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Sci-Fi Worth Reading: Extinction by Douglas Preston Book Review

Not Jurassic Park, But Just as Wild.

Extinction lands squarely in Douglas Preston’s wheelhouse: fast-paced, addictive, and crackling with suspense. It grabbed me from chapter one, and I HAD to keep reading and keep reading. The entire plot is one of my favorites with the revival of extinct animals and mysterious deaths. What is eating the people?

The characters kept saying, “This is not Jurassic Park,” and I’ll admit, I was kind of hoping it would be. The setup flirts with that familiar science-run-amok vibe, but Extinction takes a different and unexpected path. While it didn’t deliver exactly what I thought it might, it still paid off with a twist I didn’t see coming. And that’s part of what Preston does best. He lures the reader in with familiar ground, then shifts the landscape.

Relic is one of my all-time favorite reads, and Extinction definitely echoes that in flavor. It blends science, mystery, and tension with that creeping unease Preston builds so well. There’s always something just out of reach, just out of sight, and the more the characters try to uncover it, the higher the stakes become.

The suspense is top-notch, the science fascinating, and the pace relentless. Preston knows how to keep readers hooked.

If you enjoy thrillers that blend cutting-edge science with high-stakes mystery and sharp turns, Extinction is up your alley. Are you a Preston fan?

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Fantasy Worth Reading: Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells

Book Review, Fantasy, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / November 7, 2025

**Book Review: The Wheel of the Infinite by Martha Wells**

As a devoted fan of Murderbot, I decided to try another of Martha Wells’ books, and I’m glad I did. Wheel of the Infinite shows off Wells’ gift for crafting immersive, layered worlds. I slipped easily into this one, as if I was there, watching the scenes unfold.

The main character, Maskelle, is a force. She’s cranky, complex, and definitely not your typical chosen one. I loved that this wasn’t a predictable fantasy arc. The story swerved in ways I didn’t expect, keeping things fresh.

Wells shifts effortlessly between action and quiet reflection, just like in Murderbot. And while this world is vastly different from her sci-fi work, it shares that same richness of character and depth. The mix of unique magic, religious ritual, and political tension had me turning pages fast.

A great standalone for fans of complex heroines, unexpected twists, and worldbuilding with real depth.

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Death of the Author by Nnedi Okorafor

Book Review, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / October 24, 2025

Nnedi Okorafor writes beautifully complex stories that don’t always seem complex at first, but as the story unfolds, she layers in issue after issue, challenge after challenge, until you’re swimming in questions about identity, autonomy, authorship, and what it means to truly be yourself.

Death of the Author is no different. The story mirrors itself in fascinating ways. Zelu’s life and the robot’s story are deeply entwined, and by the end, there’s this intriguing metafictional twist: the robot speaks about its main character, Zelu. It raises the question: Did the robot write the Zelu parts? Did Zelu write the robot parts? Or did they both co-create this narrative? It’s meta and kind of mind-bending in a good way.

Zelu is a deeply flawed human who maybe is learning to accept herself. She challenges societal norms, both in her Nigerian community and in broader American culture. The robot, too, is challenging its own world and expectations. Both stories force the reader to confront big questions about identity, voice, and control.

If you’ve liked Okorafor’s other stories, this one will feel familiar in the best way. It’s thoughtful, subtle, layered, and rewarding.

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The Mars House by Natasha Pulley

Science Fiction Books / M Pax / October 10, 2025

Sci-Fi Worth Reading!

Natasha Pulley is one of my favorite authors, so I was thrilled to see her take her distinctive storytelling into space. The Mars House is classic Pulley. It is richly layered, quietly emotional, and deeply human, but is set on Mars.

The novel centers on the relationship between January Stirling and Aubrey Gale, two men whose connection unfolds in a way that often feels like a romance, particularly in how they think of and reflect on each other. That emotional focus gives the story a softness, even as it moves through political tension, class divides, and cultural upheaval.

This is a quieter kind of sci-fi, more introspective than action-driven, but the worldbuilding is textured and immersive. Pulley has a way of crafting societies and characters that feel lived-in, and the plot, while subtle, still delivers unexpected turns. Her writing remains thoroughly engaging, pulling me deeper into her characters’ lives with every page.

If you’re looking for thought-provoking speculative fiction with heart, nuance, and a unique voice, The Mars House delivers. It’s elegant, enjoyable, and full of the quiet intensity Pulley fans have come to love.

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Space Squad 51 Enters the Galaxy!

Science Fiction Books / M Pax / October 1, 2025

Time to Party!

The wait is over. Today, the full Space Squad 51 series is live on Kickstarter, and it’s bigger, funnier, and more chaotic than ever.

All four adventures are ready for you:

Spaceberg: Kick off the Space Squad 51 journey with the crew’s first absurd adventure in space. Organic plastic just might save the Sol.
Space Trash: Green balls are at it again. This time they bring about a different alien disaster that jumps the shark.
Space Hitched: Nikili Echols must fix a shattered wedding on live TV and prove her love before the credits roll.
Space Weed: Humanity launches the Earhart, the first ship to leave the solar system. No one expected to find what they did.

Why you don’t want to miss this:

Digitally signed ebooks with bonus content at the end of each chapter.
Full-color print editions exclusive to the Kickstarter.
Original artwork, maps, and extras that won’t be available anywhere else.
A truly limited release—once these collector’s editions are gone, they’re gone.

The Squad 51 universe is ready for you. Jump in today, claim your collector’s editions, and be part of the launch excitement!

Party favors will be sent out to backers every Friday. Don’t miss out!

SQUAD 51 LAUNCHES!

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The Space Squad 51 Trailer Has Landed!

New Release, Science Fiction Books / M Pax / September 25, 2025

The countdown is in full swing. Space Squad 51, my humorous sci-fi series, launches on September 30!

Everybody could use a laugh, right? The official Space Squad 51 trailer is live! Expect fireballs, ridiculous rescues, and all the space opera chaos you could want. If you love funny sci-fi books with disasters, heroes, and plenty of mayhem, you won’t want to miss this.

The squad is gearing up for interstellar disasters and over-the-top rescues—perfect for fans of sci-fi comedy and space adventure with a twist.

LAUNCH

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