🚀 Sale Alert: Endpoint, Backworlds Book 8 – Now Only 99c! 🚀
The galaxy is on the brink of collapse, and only Craze seems to understand how close everything is to being lost. As the evil Quassers grow stronger by joining forces with another enemy, planet after planet falls into chaos. Winning the war becomes nearly impossible.
In Endpoint, Craze must pull together small discoveries that might be the key to survival. But with every world looking out for itself, he’s forced to make gut-wrenching decisions—trading innocent lives for the chance to save the galaxy.
📚 Catch up on Craze’s journey before the release of Book 9, The Afterworlds, on December 2!
Special November Sale:
99c only (Save $3!)
Available at all major retailers.
🔗 Grab your copy of Endpoint now and dive into the thrilling final stretch of the Backworlds series!
The Paleontologist by Luke Dumas called to me like a siren… Dinosaurs. Can… not… re… sist.
The novel boasts a fun and engaging plot with dinosaurs running amok in a museum—yes, you read that right. This is just one of the intriguing mysteries in this fast-paced story. The other revolves around Simon, whose sister mysteriously disappeared inside the same museum when they were children. Simon has never gotten over her disappearance and feels a compelling urge to find her, eventually taking a job at the museum that holds so much tragedy for him.
The novel kept me guessing, especially regarding the nature of the dinosaurs, which is a significant part of the mystery. And I’m perfectly fine with mystery and weirdness, both of which are abundant in this story.
If you enjoy suspense, monsters, mysteries, and paleontology, this book is for you. I had a blast reading it. While it didn’t make me scream or gasp like Relic did, it was suspenseful enough to keep me thoroughly entertained. The Paleontologist ranks among the best of the dinosaur novels in my opinion—and I’ve read a lot of dino-centric fiction.
Hmm, thankfully, The Circle wasnt watching me back…
The Circle, starring Emma Watson and Tom Hanks, had all the makings of a thought-provoking, tech-dystopian drama. Unfortunately, it ended up feeling like a long, dull ride to nowhere. The film, based on Dave Eggers’ novel, tries to address the dangers of unchecked technology and the erosion of privacy, but it doesn’t quite land the punch it was aiming for. Well, if it was aiming for one.
Let’s start with the plot. Watson plays Mae Holland, a young woman who lands a dream job at The Circle, a tech company that feels like a Google-meets-Facebook utopia. With surveillance and transparency as its core principles, the company’s goal is to push society toward a more “honest” world. But as Mae rises within the ranks, she embraces these ideas a little too enthusiastically. By the end, I couldn’t shake the feeling that she had fully drank the Kool-Aid—and she wasn’t just sipping. She was guzzling it and handing it out to others. Her character’s arc went from cautious participant to blind follower without enough of a meaningful reckoning for me to buy into it.
The ending was particularly frustrating. What could have been a powerful critique of tech-driven surveillance instead felt like a non-ending. It leaves you wondering if anything really changed, or if Mae just became a mouthpiece for the very system she initially questioned. Rather than breaking free or taking a stand, she doubles down, pushing the same dangerous ideals with a shiny, optimistic veneer. It’s as if the film wanted to make a statement but didn’t know how to finish the conversation.
One of the biggest issues I had with The Circle is its confusion between transparency and democracy. The movie seems to suggest that making everything visible leads to a better, more just world. But transparency alone doesn’t ensure democracy. It doesn’t hold power accountable in any meaningful way, especially if the people pushing for it are the ones holding all the cards. The Circle’s version of transparency feels more like control than freedom, and Mae’s willingness to impose this on the world felt chilling rather than revolutionary. And, she ends up distancing herself from the people she was closest to, to be responsible to her followers. She was basically indoctrinated into the cult and decided that’s where she wanted to be. As a free-thinker, this ending creeped me out. Well, if that was an ending. It was hard to tell.
Tom Hanks, as the Steve Jobs-like founder of The Circle, was fine in his role, but he wasn’t given much to work with. His character was more symbol than substance, and it felt like a missed opportunity to dig deeper into the motivations behind someone who would build a tech empire like this.
The Circle earns itself a three beer rating. There wasn’t the fun distraction of dancing or singing. I didn’t get to go to space. And the ending makes me want to push Mae out of her kayak. Another dunk in the ocean might do her good. Have you seen this movie?
The journey through the Backworlds is coming to an end! The Afterworlds (Backworlds Book 9) will officially release on December 2, 2024. This final installment brings everything full circle, as Craze faces new challenges in the aftermath of a brutal war.
What happens after the war ends?
Exhausted from a brutal and drawn-out war, Craze longs to retire in peace. But the Backworlds aren’t ready to let him go. One savage enemy lurks in the shadows, threatening to unravel the fragile peace he fought so hard to secure.
Backworlders, still reeling from the devastation, look to Craze for hope. They believe the hero who won the war can save their shattered worlds. Only Craze has nothing left to give. Haunted by the ghosts of fallen friends and the lives lost under his command, he struggles to find peace within himself while confronting the daunting weight of the aftermath.
In this final installment of the Backworlds series, the home Craze dreams of returning to is gone—reduced to rubble and ash. The war may be over, but for Craze, the fight to reclaim his life has just begun.
Preorder your copy today!
If you order The Afterworlds through mpaxauthor.com, your ebook will include exclusive bonuses:
An original map of Pauder’s Moon inside the book
A printable bookmark featuring Backworlds artwork
A poster of the Pauder’s Moon map
A special Backworlds poster
These extras are only available with orders through my website!
Don’t miss the final adventure in the Backworlds saga—preorder today and be the first to explore The Afterworlds on December 2, 2024. Let’s finish this journey together!
Here’s another great sci-fi story centered around elephants!
The Only Harmless Great Thing by Brooke Bolander is a mesmerizing long short story that skillfully weaves together the tragic historical events of Topsy the elephant’s execution and the Radium Girls, with a captivating future sci-fi twist. The narrative unfolds through four distinct points of view: a future scientist negotiating with the elephants, Topsy the elephant, a dying Radium Girl, and the Mother of Mothers (elephants).
Bolander’s ability to blend history with speculative fiction is nothing short of remarkable. I was thoroughly engrossed in the way these seemingly disparate elements were intertwined to create a powerful and cohesive story. The inclusion of sci-fi elements with elephants was an unexpected delight, especially after enjoying similar themes in The Tusks of Extinction.
The story’s unique perspectives and poignant themes left a lasting impression on me. The interplay of historical and futuristic narratives highlights the enduring impact of human actions and the deep, often tragic connections between species. Loved, loved, loved this story.
Welcome to my Booktoberfest, where the savings are scary good! This October, I’m offering three action-packed adventures for you to dive into, each at a special discounted price. Whether you’re into space operas, dangerous secrets, or intergalactic intrigue, these stories are perfect for escaping into new worlds. Here’s what’s on tap for the month:
Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge – Backworlds Book 2 On Sale for 99c!
Craze is out for revenge against his father, but a deadly battleship from the past emerges, threatening everything he holds dear. Can Craze navigate this turbulent new threat, or will his plans for justice fall apart at the seams? In this thrilling sequel, the stakes have never been higher. Sale Price: 99c (Normally $2.99)
Boomtown Craze – Backworlds Book 3 On Sale for $1.99!
As Craze prepares for the grand opening of his new tavern, Pardeep Station is plunged into chaos when a mysterious visitor claims her spaceship is haunted. With ties to the dark side of one of Craze’s closest friends, it’s a race against time to save everything he’s built. Will Craze’s dream of running the most popular tavern in the galaxy survive this cosmic nightmare? Sale Price: $1.99 (Normally $3.99)
The Initiate – Rifters Book 2 On Sale for 99c!
Daelin Long’s first day as a Rifter takes a perilous turn when she’s faced with a choice: lie to her comrades or risk her sister’s life. Throw in volcanic killer ash bees and Earl Blacke’s own risky decisions, and you’ve got a nail-biting adventure in the mysterious world of the Rifters. Sale Price: 99c (Normally $2.99)
Grab these thrilling reads at their scarily low prices while you can! Each book is discounted by $2, making it the perfect time to add these stories to your collection. Don’t wait—these deals only last for October!
The Circle earns itself a three beer rating. There wasn’t the fun distraction of dancing or singing. I didn’t get to go to space. And the ending makes me want to push Mae out of her kayak. Another dunk in the ocean might do her good. Have you seen this movie?
