The Backworlds [Kindle Edition]

M. Pax (Author), Leigh T. Moore (Editor)

Book Description

In the far future, humanity settles the stars, bioengineering its descendents to survive in a harsh universe.

After the war with the Foreworlders, Backworlders scatter across the planets left. Competition is fierce and pickings are scant. Scant enough that Craze’s father decides to improve his fortunes by destroying his son.

Cut off from family and friends with little money and even less knowledge of the worlds beyond his own, Craze heads into an uncertain future. Boarding the transport to Elstwhere, he vows to make his father regret this day.

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

M. Pax is author of the sci-fi series, The Backworlds, and the new adult urban fantasy Hetty Locklear series. A Browncoat and SG fan, she’s also slightly obsessed with Jane Austen. In the summers she docents as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory where the other astronomers now believe she has the most extensive collection of moon photos in existence. No fear, there will be more next summer. She lives in stunning Central Oregon with the Husband Unit and two lovely, spoiled cats.

Product Details

• File Size: 316 KB
• Print Length: 186 pages
• Page Numbers Source ISBN: 061568176X
• Simultaneous Device Usage: Unlimited
• Sold by: Amazon Digital Services, Inc.
• Language: English
• ASIN: B007Y6LHAA
• Text-to-Speech: Enabled
• X-Ray: Enabled
• Lending: Enabled
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #3,105 Free in Kindle Store (See Top 100 Free in Kindle Store)
  • #20 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > Space Opera
  • #60 in Kindle Store > Kindle eBooks > Literature & Fiction > Genre Fiction > Science Fiction > Adventure

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Promising Yet Somewhat Disappointing June 15, 2012

By Dr.Gonzo

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

After seeing the reviews for this story I was quite excited to check it out. I did find the story entertaining, the locales exotic and interesting and some of the character were quite likable, however the abrupt ending left me disappointed. I was not aware that this story was simply a lead in to additional stories. Its ends without any resolution and leaves the reader guessing as to the motivations behind some of the characters actions. While I don't require stories to wrap everything up in a neat little package, I would have liked somewhat of a conclusion for this tale. Instead it ends up reading like the first 10 chapters of a 50 chapter book. Without knowing more, some of the characters behaviors is not explained sufficiently for my liking.

Check it out, just prepare for the fact that this story feels like a bit of a tease.

8 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars The Groundwork is laid for a fresh new scifi series! May 2, 2012

By Teresa Cypher

Format:Kindle Edition

I thoroughly enjoyed this book. It was a fast read, but did a great job of introducing the reader to the "Backworlds" and the characters there. Craze is young man who suddenly finds himself shunned by his father, his girlfriend and his home-world. Forced to move off-world (literally chased off the planet), and carrying only a few coins and even fewer possessions, he finds himself relying on the skills his father taught him, and depending on the trust of strangers. But, when trouble soon finds him, he has to rethink his outlook on people. Maybe what his father taught him was not the best way? Pax paints an image of a world full of shifty opportunists and survivors living on the edge. Technology has its place, but also present is nature. I kept thinking as I read it that I hope this goes big--and is made into a TV series. The premise could outshine "Farscape" in entertainment value. Looking forward to the next in the series.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars Shallow and rushed =( April 3, 2013

By cooperia

Format:Paperback|Amazon Verified Purchase

After the first chapter or two, I could tell the characters and world were going to be shallow. I thought maybe the author was intentionally leaving me blind to bring things around later or to keep me waiting for the next tid-bit. That wasn't the case, though. Characters continue becoming best friends in the space of two paragraphs, worlds continue being featureless tunnels, etc..

The ideas are good here, I just wish they were fleshed out a bit.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Waste of time March 3, 2013

By SEB

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

Never comfortable with the characters. Colloquialisms are annoying and do nothing to reveal the characters or the story. I was hoping to have a story future episodes could build upon and keep my interest. Unfortunately -- no.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

2.0 out of 5 stars 25% of a novel January 5, 2013

By Mark Marriott

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

I enjoyed the read and it had some fresh themes. My big issue was that The Bacworlds is really only the first quarter of a novel.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful

4.0 out of 5 stars A new kind of journey May 24, 2012

By Julie

Format:Kindle Edition

I don't normally opt for science fiction, but I'd heard of the author and when I read the product description, decided I'd try it. Something different. I didn't expect to like it, or be drawn into this new world so quickly. By page five I was hooked and it takes a good story to hook me.
Great job, M Pax. I thoroughly enjoyed the trip you took me on. I appreciated your characterization, the pacing, and how this new world was introduced without too much direct exposition and/or description. It was an easy-to-read page-turner, and I shall definitely be on the lookout for more of your works.

7 of 9 people found the following review helpful

5.0 out of 5 stars Awesome science-fiction May 28, 2012

By Jimmy K

Format:Kindle Edition

Craze is his father, Bast's son. He's learned how to swindle with the best of them. Bast announces he's sending Craze off to another world to make his fortune. Craze thinks maybe his pa believes in him. But then Bast says he's sending him away from his home for good, stealing his girl, and having him declared a leecher, shamed in front of his people. Surely Craze's luck can't get worse than that? Yet as he heads off to Elstwhere, he discovers a whole universe meaner and greedier than his pa.

This was so much fun to read. The world building, or shall I say, universe building, is incredible. Amazing planets and beings. The imagery is vivid and filled my head with so many amazing sights. It was the little details. The living hair and amazingly soft skin of the Verkinn. The gender-bending of the Jix and the bird-like aviarmen. M. Pax so easily transported me to this other world and took my breath away.

There's edge-of-your-seat action and tension. Who to trust? Craze is immediately likable. Clever and yet naive. I found myself cheering for him and hoping he made it through in one piece. The friends and enemies he made came alive on the page, well, screen. I particularly liked Talos and Lepsi. They're fascinating and made the story all the more entertaining.

The Backworlds (Book 1) is a fantastic piece of science-fiction. I cannot wait until the next book comes out and we can see what sort of trouble Craze gets into next!

I'm craving chocolate now. *winks*

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful

1.0 out of 5 stars Doesn't anyone write decent scifi anymore? May 12, 2013

By Steven J. Morris

Format:Kindle Edition|Amazon Verified Purchase

If you are 16 or under and not too bright you might like this. I guess the word is shallow. The premise has promise but the implementation doesn't live up to it. The author can't weave the background into the story so she keeps telling you the background in out-of-context ways. It come across as jerky and unbelievable. You can't imagine real people speaking this dialog or thinking these thoughts.

Here is an example from the first page. Apparently until 60 seconds before the book starts the hero has had a wonderful and close relationship with his father. Now his dad seems to turn on him and he wonders if his Dad has been scamming him for 20 years only pretending he cares for him. That doesn't happen to real people unless they are idiots. The whole conversation is unbelievable. People don't suddenly wonder if someone they know well is secretly totally different. After 20 years of living with someone you can't make that big a mistake judging them. Real people can't totally hide an evil side every day for that many years of intimate living. You at least get hints that make you suspicious. Even if they did it is not your first thought. If your parents do something strange either you suspected their motives all along or you wonder what bizarre thing is making them act so strange. You don't immediately suspect your own judgement.

Clearly the author is creating conflict and can't be bothered to make it seem real. I suspect Dad is kindly kicking the fledgling out of the nest so he can learn to fly but the author wants the hero to not realize this. If this was as far as it went it wouldn't be a problem. Lots of authors fumble at artificially creating conflict but tell a good story after the conflict is set up. The problem with this book is that this is a pattern.... I find myself saying over and over "I wouldn't say that. I wouldn't think that. No one I know would say that."

I tried for about 6 chapters but finally gave up. After 6 chapters of suspending disbelief against such extreme provocation it gave me a headache. I don't relate well to unbelievable characters. Maybe it gets better after that. I doubt it.

Your mileage may vary. Read more ›

More About the Author

M. Pax is author of the sci-fi series, The Backworlds, and the new adult urban fantasy Hetty Locklear series. Browncoat and SG fan, she's also slightly obsessed with Jane Austen. In the summers she docents as a star guide at Pine Mountain Observatory where the other astronomers now believe she has the most extensive collection of moon photos in existence. No fear, there will be more next summer. She lives in stunning Central Oregon with the Husband Unit and two lovely, spoiled cats. Want to connect? Visit www.mpaxauthor.com