The Backworlds Series

Trouble thrives in the Backworlds, but it's home.   In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the first book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure.   After the war with the Foreworlders, Backworlders scatter across the remaining planets. Competition is fierce, and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze's father improves his fortunes by destroying his son. He tells his only boy their moon isn't big enough for them both and gives Craze a ticket for the next transport leaving the space dock.   Cut off from everyone he knows with little money and no knowledge of the worlds beyond, Craze forge a new life and find a way to make his father regret this day. First, he must survive.     Jason Weisberger, the publisher of Boing Boing, gives The Backworlds 5 stars. "This is a fun, fast-paced novel that reminded me a bit of early Heinlein, Have Spacesuit Will Travel, style storytelling. It is very short and sets up well for further adventures."   Raina: "This is the best creative story I have read since the Wizard of Oz. Full of originality and not washed up with trite characters usually found in the sci-fi genre. Anyone who wants a break from reading the cliche`d space opera this author is on the right track."   K. Dunbak: "Very seldom do you come across truly unique challenges and characters in sci-fi anymore. It was a welcome jaunt into strange new world, and I can't wait to read the rest of the books in this series. Thanks to the author for revealing an entire new world, no galaxy to me."

Nothing sane travels the starway. Today it brings disaster. In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the second book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. Revenge is on Craze's mind. He chews on it every day along with the relentless dust on Pardeep Station. He dreams of grander wealth, enough to make his father choke. That's the dream consuming him when the interstellar portal opens, spitting out a ship that should no longer exist. A battleship spoiling for a fight. Yet the war with the Foreworlds ended two generations ago. One wrong move and the shaky truce will end. So will Craze and his friends. Trigger: "Tell ya what....I've bought ALL the M.Pax books I can find. Great characters....interesting plotlines...realistic stories...Love Them." C.E.: "M. Pax has really captured the essence of these characters. their losses and fears hopes and dreams. When I read this book I am transported to another place far from the troubled lives we have here. To a place rich in description. a place to escape the melancholy of my life, the sitting long hours at out posts. and distraction and adventure to be whisked away."

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the third book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. To realize his dream, to build Pardeep Station into a top world, a destination all Backworlders want to come to, Craze makes the best use of a weapon left behind by the Foreworlders. The dastardly technology helps him to forge advantageous trades, which improves his situation on the dusty moon. Only days away from the grand opening of his shiny new tavern, the starway opens, bringing in a loony Backworlder intent on mucking up Craze’s carefully laid plans. Gaunt and trembling, she claims her spaceship is possessed. She also has a connection to the underworld that shakes loose the dark past of one of Craze’s closest friends. It all threatens to end his prosperity before it begins. Meanwhile off world, Captain Talos works desperately to outwit the mercenary Jixes and lure them away from Pardeep Station’s budding prospects. With all the trading done on Pardeep’s behalf, the mind-control weapon Talos is using wears thin, and his next move may be his last. Will it end in boom or dust? Patricia Barnes: "Well written,really enjoyed reading this series.Will Craze continue on?Liked all the characters and their descriptions.Would love to see in the movies." Julie (Australia): " Well done, M. Pax. Book 3 of your series is certainly not a disappointment. I am left to wonder if Craze will ever achieve his goals. If you haven't read any of the Backworlds series, please do so now.Entertaining, easy reads. Characters are more fleshed-out, pacing is great. Keep the series coming, please, M. Pax. I await book 4."

Some truths are better left unfound. In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the fourth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. For two years Craze’s dear friend, Lepsi, has been missing. The murmurings of a haunted spaceship might be a message and may mean his old pal isn’t dead. The possibility spurs Craze and Captain Talos into space to uncharted worlds. Searching an unfamiliar region of the galaxy beyond the Backworlds, they stumble upon a terrible truth. Meanwhile, Rainly remains on Pardeep Station as acting planetlord, dealing with the discovery of her man’s dark and brutal past. Alone and questioning her judgment, her introspection unlocks more than heartache. Latent protocols in her cybernetics activate, forcing her to face a sinister secret of her own. Russell Upchurch: "love this set of books! The Backworlds series actually got me back into reading." R. Sitler: "Have loved this series from the first page of the first book. Not only is the storyline entertaining, but the backfill of the various characters is truly wonderful. The only problem I can find with this book, and the others in the series, is I have to wait so long for the next book."

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the fifth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. War is coming. A horde of merciless aliens poise just beyond the Edge. In a matter of weeks they will devour the worlds. Racing ahead of the apocalypse, Craze returns to the Backworlds to warn them and plan a defense. Only he can't go home. Banned from Pardeep Station, he must wage a more urgent battle. His moon is under siege, and his friends are dying. Bad things come in threes, and the galaxy is no exception. An old enemy returns, attacking moons and defenseless globes, leaving a wake of destruction. Worse than that, they threaten to join forces with the alien horde. Defeat seems inevitable. Craze may not be able to stop it. Yet home is worth the fight.

The first shot of a new war echoes through the galaxy. Craze has high hopes for what the alliance with an old enemy, the Foreworlds, will do to defeat a worse enemy, the Quassers. The test of a highly-advanced weapon, created by the efforts of the alliance, pushes tensions over the brink and kills thousands. To make it worse, the Foreworld ambassador is keeping secrets. Conventional warfare against the Quassers isn't working, and if the alliance ends, Craze has become the most hated man in the galaxy for no reason. With nothing left to lose, Craze sets in motion one last chance for survival.

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This is the sixth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. The Backworlds hang by a Quantum string, a thread about to snap. Annihilation is coming if Craze can’t stop it. The genocidal alien he had trapped breaks free, destroying a ship belonging to the Backworlds’ oldest enemy, the Fo’wo’s. The murderous alien wants to overtake the galaxy. The Fo’wo’s want another war. The Backworlds’ best chance to survive is to overcome a century of hate and forge an alliance with the Fo’wo’s. Because of his history with the alien, Craze is recruited to represent his people. Now he’s the most hated man in the galaxy. The looming war will be a holocaust unless Craze can stop it, knowing salvation comes at a price.

The galaxy beyond the Backworlds is rife with trouble. The desperate search to save a friend ends in the discovery of an unstoppable enemy. This boxed set contains books 4, 5, and 6 in the Backworld series: Beyond the Edge, Worlds on Edge, and Precipice.   Beyond the Edge Some truths are better left unfound. For two years, Lepsi has been missing. A haunted spaceship has a message from him. Maybe Lepsi isn't dead. Craze and Captain Talos travel to uncharted worlds, searching a region of the galaxy beyond the Backworlds. Out there, they stumble upon a terrible truth.   Worlds on Edge Home is worth the fight. War is coming. A horde of merciless aliens poise just beyond the Edge. Racing ahead of the apocalypse, Craze rushes to warn his people and plan a defense. Only, he can't go home. Banned from Pardeep Station, he must wage another war to save his home.   Precipice Salvation comes at a price. A new enemy wants to destroy the galaxy. The Fo'wo's want another war. Annihilation is coming to the Backworlds, and Craze's option to prevent the genocide of his people is a nightmare. The best chance for survival is to overcome a century of hate and forge an alliance with the Fo'wo's. If he succeeds, Craze will be the most hated man in the galaxy.

What are you willing to lose in order to win?   Only Craze seems to understand the galaxy is about to be lost.   He can no longer keep the evil Quassers contained, and winning the war gets harder. The Quassers join forces with another enemy and become more threatening, more destructive, and more murderous.   Planet after planet falls, and the only hope Craze has is a handful of tiny discoveries that might add up to a viable strategy. But he needs the other planets in the galaxy working with him. So far, everybody is still out for themselves, leaving him to make the gut-wrenching decisions—the deaths of innocents in exchange for everyone's survival.   Will his desperate efforts yield victory, or does humanity take its last breaths?   This is the eighth book in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure

The Backworlds Books 1, 2, and 3: The Backworlds, Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge, and Boomtown Craze. In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendants to survive in a harsh universe. This set contains the first 3 novels in the science fiction series, The Backworlds. A space opera adventure. The Backworlds After the war with the Foreworlders, Backworlders scatter across the remaining planets. Competition is fierce, and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to improve his fortunes by destroying his son. He tells his only boy their moon isn’t big enough for them both and gives Craze a ticket for the next transport leaving the space dock. Stopover at the Backworlds’ Edge Revenge is on Craze’s mind. He chews on it every day along with the relentless dust on Pardeep Station. He dreams of grander wealth, enough to make his father choke. That’s the dream consuming him when the interstellar portal opens, spitting out a ship that should no longer exist. A battleship spoiling for a fight. Yet the war with the Foreworlds ended two generations ago. Boomtown Craze Craze is only days away from the grand opening of his shiny new tavern. The starway opens, bringing in a loony Backworlder intent on mucking up his carefully laid plans. Gaunt and trembling, she claims her spaceship is possessed. She also has a connection to the underworld, threatens to end Craze’s prosperity before it begins.