Thirdspace

Babylon 5: Episode Novelizations and Scriptbooks

by Peter David

The last true hope for freedom, Babylon 5 is struggling to survive. The station has severed its ties with Earth--and has been quarantined in retaliation.

Then, in the depths of hyperspace, a squad of Starfuries makes an astounding discovery that could affect the destiny of the civilized universe. But have the pilots from the embattled space station uncovered the threshold to a new age . . . or a gateway to hell?

As they recover a gargantuan alien artifact floating derelict in space, both Captain Sheridan and archaeologist Elizabeth Quijana know it is a gold mine of possibilities. But the telepath Lyta is the first to sense the danger, when her mind is assaulted by swift, crippling images of unspeakable terror. And as research teams attempt to penetrate the mysteries of the mammoth machine, Babylon 5 is thrust toward a terrifying confrontation with the monstrous dimension of Thirdspace . . .

Genres: Babylon 5, Science Fiction, Fiction, Tv, Fantasy, Space Opera

256 pages, Mass Market Paperback

Published July 1, 1998

About the author

aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, often abbreviated PAD, was an American writer of comic books, novels, television, films, and video games. His notable comic book work includes an award-winning 12-year run on The Incredible Hulk, as well as runs on Aquaman, Young Justice, SpyBoy, Supergirl, Fallen Angel, Spider-Man, Spider-Man 2099, Captain Marvel, and X-Factor.
His Star Trek work included comic books and novels such as the New Frontier book series. His other novels included film adaptations, media tie-ins, and original works, such as the Apropos of Nothing and Knight Life series. His television work includes series such as Babylon 5, Young Justice, Ben 10: Alien Force and Nickelodeon's Space Cases, which he co-created with Bill Mumy.
David often jokingly described his occupation as "Writer of Stuff", and he was noted for his prolific writing, characterized by its mingling of real-world issues with humor and references to popular culture, as well as elements of metafiction and self-reference.
David earned multiple awards for his work, including a 1992 Eisner Award, a 1993 Wizard Fan Award, a 1996 Haxtur Award, a 2007 Julie Award and a 2011 GLAAD Media Award.

Reviews

[jessi · Rating 3 out of 5]

Babylon 5 was, and still is one of my favorite shows and Thirdspace was the peak for me at ten years old. When I bought this book at eleven I read it I couldn't even tell you how many times. Now, twenty-six years later and opening it back up there is a feeling of nostalgia mixed with a bit of cringe. This is coming from love. Thirdspace was a made-for-TV movie on TNT and my favorite B5 movie, still holds to this day. The book was adapted from the movie and is one of the very few times I will say the movie was better. This is mostly due to the writing. Despite following how JMS wrote the script, it fell short in some parts. Like reading a play, the film (or play for the analogy) is present in your mind.
As a kid, it was the closest I could get to rewatching it (I never recorded it on VCR and I kick myself for it).

For B5 fans, is this the best book? No, there are better ones. For me, it still holds a special place in my heart and keeps the rating at three stars.

[Read by Fred · Rating 3 out of 5]

It wasn't Peter David's best work, but it did get good in the final chapters.

[Lori S. · Rating 3 out of 5]

Very slow read and a bit dull, sadly. 😐

[I. S. · Rating 2 out of 5]

Disappointed that this novelization expanded on the side characters I wasn't interested in at all, instead of delving into something the movie lacked due to cast availability: this one was set while Garibaldi was still on B5 and I would have LOVED to see how the artifact affected him! This was the perfect chance to explore that, and the opportunity was completely lost. :/

[OG · Rating 5 out of 5]

Always one of my fave B5 “films”. I know it gets a bit of stick but I love the whole mystery of the Artefact, Johns need to find out what it is and the whole Vorlon backstory. I love the ambiguity of its end too, and Lita’s warning.
This is great adaption that really gives the feel of the film whilst giving a background to some of the more obscure parts of the script. Spooky and scary in its own way, the madness that takes hold of many as thirdspace takes hold.
The aliens remind me of the matrix aliens so much. Great show great book! :)

[Gareth · Rating 2 out of 5]

Doom! Everyone is doomed. Or rather every chapter of this book seems to end with a variation "If only she/he knew the horror which was to come!" Thirdspace was J Michael Strazynski's unashamed fun indulgence, a straightforward H P Lovecraft in space with all the cliches present and correct. Peter David's novelisation is similarly barebones, a quick read and a summary of the script with few embellishments.

[Jennifer Baratta · Rating 5 out of 5]

For fans of Babylon 5. Third Space a Vorlans mistake comes out of Hyperspace and trouble comes with it.

[Lisa · Rating 2 out of 5]

I have to say that the first 2/3 of this book dragged a bit, and I found the constant "If they only knew the bad things that would happen next" in every chapter a bit tedious but the story picked up a in the last 3rd.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 4 out of 5]

Another great Peter David tie-in novel. I didn't get to see this Babylon 5 TV movie until months after I had read the novelization. The novelization is BETTER...

[Lady · Rating 2 out of 5]

any author that uses the word 'minions' twice in one novel should never be given more than a 2 star rating. just saying.

[Mae R · Rating 3 out of 5]

For what it is -- a novelization of a slightly cheesy tv movie -- it's not bad, and definitely and entertaining rrad for fans of the show.

[Franz · Rating 3 out of 5]

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