To Dream in the City of Sorrows (Babylon 5, Book 9) [Paperback]

Kathryn M. Drennan (Author)

Book Description

Series: Babylon 5 | Publication Date: June 9, 1997

Ambassador to the alien world of Minbar, former Babylon 5 commander Jeffrey Sinclair, is one of the first to learn the truth about the Shadows, the ancient race pursuing the destruction of the galaxy.  Sinclair also discovers a startling secret: he is the linchpin in the plan to stop them.  Now, Sinclair is asked to revive the legendary Minbari warrior group, the Rangers, but it may cost him his one chance to love...and his life.

Catherine Sakai, a commercial pilot and planetary surveyor, has lost her heart to Jeffrey Sinclair.  Not even an attack by the Shadows can stop her from going to Minbar to join him...and the Rangers.  As she trains with other pilots, including the mysterious Marcus Cole, the time is coming when their skills will be tested on their first mission.  Led by Sinclair, they will venture into deepest space, into a battle of stealth and might, and toward a fate that none but the bravest can face...and none but the luckiest will survive.

Editorial Reviews

Review

“Some of the most intelligent science fiction on television.” –Newsweek

“This is the best television show ever made.” –TV Guide --This text refers to the Mass Market Paperback edition.

From the Publisher

Ambassador to the alien world of Minbar,former Babylon 5 commander Jeffrey Sinclair, is one of the first to learn thetruth about the Shadows, the ancient race pursuing the destruction of thegalaxy. Sinclair also discovers a startling secret: he is the linchpin in theplan to stop them. Now, Sinclair is asked to revive the legendary Minbariwarrior group, the Rangers, but it may cost him his one chance to love...andhis life.

Catherine Sakai, a commercial pilot and planetary surveyor, has lost her heartto Jeffrey Sinclair. Not even an attack by the Shadows can stop her from goingto Minbar to join him...and the Rangers. As she trains with other pilots,including the mysterious Marcus Cole, the time is coming when their skills willbe tested on their first mission. Led by Sinclair, they will venture intodeepest space, into a battle of stealth and might, and toward a fate that nonebut the bravest can face...and none but the luckiest will survive.Babylon 5, names, characters, and all related indicia are trademarks of Warner Bros. 1997

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: Dell (June 9, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0440223547
• ISBN-13: 978-0440223542
• Product Dimensions: 6.7 x 4 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 6.4 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (61 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,214,779 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

15 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The Lost Episodes, in book form, August 2, 2003

By 

Jason Montgomery "Journ" (Calgary, Alberta Canada) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: To Dream in the City of Sorrows (Babylon 5, Book 9) (Paperback)

This was an incredible book. Fitting seamlessly into the Babylon 5 story arc, it tells the story of Jeffery Sinclair's first days as Earth's new ambassador to the Minbari, and how he came to be leader of the Rangers and later Entil'Zha. Plus, it also reveals how Marcus Cole became a ranger and what happened to Catherine Sakai.

I really liked how there were references and tie-ins to the stories in the B5 comic books produced by DC, and this book answers a lot of questions about them as well. Slight spoiler: In fact, after reading this book, you'll have an idea as to what Valen meant in his final message found aboard Babylon 4 in DC's mini-series "In Valen's Name".

So if you're a Babylon 5 fan, and you haven't read this book yet, do it. Now. Strongly recommended.

18 of 19 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Capturing the essence of Babylon 5, October 2, 1998

By 

Karen L. Penrose (Shoreacres, TX) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Dream in the City of Sorrows (Babylon 5, Book 9) (Paperback)

One of the most difficult problems faced by authors writing books based on television shows is being able to truely capture the essence of that show and it's charactors. Although the story may be wonderfully written, there are many times when I read these type of books where I really don't feel like these are the same charactors I have come to know and love on the TV show. Kathrynn Drennan has the wonderfully rare gift of being truely able to capture the essences of both the show itself and the charactors therein. "To Dream in the City of Sorrows" focuses on what happened to Commander Sinclair after he was assigned to Minbar, as well as his engagement to Catherine Sakai. It also shows us how Marcus Cole came to join the Rangers. This book is excellently written and you can truely believe you are reading about these same charactors. The story answered many questions but also asked just enough to make you want more! I would love to see Ms. Drennan write a follow-up book involving Babylon 4 and Sinclair's transformation to Valen.

9 of 9 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Should be required reading for Babylon 5 fans, August 25, 2003

By 

"celes1" (Havre de Grace, Maryland United States) - See all my reviews

This review is from: To Dream in the City of Sorrows (Babylon 5) (Mass Market Paperback)

This book is based on the television series Babylon 5 and it focuses on what happened to Commander Sinclair after he was relocated to Minbar.It also covers what became of his fiance, Catherine Sakai and how Marcus Cole joined the rangers.

This book should be required reading for every Babylon 5 fan. It answers a lot of questions fans may have about Sinclair but it's also really well written. You can tell the author did her homework. Sinclair is completely in character and the nuances of Minbari society are explained even better than on the show. Marcus fans may be a bit disappointed since the bulk of the book focuses on Sinclair but I'm sure they'll find something to like. If this book is any indication of the quality of the other Babylon 5 books then I hope they come back into print quickly.