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Dual Murder Mysteries
The Scorching: The World in My Hands follows a select group of humans who are brought to live on alien ships when the Earth is headed for global collapse. What was the inspiration for the setup of your story?
The original concept came from wanting to write about a very possible near future in terms of the ‘The Scorching’ and the environmental situation we have been developing through indifference. Once I had the world in my head, I then needed to ensure there were engaging stories to be told. In this case, dual murder mysteries involving people with little-to-no power within an organisation very used to being in control.
I find the world you created in this novel brimming with possibilities. Where did the inspiration for the setting come from and how did it change as you were writing?
The plantships were a concept from Just Press Play, and in a way were a reference to the benign role of the Drathken. They have grown a ship that acts with automaticity, and though the humans try to influence what happens, their only real impact is on the internal society. The ship runs itself, and this evolved as I wrote into the concept of the Seed Queen and how the ship finds its next home. You can take this as an allegory – the public can have a say in how we want our world to function, but the real power acts in the background of society.
What were some themes that were important for you to explore in this book?
The lack of voice those without power truly have, and where ultimate control of what happens to us and our world lies. My main characters have stark choices to make, and you, as the reader, may not agree with the direction they take when faced with survival.
Will there be a follow-up novel to this story? If so, what aspects of the story will the next book cover?
I would like to explore two more themes within The Scorching. One would be the can of worms opened in this book about what was known in the 1950s about climate change. This would likely be a short novella. The other, an exploration of the new Earth once the Drathken have completed their mission to deal with the damage to our atmosphere. Of course, they would need to be fun stories, one full of intrigue, the other more action-orientated.
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The Scorching: The World in My Hands
In The Scorching: The World in My Hands, Nick Snape, delivers a gripping, high-stakes sci-fi adventure that is equal parts suspenseful and thought-provoking. Earth is reeling under the devastation of “The Scorching,” and survival seems bleak—yet the alien Drathken, insectoid beings with their own mysterious motives, have intervened. Hovering above the planet in their massive, organically grown plantships, the Drathken host a select group of humans: the world’s wealthy elite, some lottery winners, and two of the novel’s most intriguing characters—Seth and Jenna.
Snape deftly unravels this story through the alternating viewpoints of Seth and Jenna, contrasting their conflicting emotions and motivations. Seth struggles with guilt and regret, wrestling with the knowledge that he left friends behind to secure his family’s safety. Jenna, in stark contrast, feels no such remorse, taking her new life aboard with an almost ruthless acceptance. These differing perspectives create dynamic tension and draw readers into a deepening web of deceit and violence on board, one that neither protagonist could have anticipated.
The world Snape has crafted is vivid, a bit reminiscent of the Halo universe, yet fresh with the unique cultural and biological complexities of the Drathken. This alien species, having constructed their ships from living organisms, adds a fascinating dimension to the sci-fi landscape. Snape’s writing shines here—his command of narrative, dialogue, and sharp descriptions brings the plantships and their alien inhabitants into clear focus.
Character development is another triumph of the novel. Snape’s portrayal of Seth and Jenna, especially as they begin to see from each other’s perspectives, adds depth and complexity. The shifts in their attitudes keep the story dynamic and bring new intensity to the peril they face. This sense of growth, paired with the author’s strong narrative structure, will keep readers riveted as tension builds.
From start to finish, The Scorching: The World in My Hands is classic sci-fi, balanced between action, intrigue, and compelling ethical questions. Snape’s skillful storytelling guarantees readers will be hanging on every word, right up to a payoff that feels powerful and well-earned. For fans of immersive and approachable sci-fi, this novel is a worthy addition to the genre, and one that won’t easily be forgotten.
Pages: 253 | ASIN : B0DH3MC5XV
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