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Babylon 5 #3
Blood Oath
RUNNING FROM DEATH
Having narrowly escaped assassination, proud, ruthless Ambassador G'Kar knows he is marked for death. A rival family from his Narn homeland has taken the Shon'Kar, or Blood Oath, to kill him. And when a fiery explosion destroys his transport ship, it looks as if they have succeeded...
BLOOD OATH
Security Chief Michael Garibaldi and Commander Susan Ivanova join an enraged Na'Toth, G'Kar's aide, in a search for the culprits. Journeying to the Narn Homeworld, they find themselves enveloped by a chilling alien environment. And in this place of deadly traps and cruel disguises, the Narn Blood Oath is turned against them all. Now as strangers on the strange Narn planet, the best and brightest members of Babylon 5 are hunted by an enemy only a daring deception can stop.
Having narrowly escaped assassination, proud, ruthless Ambassador G'Kar knows he is marked for death. A rival family from his Narn homeland has taken the Shon'Kar, or Blood Oath, to kill him. And when a fiery explosion destroys his transport ship, it looks as if they have succeeded...
BLOOD OATH
Security Chief Michael Garibaldi and Commander Susan Ivanova join an enraged Na'Toth, G'Kar's aide, in a search for the culprits. Journeying to the Narn Homeworld, they find themselves enveloped by a chilling alien environment. And in this place of deadly traps and cruel disguises, the Narn Blood Oath is turned against them all. Now as strangers on the strange Narn planet, the best and brightest members of Babylon 5 are hunted by an enemy only a daring deception can stop.
256 pages, Mass Market Paperback
First published January 1, 1995
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Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews
November 22, 2024
I'm already part way into book 4 and feeling a little guilty that I starred this one without comment. So I came back to mention a few notes.
The Narn blood oath known as the Shon'kar is one of the less interesting features of the species, perhaps because it is such an overdone trope in SF.
However, this sets us up to travel to the Narn homeworld which was a good place to take the story. Typing out this I realise that we always refer to it as the Narn Homeworld rather than naming it - is that addressed in the series? - can we call it Narnia?
Actually the social structure in Narnia is little different from that of Sherlock Holmes' London. Segregated by class, lower folks are unwelcome in upper areas and unlikely to ever ascend. The other link to Holmes is a street urchin who plays a role much like that of the Baker Street boys.
Well the premise is a little "eh" and the setting is a bit "oh yeah" but nevertheless it is nice to travel to Narnia instead of Earth or Mars for a change.
There are some good new characters. One of which is an obvious plant 🪴 but Vornholt managed to fool me about their final role and I was as surprised as G'kar was when it came out.
Overall this is quite good with a few lil reservations.
The Narn blood oath known as the Shon'kar is one of the less interesting features of the species, perhaps because it is such an overdone trope in SF.
However, this sets us up to travel to the Narn homeworld which was a good place to take the story. Typing out this I realise that we always refer to it as the Narn Homeworld rather than naming it - is that addressed in the series? - can we call it Narnia?
Actually the social structure in Narnia is little different from that of Sherlock Holmes' London. Segregated by class, lower folks are unwelcome in upper areas and unlikely to ever ascend. The other link to Holmes is a street urchin who plays a role much like that of the Baker Street boys.
Well the premise is a little "eh" and the setting is a bit "oh yeah" but nevertheless it is nice to travel to Narnia instead of Earth or Mars for a change.
There are some good new characters. One of which is an obvious plant 🪴 but Vornholt managed to fool me about their final role and I was as surprised as G'kar was when it came out.
Overall this is quite good with a few lil reservations.
August 29, 2022
This isn't going to rock anyone's world, but fans of B5 will find this to be a solid little adventure, where all the regulars are well characterized, and the plot moves at a decent clip. A pleasant diversion.
October 9, 2016
The daughter of a rival G'Kar ruined takes out a Shon'Kar - death vendetta against him. The Narn ambassador fakes his own death and hides out on the Narn homeworld - Garibaldi and Ivanova in pursuit.
As B5 novels not set on the station go, this one is pretty good. Much of it is set on the Narn homeworld which we don't get to see much of in the show. - so it's a very good location to set a novel.
The characters are reasonably well depicted - G'Kar isn't very spiritual here, but then this is only Season 2 and he hadn't reached that level in the show. Garibaldi. Ivanova and Londo all appear and don't do anything out of character although their roles in this story are fairly minimal.
Writing is fine, but the editing isn't the greatest there are a few grammar errors and two instances of the wrong character names being used - G'Kar instead of Garibaldi and Du'Rog instead of Da'Kal - however, having read a great many tie-in novels, this is far from the worst (Space Precinct I'm looking at you - riddled with hundreds of errors) - so in comparison this isn't too bad... but still.
Over-all I enjoyed this one both Delenn and Londo's speeches at G'Kar's funeral service were great and it the story is a good vehicle to explore the Narn culture.
As B5 novels not set on the station go, this one is pretty good. Much of it is set on the Narn homeworld which we don't get to see much of in the show. - so it's a very good location to set a novel.
The characters are reasonably well depicted - G'Kar isn't very spiritual here, but then this is only Season 2 and he hadn't reached that level in the show. Garibaldi. Ivanova and Londo all appear and don't do anything out of character although their roles in this story are fairly minimal.
Writing is fine, but the editing isn't the greatest there are a few grammar errors and two instances of the wrong character names being used - G'Kar instead of Garibaldi and Du'Rog instead of Da'Kal - however, having read a great many tie-in novels, this is far from the worst (Space Precinct I'm looking at you - riddled with hundreds of errors) - so in comparison this isn't too bad... but still.
Over-all I enjoyed this one both Delenn and Londo's speeches at G'Kar's funeral service were great and it the story is a good vehicle to explore the Narn culture.
October 10, 2020
As a Babylon 5 fan, if you're looking for more experience about the Narn Homeworld - then this book is for you. But I have to admit, it was not an engaging story. There were some interesting facets about G'Kar and Narn culture as a whole, but I kept thinking to myself throughout the book, "what is the big problem going on?" It seemed like the biggest "conflict" was delivering a message to Narn to keep away from Babylon 5. So a weak story that takes place off Babylon 5 that really only involves G'Kar, also starring Garibaldi and Ivanova. If you're a B5 fan, I'd say it's a pass unless you can get it cheap at a used bookstore.
May 4, 2021
G'Kar gets a death threat and decides faking his death is a good idea. It's not and goes downhill for G'Kar but Garabaldi and Ivanova help save him.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
April 29, 2024
G'Kar receives word that a Shon'kar, a blood oath of vengeance, has been taken out against him. He sets off for the Narn homeworld in a single small ship which explodes before reaching the jump gate.
An elaborate funeral ceremony is held on B5 and Garibaldi and Ivanova are detailed to go to Narn to pay their respects. Mollari makes a touching speech and later mentions Mark Twain. (It later transpires that one of the great tropes of Centauri literature is faking your own death, and he doesn't believe for even a second G'Kar is gone.)
He isn't. He's hiding out on the same transport as the one taking Garibaldi and Ivanova to Narn, and is intent on taking action by eliminating the woman who swore the blood oath before she can get him. Joining them at the last moment on the transport is Al Vernon, a man who lived for ten years on Narn and wants to go back. He's an OTT buoyant character whose knowledge of Narn climatic conditions saves their lives. He would have been supremely irritating but for the fact he plays a pivotal role in the climax.
An elaborate funeral ceremony is held on B5 and Garibaldi and Ivanova are detailed to go to Narn to pay their respects. Mollari makes a touching speech and later mentions Mark Twain. (It later transpires that one of the great tropes of Centauri literature is faking your own death, and he doesn't believe for even a second G'Kar is gone.)
He isn't. He's hiding out on the same transport as the one taking Garibaldi and Ivanova to Narn, and is intent on taking action by eliminating the woman who swore the blood oath before she can get him. Joining them at the last moment on the transport is Al Vernon, a man who lived for ten years on Narn and wants to go back. He's an OTT buoyant character whose knowledge of Narn climatic conditions saves their lives. He would have been supremely irritating but for the fact he plays a pivotal role in the climax.
April 27, 2024
While I was intrigued by the Narn homeworld and the aspects of Narn culture that were explored, I felt that not much happened in this book (at least, not until the very end). Not a particularly engaging plot. I also found the original self-insert character annoying. However, the other characters sounded like themselves and G'Kar was great, as he should be.
August 14, 2024
It's a challenge to give this 4 stars because we know G'Kar will survive. However, it's a good tale and it does have a few small plot twists that I did not expect. I am not a 'whodunit' person, thus I suspected the wrong person almost to the end. Best of all I truly enjoyed the last few pages and could see and hear G'Kar and his rescuer as though I were in the room.
December 30, 2019
Gute Story aus dem Babylon 5 Universum die einen Einblick in die Gesellschaftsstrukturen der Narn gewährt. Leider ist wie schon im ersten Buch die Charakterisierung nicht stimmig mit der Serie.
September 25, 2022
This book is breezy and interesting enough to be read in a whole day. It's cool to have more background on the Narns and their culture.
August 7, 2023
Ah, G'kar faking his own death... Michael admitting that it must be friendship because he would never be that stupid out of duty... good times.
June 17, 2025
The plot is standard fare for this kind of thing, but I like the energy and rhythm of Vornholt's prose. The moments of humor also worked well.
August 3, 2025
Of all the Babykon 5 books, this one is a bit mediocre. Not really an enticing storyline, and even the characters feel somewhat lackluster.
April 18, 2014
Why I like Babylon 5
14 September 2014
This is another Babylon 5 spinoff book though I believe I never actually read all that many of these books. With spin-off books, as you can see, I did read a lot of the Doctor Who ones (but that was probably because I was missing my daily fix of Doctor Who at the time since they were not releasing any new episodes and I had seen quite a few of the old episodes) but not much of any of the other sci-fi series. This was the 90s so there was pretty much a lack of Doctor Who however a number of sci-fi series were being produced in the United States, the best among them being Babylon 5 and, as I was to discover later, Stargate SG1.
This book is about the Narn homeworld. The Narns are one of the major races in Babylon 5 and from what I can remember they were one of the better ones. I liked the way that Straczynski portrayed his aliens: in a way they always seemed somewhat better than the Star Trek aliens, but then again I found that there were quite a lot of Science-fiction shows that simply outshone Star Trek. I really can't pin my finger on what I didn't like about Star Trek but I guess one of the major things is that they were trying to create a utopia and attempting to still have conflict in that utopia. To me utopia and conflict just do not seem to work together.
Alien races, in a way, can be notoriously difficult to create, especially if we want to try and make them as alien as possible. The problem is that we have absolutely nothing to compare them with. In a way we can try creating alien races out of human cultures, but the problem is that these cultures are still human, and while differing human cultures may have differing ideas and values, deep down they are still human. We may have different coloured skin, different beliefs, and different ways of doing things, but we are still all human. A true alien culture is not human and does not think like a human.
Many people have attempted to create such cultures, whether it be the hard science-fiction of the 50s, or whether it be one of the many spin-offs novels, or even TV shows that we encounter. In a way Babylon 5 alien cultures were still human with a few slight differences. However, the cultures of the ancients we never actually got to see (such as the Vorlons). They were intruding into the world of the younger races, and may even attempt to invade it (such as the Shadow) but we never got to see beyond their intial face, which does create the impression that the race is mysterious and in a way different. As for Star Trek, well, I'm not going to comment.
14 September 2014
This is another Babylon 5 spinoff book though I believe I never actually read all that many of these books. With spin-off books, as you can see, I did read a lot of the Doctor Who ones (but that was probably because I was missing my daily fix of Doctor Who at the time since they were not releasing any new episodes and I had seen quite a few of the old episodes) but not much of any of the other sci-fi series. This was the 90s so there was pretty much a lack of Doctor Who however a number of sci-fi series were being produced in the United States, the best among them being Babylon 5 and, as I was to discover later, Stargate SG1.
This book is about the Narn homeworld. The Narns are one of the major races in Babylon 5 and from what I can remember they were one of the better ones. I liked the way that Straczynski portrayed his aliens: in a way they always seemed somewhat better than the Star Trek aliens, but then again I found that there were quite a lot of Science-fiction shows that simply outshone Star Trek. I really can't pin my finger on what I didn't like about Star Trek but I guess one of the major things is that they were trying to create a utopia and attempting to still have conflict in that utopia. To me utopia and conflict just do not seem to work together.
Alien races, in a way, can be notoriously difficult to create, especially if we want to try and make them as alien as possible. The problem is that we have absolutely nothing to compare them with. In a way we can try creating alien races out of human cultures, but the problem is that these cultures are still human, and while differing human cultures may have differing ideas and values, deep down they are still human. We may have different coloured skin, different beliefs, and different ways of doing things, but we are still all human. A true alien culture is not human and does not think like a human.
Many people have attempted to create such cultures, whether it be the hard science-fiction of the 50s, or whether it be one of the many spin-offs novels, or even TV shows that we encounter. In a way Babylon 5 alien cultures were still human with a few slight differences. However, the cultures of the ancients we never actually got to see (such as the Vorlons). They were intruding into the world of the younger races, and may even attempt to invade it (such as the Shadow) but we never got to see beyond their intial face, which does create the impression that the race is mysterious and in a way different. As for Star Trek, well, I'm not going to comment.
June 26, 2023
Firstly I have to respect any writer who does a tv tie in. They have to emulate the voice of the characters while creating a sense of threat and engagement despite having to leave the world and characters as they found them by the end of the book for show continuity.
For me a better tie in, is one which actually takes place in the world and characters of the show because that’s why I’m reading the book, to spend some time there. I liked book two because it did just that and was spent solely on the station, book one on the other hand I enjoyed less because the second half takes place on Mars with a load of new characters (but I still enjoyed it!)
Book three is my least favourite so far. As others have said the story is fine, you get a glimpse of what it’s like on the difficult planet of the Narn home world and the characters sound like they do in the show.
What I found out of sync and somewhat jarring were the details around G’Kar. Firstly he’s under threat of a blood oath because of something he did in his past, sabotaging another for the sake of social climbing (not a spoiler) secondly the Narn home world has a bizarre elitist class structure which seems out of place given they had all been reduced to slavery by the Centauri previously, thirdly his neglected and never mentioned wife. Others may feel differently but personally these things all seemed a better fit for a story about Londo.
The other particularly jarring problem was the sheer number of mistakes. I’m not a grammar nazi and normally it wouldn’t bother me but a wrong word is used on nearly every other page and occasionally the wrong name too, for instance the supposed dead G’Kar is looking over someone’s shoulder in the following scene. I’d expect this from an independently published work or cheap kindle book where someone is working alone but for a professionally published work this is by far the worst example of editing I have ever seen.
Credit to the author for writing a somewhat interesting story and setting along with the accurate depiction of the characters.
If you love these books join me on the Sci-fi TV book review podcast where I’ll be looking at B5, Trek, Quantum Leap, Farscape and more.
For me a better tie in, is one which actually takes place in the world and characters of the show because that’s why I’m reading the book, to spend some time there. I liked book two because it did just that and was spent solely on the station, book one on the other hand I enjoyed less because the second half takes place on Mars with a load of new characters (but I still enjoyed it!)
Book three is my least favourite so far. As others have said the story is fine, you get a glimpse of what it’s like on the difficult planet of the Narn home world and the characters sound like they do in the show.
What I found out of sync and somewhat jarring were the details around G’Kar. Firstly he’s under threat of a blood oath because of something he did in his past, sabotaging another for the sake of social climbing (not a spoiler) secondly the Narn home world has a bizarre elitist class structure which seems out of place given they had all been reduced to slavery by the Centauri previously, thirdly his neglected and never mentioned wife. Others may feel differently but personally these things all seemed a better fit for a story about Londo.
The other particularly jarring problem was the sheer number of mistakes. I’m not a grammar nazi and normally it wouldn’t bother me but a wrong word is used on nearly every other page and occasionally the wrong name too, for instance the supposed dead G’Kar is looking over someone’s shoulder in the following scene. I’d expect this from an independently published work or cheap kindle book where someone is working alone but for a professionally published work this is by far the worst example of editing I have ever seen.
Credit to the author for writing a somewhat interesting story and setting along with the accurate depiction of the characters.
If you love these books join me on the Sci-fi TV book review podcast where I’ll be looking at B5, Trek, Quantum Leap, Farscape and more.
November 24, 2012
Taking place during the second season of the amazing Babylon 5 TV-series, "Blood Oath" is a clever, well written story of tradition, vengeance and regret, all explored in the light of the fascinating culture of the Narn race. The Narns were never explored fully in the series and this novel gives us a lot of what I would have wished to see. A big portion of the story is set on the Narn homeworld, an exotic place of extreme conditions and a disturbingly fascinating class system. Through the Narns John Vornholt gets to comment on our own world and society, and he uses that opportunity with reasonable ambition.
The actual plot of the book is not perfect, even if there are some nice twists along the way. Also, while the characters sound basically right, the overall dialog is sometimes a bit clumsy and unnatural. As a whole I can say that while "Blood Oath" isn't as excellent as it gets close to being, it's still a solid, well constructed book with lots of sci-fi intrigue and cultural backstory for every B5 fan.
The actual plot of the book is not perfect, even if there are some nice twists along the way. Also, while the characters sound basically right, the overall dialog is sometimes a bit clumsy and unnatural. As a whole I can say that while "Blood Oath" isn't as excellent as it gets close to being, it's still a solid, well constructed book with lots of sci-fi intrigue and cultural backstory for every B5 fan.
June 27, 2013
As is the case with my TV show tie in the quality and faithfulness to the show can vary a lot. This is a perfect example - again the book is easy and quick to read and yes does have the feel of an "unaired" episode - however the proofing of the book was sloppy- there are spelling mistakes, grammar mistakes and even the error of a character being referred to on one line - suddenly being part of the conversation on the next even though he is supposed to be somewhere totally different.
These over sights aside - after all that is what the proof readers job is - the book is as fast paced and quick to get started as any of the others in the series so far. As I have discovered in other series that is not always the case and at least the characters feel right and true to the show, which is not always the case with some novelisations.
These over sights aside - after all that is what the proof readers job is - the book is as fast paced and quick to get started as any of the others in the series so far. As I have discovered in other series that is not always the case and at least the characters feel right and true to the show, which is not always the case with some novelisations.
February 19, 2016
A Shon Kar is declared against G'Kar. That's a blood oath, meaning someone wants him dead and will do absolutely anything to reach that goal, no matter how difficult it is or how long it takes
G'Kar stages a fake death and gets off of B5 to go to Homeworld and find the family who has declared the Blood Oath against him. It's a family he caused considerable trouble for years earlier
Garibaldi and Ivanova go to Homeworld, along with a disguised G'Kar, and a traveler named Al, who has an intensive knowledge of Homeworld and an ace up his sleeve.
It's a really good story, especially the way it goes into a description of the various classes of Narn society and how the poorest of them are treated.
G'Kar stages a fake death and gets off of B5 to go to Homeworld and find the family who has declared the Blood Oath against him. It's a family he caused considerable trouble for years earlier
Garibaldi and Ivanova go to Homeworld, along with a disguised G'Kar, and a traveler named Al, who has an intensive knowledge of Homeworld and an ace up his sleeve.
It's a really good story, especially the way it goes into a description of the various classes of Narn society and how the poorest of them are treated.
Read
November 3, 2013The weakest of the Babylon 5 tie-in books, by a long shot. It's a decent old-style scifi book, but it feels rough and impersonal and doesn't get the mood or sense of humor of the show right. It's been a while since I read it, but parts even felt like they contradicted the series. The mood felt more at home for a Star Trek: TOS novel. I would recommend you read the other books first (particularly the Technomage and Psi Corps trilogies, and To Dream in the city of Sorrows), then when you've run out, come back to this one for a final fix.
September 3, 2021
Interesting story that follows from an episode of B5. Seeing the Narn homework is enlightening. But this is the worst edited book I have ever read! There are so many errors where the wrong person is named. Garibaldi and G'Kar seem to be interchangeable and it breaks up the flow. Good story but nul points for the editing and proof reading.
September 19, 2011
Read it in German...
June 22, 2012
A fantastic (in my opinion) continuation of a plot formed in the tv series.
August 13, 2012
Not half bad, but not that exciting. Interesting to relive the B5 universe after so long.
October 13, 2018
I could hear Ivanova and Garibaldi as they sound in the show. I miss them!
March 5, 2014
This one was not as good as Voices. The author did not seem to have a feel for the characters involved in this one.
Displaying 1 - 25 of 25 reviews