The Babylon File: Volume 2: The Definitive Unauthorised Guide to J. Michael Straczynski's Babylon 5

Babylon 5: Nonfiction books

by Andy Lane

This volume is the completion of the companion to the "Babylon 5" space series which comprises a single story evolving over 5 years. It details plot synopses, a guide to the station that gives the series its name; a history of the "Babylon 5" universe, and a lighter look at the characters.

Genres: Babylon 5, Nonfiction

283 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

About the author

See also works published as Andrew Lane

During 2009, Macmillan Books announced that Lane would be writing a series of books focusing on the early life of Sherlock Holmes. The series was developed in conjunction with the estate of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. Lane had already shown an extensive knowledge of the Holmes character and continuity in his Virgin Books novel All-Consuming Fire in which he created The Library of St. John the Beheaded as a meeting place for the worlds of Sherlock Holmes and Doctor Who.

The first book in the 'Young Sherlock Holmes' series – Death Cloud – was published in the United Kingdom in June 2010 (February 2011 in the United States), with the second – Red Leech – published in the United Kingdom in November of that year (with a United States publication date under the title Rebel Fire of February 2012). The third book – Black Ice – was published in June 2011 in the UK while the fourth book – Fire Storm – was published originally in hardback in October 2011 with a paperback publication in March 2012. The fifth book, Snake Bite was published in hardback in October 2012 and the sixth book, Knife Edge was published in September 2013. Death Cloud was short-listed for both the 2010 North East Book Award. (coming second by three votes) and the 2011 Southampton's Favourite Book Award. Black Ice won the 2012 Centurion Book Award.

Early in 2012, Macmillan Children's Books announced that they would be publishing a new series by Lane, beginning in 2013. The Lost World books will follow disabled 15-year-old Calum Challenger, who is co-ordinating a search from his London bedroom to find creatures considered so rare that many do not believe they exist. Calum's intention is to use the creatures' DNA to help protect the species, but also to search for a cure for his own paralysis. His team comprises a computer hacker, a free runner, an ex-marine and a pathological liar.

Reviews

[Sammy · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not as good or as thorough as the first volume, and definitely trace elements of dissatisfaction by the writer in how the series turned out. It's a shame in a way that he couldn't have waited until the (short-lived) spin-off 'Crusade' had aired, to make this more comprehensive.

[Daniel Kukwa · Rating 3 out of 5]

Not quite as good as volume one. Perhaps it's due to deflated feelings seeping into the book, originating with events surrounding Babylon 5's demise on TV. There is, at least, a solid attempt to address some of these bad-blood issues, but it's punctuated by volume-1-style moments of smugness.

[Gudrun · Rating 3 out of 5]

its interesting to read his opinion, but its not always mine.