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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 . . .
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 . . .
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
Published July 1, 1998
About the author
Peter David
3,700 books1,390 followersPeter Allen David (aka David Peters), 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.
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.
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews
November 19, 2024
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.
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.
August 21, 2022
It wasn't Peter David's best work, but it did get good in the final chapters.
February 18, 2019
Very slow read and a bit dull, sadly. 😐
December 13, 2011
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. :/
July 11, 2026
In this well executed novelization of the television movie Babylon 5:Thirdspace, Peter David brings us the near annihilation of life in the galaxy when an ancient Vorlon experiment opens a doorway into a dimension of singular evil. Readable as a warning about the technologies or weapons of the past threatening the present when they are forgotten, the novel gives no less attention to a small family drama where festering fear and anxiety has ruined the life of one man and might destroy the lives of two others. In this way the broad and the intimate are married into an easy read that is certainly recognizable to fans of the show but sufficient in unencumbered detail for a casual reader to understand.
Peter David’s genre expertise and knowledge of Babylon 5 in particular, where he wrote two episodes and several post series novels to finish off hanging story threads, makes for familiar company as the cast experiences the carefully paced entrance of alien evil into the universe. That character clarity is a skill he has displayed often in franchise books and comics, and he is certainly the best at it in my experience. This is a very readable book and I recommend it, though obviously fans of the show will likely get more out of it than a random reader who spots it in a used bookstore.
If only for a few too many ‘at the moment’ uses and because the low details might make the reader’s imagination have to work a little harder(God forbid!) I give it four out of five stars.
Peter David’s genre expertise and knowledge of Babylon 5 in particular, where he wrote two episodes and several post series novels to finish off hanging story threads, makes for familiar company as the cast experiences the carefully paced entrance of alien evil into the universe. That character clarity is a skill he has displayed often in franchise books and comics, and he is certainly the best at it in my experience. This is a very readable book and I recommend it, though obviously fans of the show will likely get more out of it than a random reader who spots it in a used bookstore.
If only for a few too many ‘at the moment’ uses and because the low details might make the reader’s imagination have to work a little harder(God forbid!) I give it four out of five stars.
December 28, 2017
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! :)
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! :)
August 2, 2017
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.
July 14, 2021
For fans of Babylon 5. Third Space a Vorlans mistake comes out of Hyperspace and trouble comes with it.
May 23, 2016
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.
January 22, 2011
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...
February 5, 2012
any author that uses the word 'minions' twice in one novel should never be given more than a 2 star rating. just saying.
August 6, 2013
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.
November 8, 2025
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Displaying 1 - 13 of 13 reviews