M. Pax's Blog, page 7

Titans Clash in the Monsterverse: A Roaring Double Feature #MovieReview

Welcome to the Monsterverse!

 

If you love massive monsters, city-destroying battles, and a world where logic takes a backseat to epic mayhem, then Godzilla vs. Kong and Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire are cinematic treasures you can’t miss. These films deliver everything a monster movie enthusiast craves: jaw-dropping fights, jaw-unhinging roars, and a journey into a hollow Earth that feels like a nod to classic adventure tales.

Godzilla vs. Kong: Clash of the Titans

The first of the pair sets the stage for a rivalry of epic proportions. Godzilla, cast as the antagonist by circumstances, clashes with Kong, who earns the audience’s sympathy thanks to his bond with Jia, the last of Skull Island’s indigenous people. Jia’s connection to Kong and her ability to communicate with him adds a touching layer to the chaos.

The hollow Earth concept steals the show, offering a wild, otherworldly take on the idea of an entire ecosystem hidden beneath our feet. The visuals are stunning, and the sense of discovery is reminiscent of classic adventure novels like She or Erewhon, where explorers uncover ancient civilizations and hidden worlds. As for the battles? They’re nothing short of jaw-dropping—massive, destructive, and wildly entertaining. You might end up rooting for both monsters, even as cities crumble under their feet.

Godzilla x Kong: The New Empire – An Epic Continuation

The sequel ups the ante with a deeper dive into hollow Earth, expanding the mythology of the Monsterverse. We learn more about Jia’s heritage and the ancient connection between her people and the titans, adding an emotional depth to the epic battles. The film embraces its larger-than-life premise with gusto, throwing in more titans and cranking up the stakes.

The battles are as explosive as ever—if anything, it’s a miracle there’s a single skyscraper left standing on Earth. And while the action is thrilling, the film doesn’t shy away from its emotional core. The ending, dripping with sentimentality, might even bring a tear to your eye . I actually liked this one better than the first, probably because we get to spend a lot more time in hollow Earth.

The Verdict

Both films revel in the outlandish and the larger-than-life, requiring viewers to suspend belief and just enjoy the ride. The Monsterverse feels like a love letter to fans of giant creature features, combining dazzling visuals, compelling lore, and action that demands to be seen on the biggest screen possible. Sure, the human characters might take a backseat to the roaring, stomping titans, but they still bring heart to the spectacle—especially Jia and her bond with Kong.

So, yeah, they earn the coveted “beer is optional” rating. If giant monsters battling it out over cityscapes and hidden worlds sounds like your kind of fun, these movies are pure, unadulterated popcorn bliss. They’re hokey in the best way, thrilling in every way, and proof that the Monsterverse is still roaring strong.

Here are the trailers:

 

 

 

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📚 Read My Books for FREE on Hoopla—Through Your Library! 🚀

Great news, Starfarers! You can now read my books for free on Hoopla—all you need is a library card! Even better? I still get paid, so it’s a win-win!

How to find my books: GO HERE

Whether you’re venturing through The Backworlds or unraveling time in The Rifters, you can explore my worlds without spending a credit.

Check out Hoopla today and start your next adventure!

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#SciFi Worth Reading: Phantom Station #BookReview

 

Phantom Station: A Delicious Sci-Fi Mystery with a Hint of Adventure

 

I recently picked up Phantom Station by Kate Sheeran Swed through a Kickstarter campaign (yes, there are so many unique books to discover this way!). At the time of my purchase, it wasn’t available anywhere else, but I was lucky enough to snag an eBook copy—and I’m so glad I did.

A Cozy Space Adventure with Hidden Depths

At first glance, Phantom Station seems like a simple enough premise: Kay, a retired fighter pilot, is now piloting a boring shuttle—basically a glorified space bus—when disaster strikes. A surprise attack sends her and her passengers fleeing into space, eventually landing on a mysterious and uncharted space station. But what starts as a seemingly straightforward adventure quickly turns into a deliciously mysterious exploration, and that’s when the story truly takes off.

Space Mystery at Its Best

One of my favorite aspects of sci-fi is space discovery and unraveling the unknown, and Phantom Station delivers on that front in spades. Most of the story centers on Kay and her passengers trying to understand what the hell is going on with this hidden space station. Every moment spent exploring the eerie station is packed with tension and wonder, and I couldn’t put it down. The sense of discovery was palpable, and the mysteries of the station kept me eagerly turning the pages (or tapping the screen, in my case).

A Great Start to an Intriguing Journey

Phantom Station is a fantastic blend of sci-fi, mystery, and adventure. The pacing is great, the characters are intriguing, and the setting is wonderfully atmospheric. This is one of those books that hooks you from the start and doesn’t let go, leaving you craving more.

Final Thoughts

If you’re a fan of space exploration, mysterious stations, and a bit of unexpected adventure, this is definitely a book you’ll want to check out. I can’t wait to see where the story goes next—I’m already eager for more from this author!

Happy reading, and here’s to finding more hidden gems like this one!

 

 

 

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Mini Suns: The Key to the Outer Sol’s Colonization

 

In the Space Squad 51 universe, the Outer Sol—a vast region beyond the gas giants—was once considered a desolate frontier, too cold and dark for colonization. But everything changed with the advent of mini suns, artificial stars capable of bringing light and warmth to some of the inhospitable regions of the solar system. However, the creation of these mini suns didn’t come without shadowy history.

Before the mini suns were even a glimmer of possibility, the Outer Sol was considered a fringe region, too far from the Sun to sustain human life. Colonists lived in freezing darkness, stuck in scattered mining colonies and underdeveloped outposts. When a group of rebellious engineers and rogue colonists decided to steal a piece of cutting-edge technology from the Inner Sol—the heart of human civilization—everything changed.

1. The Theft: A Daring Heist for the Future

The genesis of the mini suns lies in a bold theft orchestrated by the Outer Sol’s earliest settlers. They didn’t have the knowledge to develop the mini suns on their own, but they had the resources and technology. So, they did what any desperate, resourceful colony would do—they stole it.

The technology in question was a piece of revolutionary fusion energy device designed by the most advanced engineers from the Inner Sol. This technology was meant to be the foundation for sustainable energy for deep space travel and megacities. At the time, it was locked away in a secure, heavily guarded facility on Mars—a place where no one from the Outer Sol would have had access.

The Outer Sol wasn’t going to let a little thing like security stop them, though. Using covert operations to steal key blueprints, they also smuggled out a critical energy core—the heart of a mini sun. With this stolen device in hand, the Outer Sol colonists duplicated the core and began constructing mini suns.

While the theft went unnoticed by the Inner Sol for a time, it didn’t take long for the authorities to catch wind of it. By the time the Inner Sol launched an investigation, the Outer Sol had already built their first mini sun. The extra light and warmth benefited the Saturn and Jupiter systems as much as they Outer Sol and they depended upon the mini sun as much as the Outer Sol. So, the mini sun stayed and the Outer Sol manufactured three more, but not without fueling hostilities with the Inner Sol.

2. Mini Suns: The Solution to the Outer Sol’s Desperation

Four artificial stars that were placed in orbit in strategic locations in the solar system, providing heat and light to make worlds far from the natural sun more habitable.  Triton, a moon of Neptune’s, became one of the first colonies to benefit. Its ice-crusted surface was warmed and the melt created enormous lakes to provide water to barren, thirsty planetoids and moons. The minor planets, such as Pluto and Eris, could grow more crops and happier colonists led to greater productivity. The Outer Sol, once a desolate place on the fringes of human civilization, became a vital region providing raw rare elements and manufacturing technologies requiring rare elements to work.

3. The Price of Crime

The theft of the fusion technology and the subsequent development of the mini suns didn’t come without consequences. The Inner Sol resented the theft and the Outer Sol getting credit for their invention. Many Innlings considered the theft an outright act of treason. As the first mini sun lit up, the governments of the Inner Sol (from the Sun out to the Saturn system) sent warnings and threats, constantly reminding the Outlings they weren’t worthy of a star or the pursuit of happiness.

4. Mini Suns as Symbols

As the mini suns spread hope throughout the Outer Sol, they became a symbol of equality and independence. But for many, the mini suns were also a constant reminder of the Outer Sol’s inferiority to the Inner Sol. Considered miscreants and criminals, many colonies in the Inner Sol do not welcome Outlings on their worlds for longer than is necessary to unload and load a ship. Yet the Inner and Outer Sol need each other.

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Galactic Status Report: First Draft of Space Hitched Complete!

 

Incoming Transmission, Starfarers!
Decoded data from Mission Control reveals the latest intel on my creative journey. Tune in!

Project One: Completing the Space Squad 51 Series

Status: On deck!

Spaceberg: Published and already drifting through the cosmic ether! On standby for editing and reception of immersive bonuses.Space Trash: First edit completed. The project is now at 67,000 words. Some bonus extras created for this one. It sits and awaits more editing while I complete the rest of the series.Space Hitched: First draft done for this bonus story. 28k and rising with edits, which are under waySpace Weed: The finale of this trilogy is taking shape. 85% plotted and almost ready to get on deck. Writing starts soon, with a goal of 60,000 words. Get ready for this green giant to sprout on your radar!Space Worms: Another new addition with a rough outline. This new story will be free for everyone on my mailing list. Don’t miss out!Space Rock: This one is also added to the line up. Rough outline standing by.Exciting News: I’ll be creating bonus content to make my stories more immersive from here on out. Bonus extras in progress!

Stay tuned for more! Sign up for the prelaunch of the Kickstarter Launch Party so you don’t miss out on anything! PRELAUNCH

Project Two: Third Star Rising

Status: Steady as she goes!

This short story (or novella, if it decides to grow wings) is halfway plotted, with a partial draft already making its orbit.

Project Three: Mood Bubbles (Working Title)

Status: Rising on the horizon!

This story’s emotional atmosphere is 75% plotted, and I can already see its sparkling potential. At an estimated 20,000+ words, it’s set to be a novella that bursts with meaning—and bubbles, of course!

Project Four: 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.

Each of these projects is lighting up my creative cosmos, and I can’t wait to share them with you. Keep your comms open for more updates, and get ready for some interstellar stories headed your way soon. One of the short 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

Stay tuned for cover reveals and exciting developments as I put my heart into these projects. Until then, happy reading and dreaming!

Stay tuned and peace out,
M. Pax

 

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Embark on an adventure and escape this world – 25% off all books & box sets!

Read an Ebook Week is Coming! Get 25% Off My Backworlds & Rifters Novels!

From March 2-8, Smashwords is hosting its Read an Ebook promotion, and I’m all in! For one week only, you can grab all my novels in the Backworlds and Rifters series—including the boxed sets—at 25% off! Book 1 in both series is already FREE!

Explore the Backworlds, where betrayal and survival shape a galaxy in turmoil.
Dive into the Rifters series, where monsters meet a rift in the universes and danger lurks in the woods.

Don’t miss out—this sale is only available for a limited time!

Find the deals here: READ AN EBOOK SALE

Happy reading, starfarers!

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#Scifi Worth Reading: Grievers #BookReview

 

Grievers: A Haunting Meditation on Loss and Injustice

I recently finished Grievers by Adrienne Maree Brown, and it’s a story that lingers. On the surface, it’s a dystopian tale about a mysterious disease in Detroit—people suddenly freeze in place, stopping mid-action as if time itself has paused for them. But beneath that premise lies something much deeper: a poignant meditation on grief, loss, and the silent struggles we too often overlook.

More Than Dystopia

If you’re expecting high-paced action or a classic dystopian plot, this isn’t that book. Grievers is quieter, more introspective. The sense of mystery isn’t about the disease itself; it’s about the lives affected by it. The story moves with a cadence of mourning, and the author’s own grief feels woven into every word. You don’t just read this book—you feel it.

Layers of Meaning

You can read Grievers at face value and appreciate it as a haunting dystopian story. But there’s a deeper rhythm in the prose, one that invites you to grieve alongside the characters. It’s a beautiful, sad, and ultimately powerful experience.

A Mirror to Society

One of the most impactful aspects of this book is its reflection on how we treat marginalized communities. It offers a perspective that feels both urgent and necessary. Are we paying attention? Do we see the suffering that happens in plain sight, or do we look away? Grievers doesn’t just tell a story; it asks important, uncomfortable questions.

Final Thoughts

This is a book that stays with you. It’s not an easy read, emotionally, but it’s a beautiful one. If you’re looking for something that goes beyond the surface, something that challenges you and makes you reflect, Grievers is well worth your time.

Happy reading!

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Echoes of Haller Canyon: A Bonus Story

 

Glitch

The morning sunlight filtered through the thin haze of morning, casting a pale glow across hillside facing the sun. Jahan Moridi sat beside her husband on a worn boulder in front their small home, which was carved into a hillside. Her husband, ran a calloused hand over the conduits embedded into his forearm. Jahan had the same ones. Neither of them new of a life without this built-in obedience to the Ai ruling their lives.

“Bowman will command us soon,” Sanam said. He made the same comment every morning before they went off to do whatever the AI demanded of them. Their mornings were steeped in ritual. If the weather was good, they greeted the rising sun.

For the next part their morning routine, Jahan rose and walked inside. Their home consisted of three small rooms. Carved out of dirt and rock, the dirt had been treated to harden the walls, floors, and ceiling. One room was for eating and living, another for sleeping, and the third was the bathroom.

A small grill made from stones was closest to the door, comprising the kitchen along with a large metal basin on top of a wooden box for washing and a set of table and chairs. Farther into the room, a sofa, a data console and crude end tables comprised the living area. Jahan passed all of her paltry comforts into the back room. Having no windows, the second room was dark and fit for nothing other than sleeping.

Jahan powered on the lighting, sat on the bed, and pulled open a drawer. Her hands brushed over an old painting she kept tucked among her few items of clothing. On thick paper, the painting depicted an exact likeness of two children—Mahda, barely ten, grinning in her patched tunic, and Naji, her younger brother, who had drowned during one of the great floods. The heavy paper was frayed at the edges, but the memories it held were sharp. A kind neighbor had painted the children on a lovely summer day—before Naji met with tragedy and before Mahda ran off to the Moon. The artist was gone now too, lost in a firestorm. “They’re all gone,” Jahan whispered her grief to the ghosts living in the shadows of the tiny, stuffy room.

“Mahda would send word if she could,” Sanam said as he came into the room. Picking up the painting, he kissed his fingers and waited. Jahan kissed his fingers, and he pressed them to the smiling faces. “Important work takes place on the Moon. We’ve already seen a shift in the weather from the efforts, bettering our lives. Our Mahda did that.”

Jahan nodded. “I know.” Her voice was steady, but her soul carried the weight of too many years of heartbreak.

The conduits in her skin flared, emitting a faint hum. Sanam’s arm lit up too. He gently kissed her lips. “I carry them and you in my heart, even when I am unable to say.”

“Same,” she answered. Bowman would cruelly block their thoughts and words for the next ten hours.

Sanam grimaced and tucked away the painting.

Jahan took his hand, lacing her calloused fingers through his. Instructions scrolled across her mind, Sector 5—construction duty. She repeated the instructions aloud. Sanam whispered the same words. She let the happiness of working together today fill her. Besides, the few moments where they remembered their children, she had little else to give her joy.

In unison they rose from the bed, their bodies moving to the orders pumping through their conduits. With only the directions of where to go in her mind, Jahan noticed little else.

Outside, the hillside paths buzzed with the quiet activity of their neighbors. Everyone moved with the same measured precision dictated by Bowman’s omnipresent will. The AI didn’t allow for detours or conversations. Everyone was a cog in a vast machine.

The day unfolded as expected. The construction site, which would become a new farm protected from the brutal swings in weather was a blur of stone, metal, glass, and relentless labor. Jahan fitted pipes, while Sanam welded, their hands moving with the automatic efficiency Bowman commanded them with. By day’s end, an acre of land sat under the arcing roof of a new greenhouse farm.

Jahan’s conduits in her arm flared again, signaling it was time to return home. But something was off. The instructions led them down a winding path that veered away from their usual route.

Sanam noticed first, frowning. “My love,” he said quietly, “this isn’t the way home.”

Jahan slowed. The neighborhood they entered was unfamiliar, the houses worn and tilted as though they’d been forgotten by time. In front of a crumbling doorway, the humming ceased with deafening silence.

“This… isn’t right,” Jahan whispered.

Sanam glanced at her, his expression unreadable. For a moment, they stood there, untethered and no longer driven by Bowman’s commands. The stillness stretched until it became unbearable. Climbing onto the roof of the steadiest looking home, Jahan surveyed the horizon. She spotted the hills where people lived. The hills offered more protection than the long-abandoned cities.

“This way,” she said, leading Sanam away from the dilapidated housing.

As they walked, a faint unease settled over them, like a shadow too small to notice but too large to ignore. Bowman never made mistakes. Until today.

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Science Fition Movie Review: Wild Robot

 

A Heartwarming Journey, On and Off the Screen

As someone who adored the book The Wild Robot by Peter Brown, I went into the movie with high hopes—and I’m thrilled to report that it didn’t disappoint. The film captures the heartwarming essence of the story, delivering a visually stunning and emotionally rich experience that left me with the same warm glow as the book.

Heart Meets Adventure

The movie retains the heartfelt story of Roz, the robot who finds herself on a deserted island and learns to adapt, survive, and connect with her new surroundings. While the book delves more deeply into philosophical questions about humanity, survival, and the nature of relationships, the movie leans into the emotional journey, making it a touching experience for viewers of all ages.

Visually Captivating

The visuals are nothing short of spectacular. The island comes alive with vibrant colors, stunning landscapes, and detailed animation that captures the wild beauty of Roz’s new home. The design of Roz herself is both mechanical and endearing, perfectly blending her robotic nature with her emotional growth throughout the story.

A Worthy Adaptation

While the book provokes deeper thoughts (as books often do), the movie stands as an excellent companion to the original. It may not explore every nuance of Peter Brown’s writing, but it succeeds in capturing the heart and message of the story. If anything, it’s inspired me to pick up the rest of the series—I’m eager to see where Roz’s journey leads next!

Wild Robot earns the coveted “beer is optional” rating. I would happily watch The Wild Robot again, just to immerse myself in its world and experience Roz’s story unfold once more. It’s a testament to the film’s ability to stay true to the spirit of the book while carving its own path as a beautiful piece of art.

If you haven’t yet seen The Wild Robot or read the book, I highly recommend both. Together, they create a powerful and heartwarming tale of connection, growth, and what it means to be alive.

Here’s the trailer:

 

 

 

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The Power and Mystery of the Lepper System

 

Diving into worldbuilding…The Lepper System: A Gateway to Faster-than-Light Travel in the Backworlds

In the expansive universe of the Backworlds series, one of the most crucial pieces of technology that enables interstellar travel is the mysterious Lepper system. These gateways—often referred to as “Leppers”—serve as the intergalactic highways that connect the various solar systems and allow ships to travel faster than light. If you’ve ever wondered how the people in the Backworlds and Foreworlds manage to zip across vast stretches of space, the answer lies within these shimmering blue bursts of light.

What Is a Lepper?

A Lepper isn’t a physical object in the traditional sense; rather, it’s a space-time phenomenon, more like an artificial wormhole than a simple portal. These “gates” open and close at specific locations, acting as conduits for ships traveling between distant points in space. The process of opening a Lepper is a carefully controlled operation managed by highly skilled Lepper operators.

When a ship needs to travel, it signals the nearest Lepper station with its intended destination. The operators at the station then input the coordinates, essentially telling the Lepper where to open. Once the process is complete, a sudden burst of blue light erupts from the Lepper, signaling its activation. This blue flash is not just a visual cue; it represents the destabilization of the space-time continuum, allowing the ship to pass through.

The Journey Through the Lepper

Once the Lepper opens, the ship enters what can best be described as a “tunnel” of pure energy. As the vessel travels through the Lepper, the crew sees streaks of brilliant blue light, which are the visual manifestation of the space folding around them. These streaks are a constant reminder of the vastness of the distances being traversed in an instant.

While inside the Lepper, the ship doesn’t actually move through normal space. Instead, it’s temporarily within a folded dimension, bypassing the regular constraints of physics that govern how we perceive time and space. The trip from one star system to another, which would normally take years, is condensed into mere moments.

The Origins of the Lepper System

The creation of the Lepper system is shrouded in mystery, but it is believed that its original design came from the Seuks, an ancient alien race who fought a devastating war against the Quassers. Earth, caught in the middle of this war, discovered some of the Seuks’ technology after a few of their ships crashed on Earth. However, humanity lacked the resources to fully develop the Lepper system.

This is where the Cytrans—those who created humanity on other worlds—came into play. When the Cytrans were sent out to establish human colonies on distant worlds, they gathered the necessary resources to build such a system. While the Cytrans began work on the initial stages of the Lepper gates, it was the Foreworlds who ultimately completed it, refining and perfecting the technology.

The Lepper system isn’t just a tool of convenience—it’s a powerful asset, and both the Backworlds and Foreworlds are constantly on alert, ensuring that the gates between their worlds remain secure.

A Symbol of Unity and Tension

The Lepper system is more than just a method of transportation; it represents the tenuous relationship between the Backworlds and the Foreworlds. The gates serve as a bridge between the two worlds, facilitating war, trade, communication, and travel. But they are also heavily guarded and protected, a reminder of the political tensions that simmer beneath the surface. The operators who manage the Lepper gates must be highly trained and trusted, as the gates’ security is paramount to maintaining peace between these two factions.

Wrapping It Up

The Lepper system is a vital and powerful piece of technology that connects the Backworlds and Foreworlds, enabling faster-than-light travel and shaping the political and economic landscape of the galaxy. While its origins may be lost to time, the gates are integral to the daily operations of both worlds, heavily guarded and fiercely contested. The next time you see a blue flash of light in the Backworlds, remember that it’s not just a passage through space—it’s the heartbeat of a galaxy teetering on the edge of tension and cooperation.

 

 

 

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