Cavelos, Jeanne

Summoning Light (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 2)

The explosive space epic continues, as the techno-mages come face-to-face with the devastating evil of the Shadows . . .

War against the Shadows is inevitable, and the ruling Circle has ordered the techno-mages into hiding. Many are unhappy with this decision--none more so than Galen, the only mage who has faced the Shadows and lived. But the Shadows aren't Galen's only enemy--he is driven to hunt and kill Elizar, the traitor who murdered the beautiful mage Isabelle while Galen stood by helplessly, his hands tied by the Circle's sacred code he had sworn to follow.

Now a new mission awaits as the Circle contrives a plan that may enable the five hundred mages to escape without leaving a trace. Dispatched to the Shadow's ancient capitol to uncover the enemy's plans, Galen will find everything he so desperately seeks--including a shocking legacy that threatens to consume his very soul.

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

Invoking Darkness (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 3)

The electrifying space epic reaches an explosive climax
when one techno-mage battles the ultimate evil

As billions die and the flames of destruction rage unchecked, the Shadows seem poised for absolute victory. Soon the entire galaxy will fall to their evil. But the war isn't over . . . not yet. At long last, in a forgotten corner of the universe, Galen has finally won the Circle's permission to leave the techno-mage hiding place. He is the only mage who has faced the Shadows and lived, the only one who possesses the unstoppable Spell of Destruction.

Galen's orders are clear. Though the galaxy is being torn apart by bloody conflict–in which his powers might tip the balance–he is to locate only three key enemies and kill them. But Galen has unearthed the Shadows' darkest secret–and discovered a monstrous truth about himself.

In this desperate, apocalyptic battle, there's no telling who will be the victor. Or if there will be any survivors at all . . .

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

Casting Shadows (Babylon 5: The Passing of the Techno-Mages, Book 1)

The spectacular space epic continues, as the techno-mages face the growing threat of the Shadows . . .

As Elric and his student Galen watch with taut anticipation, dragons, angels, and shooting stars rain from the sky, heralding the arrival of the techno-mages on the planet Soom. It's the first time Elric-a member of the ruling Circle-has hosted such a gathering, and if all goes well, Galen and the other apprentices will emerge triumphant from the grueling initiation rites, ready to embrace their roles as full mages among the most powerful beings in the known universe.

But rumors fly of approaching danger and Galen and his young lover, Isabelle, are chosen to investigate the dark tidings. An ancient race has awakened after a thousand years, thirsty for war, slaughter, and annihilation. Will the techno-mages be the deciding factor in the war ahead? Or the first casualties?

The Shadow Within (Babylon 5, Book 7)

The electrifying space epic continues as Anna and John Sheridan battle deadly foes at opposite ends of the universe.

The dedication of the new Babylon 5 Station is fast approaching, and desperate enemies intend to see it end in catastrophe. The fate of the fledgling space alliance lies in the hands of John Sheridan, newly appointed captain of the spaceship Agamemnon. His orders are to stop the attack. Unless he first gets to the bottom of the near-mutinous behavior of the Agamemnon’s unruly crew, Sheridan and his spaceship will share Babylon 5’s doom.

Time is also running out for his wife Anna, headed to Z’ha’dum aboard the Icarus. Young, beautiful, and brilliant, she was thrilled to be appointed chief science officer of the follow-up mission to this mysterious planet on the edge of the known universe, where artifacts rumored to hold stupendous powers have been discovered. But the offer she could not resist threatens to become a dark destiny she cannot avoid, for an unimaginable horror lies somnolent on Z’ha’dum–and the monstrous consequences of disturbing the sleeping evil will haunt every living thing in the cosmos. . . .

Babylon 5 created by J. Michael Straczynski

The Many Faces of Van Helsing

Twenty-two masters of horror and fantasy give Van Helsing, the vampire hunter from Bram StokerÂ’s Dracula, his due as they reimagine the adventures of the greatest foe of the most evil vampire in literary history.

The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets, and Robots as Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books

Jeanne Cavelos says, "Star Wars fueled my interest in space exploration and the possibility of alien life," leading her to a career in astrophysics. While these movies have inspired her, she admits that may not have been their intention.

In creating the part science fiction/part fantasy/part myth that is Star Wars, George Lucas did not seek to create a futuristic universe that agreed perfectly with our current understanding of science.... How realistic, how possible, is this galaxy far, far away?

The answer when A New Hope first came out was "not at all." But a strange thing has happened in the years since Star Wars first came out. Science is beginning to catch up with George Lucas.

Cavelos looks at Lucas's planets, aliens, droids, technology, and Force with both rationality and affection. The droids R2-D2 and C-3P0, among others, become more interesting and almost credible after her consideration.

The element of Star Wars that is most true to science is the sense of wonder it calls forth, which has very little to do with how close it is to a possible future. Or, as Steve Grand, director of the Cyberlife Institute, said to Cavelos: "I never try to let scientific implausibility get in the way of a good story!" --Mary Ellen Curtin

The Science of the X-Files (The X-Files)

Jeanne Cavelos feels that "The X-Files is actually the television drama most concerned with science today, incorporating recent discoveries and exploring the limits and values of science." Cavelos's guide to the science behind the stories can be a little confusing if you're not an X-phile (it could use a glossary), but it is a treasure-trove of gross science facts you'll enjoy even if you've never seen the show. Disturbing birth defects, parasitic worms that come out of your eyes, killer fungi, cockroaches in serried ranks--whatever makes you go "Ewww," it's probably in here. Besides these monster-of-the-week topics, Cavelos gives a scientific background to the X-Files mythology: the web of aliens (gray, black oil, shape-shifting, whatever), hybrids, abductions, government cover-ups, and the looming figure of the Cigarette-Smoking Man. Whether you are a wide-eyed, broad-minded (gullible?) Mulder or a skeptical, rationalist, cold-water-throwing Scully, this book has an insight, a silly story, or a good quote for you. --Mary Ellen Curtin

By pushing science to its furthest, most marvelous extremes, "The X-Files" has captivated us with stories more strange and surreal than we'd ever dreamed possible. But are they as far-fetched as they look? With the help of leading experts, scientist Jeanne Cavelos explores the scientific theories--and supporting research--that shed light on some of the series' most bizarre and compelling episodes. Includes scientific examinations of: Could a man cause fungi to destroy everything he touched? How could a man made entirely of cancer cells grow back his decapitated head? What sort of nutrition could be derived from a diet of human livers? Could a man burn up in the sun--simply because he believes he's a vampire? How could a salamander hand grow on a man's body? Could concentrated human pheromones really make Scully do "the wild thing" with a stranger? Delve into the truth behind "The X-Files"--and wonders of science will never look the same again...

" Babylon 5 " : The Shadow Within (A Channel Four Book)

The Science of Star Wars: An Astrophysicist's Independent Examination of Space Travel, Aliens, Planets and Robots As Portrayed in the Star Wars Films and Books