Book Review: Babylon 5 - Final Reckoning: The Fate of Bester by J. Gregory Keyes (Psi Corps Trilogy #3)

Stars: 5 out of 5

Pros: Engaging story, finally

Cons: Little for those who don't know the show.

The Bottom Line:

Bester on the run

Great characters and story

All fans will love it

Engaging Climax to the Trilogy and One of the Show's Plot Threads

Final Reckoning is the third book in the Psi Corps Trilogy based on the science fiction series Babylon 5. This is the only book in the trilogy set after the events of the series. Because of that, this review will spoil events from seasons 4 and 5 of the show. If you are currently watching the show and don't want to be spoiled, stop reading now.

As those familiar with the show know, the Psi Corps was an organization created to control telepaths when they began to show up in the human population. Alfred Bester, played on the show by Star Trek vet Walter Koenig, is a Psi Cop, a stronger telepath trained to enforce the rules. He made a few appearances in the early seasons, but became a more important part of the story as the series progressed.

Part of that story involved his manipulation of Babylon 5 security chief Michael Garibaldi. When the series ended, Garibaldi swore someday he would track down Bester and get his revenge.

The year is 2271. The war between telepaths and "mundanes" (humans without the telepath gene) is over, and many of the old Psi Corp leaders are on the run or in prison as war criminals. Psi Cop Bester has managed to evade his pursuers. But with Garibaldi using the Edgar's fortune to find him, can he stay hidden for much longer? And will a woman make Bester stop in one place long enough for those pursuing him to catch up with him?

I will admit I didn't enjoy the other two books in this series as much as I had hoped I would. But, being a fan of the TV series, I kept reading. This book is much better then the others, partially because the author has a definite story to tell. The plot was engrossing, and I had a hard time putting it down. Keeping the tradition of the series alive, it doesn't give pat answers, but raises some interesting questions about telepaths and their treatment both before and after the war. The characterizations are top notch, and there are times I could "hear" Bester, Garibaldi, and Garibaldi's wife Lise from the show.

Even though I found the plot engrossing, it was fairly predictable. It probably won't appeal to anyone who hasn't watched the show, but for those who have, Final Reckoning is must reading that will hook them from start to finish.