Students seeking a thrilling and thought provoking book to read over the semester break can look no farther than the recently published novel “Scorched,” the tale of a young boy living underground after a solar flare destroyed the earth’s atmosphere.

Author Michael Soll creates a beautifully written satirical piece that comments on the construction of society as well as the basic need to survive. Spec, a 16-year-old collector, begins to travel to the surface with his two companions discovering other colonies like his own below the earth’s exterior.

Along with having his book recently ranked first on Amazon’s top free 100 list for Young Adult Action/Adventure, Soll, a recent University of California Los Angeles graduate, is also an award-winning screenwriter. He was awarded second place in the PAGE contest for his feature “If, Then.”

Students may find Spec to be relatable as he grows weary of his daily routine in his colony and begins to search for another life outside of his own.

“I’ve read a lot of Michael’s work in the past, and this is one of his best,” said Jamie, a customer reviewer on Amazon for the novel. “His characters always feel very real and relatable. It’s an enjoyable, interesting read.”

“Scorched” is an exciting novel sure to please readers. To purchase the novel, visit http://www.amazon.com/dp/B00P0J2YUU/.