The Scorching: The World in My Hands

by Nick Snape

A lonely PA, a rebellious teenager, two ordinary people on a deadly journey to save humanity.

The world is heading towards global collapse as The Scorching takes full effect. Salvation vessels orbit the Earth, waiting to transport the chosen few away from danger and to start again; ten plantships grown by an alien species for the wealthiest and most powerful, or those lucky enough to be selected by lottery. The rest remain behind, their future dependent on the Drathken finding a solution to Earth’s problems.

Jenna, Personal Assistant to a prominent oil mogul, feels privileged to be among the saved, never questioning her good fortune.

While Seth suffers, forced to leave his friends behind as his family takes their place aboard their luxurious ship.

Yet not all is well on board. Dark secrets lurk in the corridors and depths of their respective ships, dragging Jenna and Seth into a world of malice and violence they thought they had left far behind.

Genres: Science Fiction, Fiction

222 pages, Paperback

Published October 16, 2024

About the author

Nick Snape has been steeped in Science Fiction and Fantasy since his friends first dragged him from his schoolwork and stuck a book under his nose. Lost to the world of imagination he became a teacher by accident though he thoroughly enjoyed developing the joy of reading and writing in his pupils. Having retired after thirty years he thought it was high time to practise what he preached.

Reviews

[Ryan M Patrick · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World in My Hands is an excellent sci-fi thriller set in a unique world that feels similar to our own but changed by The Scorching. There's a lot of things to like - well-realized characters, a fast-paced plot, and hard choices to be made by both of the main POV characters. I did not read the previous book in the series and didn't feel like I had missed anything, it definitely stands alone well.

However, The World in My Hands is *very* different than the Weapons of Choice sci-fi series (one of my favorites!) by the same author - it's written in the 1st person and is much more cerebral, with a lot fewer gunfights and explosions. Still, it's an outstanding novel, reminding me of one written by any of the classic sci-fi authors like Clarke and Asimov, full of big ideas about our future as a species, but written in a much more accessible, modern style. I highly recommend it!

[FantasyBookNerd · Rating 4 out of 5]

The Scorching: The World in My Hands is the second standalone novel in Nick Snape’s The Scorching Series.

Each book explores a different aspect of a near future earth after a cataclysmic event known as the scorching has taken place. The Scorching is a result of climate change. In each book, the earth has been offered aid by a race of insectoid aliens called The Drathken.

In this second book, The Drathken have offered the super rich members of the petro – chemical conglomerates and the other 1 percenters the chance to leave the devastated planet earth and boldly go where no one has gone before to set up a colony in the far reaches of the galaxy.

The book centres on two main characters, Jenna Watkins, a P.A. to billionaire owner of Stern Oil, Paul Sternman who is summoned to travel on the ship and leave the earth behind.

The other is Seth Knight, the entitled teenage son of the owner of Knight Oil, one of the oldest oil companies in the US.

I must admit that I had absolutely no idea what this book was about when I first started it and have to say that I was pretty impressed. I have never read any of Nick Snape’s books before and in all honesty, I applied to read the arc of the book on a whim because it looked alright. However, after reading this one, I am definitely going to be reading some more of his books. I know that he has some other sci fi books out, and he has also done a fantasy story, so I will definitely be checking them out.

The Scorching is a fast-moving science fiction thriller that never fails to surprise.

The characters are good and undergo a significant growth as the story progresses and much like the story, not in the way I expected. Ultimately though, this is a tale about sacrifice as it seems to be the predominant theme throughout the book.

Whilst this is a thriller, the writer subtly introduces a number of different concepts and has some ‘big thoughts’ about the future of the human race, but doesn’t use a frying pan to hit the reader over the head.

If you are looking for a decent slice of sci fi thriller, then this one is definitely worth seeking out. l

[Jeanette Jensen · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is the third book I have enjoyed from Nick this year. It all started with 'A Dragon of the veil', then the first book in this scorching series: 'Just press play'.
I just realized that Nick is the most read author by me this year. 😊


In familiar Nick style, we do get our dose of humour along with chills down my spine true to the season.

As always, Nick is on top of describing what we need to see to immerse ourselves, from the Drathken ships in vast space to the Irish Ronan. Yes, you read right. What? Did you expect some pink unicorns smirking?🤪

Our main characters, that we get to know quite well, are Jenna Watkins and Seth Knight. They are among the lucky few.
Jenna has managed to work herself up the corporate ladder high enough to get to come on one of the Drathken ships travelling towards new beginnings as Earth unravels.

Seth Knight is the son of a very important oil man, guaranteed to get a ticket onboard the Drathken ships. And last, but not least, we have the golden ticket lottery. Who are the winners? Time will tell…

As we embark and continue our journey, the plot thickens, and what is revealed becomes sinister and darker. We have curious people poking around, people trying to stop those people from poking around, I mean the Drathken ships are huge and they have all kinds of fun to stumble upon and some find out things they weren’t mean to find out. Yes, where is Irish Ronan when you need him, right?😂

If you are looking for a new series, I really recommend you have a look at this one. It might be on the shorter side counting the books. The plot it out of this world, and I can barely wait for the opportunity to read the third book in this series.. 🌎🤗

[Martin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Great series 😎

[nozama · Rating 5 out of 5]

Terrific read

Another excellent novel by Nick Snape, this one a science fiction mystery thriller with two protagonists on separate ships.

It starts slowly, but rachets up the tension as people start dying. As the protagonists start to investigate the deaths, they are forced to make difficult choices between their high-flying principles and the brutal low-level realities of survival.

I thoroughly enjoyed it.

[Stephen Gavin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World in My Hands is a fantastic venture into a dystopian future through the eyes of a few different characters. The premise is amazing and grips the reader into a very odd and exciting world. The characters blaze their own paths intricately as they try to figure out how to navigate their surroundings. Much is discovered along the way, and most of it is NOT ideal. To avoid spoilers ill leave it at that. You will just have to read it to find out. Well worth the ride (pun intended) highly recommend. 5 stars

[Book Reviewer · Rating 5 out of 5]

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.

[CJ · Rating 5 out of 5]

A worthy successor

I thoroughly enjoyed Nick Snape’s “The Scorching: Just Press Play”, and I must say I was intrigued to read his next instalment ‘The Scorching: The World in My Hands” as I knew this was a standalone novel, set before its predecessor. This concept was enough to hook me, and the cover really drew me in: it perfectly nails the tone and mood of the story.

This immersive sci-fi novel pulls you deeper into “The Scorching” universe. I must stress that there is no need to read either book first. “The World in My Hands” certainly offers new layers of complexity and intrigue. Snape provides far more detail on the mysterious alien Drathken race: supposedly friendly but with other slowly revealed motives. Their manipulation of humanity for their own survival is one of the story’s standout themes, giving vibes from classic sci-fi like the 1980s series “V”.

Snape uses two viewpoints throughout: Jenna Watkins and Seth Knight. Both of their stories are compelling, and although they run in parallel, it’s fascinating to see how their individual struggles tie into the more prominent themes of our planet changed by disaster. I loved the moment when Jenna first noticed the texture of the plantship (“walls were fibrous like a fake wallpaper”)—such a small detail, but it really added texture (literally!) to the world and made it feel real.

The most engaging part was how Snape has blended suspense and mystery with more significant philosophical questions. The story is thought-provoking without being heavy-handed, dealing with classic sci-fi themes of survival and sacrifice. By the time I reached the end, I found myself reflecting on Jenna’s ambiguous fate and the eerie nature of the Seed Queen. The subtle, almost sinister way the Queen communicates really added an unsettling layer to the narrative.

“The World in My Hands” is a compelling continuation of the world Snape has built. It’s full of twists, thoughtful themes and, like “Just Press Play”, plenty of excitement. I’m looking forward to reading the final instalment when it is ready.

[Peter Beard · Rating 5 out of 5]

A fantastically weird, and delightfully twisted Sci-Fi Thriller!

I really enjoyed the first book in The Scorching series, but this one is a step up even from that. The level of immersion I felt whilst reading has changed my perspective on what a good first-person book can achieve, and Mr Snape is single handedly changing my views on a POV I’ve always struggled to enjoy.

The story is twisted and weird, which I think is the Snape guarantee at this point. It did take me a little while to fully hop aboard, but much like the ships themselves, once you’re strapped in, there’s no going back!

I’d managed to guess a few of the revelations that were revealed later on in the book, but the path the characters took to reach them was often dripping with danger and tension, and you genuinely feared for the safety of these two fantastically written characters.

As a standalone book, I think the endings we got were just right, but honestly, I’d kinda be interested in finding out what happened next. But more than that, what about the other ships? I’m guessing that they were super boring and nothing at-all interesting happened aboard, right? Right?

All in all, a brilliant read, and wherever this series goes next, I’ll be eagerly waiting in line to read it!

[Stella Jorette · Rating 5 out of 5]

A philosophic deep space mystery thriller

The rich have yet again chosen to abandon an Earth they've helped destroy. This time, they've placed their fate in the hands of an alien species who've said, "leave in the ships we provide, and we will attempt to salvage your planet."

But the alien's organic spaceships are claustrophobic and have a creepy cosmic-horror, root and tendril vibe. So, at first I assumed, the aliens would snack on the rich mid-flight. But nothing in this novel is as it seems.

The tale unfolds through the eyes of two relatively powerless and thus relatable people: Jenna Watkins, a PA to an oil magnate and Seth Knight, the teen-aged son of an oil executive. The author does an excellent job of describing the character's situations and motivations and allows them considerable growth over the course of the story. Each uncovers separate aspects of the ship's mysterious purpose, makes their own interpretation of events, and reacts in their own way to the challenges they face the consequences of their choices.

In the end, I was left with a few questions, as the two main characters had formed different opinions on the alien's motives. So I look forward to learning more about the plant ships and their passengers.

[T.K. Toppin · Rating 5 out of 5]

The second book in The Scorching series, The World in My Hands, is yet another amazing and engaging Nick Snape book. Occurring before the events of the first book, we follow two unlikely protagonists who've been "lucky" enough to be chosen to leave a dying Earth. Boarding plantships from the alien benefactors, they venture out into the depths of space to search for a new home in the cosmos. But all is not as it appears to be, and in comes the driving plot of a mystery within a mystery - right down to questions that come with frightening answers and overwhelming consequences should they be revealed. Fast-paced, page-turning thrills and intrigue, and with engaging three dimensional characters that drive the story along. Who doesn't like a mystery aboard an alien vessel in the depths of space?

[Kate · Rating 5 out of 5]

This is quality Science Fiction. It felt like a really quick read but not because it was a short book, more because I found it immensely readable and difficult to put down.

There are some excellent ideas at play here – just what good SF should have. I loved the idea of the plantships taking the colonists towards their new lives and the steadily unfolding realisation of what dark secrets their ships hold.

The story is told from two very different characters, each on a different plantship and although their paths never actually cross their revelations mirror and compliment each other.

It’s a cleverly structured story with great characterisation and sense of place. I can’t wait to read more by this author.

[Bryan Chaffin · Rating 5 out of 5]

Nick Snape continues to show off his versatility as an author with this dramatic SciFi/CliFi space mystery. The story unveils everything through two people's perspectives, and by the end of this book, you'll understand just how %#*$ed humanity is.

Nick's writing dips back and forth between funny, scary, creepy, and exciting. And he does this all weaving in an alien species that is truly alien. And he's also continuing the broader arc started with Just Press Play, and he does it brilliantly.

The World in My Hands is great read.

I preordered this book, but also received an ARC for my honest review.

[Gloria C. · Rating 5 out of 5]

Received this as an ARC copy from the author. This book came as a real surprise, the mystery style and interwoven dual POV drew me in more than I expected and by the end I was swiping through the pages to keep up with the revelations. The fact we had such contrasting people to follow was a real boon, and I loved the plantship that had only really been hinted at in the first book. A great story for lovers of thoughtful scifi.

[Paul Zareith · Rating 5 out of 5]

A deeply nuanced sci-fi standalone with slow-burn suspense, a diverse and unorthodox cast of characters and a spaceship straight out of your worst nightmares.

Full review on SFFINSIDERS.COM

[Annette Jordan · Rating 5 out of 5]

The World in My Hands by Nick Snape is the second book in The Scorching series of Sci-Fi thrillers , but is written in a way that allows it to be read as a stand alone, no knowledge of the previous book is required. (That being said , I still recommend picking up the first book , Just Press Play, as it is a great read full of mind bending twists and turns, and gives another perspective on the world in which the series is set. )
Written in first person and with dual perspectives the book follows two ordinary people in an extraordinary situation as they find themselves aboard separate alien "plant ships" on a desperate mission to find a new home planet while Earth grows closer to eventual collapse due to severe climate change. There are two ways to gain a place on the ship, a lottery system or having the wealth or connections to buy your way on board. Teenage Seth is aboard one ship because of his father's wealth and position while on another ship P.A. Jenna is personally chosen by her oil baron boss. Life aboard the Drathken ships is not perfect but it is better than the alternative, or at least that is how it seems at first, but of course all is not as it appears and the dark underbelly of the ships are hiding secrets that will have both Jenna and Seth questioning everything they thought they knew.
This is a truly gripping thriller that really captivated me, I love a good space murder mystery and this is right up there with the best I have read. Both P.O.V, characters are well realised and while Jenna resonated with me much more than Seth, who was more than a little annoying at first, I was invested in both their stories and really appreciated how both narratives were woven together to reveal the hidden truth. To be fair, it is probably a testament to the author's skill that he made the character of a teenage boy so annoying that I felt like a frustrated parent, it was certainly very believable. While the first book in the series is a full on action packed thriller, this had more of a mystery vibe, while still having moments that left me on the edge of my seat, desperate to find out what happened next. The theme of survival and how far we are willing to go in pursuit of that at any cost runs through both storylines and definitely gives the reader food for thought but it is wrapped up in a story so good that it never feels heavy handed. There are moments of humour to counterbalance the tension and also some genuinely disturbing imagery that is so well described that it borders on horror. I was fascinated by the descriptions of the Drathken ships and intrigued by the introduction of the Seed Queen. It was really interesting to learn more about the aliens and expand on what I gleaned from the first book.
An excellent Sci- Fi thriller that leaves me excited to read more from this author.
I read an ARC courtesy of the author, all opinions are my own.