Shania Scichilone Talks Nemesis and Disability Representation
Welcome to another author interview on BookishEnds! This week we have one of my clients, the lovely and multi-talented Shania Scichilone, talking about her latest release Nemesis, worldbuilding, and disability representation. Keep scrolling to read the full interview and an excerpt from Nemesis.
What do you want readers to take away from Nemesis?
Each character learns and/or teaches life lessons. The wisest of the characters is Nemesis, our lead dragon. Some of the most important themes concern forgiveness and repairing wrongs. One of my favourite lines I like to reference really says it all. “You cannot be judged for doing what you were taught was right,” Nemesis tells me. “That you are willing to rewrite your wrongs is the real marker of your courage.”
Who was your favorite character to write in Nemesis?
This is such a fun question! Of course, I love them all, but of the “people,” I really enjoyed writing Asher. My favourite dragon is most definitely Idris, for his sassy quips and companionable nature.
In Nemesis, the main characters have several disabilities and chronic illnesses. Why was it important for you to include disabilities in a fantasy book?
Disability representation is incredibly important to me as a disabled person. We need more stories with disability and chronic illness representation, especially those written by disabled authors, so we can provide characters who feel authentic and who allow disabled readers to feel seen. For readers who don’t live with these challenges, it serves as an educational tool, allowing them to learn and, perhaps, empathize on a deeper level. On a more personal note, I love imagining myself in the shoes of my heroic, strong characters.
Nemesis contains astrology-based magic. What was the worldbuilding process like? Did it differ from your process for the Fates Divine trilogy?
This was new for me! By relying on basic astrology, it gave everything a base to work with and kept things clear and uncomplicated. The Fates Divine trilogy was far more difficult, in that I had to study Greek mythology, religion, pagan traditions, and more. I’d never read so many books on myths, magic, and history before! It was enjoyable, but far more tedious than with Nemesis.
Did the title for Nemesis come to you before or after writing the book?
The title came to me midway into writing, which is on-brand for me. The second the lead dragon introduced himself; I realized how silly it would be to name him Nemesis, which led to choosing the title.
What are your favorite tropes?
I am a sucker for Enemies to Lovers, Fated Mates, and the Chosen One trope. I don’t always go into plotting with these in mind, but they have a way of inserting themselves, nonetheless.
Do you have any books in the works or upcoming that you can tell us about?
I sure do! Something you should know about me is that I am a mood reader AND a mood writer. I write whatever I want whenever the mood strikes! Which means I have several works-in-progress on the go, as well as a Gothic Romance in line edits. I’m excited for each project, as they’re all very different! It allows me to explore all my interests. Oh, and don’t worry—Fates Divine book three and Nemesis book two are high on the priority list. They’re almost finished, though I’ve been prolonging writing the ending. How does one wrap up a series?
Nemesis Description
The Asherian War has ushered Earth into a new age. Humankind has gone, giving rise to a tenuous society of races once confined to shadows and stories. The new paradigm is overseen by the Celestials, with their terrestrial ambassadors, the Legacies, who wield a potent and manifold elemental magic. They were instrumental in banishing the dragons—ravenous and mindless beasts—to the gloomier land of a place known as the Outer Edge.
Astraea, the powerful general of the Legacy Legion, cannot stand by when two massive dragons descend on the Legacy Compound and abduct her younger sisters. Leaping on one of their great scaly backs, becoming a willing captive to the darker margins of their world, she and her siblings undertake a shocking and revealing journey, one where prior deceptions are lifted, where alliances fall and former enemies become allies and where new, unexpected dangers are born.
Dragons, Astraea learns, are hardly the mindless creatures she knew them to be—they are thoughtful seekers of peace, with a wholly different perspective on the Asherian War, and their banishment to the Outer Edge.
As Astraea and her sisters reconcile themselves to this new reality, the fae king, Asher—so named for the war, and who is very much enamored with Astraea—pursues them to the Outer Edge. Though he can be pompous and presumptuous, there is no doubt Astraea herself is drawn to him. As she cautiously opens her heart, and arms herself with new understanding, she and the others must also prepare to confront those who stand in the way of peace.
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Excerpt
“Go, Asher,” I command. Though my eyes are white, I see his figure with the power of my eterì. Wherever the smoke blows, I can see and feel—my eterì is an extension of myself. The fae king stands with me, back-to-back, his teeth glinting. Asher’s eterì springs to life, his white fog blending with my dark haze.
“And miss out on kicking ass?” His eyes turn black. “I think not.” “Last chance,” I growl, getting in position. Five brutish dragons crouch at the ready, their commander’s head low, almost grazing the forest ground. Their bodies crush the giant trees, pulping everything into a pasture.
“On your right!” Asher announces, just as the purple dragon who’d stolen Vena swings its tail at me. I grin, then push off the ground and leap onto its feral appendage. I grapple with the slippery tail, trying to get a good hold. The moment I get my feet to grip, I launch myself further up its body, grab onto its horn and wrench my eterì forward. The dragon cries out, whipping its head to throw me off. My hand slips and I sail across the space, my lungs catching as Asher plucks me from the sky and lands in a crouch, where he cradles me to his chest.
“Put me down, you big oaf!” I hiss, pushing at his shoulders. He releases me, laughing darkly.
“Big oaf? Gee, I’m flattered.”
