Blog Archives
Find Your “Happy Place”
Terra Firma follows twelve-year-old Sev and a one-armed scoundrel as they navigate the deadly landscape of an unforgiving planet, forging an unlikely bond while fighting to survive a perilous harvesting mission. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
I wanted to play with the dynamic of an opposite sort of relationship…a man, a girl, an adult, a child, an amputee, and so on. Then I wanted to explore the dependency/partnership evolution, and how that might go. Science Fiction has always been an inspiration to me, so I decided to set it in a dystopian/otherworldly environment. The rest just sort of fell into place. It really stemmed from me wanting to explore a dynamic, then creating a world to allow that to flourish.
Sev and Phoenix have such distinct voices. Did their characters evolve as you wrote, or did you know who they were from the start?
I knew Phoenix would be worldly…educated by experiences but unrefined. Well-read, but not pretentious. An every-man. The sort of ne’er-do-well you love to root for. And Sev immediately was wise beyond her years, hardened by life, but with the molten core of childhood innocence. A yearning for stability. Sev evolved the most, I feel. She really found her voice, her confidence, and her peace. Early on in the story she has this latent anxiety. It’s subtle, but it’s there. By the end of the book, that is all but gone.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
Found Family, number one, coming of age, the concept of inherent goodness and right/wrong. Universal themes of belonging…the desire to find your “happy place,” whatever that is. We all have a definition.
What sci-fi stories or authors influenced your approach to storytelling?
Ray Bradbury is my biggest influence. His language…his storytelling and descriptive nature. I read him from very early on, and just admired him so much. “All Summer in a Day,” a short story about a young girl named Margot not unlike Sev, made me want to be a writer.
Author Links: GoodReads | X | Facebook | Website
In a galaxy where stability is a luxury few can afford, young Sev dreams of a home she can call her own. Roaming the cosmos with her distant father, they drift from one perilous job to the next, barely scraping by in a universe full of danger and adventure. But when their last big job on a treacherous planet doesn’t go as planned, their lives are forever altered.
Join Sev on a thrilling journey through danger and discovery as she fights for a future—and perhaps a family—beyond her wildest dreams.
For fans of The Divergent Series and The Hunger Games… home is more than a place—it’s the people who fight for you.
Are you ready to start on an interstellar adventure like no other? Get your copy today and dare to dream beyond the stars!
Terra Firma
Jessahme Wren’s Terra Firma is a riveting blend of spacefaring adventure and poignant human struggle. It follows Sev, a resilient twelve-year-old, and Phoenix, a one-armed scoundrel, as their fates intertwine on a perilous calcet harvesting mission on the deadly planet Terra Firma. Both characters, bound by desperation and circumstance, embark on a gritty journey that explores survival, morality, and unlikely companionship in the unforgiving expanse of the Outer Reaches.
Wren’s writing stands out for its rich detail and emotional depth. The opening chapter drew me in immediately, painting Sev’s worn-down existence with vivid, raw strokes, her hunger, her strained relationship with her father, and her longing for a life beyond survival. I was particularly moved by Sev’s moments of reflection, such as when she daydreams about her late mother while chewing on stale ration bars. Wren balances these tender moments with the harshness of Sev’s reality, creating a striking contrast that lingers.
Phoenix, too, is an intriguing character. His introduction, a high-stakes gambling cheat that costs him an arm sets the tone for his roguish, stubborn personality. I found myself torn between rooting for him and cringing at his reckless decisions. Yet, his humanity shines through in his interactions with Sev, especially when he risks his life to save her on Terra Firma. Their uneasy alliance blossoms into a partnership, which feels both inevitable and heartwarming. The dialogue between them sparkles with subtle humor and emotional weight, particularly during their stay in the miner’s tent.
The worldbuilding is another highlight. Terra Firma itself is practically a character, with its toxic spores, undulating calcet pits, and lethal unpredictability. Wren crafts an environment that is as menacing as it is mesmerizing. I could feel the weight of the air and hear the hiss of Sev’s overworked filter. Similarly, Dobani, with its sunlit beaches and bustling markets, feels like a breath of fresh air—a sharp contrast to the grim chaos of space and Terra Firma.
Terra Firma is a story for readers who enjoy character-driven sci-fi with a strong emotional core. Jessahme Wren delivers a tale that’s both gritty and hopeful, full of heartbreak and healing. I highly recommend it to anyone looking for a story about survival, found family, and the tenacity it takes to find beauty in an unforgiving world.
Pages: 237 | ASIN: B0DR61PCFR
LITERARY TITAN 