Author name: M Pax

Midnight at the Well of Souls by Jack L. Chalker

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / /

 

Sci-Fi Worth Reading!

My husband gifted me this book for Valentine’s Day, saying my stories always remind him of Chalker. So he made sure I read some Chalker.

This story is a wild ride from start to finish. Imaginative, creative, and well put together, Well of Souls is interesting, fun, and a page-turner. The stuff Chalker comes up with sometimes is mind-blowing. It’s also well plotted and had me emotionally invested in many of the characters.

I don’t think there was such a thing as a boring scene or chapter in this novel. There were twists and turns everywhere. Definitely my kind of story.

I liked this book so much, I ordered book 2 in the series. And a signed copy! I’m excited.

Plus, I find myself thinking of Chalker when writing. If a scene is boring or too predictable, I pause and wonder, What would Jack L. Chalker do?

If you don’t like the same old, run-of-the-mill story, read Chalker.

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Space Hitched Is Almost Here!

New Release, Science Fiction Books / /

The Countdown is on! Only 14 days until launch!

science fiction series

Launch is so close, and I have something truly special for you.

Space Hitched (Squad 51, Book 2.5) is a limited release available only through my Kickstarter campaign.

Here’s what makes it special:

  • Digitally signed ebook with bonus content at the end of every chapter.

  • Full-color print editions exclusive to Kickstarter, packed with extras and featuring an original solar system map created by an artist.

  • A true collector’s edition—once they’re gone, they’re gone.

What’s it about?

Nikili Echols broke everything—her wedding, her family, her friendships—and now she has to fix it.

To win it all back, she must:

  • Survive a humiliating game show on live TV.

  • Follow the outrageous wisdom of Rhea’s most glamorous queens.

  • Face last-minute wedding chaos and her own broken heart.

This isn’t a cosmic disaster. It’s personal. And Nikili has to put it all on the line before the credits roll.

Exclusive. Limited. Collector’s edition. That’s Space Hitched.

The Kickstarter launches September 30th—don’t miss your chance to grab this one-of-a-kind release.

SPACE HITCHED

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Sci-Fi Worth Watching: Ro & the Stardust #MovieReview

Movie Review, Science Fiction Movie / /

 

Ro and the Stardust movie

If you’re a fan of heartwarming, short films with a sprinkle of sci-fi, Ro and the Stardust is a must-watch. The film, set on a distant planet in the future, follows Ro as she helps her terminally ill grandmother build a rocket in a scrap yard. Her grandmother’s dream? To launch into space and die among the stardust—her final wish before passing.

The story is simple, yet deeply touching. It’s a beautiful exploration of family, dreams, and the emotional bond between Ro and her grandmother. Though it’s a short film, it’s the kind of story that sticks with you long after the credits roll. There’s something about the gentle, yet profound narrative that makes it hard not to fall in love with the characters.

The aesthetic, which immediately reminded me of Bagdad Cafe—one of my all-time favorites—adds to the charm of the film. It has that unique, quiet energy.

beer ratingIf you’re looking for a quick, emotional ride that leaves you with a warm feeling, Ro and the Stardust is definitely worth your time. It’s short enough that you won’t have time to get bored but impactful enough to make you reflect on the beauty of life and letting go. Highly recommended for anyone who appreciates a sweet, emotional tale with a dash of futuristic charm.

YouTube player

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Worldbuilding Spotlight: Disaster Aversion Team (DAT)

World Building Spotlight / /

Worldbuilding from the Space Squad 51 Universe…

Space Squad 51 science fiction series

After the chaos of Spaceberg, Nikili Echols was offered a promotion within the Orbital Rescue Services (ORS). Instead of climbing the ranks, she chose a different path—devoting herself to preventing another disaster of that scale from ever happening again. Her reward was the privilege of naming and shaping a brand-new organization: the Disaster Aversion Team (DAT).

ORS vs. DAT

The ORS operates much like traditional firehouses—localized, community-based, and only loosely connected. While they can coordinate across districts, communication isn’t instantaneous and usually only happens in extreme emergencies.

By contrast, DAT is designed to keep an eye on the solar system as a whole. Its purpose is to anticipate trouble before it strikes and reallocate resources where they’re needed most. If ORS is about immediate response, DAT is about foresight and prevention.

Structure & Style

DAT borrows heavily from ORS, keeping the familiar hierarchy of chief, captain, lieutenant, responders, and cadets. The ships are the same iconic design—patterned after a Huey helicopter and painted in vivid red for instant recognition. The uniforms echo those of ORS as well. These similarities exist because Nikili never stopped loving ORS; she wanted DAT to honor its roots while broadening its reach.

A Strategic Base on Rhea

Nikili chose to base DAT on Rhea, one of Saturn’s moons. From this vantage point, DAT can reach both the Inner and Outer Sol efficiently. Rhea also houses the top university in the solar system, giving DAT direct access to cutting-edge research and some of the brightest minds humanity has to offer.

The Sinclair Storm & Growing Pains

DAT is still young, and its systems are untested. With the looming threat of the Sinclair Storm, the team is scrambling to deploy GravoNets—experimental technology designed to shield colonies from catastrophic harm. Whether the nets will be ready in time is still uncertain.

For now, DAT is in its infancy, but Nikili dreams big. Her vision is clear: a system-wide safety net ensuring that every citizen of Sol can live without fear of another Spaceberg.

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A Tale of Two Colonies by Aurora Springer

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / /

 

Sci-Fi Worth Reading!

A Tale of Two Colonies by Aurora Springer delivers a richly imagined world and an exciting adventure that’s perfect for sci-fi lovers who enjoy immersive settings and survival stories. Aurora Springer is a gifted author well worth finding. Her words flow like silk and weave a delicious, creative world I enjoyed getting lost in.

💫 What I loved
The worldbuilding in this book is top-notch. The story starts on an overcrowded Earth, where people are desperate to escape. Lily, the main character, trains hard to secure a spot on a spaceship to a distant colony planet. The journey isn’t easy, and there’s no guarantee that the team will survive the mission—or that the original colonists will still be alive.

The alien planet they travel to is fascinating. I especially loved the discovery of the lost colony’s descendants, who have completely forgotten their Earth origins. The planet is teeming with strange creatures (including ant people!) and unexpected dangers. The exploration aspect was a highlight, and I really enjoyed how the world and its mysteries unfolded.

🧪 Themes to enjoy
If you’re into:

  • Sci-fi with rich, detailed alien worlds
  • Survival stories with high stakes
  • A mystery about lost colonies and their secrets

…then A Tale of Two Colonies is definitely worth checking out.

A Tale of Two Colonies is available now. Here’s the official blurb:

Fight for freedom. Fight to survive. For refugees from an overcrowded Earth, dreams of a better life on an alien planet transform into a terrifying battle for survival.

Nothing will stand in the way of Tiger Lily’s dream of escaping the subterranean slums of Terra and visiting the stars. She enters the fierce competition for a place in the scout team on the next spaceship to the remote planet of Delta, where an earlier colony disappeared. Before the ship departs, a mysterious message from Delta suggests the descendants of the first colonists may be alive.

A risky mission to seek the lost colony exposes the team to unexpected dangers, and they encounter a grim warrior in the isolated valley. Has Tiger Lily met her match in the tortured man? Where is he leading them? And who are the real rulers of this strange world?

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Project on the Launch Pad! Space Squad 51 is Ready to Fly!

Dimensions Report / /

 

Here’s the latest from the M. Pax Dimension!
Current missions, new launches, and cosmic adventures!

M. Pax upcoming releases

🚀 Project One: Completing the Space Squad 51 Series / Launches on KS 9/30/2025

  • Spaceberg: Complete.
  • Space Trash: Complete.
  • Space Hitched: Complete.
  • Space Weed: Complete.
  • Space Worms: Writing in progress!
  • Space Rock: Writing in progress!

✨ This series launches September 30, 2025! Sign up for the prelaunch on the Kickstarter so you don’t miss a minute of this fun launch party! PRELAUNCH

Launch to all retailers begins January 2026.

🌟 Project Two: Shroomtopia

Status: Steady as she goes!

Writing the rough draft live in Discord and Substack. Come join me at Paxport! Or Substack!

🌌 Project Three: Completing the Rifters Series

Status: Charting new dimensions!

  • The Generals (Rifters Book 5): Coming onto the assembly line!
  • The Warder (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. Already planning all of the awesome goodies for the Kickstarter campaign!

 

🌙 Project Four: Hetty Locklear Series

Status: In the line up after the Rifters series is complete

I’ll be giving The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear a new title and a new cover, but it will be the same content. I have titles for the other three novels that will round out this series and some rough notes for the books.

 

Keep your comm channels open for more updates. One of these 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

Until then, happy reading and dreaming!

Stay tuned and peace out,
M. Pax 🚀✨

 

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