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Babylon 5: Legions of Fire #2

Armies of Light and Dark

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The Drakh have assaulted Earth with deadly Shadow technology--but the worst is yet to come in this stunning continuation of the Babylon 5 epic adventure . . .

Centauri Prime has been infiltrated by malevolent allies of the Shadows, creatures known as the Drakh. While Centauri citizens continue to rebuild their war-torn planet, their secret masters work feverishly toward one ultimate goal: to crush the Interstellar Alliance once and for all.

As the Drakh carry out their horrific plans, Emperor Londo Mollari languishes on his throne, a puppet of the Drakh-bred keeper, an insidious creature that monitors his every thought, word, and action. While the emperor broods, the power-obsessed Lord Durla--an unwitting Drakh pawn--follows his own agenda.

But Drakh control is not absolute. Vir Cotto--a most unlikely hero--has begun a resistance movement, and Alliance President John Sheridan has sent his most trusted troubleshooter, Michael Garibaldi, to investigate.  Yet this move may prove costly, and though the Centauri continue to build a new military machine, the Alliance avoids any overt confrontation, hoping the problem will go away.

272 pages, Mass Market Paperback

First published May 2, 2000

7 people are currently reading
389 people want to read

About the author

Peter David

3,573 books1,368 followers
aka David Peters

Peter Allen David, 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.

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5 stars
225 (31%)
4 stars
292 (41%)
3 stars
155 (21%)
2 stars
28 (3%)
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews
Profile Image for Jennifer.
706 reviews23 followers
April 16, 2010
It's good to fill in the missing time in the history of the Babylon 5 television show, but I don't like David's take on Vir or on what it takes to be effective against evil at all. The book reads like an attempt to save Vir from being the pathetic weakling he is in the series by hardening him up and making him callous and "cool" because there's no way a loser like Vir could ever become Emperor. Unfortunately, part of what I liked about B5 was the implication that Vir's basic goodness (which yes, some people would consider weak) would see him through. Writing Vir as a man willing to mind-rape a woman into loving him against her will and then whore her to another man for his political benefit means I no longer feel any particular sense of triumph on knowing he becomes emperor.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for R..
1,696 reviews51 followers
November 20, 2023
I have to admit, I was wondering if this series was going to be good after reading book 1. Book 1 wasn't bad, but it wasn't exactly great either. Book 2, this one, was a great deal better and well worth the read.

If you're on the fence after book one, rest assured that it gets better.
161 reviews2 followers
July 31, 2016
Babylon 5: Legions of Fire: #2 Armies of Light and Dark by Peter David This book covers the years 2268 to 2273 and focuses more on Vir and his "growing-up" as it's called.
 
Vir allies himself with Technomages (among them Galen from "Crusade") who, already in the first part, helped him prevent an assassination attempt on Sheridan. Together they manage to destroy a Shadow base on a border world that the Drakh, with Centauri help, began to put into use again. But not before a bioweapon is launched towards Earth. Also with Galen's help Vir manages to get his exile overturned and slowly learns what's really going on on Centauri Prime and with Londo.
 
Vir really grows up from the bubbling buffoon, afraid of his own shadow, to a sarcastic, battle-weary tactician who has to weigh the ongoing existence of the Centauri against the threat posed by the Drakh and their associates and who is willing to stretch, if not cross boundaries (such as coercion and even murder) - and who's not afraid of dying yet because of a simple prophecy that shows him succeeding Londo to the throne. And somehow, he convinces the Technomages and Sheridan, who catches on that something is not right on Centauri Prime, to let him fight from within first - and so it comes that he's forming his own rebellion movement.
 
Meanwhile, Londo's adversaries within the Centauri government are gaining power, but they are not willing to remove him... yet. But otherwise, they're ruthless in their brainwashing the general population against the Alliance and secretly (and often unwittingly) working to further the Drakh's agenda, removing every obstacle, one of those being Lou Welch, a welcome cameo, who's investigating and later killed by one of the Hitler Youth-members. A chilling glimpse into the making and sustaining of a dictatorial state with a puppet as leader.
 
This is a pretty intense 2nd part of a trilogy, filled with regret, grief, manipulation, self-disgust and sacrifice, fleshing out especially Vir and also the Technomages. On to the conclusion.
Profile Image for Gabriel.
61 reviews26 followers
December 2, 2013
It was the dawn of the third age of mankind, ten years after the Earth/Minbari war. The Babylon Project was a dream given form. Its goal: to prevent another war by creating a place where humans and aliens could work out their differences peacefully. It's a port of call, home away from home for diplomats, hustlers, entrepreneurs, and wanderers. Humans and aliens wrapped in two million, five hundred thousand tons of spinning metal, all alone in the night. It can be a dangerous place, but it's our last best hope for peace. This is the story of the last of the Babylon stations. The year is 2258. The name of the place is Babylon 5.

If you've read my review of the previous book in this series, you'll know that along with Mass Effect, Babylon 5 is what I would consider the apex of science fiction storytelling.

I love this wonderful, funny, well written show with all my heart, and am always willing to delve into its expanded universe. The expanded universe, by the way, is terribly small, and is composed of the two TV shows, a couple of TV movies, a dozen-or-so novels, an RPG, and a couple of comic books. Dreadfully small compared to the expanded universes of Star Wars, Star Trek, and Doctor who.

Whereas the previous novel focusses on loveable bastard Londo Mollari, this on focuses on his former attaché, and future Emperor, Vir Cotto, with appearances from the familiar cast of characters, and even David, the half-human half-minbari whose mere existence is a bit of a no-no for the minbari.

Vir goes on a real journey in this book, from a bumbling, crying, frightened little man-child, to a resistance leader with a drop of self confidence.

We get yet more insight into Londo's mind, and for a character that I once despised, I really do feel sympathy for him. Despite how much he and G'kar rag on each other, you can tell that they genuinely care for each other and it really comes across in this.

I recommend it whole-heartedly for all B5 fans who thought that the show, and the one that came after it, ended all too soon, and didn't get enough press.
Profile Image for Mikael Kuoppala.
936 reviews36 followers
July 9, 2012
The second book in the Legions of Fire trilogy is even better than the first one. It continues the story of Emperor Londo Mollari during his dark final years when he's being used by the Drakh as a pawn to avenge the Centauri's betrayal of the Shadows in 2261.

The first book of the trilogy "The Long Night of Centauri Prime" began at the end of 2262 spanning for five years. “Armies of Light and Dark” begins where the first one left off, reaching the year 2273. The focus is mainly on Londo's one time protegé Vir Cotto, while David still continues in the wake of the first book to explore Londo's multifaceted character. And while the first book was mere build-up for the story, this novel has a solid narrative structure, meaning the book is packed with twists and huge build-up that promises the story of your life, which, by the way, is what you get from reading the last book of the trilogy "Out of the Darkness".

The most impressive thing in this book, however, is the way Peter David, one of the most prominent Star Trek authors, and the writer of two Babylon 5 episodes, portrays the development and change of Vir. Mr. David does a remarkable job with holding the character together through the course of events depicted.

Yet again another definite must-read for anyone who ever liked the show.
8 reviews
February 27, 2010
One of the worst books I have ever read... I was really excited to read this trilogy but it was predictable and awful. I tried so very hard to finish it, but I just kept rolling my eyes as I read. I never bothered to read the third book. Shame on you Mr. David.
Profile Image for Catherine.
308 reviews12 followers
June 3, 2019
I read this because I want to know what happens to the characters from the television show. The writing is pretty bland and full of clichés.
Profile Image for TheHornedSkull.
87 reviews
December 9, 2019
I consider myself a fast reader. If the circumstances are right, I can finish 600 page novels in a couple of days. I used to read Lord of the Rings every summer for fun.

This book took me 2 years.

Never in my life have I encountered a more awful novel. It feels like Peter David has something against me and other B5-fans personally.
Every chapter offers a new form of torture.
You'd think I'd want to read it all in one go and just get it over with, like ripping off a band-aid. But the fact of the matter is, one chapter made me feel like I was racing head first into depression.

In the early 00s, we saw a lot of gritty superhero movies. I think this was a sci-fi attempt at that. Because Vir, the sweetest character on the show, slowly becomes a monster throughout this book. And over and over again, we are supposed to empathize with the tough choices he has to make, and laugh at how 'pathetic' his old, kind self was.
But he's not alone in this. It seems that everyone has decided that morals are optional.

There's no one to root for here. It's not a story where the end justifies the means. It's just you, locked in combat with awful sex jokes, hateful characters and introduction to new ones with no depth or real personality, because who needs that when you have exactly one personality trait to ride on?

I burned this book when I was done with it. Whatever you do, do not subject yourself to it. I didn't believe my friends when they told me to stay away, so I'm asking you to not make the same mistake I made.
Profile Image for Dung.
5 reviews
April 30, 2025
1 star review because of Vir Cotto.

He became a hypocrite and a chauvinist pig and I am surprised that he didn't become another mass murdering Centauri. Because usually when someone is using the excuse of doing something because it's necessary for the greater good they very easily start to apply the same logic to everything else.

And then what he did to Mariel... Yes, she used him for her own purposes, but he got mad at her when he found out that she was telling people that he ever got to only 1 and brainwashed her. And he kept telling himself that he is a good guy, more like a "nice guy".

I loled so much at the point where alien ambassadors were suddenly respecting mr. Cotto a lot more because Mariel was telling them what a stud he is after she got brainwashed. Mind you, he is still the loser who can't do anything on his own. (also still can't get to more than 1 afaik)

Just for record, I like Vir in the series and think that he could have easily became the emperor while keeping to his good and bubbly personality! He didn't need to become callous and conniving...
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
71 reviews7 followers
September 12, 2017
*****SPOILERS*****


This book reads like an episode of the show. It is so easy to hear what the characters are saying or thinking in their voices. The development of both the old and new characters is fantastic. My only gripe is the part with Lou Welch. He's reintroduced after leaving the series in season 2 as someone that has become a super spook due to a piece of Drakh/Shadow tech he stumbled on. Which makes him the perfect person that gets overconfident and killed in order to 1. up the stakes by killing a remembered but not overly crucial character and 2. Show how Vir has evolved as a character and how much he regrets it as he deals with the aftermath. A minor complaint regarding a character being used as a plot device in an otherwise stellar book. I cant wait to dive into the final one.
This entire review has been hidden because of spoilers.
Profile Image for Jamie Manley.
76 reviews
June 23, 2018
I first watched Babylon 5 about four years ago. It is still to this day my favorite tv show. This book(which is the fifth bab 5 book I’ve read) is by far the best book associated with the show.
I didn’t know just how much my respect for vir as a character was going to grow, but seeing his arc play out the way it does: the decisions that he had to make, my heart broke for him a few times.
But vir cotto is not the only beloved character who returns here. G’kar, Mr. Garibaldi, Galen the techno mage(from the spinoff crusade,which I haven’t watched yet) and a more obscure character who disappeared in season two, Lou Welch. We get great character moments from all of them.
I don’t really have any problems with this book( not even continuity issues like with the bester trilogy, and with “The Long Night of Centauri Prime”.) I would definitely recommend this to fans of the show.
Profile Image for Galen Wilson.
32 reviews
November 8, 2022
As readable and fun as the first, but if anything the sexism ramped up here; David really does treat his women characters terribly here (even the cameo of Delenn is AWFUL, turning maybe the strongest character with the greatest sense of duty in the franchise into an over-doting mom who is upset her husband (the President of the galaxy!) will not be home in time for the kid's graduation. This mistreatment of the women hurts some of the male characters to, most notably Vir.

Still, if you are a fan of the show, this remains mostly enjoyable and a must-read.
182 reviews
March 9, 2021
And I thought Centauri Prime couldn't sink any lower. They did not need the Shadows for ambition, pride and avarice are the seeds of rot in the empire. They just needed nurturing with fire & brimstone. And so it continues as this egotistical population succumbs to its darker side through its leaders.
Profile Image for SuperPiggy5000.
89 reviews1 follower
September 27, 2025
3.75
adventurous dark mysterious medium-paced
Plot or Character Driven: A mix
Strong character development: Yes
Loveable characters: Complicated
Diverse cast of characters: N/A
Flaws of characters a main focus: Yes
Content Warnings
Moderate: Sexual content, Violence, Sexual harassment

Minor: Xenophobia
Profile Image for Stephanie Johnston.
17 reviews1 follower
January 12, 2022
While I enjoyed this book in the series, I would probably rate it a little closer to a 3.5 if I could. The pace seemed a little off..slow in some parts and extremely rushed in others. The characters seem a little less dynamic as well.
Profile Image for Shalom.
15 reviews
March 15, 2025
One of the things never really covered in the show was how Vir could possibly become Emperor. This book's great at showing Vir's evolution into someone who could not just be Emperor, but be a truly great Emperor.
Profile Image for C.S. Areson.
Author 20 books4 followers
September 12, 2019
The character flows perfectly from the series and the continuing story makes sense. It is great to hear the rest of the story which the series could only hint at.
19 reviews
December 29, 2023
I really got into this book a lot more more than the first book not that book 1 was bad i just struggled at times, now on to book 3 to see how it concludes.
Profile Image for Alyce Caswell.
Author 18 books22 followers
November 8, 2024
Although the plot is patchy and some character aren't utilised as well as they could be, I have to say that Vir's ascent (or perhaps one should term it a "descent"...) is remarkably well done.
Profile Image for Ced Crawley.
16 reviews3 followers
November 4, 2014
Vir Cotta was always a lighthearted and jovial personality in his own way. In this continuation of the the Legions of Fire trilogy that personality is not left behind. As in the series, as Vir grew to know and understand the ways of his superior and (ultimately) friend, Londo Mollari, Vir's character matured to recognize the evils inherent in the universe. This aspect is elaborated on in this second installment as Vir grows more into the person who will one day succeed Emperor Mollari to the throne of the Centauri Republic.

Further, the book is a fascinating look behind the closed doors of Centauri politics - and politricks - as Vir continues to learn to navigate the treacherous waters of his people's government and their quest to return to the past glories of the Centauri Republic. Book 2 picks up and flies away from where Book 1 left off, and does so splendidly.
Profile Image for Brian.
119 reviews
February 25, 2016
Armies of Light and Dark is the second part of a trilogy that expands upon the established universe of Babylon 5 and does so even more organically than the first book. While the first book weaves several scenes from the TV series/movies to cement this stories place in that universe, this book wastes no time with such preamble and tells a new tale in the Babylon 5 universe that is very enjoyable indeed.

It's not a book that stands completely on it's own in that you definitely would want to have seen the entire series and movies before reading it, but for those who have and want a bit more of the magic from that series, this book (and series to this point) delivers in spades. Highly recommended.
Profile Image for Amber.
Author 9 books27 followers
May 17, 2016
In the second book Vir Coto really begins to grow as a person and a character, heading in the direction of the prophecy while remaining very true to the Vir we came to love on the show.

As I said about the first book, aside from the fact that the author has a tendency to get in a character's head and have them go over the same thoughts just in slightly different wording two or three paragraphs in a row, which gets frustrating after a while and is hard to believe no one helped him edit out so many redundancies and duplications, it's also a well written book with a strong, driving plot and I'd recommend it to anyone who enjoyed the Babylon 5 television series.
Profile Image for Tommy /|\.
161 reviews6 followers
December 11, 2010
The second book of the trilogy depicting the reign of Emporer Mollari and the hidden occupation by the Drakh. This particular book deals with the further fall from grace of Emperor Mollari, and the beginning of the rise of Ambassador Vir Cotto to prominence as the leader of an underground revolution. The twists and turns of the plot continue to be well done. There are numerous mentions to the Babylon 5 series "Crusade" through the eyes of the TechnoMage Galen. A very good book that will keep you turning its pages throughout the night.
Profile Image for Mark Baker.
2,403 reviews202 followers
March 9, 2014
The struggle of Centauri Prime continues as Vir begins to form a resistance to the Keepers and their hold on his home planet. A good story, but it does fall victim to the middle book syndrome with no real climax just a set up for the final in the series.

Read my full review at Carstairs Considers.
Profile Image for Nicholas.
289 reviews2 followers
March 25, 2014
Another solid entry in the Babylon 5 novel series. A lot of well-handled character development for Vir Cotto. Also has the return of a not-used-very-often-in-show-or-novels character. It was nice to see that character pop up in this story. Has some other interesting character stuff, but I won't go into that (don't want to spoil it for anyone) Unfortunately, I don't have the third book yet so I'm having to read a different one while I acquire part 3.
Profile Image for Jo R. Lee.
13 reviews10 followers
October 3, 2011
While reading this trilogy, I really started to care about Vir's story and development more. He really grows as a character, thanks to the technomages, of course.
G'Kar also makes his first appearance of the trilogy in this book. I knew he'd show up sooner or later - He and Londo can't seem to get away from each other for very long!
Profile Image for Kelly.
39 reviews11 followers
May 25, 2013
Wow.... what a fantastic book... The development of Vir's character from a bumbling baffoon to leader of a resistence is amazing.... I also loved the exerpts of Londo's diary... It gives a real insight into what it was like for him having to sit and watch as people moved to send his world to war with his friends from before he was Emperor and not be able to do anything about it...
Profile Image for Jodi McMaster.
103 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2008
I generally don't read books based on series, but I did enjoy the Bab-5 books that J. Michael Straczynski plotted, including this one.
2,490 reviews46 followers
August 3, 2009
Continuing the story of Centauri Prime
Displaying 1 - 30 of 38 reviews

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