tale
of two people torn apart by circumstances which they can't
control. Of a woman taken into a danger which threatens her soul
as well as her life. Of Morden, a strange figure who both attracts
and repels the reader because he or she knows part of what comes
next. It explains a lot, but still leaves the reader wanting to
know more. It makes you understand, at least in part, why Morden
did what he did, why he became an ally of The Shadows.

As a way of linking the early history of B5 and its inhabitants,
this book is exceptionally informative. But more than that, it's
the best read I've had in a long time.

                                              Sue
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