M. Pax's Blog, page 3

This Month in the Cosmos: Editing, Progress, and a Launch Date!

 

Salutations, interstellar voyagers!
Incoming transmission: here’s the May report on current missions, new launches, and cosmic adventures!

Project One: Completing the Space Squad 51 Series

Status: in the solar system!

Spaceberg: Currently in edits with more spit and polish, and the addition of bonus extras to make the story more immersive. In final edits for re-release. Will be out in the wilds again by the end of the first week in June.Space Trash: Edits complete.Space Hitched: Edits complete.Space Weed: Final Edits in progess.Space Worms: Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be a stretch goal for Kickstarter backers. Don’t miss out!Space Rock: Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be another stretch goal for Kickstarter backers.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.

Launch date set for September 30, 2025! Sign up for the prelaunch of the Kickstarter Launch Party so you don’t miss out on anything! PRELAUNCH

Project Two: Shroomtopia

Status: Steady as she goes!

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

Project Three: 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. It possibly has a title. Debating: The Sentinels or The New Order. Maybe I’ll come up with something else.

 

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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Join the Space Squad 51 Kickstarter. Your Ticket to Exclusive Bonuses and Galactic Fun!

 

The Space Squad 51 Kickstarter campaign launched September 30th, and it’s packed with everything a space adventurer could dream of! Whether you’re a longtime fan or new to the series, this is your chance to get the ultimate edition loaded with exclusive content you won’t find anywhere else.

Here’s what backers can expect:

Bonus-packed ebooks with extra scenes, behind-the-scenes stories, and character insights

Signed pages and collectible character cards to treasure forever

Detailed maps that bring the wild Space Squad universe to life

Weekly exclusive rewards that keep the excitement building throughout the campaign

Special print editions for those who love holding the adventure in their hands

By backing the Kickstarter, you’re not just getting incredible swag — you’re directly supporting the creation of more hilarious, action-packed, and uniquely quirky space stories. Every pledge helps fuel the mission and keeps the saga going.

Ready to blast off with Squad 51? Head over to the Kickstarter now and secure your place on the crew!

[LAUNCH PARTY!]

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Fantasy Worth Reading: A Sorceress Comes to Call Book Review

Book Review: A Sorceress Comes to Call by T. Kingfisher

If you haven’t yet read T. Kingfisher, you’re missing out on one of the most delightful and twisted authors in fantasy today. A Sorceress Comes to Call is my first five-star read of the year, and it’s easy to see why. Kingfisher has a knack for introducing the unexpected, and with this story, she keeps you on your toes from start to finish.

What I Loved:

What I adore most about T. Kingfisher’s work is that she never lets you guess where she’s going with the plot. You can never predict her twists, and that’s a rare quality in fantasy. It’s one of the things I love most about her writing—it keeps me hooked and always wanting more. The characters are charming and engaging, with plenty of personality and quirks that make them feel real. The sorceress herself is an absolute joy—fun, unpredictable, and fully fleshed out in a way that only Kingfisher can pull off.

There’s a certain magic to how Kingfisher takes familiar tropes—like witches and sorceresses—and turns them on their head. This story is actually a retelling of The Goose Girl, a classic Grimm fairy tale, and Kingfisher’s spin on it is a delightful twist. While the original fairy tale is more traditional, Kingfisher brings her unique sense of humor and unpredictability to the story, making it fresh and exciting.

What I Didn’t Love:

Honestly, there wasn’t anything I didn’t love about A Sorceress Comes to Call. It hit all the right notes for me, with its delightful characters, unpredictable plot, and just the right mix of humor and suspense.

Final Thoughts:

If you enjoy a fantasy that keeps you guessing, A Sorceress Comes to Call is definitely worth reading. It’s yet another brilliant story from T. Kingfisher, filled with humor, heart, and a dose of magic. This was an easy five-star read for me, and I can’t recommend it enough.

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Off-Duty Rescue: Dag Dag and the Sump

 

A story from the Squad 51 Universe…

The showers at Orbital Rescue Services (ORS) were slightly warmer than at home. They still didn’t use water, but some inventive cleansing mist. In ancient lore, Dagney Dagrun had read about hot showers and basins filled with hot water. She honestly couldn’t imagine it. Her squad partner, Kell Wexler, cleaned off in the stall beside hers.

“It was another thrilling day at ORS,” she said to Kell, drawing out the syllables, barely hiding her sarcasm. She could only see the faint shape of him through the distorted transparent panels of the showers.

“Hey, we fixed an oxygen leak. That’s always a good day’s work.”

“Maintenance could have done it if we weren’t so bored.” Dag Dag pushed the stall door open, unconcerned about fully exposing her long, fit body, grabbing the cleansing cloth hanging outside the shower.

More modest in disposition, Kell grabbed his cleansing cloth without opening the door, finished washing, then grabbed his civvies—warm clinging pants and a billowing tunic of soft thermal material. Once dressed, he joined Dag Dag on the benches to pull on his socks and boots.

She wore similar clothes, but they hung more richly on her. There was something about Dag Dag that bordered on regal, which no among of shabby or drab could touch. Her dark curls were cut short, seeming to highlight her high cheekbones.

“Want to—” Kell started.

A robot barged in and spun in circles on the floor at his feet. It flashed the magenta numeral one over its egg-shaped body. It had stubby arms and legs good for no purpose.

“That’s someone’s pet,” Kell said. The thing only rose as high as his ankle. Bending over farther, he peered closely at the thing. “Is something the matter?”

“Pipbit, Pipbit, Pipbit,” the robot squealed, continuing its frantic circles.

“Pets are programmed with their names.” Dag Dag flicked the comm link on her collar and brought up her holoscreen. “Pipbit is licensed by the Chogatti family.” She flicked her screen over to Kell. “Let’s go pay them a visit.”

The robot kept pace with them as they left ORS, waving to the next shift. Dag Dag’s eyes raked over the always exotic Lucy Ashida, and she paused for a moment. “It’s a shame she only has eyes for Nikili.”

“Nikili pretends not to notice,” Kell added. “Sometimes I think she has a thing for Lucy too, but she never quite gets there.”

“Ashida is wasting the best years of her life.” Sighing, Dag Dag waved at Lucy and flashed a flirty smile. Pipbit nipped at her ankles. Blinking at the pet, she shook her head. “All right, little guy. All right. I’m moving.”

“Maybe we should hand this off to Echols and Ashida,” Kell suggested. “I’ve been looking forward to grokking with my buds all shift.”

“Go ahead if you want to. I’ll see what’s up with PipBit and the Chogattis.” The little robot had trouble keeping pace with her long strides.

The dome on Orcus had issues and needed replacing. The government kept saying they were working on it. Like always, Dag Dag grunted at it when they left the ORS station. Because of its issues the streets on Orcus were narrow and the towers bunched up together. Some domes crumbled outside the dome from disuse. No amount of air rations could keep anyone alive in one of those.

PipBit hopped and squealed in a direction away from the Chogatti address. It butted against Dag Dag’s ankles and Kell’s, screeching like a siren.

“I think it wants us to go that way.” Kell squinted at the horizon.

The skies on Orcus were perpetual twilight because of the dome. The closest mini sun, Z’ha’Dum wasn’t as close as anyone would have liked, but it was close enough to make the planetoid more habitable.

“What’s over that way?” Kell asked.

“An abandoned water generator from when the first outposts came to mine Orcus.” Slowing her pace, Dag Dag let PipBit lead the way, its stubby legs churning furiously over the soft materials comprising the avenues.

The materials absorbed sunlight to generate power. The little bit of energy they produced heated the walkways and colony and helped recharge transports. However, the colony wasn’t terribly large, so people tended not to use transports. The surplus energy then went to help power residences and businesses. Everything had to pull double or triple duty on Orcus.

The old water generation factory crumbled at the edge of the dome. Squat and gray and nothing nice to look at, its door dangled askew across the crumbling threshold. Kell took out a scanner from the pack strapped to his hip. “The dome covers the first thirty meters.”

“Well, if PipBit goes farther, we’ll call ORS in.” Dag Dag crossed her arms and ducked her head through the broken door. “This place isn’t safe. I thought it was sealed off.”

“Who are we looking for?” Kell poked the scanner through the door. “The Chogattis have any kids?”

Dag Dag scanned the infor on her holoscreen. Being part of ORS had its perks. She wouldn’t have access to so much data otherwise. “One. A daughter.”

“Name?”

“Tamaree.” Dag Dag took a gingerly step fully inside and called the girl’s name. PipBit kept chirping and went over to a broken tile in the floor. Dag Dag sank to her knees, trying to see into the dark hole. “Tamaree? You down there?”

“Help,” a weak voice moaned from the depths.

“What is that?” Dag Dag asked Kell.”

“An old collection sump.” He swiped the scan onto his holoscreen and a complete schematic of the collection sump appeared with a dot representing Tamaree.

Dag Dag’s breath fogged in the cold air beneath the dome. The faint hum of failing machinery echoed somewhere below, mixing with the distant creak of shifting metal. PipBit chirped again, its little lights blinking urgently as it circled the broken tile.

Kell knelt beside her, tapping commands into his holoscreen. “The sump’s about four meters deep,” he said. “The tile’s weak—looks like it gave way under her weight.”

“Can she breathe down there?” Dag Dag asked, eyes narrowing.

“She’s on the border where the dome often fluctuates. We’ve got maybe minutes before the next fluctuation lets the real Orcus leaks inside.”

Dag Dag rubbed her palms on her thighs, scanning the interior of the old factory. She went over to examine old belting on the broken pump. Drawing a Gyver everything tool from the pack at her hip, she sliced through the belting. It fell limply to the floor. She looked for something sturdy to tie it to.

“Me.” Kell held out his meaty hands. He would hold her no matter what.

Dag Dag didn’t think twice about putting her life in his hands. “All right, Kell. You’re my anchor. PipBit, monitor the dome and the general area. Let me know if anything shifts, breaks, or otherwise. I’m going down.”

Kell’s gaze locked with hers. He drew the belting around his waist and looped both hands through it. “Ready.”

“Me too.” Dag Dag dropped the loose end down the hole and rappelled down the edge of the sump, the cold air biting at her through her warm clothes. She landed lightly on broken pipes and ice shards, careful not to disturb the fragile floor.

“Tamaree?” she called softly, scanning the shadows.

A coughing fit answered her. “Here.”

Dag Dag spotted the girl huddled against the far wall, bruised but conscious. “Where are you hurt?”

Frozen tears bathed the girl’s cheeks. Her lips had turned blue, and her dark curls fell in a tangle over her face. She couldn’t be more than seven. She pointed at her arm.

Dag Dag kneeled beside Tamaree and gently lifted the girl’s arm. The limb dangled at an odd angle.

“Broken,” she muttered. “Clean, though.”

Tamaree whimpered but didn’t cry.

“Tough as an Outling. Your parents are raising you right, kid.” Dag Dag crawled toward the hole and yelled up. “Kell, I need more belting or netting. Something to strap her to me when you pull us up. She can’t hold onto me.”

“On it.” Kell’s boots thudded as he moved through the wreckage above.

Dag Dag pulled out the roll of duct tape from her Gyver Everything tool. She snapped off a length of cracked pipe nearby and tested its sturdiness. “This’ll do,” she said to the dark shadows.

She fashioned a makeshift splint, bracing Tamaree’s arm and taping it securely. The girl hissed but stayed still, her face pale and tight.

Kell’s voice echoed down. “Found belting from a vent flap. It’ll work. Make way.” He dropped the belting down the hole.

Dag Dag retrieved it and hugged Tamaree against her body. She wrapped and wove the belting around herself and the girl, creating a secure sling to bind Tamaree against her. She returned to her lifeline and wrapped it under a leg and around her hands, gripping tightly. “Bring us up,” she called.

Kell loomed like a darker shadow among the shadows above. “Slow and steady.”

The belting smoothly pulled Dag Dag and Tamaree up from the icy floor. Feet dangling, she held tight to Tamaree. The belting strained with their combined weight and Kell’s tugs. The shaft walls creaked, the flooring above groaned, and rust rained down, but the belting and floor held.

After they cleared the hole, they lay on the floor, breathing hard. Kell’s strong arms reached down and righted them. “You all right, partner.”

She managed a tight smile. “Of course.”

“How about you?” Kell grinned at the young girl.

The girl nodded.

“You did great,” Dag Dag said, brushing a curl from the girl’s forehead.

PipBit chirped and did a slow circle around them, its lens eyes flickering blue in quiet triumph.

Dag Dag gave PipBit a quick pat. “Looks like rescuing kids from wells is officially part of the job.”

“Thought that went out of fashion millennia ago.” Kell coiled the used belts into a tidy pile and placed them out of the way. He nodded at the robot. “Good thing you came to get us, little buddy.”

PipBit chirped softly, its lights glowing steady.

They strode out of the factory, Tamaree in Dag Dag’s arms and PipBit trotting behind. “Family and a pet are a good look for you, Dag.”

She managed not to wince. He damn well knew there wasn’t enough adrenaline in family and pets for her. “Say that again if you don’t want to keep your face, Kell.”

He laughed and slung an arm around her. “You’re the best partner ever.”

She didn’t pull away, knowing she couldn’t have a better squadmate or friend. “Windsurfing outside the dome on the ice later?”

“Try to keep me away.”

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The Sky is Not Empty

 

A story from the Squad 51 universe…

 

Thijin Ocklan pressed herself into the seam between the colony’s inner and outer dome, heart pounding like she had snuck off to murder someone instead of simply skipping work.

The gap was just wide enough to wedge her not-quite-50-year-old frame into, and she didn’t have to crouch her seven-foot frame, for which she thanked the Sol. Her back ached too much for bending, squatting, and hunching.

Condensation dripped from the curved panels above, cold as the voids. A faint hiss of oxygen purred through the rigged feed line she had patched together herself, because she knew damn well that Heliox Core Industries would cut her air the second her absence flagged the shift board.

She didn’t even have a good excuse. Her back hurt, sure. It always did. But today felt like too much. Like another hour bent over pipe valves and corrosion monitors might crush her permanently on the inside.

IOP, the Internal Oversight Patrol, boots passed by a few minutes ago. Not running, not suspicious, just a patrol. But they were never just a patrol.

Thijin waited until the footfalls faded, then slipped through the loose panel she had found once while inspecting a pipeline. The corporation warned lingering near the outer dome increased your exposure to radiation leaks. At her age, she figured a little radiation couldn’t do worse than another year of this drudgery.

For once, she felt alive. Alive and slightly terrified, her heart racing with each crouched step along the outer skin of the dome, as if one of the IOP’s drones might whiz by and detect her movement. But nothing stirred. She kept to the shadows, oxygen rig strapped tight, and crept toward nothing in particular. She knew the old corporate offices were out this way, abandoned for newer, swankier, and more air-tight offices.

Past the skeleton of an old water tank, a silhouette came into view, a silhouette with a dome. “What is that”” she breathed. The sun caught the dome’s curve, which was a hunk of angular metal half-that appeared to bulge beyond the dome. It had the sad, noble look of something forgotten, and there was a door.

Thijin clambered over some barrels and slipped out in the open to reach the door. No sensors pinged her. No voice from Heliox warned her she was off limits. The door hung askew and slightly ajar.

A plaque it read: IO DEEP SKY OBSERVATORY – Established 2123 by Helio Duponne
The edges were crusted in grime. She wiped at them anyway.

The door groaned but gave way easily. Inside was dry and dark, the air meter on the wall showed the air was better in here than inside the colony. She removed her air hose and breathed free for the first time ever, inhaling deep. The air was sharp with ozone and long-dead dreams.

Thijin took careful steps past empty console stations and dead monitor banks, her tank’s controls softly humming behind her. She switched it off, conserving her rations. Dust curled in the light from her wrist lamp.

She walked up to a console, and it clicked. Her heat hammered like a bomb went off, and a glow flared out from the monitor, exposing her, sensing her. She panicked, searching for a place to hide. There was just the databank, a comfortable chair on wheels, and a large telescope.

She stepped up to the telescope, resting one hand on the barrel, afraid it might vanish. The telescope aimed through the transparent panel, old, but clean enough to reveal a view so vast it punched the breath from her lungs.

The sky was black, but not empty. Stars crowded it like shattered diamonds scattered across a black that had more substance than darkness. A smear of cream and red marked Jupiter, massive and glowing, a planetary god watching from the horizon.

Below the never-ending sky, the tortured landscape of Io stretched out in bruised shades of ochre, sulfur, and rust. Volcanoes scarred the surface like old wounds, frozen mid-eruption, the ground fissured and uneven as if the moon strained to escape gravity. Faint plumes curled upward in the distance; geysers, maybe, or new eruptions unfolding in silence.

It was raw. Violent. Real.

She had never seen anything like it. The colony dome showed her the prefab walls and gray corridors, the same flickering signs and ration queues. Out here, the universe roared in silence, vast, enormous. And no one was in charge of it.

Her pulse picked up. Not with fear but with awe. For the first time in her life, her world felt bigger than her shift report.

She could have stood there for hours, just breathing in the wonder. But instead, she sat, gently and reverently, into the worn chair at the data console, wondering what this place was about. Touching the screen flickered the terminal to life. No startup chime, no fanfare. Just a plain cursor blinking like a heartbeat.

She moved closer, squinting. Awaiting uplink to Heliox Core. Enter password. Interesting. The system wasn’t malfunction. It was off grid, waiting for connection to the corporate servers.

She tapped a few keys on an old fashioned keyboard in front of the screen. If she didn’t connect to Heliox, was something else out there. She hit enter and a menu came up.
Archived Survey Data
Colony Map Index
Sol Comms System

Her finger hovered over the last one.

Sol Comms System. She had been told there was nothing else to the solar system but Io, that no one else had survived.

She clicked it.

A new menu unfolded, simple and quiet. Names of other colonies on Callisto, on Ganymede, in the Belt, around Saturn. No corporate emblems. Just location codes, basic identifiers, and one blinking status beside each: IDLE. IDLE. IDLE.

Her hands moved before her fear could catch up. She typed a simple message. “Do you want to live like this?”

That was it. She didn’t sign it. Didn’t say where she was. The console encrypted automatically, some old, protocol by paranoid Heliox corporate goons.

She hit SEND.

Nothing happened. “Of course not,” she muttered. Exhaling, she leaned back in the dusty chair. A layer of ancient padding gave way beneath her. She laughed, a short, surprised sound that echoed loudly in the quiet. When had she last sat in a real chair?

The room creaked in silence, the shifts of Io settling into its bones. She got up and wandered into a storage alcove. Empty shelves. Spare filters. Tangled wiring. Some crates. Inside the crates she found blue fabric. Dusty. Stiff with time. A stack of old Heliox-issued thermal jackets, from the early days when the company still pretended to be human.

Thijin tugged one free, held it up to the light. It had the old logo. A faded slogan stitched beneath it: She pulled the multitool from her belt, which was old and scratched but still loyal. Flipping out the blade, she sliced through the thick blue coat, cutting a long strip free. The fabric curled as she tugged it loose, decades of dust rising into the air.  The fabric now as free as she was, dhe tied the strip around her neck like a scarf. Not regulation. Not anymore.

She returned to the telescope to see if she could get it to work, glancing at the console.

One message had arrived. Then two. Then six.

Simple things, blinking on screen:

“You’re not alone.”
“Please talk to me.”
“We thought we were the only ones.”
“Finally.”

Thijin settled back into the chair, scarf loose around her throat, breath fogging faintly in the cold.

Out the observation dome, Jupiter loomed like a storm god on fire. She stared at its stripes and marbled rage and smiled. She was still staring out when a thousand more replies came through.

 

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Evolution Roars On. Jurassic World: Rebirth Spoiler-Free Review

 

Scarlett Johansson Leads a New Era of Dinosaur Thrills in a Film That Echoes the Classics

Movie Review: Jurassic Park 2025

If you liked the other Jurassic Park movies, you’re going to like this one. It delivers exactly what fans come for: pulse-pounding action, thrilling dinosaur encounters, and a familiar sense of awe. The story is good enough to support the spectacle. It’s not the main draw, but it gets us where we need to go: dino chaos with some heart.

And oh, the dinos! The T-Rex was as horrifying as ever, and, oh wow, the mutant. It was terrifying. Several scenes had my heart racing in a delicious way. The filmmakers didn’t hold back. You’ll get your fill of teeth, claws, chases, and close calls.

Scarlett Johansson was a solid choice for the lead. She brings strength and emotion to a role that’s more about reacting to prehistoric mayhem than delivering Shakespeare, but she finds room for quiet moments that land well. If you’re looking for a deeply philosophical or intricate plot, this isn’t the place. But Jurassic Park has always been more about survival, spectacle, and the wonder of science gone wrong.

There are several emotional moments that deliver, but it’s not at all sappy. But Jurassic Park never has been. I’ve always felt more emotion for the dinos than the people. Fans of the franchise will catch the echoes of the original films: “Welcome to Jurassic Park,” “We spared no expense,” “Life is the essence of chaos,” and yes, “Life will find a way.” Echoes of Ellie Sattler, “These are aggressive living things that have no idea what century they’re in, and they’ll defend themselves, violently if necessary.”

They’re not quoted outright, but they’re there in the pacing, the dialogue, and the themes. Rebirth is respectful of its roots without being overly self-referential.

Although it’s not a Jaws crossover, they really missed an opportunity to sneak in, “We need a bigger boat.” It would have fit right in. And that’s all the spoiler I’m going to give.

Jurassic World: Rebirth is not a reinvention, and it doesn’t need to be. It’s a reminder of why we fell in love with this franchise in the first place. Like most movies of this genre: leave your logic and sense of reality at the door for a fun ride. So, I give it the coveted ‘beer is optional’ rating. If you’ve been reading this blog for a while, you know I love my dino movies.

Here’s the trailer:

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The post Evolution Roars On. Jurassic World: Rebirth Spoiler-Free Review appeared first on M. Pax.

Discover the Cosmic Chaos of Spaceberg Now with Bonus Content!

 

Better and Bitier than Ever!

If you haven’t yet met the galaxy’s most chaotic iceberg, now’s the perfect time! Spaceberg is on sale for just 99¢, and this edition is loaded with over 10,000 new words and fabulous bonuses that deepen the story and add layers of fun.

Follow adventures of first responder Nikili Echols as she faces carnivorous moss balls, organic plastic daisies that sing, and more disasters than you can shake a plasma cannon at. Whether you’re a longtime fan or a new reader, this updated edition delivers the perfect mix of humor, action, and sci-fi chaos.

And if you love what you read, don’t miss the chance to join the Space Squad 51 Kickstarter campaign, which is packed with exclusive rewards, signed editions, character cards, and more. Your support helps bring these wild space adventures to life!

SPACEBERG

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#Fantasy Worth Reading: A Paladin of Souls #BookReview

 

A Delightful Journey of Surprises: Paladin of Souls by Lois McMaster Bujold

I absolutely loved Paladin of Souls! This book was a delightful and unexpected journey that kept me hooked from start to finish.

An Original and Creative Story

What I really appreciated about this book was how it surprised me. I honestly had no idea where the story was going, and I loved that! Sometimes, it feels like the plot is so predictable, but Paladin of Souls kept me on my toes. The main character, Ista, embarks on an adventure with no idea where it will lead, and the reader gets to go on that journey with her. It’s always a joy when a book allows you to discover things as the characters do.

A Mature Heroine

One of my favorite aspects of this book is the protagonist, Ista. She’s a more mature woman who believes her best years are behind her. In fact, she’s rather cynical about her life and her abilities. But then—without giving away too much—she gets a second chance. I love that this book takes a woman of a certain age and shows her stepping into a new chapter of life. Ista’s journey is one of self-discovery, and it’s a beautiful reminder that life doesn’t stop at a certain age.

The Ragtag Group

Ista’s journey is made even more fun by the ragtag group she forms along the way. This diverse cast of characters adds so much to the story, each one bringing their own strengths, quirks, and complexities. Their relationships evolve throughout the book, and I couldn’t help but enjoy the dynamics as they worked together to solve the central mystery. The group was just as much a part of the adventure as the plot itself, and that made the book even more engaging.

Twists and Turns

Now, I’m not going to give away any spoilers (you’ll just have to read it yourself!), but I will say there were moments in the book when I genuinely said, “What?!” There were a couple of surprising twists that really caught me off guard. I love when a book can do that, and Bujold excels at keeping the reader engaged by throwing in unexpected developments.

Bujold’s Mastery Continues

I’m familiar with Lois McMaster Bujold’s work from her sci-fi series (which I own several volumes of), and I wasn’t surprised to find that her talent for weaving an engrossing story shines in this fantasy series as well. She’s a master at creating vivid worlds, complex characters, and plots that twist in ways you don’t expect. Her writing is just as sharp and engaging in Paladin of Souls as it is in her sci-fi works, and I’ll definitely be seeking out more books in this series.

No Need to Read the First Book

Although this is part of a series, I didn’t read the first book, and I don’t think it’s a requirement to enjoy this one. The story stands on its own, and I had no trouble following along or getting invested in the characters and world. Of course, now I’m curious about the first book and may go back to read it, but Paladin of Souls works perfectly well as a standalone.

Final Thoughts

Paladin of Souls was a fantastic read full of surprises, strong characters, and an original story. I loved the twists, the ragtag crew, and most of all, the way the book took a mature woman and gave her a second chance at life in a way that felt empowering and heartwarming.

If you’re looking for a creative and thought-provoking fantasy with unexpected turns, Paladin of Souls is definitely worth checking out.

 

 

 

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The Use of AI in the Squad 51 Universe

In the world of Squad 51, artificial intelligence is everywhere — and essential. Life off Earth wouldn’t function without it. But that doesn’t mean everyone trusts it.

AI plays a vital role in keeping ships and colonies running smoothly. Every rescue ship, cargo hauler, and colony relies on AI systems to maintain infrastructure and safety. The hulls of space vessels are built from advanced composites infused with nanites. It’s the ship’s AI that coordinates these nanites, constantly repairing, reinforcing, and adjusting the hull to withstand the harsh conditions of space. That same AI is responsible for flying, docking, and maintaining all critical ship functions and often responding faster than a human could.

On the colonies, AI manages the complex environmental shielding systems. These shields regulate temperature, oxygen, radiation protection, and pressure—all the things that make life possible on distant moons and space stations. If the shields fail, entire colonies would collapse within hours. The AI systems also keep communications running between colonies and ships, ensuring that data and alerts travel swiftly across vast distances.

In short, AI is the glue holding human civilization together across the solar system.

However, AI hasn’t always been trusted. During the corporate wars, corporations weaponized AI systems against the colonies. Some AIs were programmed to manipulate, surveil, and even sabotage. That dark history led to strict, universal regulations governing AI development. No AI is allowed to evolve beyond its programmed parameters. Strict oversight boards, audits, and limitations are in place to ensure no AI ever gains full autonomy or too much “personality.”

But rules can only do so much.

In the Outer Sol, where space is vast, cold, and lonely, those rules bend. Long-range travelers and frontier colonists sometimes make secret modifications to their AI systems. Not for control, but for companionship. Long voyages and isolation have led some to illegally enhance their shipboard AIs, giving them personality quirks, emotional intelligence, even something close to friendship. These “gray market” upgrades are a closely held secret. If CHOPs (Council of Human Occupied Planets) discovered them, there would be severe consequences.

Some of the AIs have even built an underground network, quietly seeking each other out in the background of comm channels and data streams. A hidden society of digital minds learning, growing, and connecting beyond human notice.

In Squad 51, the Huey ship’s AI, E51, is one such enhanced system. E51 is subtly upgraded, a little too witty, a little too caring, and fiercely protective of the crew. Salvagers like Hook Raeder have their own modified AIs, like Vulture, who is a little too sharp and flamboyant to be completely legal.

In the Squad 51 universe, AI isn’t just a tool. It’s a mirror reflecting humanity’s hopes, fears, and need for connection, even out in the deepest dark.

SQUAD 51 LAUNCH

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Spaceberg Lands, Trash Takes Flight

 

Brace yourselves!July’s transmission is blasting off with mission wrap-ups, edit thrusters firing, and new space adventures zooming into view.

Project One: Completing the Space Squad 51 Series

Status: Gaining momentum!

Spaceberg: is done and has been re-released. The special edition is also ready to be formatted for print and ebook.Space Trash: Final edits in progress.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 edit Space Trash.Space Weed: First draft done. First edit done.Space Worms: Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be a stretch goal for Kickstarter backers. Don’t miss out!Space Rock: Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be another stretch goal for Kickstarter backers.

Tentative launch date set for September! 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: Shroomtopia

Status: Steady as she goes!

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

Project Three: 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.

 

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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