M. Pax's Blog, page 11
October 7, 2024
Science Fiction Worth Reading: The Only Harmless Great Thing #BookReview #Bookrecommendations #booklovers #scifi #sciencefiction
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.
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September 30, 2024
Booktoberfest Bonanza: Unbeatable October Deals on Sci-Fi Adventures! #scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction #bookrecommendations #booklovers
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:
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!
Cheers to Booktoberfest and happy reading!
The post Booktoberfest Bonanza: Unbeatable October Deals on Sci-Fi Adventures! #scifi #scifibooks #sciencefiction #bookrecommendations #booklovers appeared first on M. Pax.
September 23, 2024
Speculative Fiction Worth Reading: Shark Heart #BookReview #bookrecommendations #BookLovers
Do you love a weird story as much as I do? This one is for you…
Shark Heart: A Love Story by Emily Habek is a quirky and strange tale that captivated me with its unique premise and unconventional style. Written almost like a play script, the novel fittingly aligns with the protagonist Lewis’s dream of becoming a playwright.
The story revolves around Lewis and Wren as they navigate their first and last year of marriage, marked by the extraordinary transformation of Lewis into a shark. This bizarre and intriguing aspect of the narrative drew me in immediately, as I appreciate stories that embrace the weird and unusual.
At its core, Shark Heart is a poignant exploration of love, grief, and the aftermath of profound loss. The transformation of humans into animals serves as a metaphor for the lifecycle of relationships and the ways we cope with life’s most unbearable changes. Having undergone cancer treatment last year, I found the themes of transformation and adaptation especially resonant. The novel beautifully captures how life can become unrecognizable, yet we find ways to endure and make sense of it.
A good book allows us to find personal meaning within its pages, and Shark Heart does just that. Whether you interpret Lewis’s transformation as a metaphor for any crisis or significant change, this novel offers a deeply relatable and thought-provoking experience. Loved it!
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September 9, 2024
Speculative Fiction Worth Reading: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackston #darkfantasy #fantasy #booktwitter #bookrecommendations
The perfect fall read…
We Have Always Lived in the Castle is the epitome of gothic literature, narrated by an unreliable protagonist who immerses the reader into a world of eerie charm and unsettling mystery. The story unfolds through the eyes of Merricat Blackwood, a character who exists within the confines of her delusions and rituals. This perspective casts a shadow of doubt over the events of the narrative, compelling readers to question the reality of what transpired on that fateful night when Merricat’s family perished, leaving only her agoraphobic sister, Constance, and their Uncle Julian.
Shirley Jackson masterfully weaves a tale that is both haunting and darkly whimsical. The novel’s gothic atmosphere is counterbalanced by moments of unexpected lightness and wit, making the macabre elements more palatable. The tension between darkness and light in the story creates a compelling and unsettling experience, drawing the reader deeper into the twisted dynamics of the Blackwood family.
We Have Always Lived in the Castle is a gripping and thought-provoking read, perfect for those who appreciate the complexities of gothic fiction and the intricacies of a well-crafted unreliable narrator.
Have you read this gothic classic?
The post Speculative Fiction Worth Reading: We Have Always Lived in the Castle by Shirley Jackston #darkfantasy #fantasy #booktwitter #bookrecommendations appeared first on M. Pax.
August 26, 2024
#Fantasy Worth Reading: Guardian of Monster #BookReview #fantasybooks #booklover
A fun world to get lost in!
The story takes place in Savannah where the supernatural world and the mundane world coexist. The overlay of the supernatural gave the novel a very gothic feel. Which I like.
The use of magic was interesting, too. The main character, Celestine, is a shifter who can shift into a wolf and also a witch who wields earth magic. She’s an artist who creates prophetic pieces of art. When the man she considers her uncle is murdered, this ability becomes a curse as wella s providing valuable clues to stop the killer.
There’s found family and romance in the story as the main character begins to realize her full potential. Oh, and then, of course, there’s a monster. I like monsters.
I recommend not missing this one!
Here’s the blurb:
Supernaturally on the case! Celestine LeBlanc and Luna Finley are the Sleuths of Shadow Salon.
Celestine, witch and wolf shifter has a talent for prophetic drawings. She’s shocked when she draws her landlord Ray with his eyes gouged out and a strange winged-mermaid leaning over him. Later she finds an eyeless Ray dead on the sidewalk. All she wanted to do was open a gallery, but first she must apprehend his killer. In a posthumous note, Ray wrote he wasn’t just a leather-smith but a supernatural pirate mage. Years back, his Jekyll crew trapped the evil Demon Three Eyes clan. Ray feared they’d escaped, were stalking him, and would soon wreak havoc on Savannah.
Oryn, a fellow student in Celestine’s continuing ed art class, is a fae and a thorn in her side, when he asks nosy questions about the case. Yet, she’s drawn to him when he’s her masseur at the spa she frequents, and he’s clever at brainstorming leads regarding Ray’s case. He insists his air magic could come in handy.
When pirates in Ray’s old crew are murdered, their body parts stolen, Celestine puts more horrifying clues together. She’ll need everyone on board, includingLuna, a mermaid asking to show her sea-glass sculptures at Celestine’s new gallery—and the very same mermaid in Celestine’s tragic drawing of Ray. Otherwise, the lethal monstrosity Demon Three Eyes is unleashing on Savannah will destroy the city and everyone in it.
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August 19, 2024
Saturn 2: Science Fiction #MovieReview #scifi #sciencefiction
Saturn 3 (1980), directed by Stanley Donen and starring Kirk Douglas, Farrah Fawcett, and Harvey Keitel, is a science fiction film set on a remote space station on Saturn’s third moon. The plot centers around two scientists, Adam (Douglas) and Alex (Fawcett), whose tranquil existence is disrupted by the arrival of Captain Benson (Keitel) and his menacing robot, Hector.
Saturn’s third moon is Tethys, but I’m not sure if that is the moon the title refers to. The space scenes didn’t give any strong evidence as to which moon the story was set on. The space science used was pretty poor, and it wasn’t clear what Kirk and Farrah were doing in the space labratory. It was mentioned they were growing food for Earth and they were falling behind on production, so Captain Benson arrives with Hector to help.
Umm… if this mission is so important, why were there only two people growing the food? There are lifeless planets and moons closer to Earth. Why not grow food on one of those? And, the space habitat was huge for just two people.
The movie attempts to blend elements of suspense, romance, and sci-fi but ultimately falls short in delivering a cohesive and compelling story. Like Keitel kills someone at the very beginning of the movie. Why? What for? The killing had nothing to do with the rest of the plot.
Near the beginning, a bunch of folks seemed to walk onto a stage to load up the shuttle going down to Saturn 3. To me, it looked like they were going to dance. Husband was alarmed, but they didn’t dance. So, I was disappointed. I would bump this review up a rating if they had danced.
One of the film’s more notable aspects is its visual design. The space station’s set and the special effects, though dated by today’s standards, offer a nostalgic glimpse into the science fiction aesthetics of the late ’70s and early ’80s. The design of the robot Hector, in particular, is both intriguing and unsettling, contributing to the film’s atmosphere of unease.
However, Saturn 3 struggles with pacing issues and a plot that feels underdeveloped. The narrative lacks the depth and complexity seen in other sci-fi classics of the era, leaving viewers with a sense of unfulfilled potential. The romantic subplot between Adam and Alex feels clichéd, and the film’s attempts at exploring deeper themes of isolation, humanity, and technological advancement are overshadowed by its more superficial elements.
They run through the tunnels of their habitat. A lot. Run. Run. Run. The robot does some amusing things, but we always guessed the surprises ahead of time. The acting is good, but could not save the thin story. And, it has a typical sci-fi indie film lame ending. There was some gratuitous nudity, and the robot was kind of cool.
I give this a 2.5 beer rating. Saturn 3 is a so-so sci-fi film that offers some interesting visual elements and moments of tension but ultimately fails to leave a lasting impression. While it may appeal to fans of vintage science fiction and those interested in the era’s cinematic style, it doesn’t quite measure up to its contemporaries in the genre.
Have you scene this one? Here’s the trailer:
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August 12, 2024
Science Fiction Worth Reading: Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler #BookReview #scifi #sciencefiction #BookTwitter #bookrecommendations
I absolutely loved this story…
The Tusks of Extinction by Ray Nayler captivated me with its unique premise and emotional depth. The story centers on the revival of mammoths, which, despite being brought back to life, struggle to survive. Meanwhile, only captive elephants remain, having forgotten how to live in the wild.
At the heart of this story is Damira, a dedicated elephant expert and fierce advocate against poachers. Her fight for the elephants’ survival is both inspiring and tragic, culminating in her murder by the very poachers she opposed. This loss is a poignant downer in the narrative.
However, the story takes a fascinating turn with a blend of science fiction and hope. Before her death, Damira’s brain is downloaded, preserving her consciousness. She is given a second chance at life when her mind is transplanted into a mammoth, enabling her to teach these majestic creatures how to thrive in the wild.
Nayler’s novel is a compelling blend of heartache and hope, exploring themes of conservation, identity, and the relationship between humans and nature. The narrative is both thought-provoking and emotionally engaging, making The Tusks of Extinction a must-read for fans of speculative fiction and environmental literature. Highly, highly recommend.
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August 7, 2024
Celebrating One Year Cancer Free with a 99c Sale! #fantasy #scifibooks #sciencefiction #BookRecommendations
One year ago today, my surgeon called with the greatest news. No evidence detected!
I still had a long road over the last year with radiation and recovery, but this was great news. I’m celebrating this remarkable anniversary by offering a 99c sale on my novel, The Renaissance of Hetty Locklear at my book store, Not of This Earth Bookshop.
The post Celebrating One Year Cancer Free with a 99c Sale! #fantasy #scifibooks #sciencefiction #BookRecommendations appeared first on M. Pax.
July 29, 2024
Final Week Alert! Last Chance to Join the Backworlds Celebration! #Kickstarter #BookLovers #scifi #sciencefiction #BookTwitter
My Kickstarter campaign has been an incredible journey, and I’m thrilled to see the amazing support. If you haven’t joined yet, now’s your chance to be part of something truly special.
Throughout the campaign, I’ve been rewarding my wonderful backer with weekly party favors, including fun games and tantalizing drink recipes. Their votes have shaped this celebration and your vote can shape the new book. I’m down to the final exciting choice: naming a character in the final book in the series, The Afterworlds!
Here’s a recap of what backers have helped decide so far:
Favorite Printable BookmarkCraze’s Tavern SignCarry On BadgeAnd now, get ready to leave your mark on the Backworlds series by naming a character in the final book, The Afterworlds!
Features of My Kickstarter CelebrationThis campaign is all about celebrating the Backworlds series and giving fans something truly unique. Here’s what makes it special:
Signed Ebooks: Every ebook in the series is signed.Stunning Interior ImagesSpecially Designed Chapter HeadersAnd let’s not forget the exclusive features of the new and last book in the series, The Afterworlds:
Exclusive Extra Adventure: Enjoy an additional Backworlds adventure at the end of The Afterworlds that won’t be available from retail sites.Early Launch: Get The Afterworlds months before it’s released to the general public.The Afterworlds: What Happens After the War EndsThe Afterworlds is the epic conclusion to the Backworlds series. It’s an exciting exploration of what happens after the war ends, and it promises to be a thrilling read for all fans. Don’t miss out on this exclusive early launch and the chance to dive into an adventure that’s out of this world.
Join the Party Now!If you haven’t joined our Kickstarter campaign yet, now is the perfect time. This is your last chance to be part of this incredible celebration and enjoy all the exclusive rewards.
Thank you for your amazing support. Let’s make this final week unforgettable!
The universe is waiting. 
The post Final Week Alert! Last Chance to Join the Backworlds Celebration! #Kickstarter #BookLovers #scifi #sciencefiction #BookTwitter appeared first on M. Pax.
July 8, 2024
Today is the Day – The Afterworlds Launch Party! #sciencefiction #scifi #booktwitter #booklaunch #Kickstarter
The wait is over! The Afterworlds, Backworlds Book 9 by M. Pax is officially launching today! Join me for an exclusive event that celebrates not just the new book but the entire Backworlds series. This is your chance to become part of a cosmic saga that spans across the galaxy. 
Event HighlightsSigned ebooks of The Afterworlds and the previous 8 books.Exclusive novella with an extra dose of happy ending.Interior images and an original map to immerse you deeper into the story.Beautifully crafted chapter headers and scene breaks making each chapter a work of art.Special Editions and Weekly RewardsGet your hands on special editions of all Backworlds books, available exclusively for this event! And don’t forget the amazing weekly rewards:
Original artGamesBookmarksStickersEverything is digital, so you can enjoy your rewards instantly, wherever you are in the galaxy.
Special Offer for Early Birds!Join within the first 5 days and get $2 off the exclusive edition of The Afterworlds!
Join the Celebration Now and Don’t Miss Out!Put on your spacesuit and prepare for liftoff. Whether you’re a die-hard fan or a curious newcomer, there’s a place for you at the launch party of the year. Join me now and be part of an adventure that’s out of this world!
The universe is waiting.
The post Today is the Day – The Afterworlds Launch Party! #sciencefiction #scifi #booktwitter #booklaunch #Kickstarter appeared first on M. Pax.
