M Pax, Author at M. Pax - Page 18 of 77

Exclusive Adventure: Escape from Doka – A Tale of Unlikely Friendship and High Stakes

Escape from Doka is a standalone adventure that can only be found here, exclusively for those who join my M. Pax Dimension mailing list.

In this story, Lepsi, the youngest son of a fallen nobleman, and Talos, a young man from the poorest part of the city, forge an unlikely bond that will change the course of their lives. Stuck in oppressive circumstances on the planet Doka, both dream of escape. But when an opportunity arises to join a premier cargo transport crew, their hopes are dashed as they’re thrust into danger and betrayal. Pirate gangs, ruthless lords, and a test of friendship stand between them and the future they crave.

Join my mailing list today to gain access to Escape from Doka and follow Lepsi and Talos as they fight for a chance to leave behind the only lives they’ve ever known. It’s an adventure full of heart, danger, and the type of friendship that defies the odds.

Don’t miss out—this story is only available to M. Pax Dimension members. Sign up today!

ESCAPE

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Electric State Sci-Fi Movie Review

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / M Pax / April 11, 2025

Netflix’s The Electric State delivers a visually rich and quirky take on a dystopian America, blending war, nostalgia, and humor in an offbeat adventure. Starring Millie Bobby Brown and Chris Pratt, the film reimagines recent history with a robot war, VR escapism, and a mysterious road trip across a crumbling world.

The story follows Michelle (Green), a teenager on a mission to save her brother. The catch? His consciousness has been transferred into a robot—one of many now outlawed and restricted to a zone in the Southwest U.S. And, his body is somewhere else, and she has to figure out where. Along the way, she teams up with Keats (Pratt) and his own robotic sidekick. They smuggle goods in and out of the robot zone.

The film is packed with unique world-building details, like the test Michelle’s brother, Chris, takes at the start—mirroring the one Einstein took as a child. It’s a fun little nod to history, adding to the film’s slightly surreal tone, and the story takes place in the 1990s, but not the 1990s as we remember them. Yes, an alternative history. The war itself was won in an unusual way. Humans developed VR systems allowing their robotic counterparts to fight while they stayed distracted in a digital paradise. It’s a clever concept, though the film doesn’t dive too deeply into the implications.

Where The Electric State shines is in its visuals and the quirky charm of its robots. They’re often funny, even endearing, adding heart to the film’s post-apocalyptic setting. The overall plot is pretty predictable—standard “save the family” fare—but it moves along well enough to stay entertaining.

While it doesn’t break new ground, The Electric State offers a fun, visually engaging journey with a solid mix of action, humor, and heartfelt moments. If you like road trip movies with a side of robot rebellion, it’s worth the watch. So, I give it a one beer rating.

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What Happened to Earth?

World Building Spotlight / M Pax / April 8, 2025

A Brief History from the Squad 51 Universe

Before the rescue missions, the space barons, and the chaos of Squad 51’s adventures, there was Earth.

The birthplace of humanity wasn’t lost in a spectacular disaster or blown apart by aliens (though it might’ve been cleaner that way). No, Earth faded the way most things do through greed, neglect, and a thousand small cuts over centuries.

We stripped the forests. The oceans died. Oxygen levels fell so low toward the end, breathing came with a price tag. The rich lived under domes. The poor paid for oxygen credits. Earth couldn’t sustain us anymore. Not because she gave up, but because we pushed too far.

That’s when the corporations stepped in. Not to save us, but to make more profits.

The Great Evacuation

The corporations packaged humanity’s survival like a product. Tickets off Earth were sold to the highest bidder. Those without fortunes had two choices: stay behind, or sign away their freedom to labor contracts on off-world colonies.

The first colonies were little more than glorified mining camps scattered across the solar system. The corporations drained them like they drained Earth, forcing generations to live and die in the shadows of profit margins. But people eventually fought back.

The Rise of the Colonies

Over time, the corporate dynasties fell. Some families clung to their wealth and influence—the so-called nobility, like the Baneer family, whose fortunes were built on the backs of those early colonies.

But others rebelled. People broke away from corporate control and built independent colonies on the edges of the known system. They weren’t perfect, but they were free.

Even now, the ripples of that era remain. Inequality lingers, though the gap keeps narrowing. Space Barons, pirates, profiteers, and opportunists still roam, but there are no more corporations officially exploiting entire planets. Progress doesn’t move fast, but it moves.

Earth’s Rebirth

And Earth?

While humanity scattered, Earth healed.

The rain returned. The forests grew back. Species thought lost forever clawed their way back into existence, some with help from scientists. The scars remain, but the planet breathes again.

Now, Earth is no longer humanity’s playground. It’s a sanctuary.

Entry is earned, not bought. Only those who dedicated their lives to restoring the planet—the scientists, ecologists, and environmentalists who spent centuries undoing the damage—are allowed to live there. They’re reseeding the world with rainforests, coral reefs, bears, even sharks.

Earth’s return isn’t a fairy tale. It’s a reminder: We broke it. But we can fix things, too.

🌍 Want to learn more about the Squad 51 universe?
I’ll be sharing more behind-the-scenes worldbuilding posts as I count down to the launch of my next Kickstarter—bringing the full Squad 51 series to life with exclusive editions and bonus content. Stay tuned!

SQUAD 51 LAUNCH

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#SciFi Worth Reading: The Tournament #BookReview

Book Review, Science Fiction Books, Space Opera / M Pax / April 4, 2025

Out of this world space thrills!

The Tournament by Kate Sheeran Swed

I’ve been on a sci-fi reading spree lately, and one name keeps popping up on my list of favorite authors: Kate Sheeran Swed. If you haven’t read her work yet, allow me to point you toward Phantom Station (one of my favorite reads for the year). That book had me hooked from page one, and I’ve been eagerly waiting for more in that series ever since. While I wait, I decided to explore more of Swed’s back catalog, and I’m so glad I did because that’s how I found The Tournament.

This book reminded me exactly why I love science fiction. Swed does something special that not every sci-fi author can pull off — she captures a sense of wonder and awe that comes with exploring space and the unknown. But what really excites me is when a story takes me on a journey where I’m not entirely sure where it’s going. I love the thrill of unpredictability, and The Tournament gave me just that.

Sure, there are hints of The Hunger Games with a competitive edge and high stakes, but The Tournament is definitely its own story. Swed adds enough twists and layers to keep the narrative fresh and engaging. The setting, the challenges, and the motivations of the characters all felt genuine and compelling.

The main character, in particular, really stuck with me. She’s flawed, she makes mistakes — a lot of mistakes — but that’s what makes her relatable. Her imperfections aren’t frustrating; they’re human. I found myself rooting for her precisely because she felt real and grounded.

And, of course, the way Swed evokes the vastness and mystery of space is what I love best about science fiction. There’s a sense of scale and possibility in her writing that makes me feel like I’m right there alongside the characters, experiencing the thrills.

If you’re a fan of sci-fi that isn’t the same old tired tropes, that blends action with genuine character development, and that sparks a sense of wonder, I highly recommend picking up The Tournament. Kate Sheeran Swed continues to impress me, and I’m absolutely a fan .

Now, back to waiting (im)patiently for the next installment of Phantom Station!

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No Fooling on this Galactic Report!

Dimensions Report / M Pax / April 1, 2025

🚀 Greetings, adventurers of the galaxy! 🌟
Here’s the latest transmission from Mission Control with updates on my projects and adventures!

🚀 Project One: Completing the Space Squad 51 Series

Status: Full throttle!

Spaceberg: Published and already drifting through the cosmic ether! On standby for editing and reception of immersive bonuses.
Space Trash: First edit completed. The project is now at 67,000 words. Some bonus extras created for this one. It sits and awaits more editing while I complete the rest of the series.
Space Hitched: A new addition to Space Squad 51. This bonus story comes between Space Trash and Space Weed. First round of editing is complete. It idles while I write Space Weed.
Space Weed: The finale of this trilogy is taking shape and is soaring to 25,000 words. My goal is to complete the first draft by the end of April.
Space Worms: Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be a stretch goal for Kickstarter backers. Don’t miss out!
Exciting News: I’ll be creating bonus content to make my stories more immersive from here on out. Bonus extras complete for Space Hitched and Space Weed. Some are done for Space Trash. Will add them in for Spaceberg when the first draft of Space Weed is complete.

✨ Stay tuned for more! Sign up for the prelaunch of the Kickstarter Launch Party so you don’t miss out on anything! Launch is getting closer! PRELAUNCH

🌟 Project Two: Third Star Rising

Status: Steady as she goes!

This short story (or novella, if it decides to grow wings) is halfway plotted, with a partial draft already making its orbit.

💭 Project Three: Mood Bubbles (Working Title)

Status: Rising on the horizon!

This story’s emotional atmosphere is 75% plotted, and I can already see its sparkling potential. At an estimated 20,000+ words, it’s set to be a novella that bursts with meaning—and bubbles, of course!

🌌 Project Four: Completing the Rifters Series

Status: Charting new dimensions!

The Generals (Rifters Book 5): At 30% plotted, this novel is laying the foundation for epic twists and turns. My target is 70-80,000 words, and it’s going to be worth the wait!
Untitled (Rifters Book 6): The final installment is 5% plotted, but hey, the adventure is just beginning. My aim? Another 70-80,000 words of world-saving, dimension-bending awesomeness.

🚀Project Five: Serial, Shroomtopia

Status: In progress on my new Discord channel, Paxport. It’s a freebie. Come join me and let’s get to know each other better. DISCORD

🚀Project Six: Cherry Bomb 9000

Status: Partly written. This will be the next serial on my Discord channel. Ooo.

Keep your comms open for more updates, and get ready for some interstellar stories headed your way soon. One of the short stories will be a freebie for my mailing list. If you haven’t joined the M. Pax Dimension yet, well, get over there! MPAX DIMENSION

Stay tuned for cover reveals and exciting developments as I put my heart into these projects. Until then, happy reading and dreaming!

Stay tuned and peace out,
M. Pax 🚀✨

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#SciFi Worth Reading: Eva Golemina and the Calvert Street Sorceress #BookReview

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / March 28, 2025

🔮 Eva Golemina and the Calvert Street Sorceress: A Fun, Creative Steampunk Adventure

I recently finished Eva Golemina and the Calvert Street Sorceress by Gary Lester, and wow, what a quick, fun ride! This indie gem was a 50-page read I borrowed through my Hoopla app, and it turned out to be my second indie read of the month (I’m hoping to squeeze in a third, too). While it was a short read, it was packed with enough creativity to make me wish it was longer.

A Steampunk Adventure Full of Surprises

At its core, Eva Golemina and the Calvert Street Sorceress is a steampunk story, and it delivers all the delightful trappings of the genre: intriguing gadgets, magical elements, and a strong-willed protagonist. I don’t want to spoil too much, though, because I think the story is best enjoyed without too many expectations—there’s a fun surprise around every corner. The plot twists and unique characters kept me engaged from start to finish.

Creative and Fun

The creativity in this book really shines. From the setting to the plot to the characters, Gary Lester’s world-building and storytelling are fun and imaginative. I loved how fresh and unique it felt, despite drawing on familiar steampunk tropes. It was like jumping into a world where anything was possible, and that made for a really enjoyable experience.

A Minor Drawback

If I had to nitpick, I’d say the story could benefit from another round of editing. There were a few areas where things could have been tightened up, but honestly, it didn’t take away from my enjoyment of the story. The charm of the book far outweighs any minor flaws.

Final Thoughts

Overall, Eva Golemina and the Calvert Street Sorceress is a delightful, creative steampunk adventure that left me wanting more. If you’re looking for a quick, enjoyable read full of surprises, I highly recommend giving this one a try. It’s a perfect indie read for anyone who enjoys a good blend of magic, steam-powered gadgets, and mystery.

Happy reading! ✨

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Author name: M Pax