These Families have for centuries enslaved non-human life forms by a policy of alien genocide.

Beneath the surface of the seemingly dead world of Sanctum, surviving intelligent aliens are gathering, united in their desire to strike back at the barbarous society that had laid waste their civilisations.

When Pawl's father and brother die in quick succession, Pawl finds himself thrust into a position of supreme power, unaware that the alien races have decided to revolt and intend to use him and his lover, Laurel Beltane, as pawns to defeat the other ruling families.

"High-class space opera with a welter of convincing aliens," sang White Dwarf.

Dave Langford reviewed Master of Paxwax for White Dwarf #82, and stated that "high-class space opera with a welter of convincing aliens.