Fimbulvinter's Fires: a queer apocalyptic sci-fi horrormance

by A.M. Weald

Worlds and hearts will be set aflame…

Within moments of his escape pod crash-landing in a night-clad frozen forest, musician Asher Hollin is frostbitten, bleeding, a thief, and a killer. If not for technology looted from a dead prison guard, he’d be long dead, either from hypothermia or from being attacked by battleaxe-wielding not-quite-human marauders.

Without hope of rescue from those he'd fled, there's only one choice: keep going. Fight. Survive for those who didn't. Somewhere out there is food, shelter, civilization. Indeed, just as the darkness threatens to consume him, help comes from an initially unwilling source.

Compassion and a yearning for companionship spark an unlikely relationship, but a lack of understanding of language and culture endangers Ash and everyone around him.

Inspired by the tale of Ragnarök and its harbinger, Fimbulvinter’s Fires combines achillean love stories with first-contact sci-fi, survival horror, and apocalyptic tragedy: a heart-pounding yet tender tale of compassion, survival, and the lengths we’ll go to protect those we love.

This snowpocalypse contains violence and death, steamy scenes, strong language, deep snow, and high heat. Tread carefully.

Genres: Horror, Science Fiction, Romance, Queer, Dystopia

ebook

Published October 1, 2025

About the author

A.M. Weald writes emotional, character-driven fiction in a mix of genres from the romantic to the speculative. She is a freelance editor, a semi-retired archaeologist, and a neurodivergent xennial who thinks about cats way too often.
Newsletter: subscribepage.io/amweald

Reviews

[Sully (sulliedjedi) · Rating 5 out of 5]

Loved this book! I was absolutely hooked by the first page or two. One of the best complete language barrier portrayals, and a fantastic survival tale.

I'll add a full review later, but I wanted to mention that this doesn't have a traditional HEA. I wouldn't classify it as a genre romance. Just a heads up since 95% of what I read and review is usually a genre romance.

A full detailed list of CW's are available on AM Weald's website.

Available for free on Kobo+, Smashwords, and it's on sale for 99¢ everywhere.


There are people out there, somewhere—they might not all be axe-wielding toe-collecting serial killers.

[X · Rating 4 out of 5]

Fascinating - simultaneously dark and sweet. I really never had any idea what was going to happen next, but everything that happened felt both fitting and realistic (for an extremely specific value of realistic!). I appreciated the way less-relevant (and even more relevant!) plot elements were never overexplained - so much of SF(F) has a tendency to want to show off all its author’s worldbuilding, and this book was really refreshing by contrast.

I mean this in the most flattering way possible for all involved - this book is like a more concise, better written Lily Mayne book.

[Jake Vanguard · Rating 5 out of 5]

Fimbulvinter's Fires is incredibly intense and emotional. Despite the language barrier, there's such a fierce connection between Ash and Leim. There's a lot to think about after reading this novella, and - I'm not going to spoil much here - it's very much appropriate mirroring the world's decline.

I'm still in awe of Leim's incredible patience, how they took Ash under their wing immediately, cared for him. The writing further helped with that, including lots of body language and facial expressions in lieu of spoken language. I was shivering and cold while reading, the prose perfectly translating the setting: a cold, snow-covered planet filled with creatures that want to eat you.

I received this book as an Advance Reader Copy but I'm freely leaving this review. All opinions are my own.

[The Reading Ruru (Kerry)]

Read as judge (Space Girls) for SPSFC5 - ratings and opinions are my own.
Read 50% this will be a cut from me (does not necessarily mean it is out of competition as yet)

enjoyed the first 25% of this fast paced book quite a lot, the MC escape from an exploding prison ship, dealing with death of his cellmate lover, his attempts to survive on a perilous, snowy unknown planet, fighting local human like predators and some light moments with the AI "watch" that he scored off the prison guard who also didn't survive the crash.
The initial first contact with the aliens was fine then it came to the sex scenes. Im not totally adverse to on page sex but I really do prefer fade to black. I really wasn’t enjoying my time by the ½ way mark.

[Nancy Foster]

I am one of the judges of team Space Girls for the SPSFC5 contest. This review is my personal opinion. Officially, it is still in the running for the contest, pending any official team announcements.

Status: Yes!
Read: 34%

I just got the full list and access to the books for the 5th iteration of this indie book contest and am starting my 3rd year as volunteer judge with this randomly selected book. Since I don't have access to an excel file with the word counts of this year's books, it will be a bit tricky for me to steamroll through the shortest reads first which is what I have done in previous years. While my team officially has a 20% sample rule, I tend to reach the 30% to give books with slower starts a fairer chance to win that coveted quarterfinalist slot.

Lest to say, this book is a quick read and feels more like novella territory. It probably has 60,000 words, tops. And I dare say, I can't believe I reached the first 3rd so quickly because the pages pass me by without even realizing it. In this case given the high stakes, this is a good thing.

I enjoy how the book commences with a sense of chaotic disorientation alongside shorter frantic sentences. Our protagonist Ash has just survived an escape pod crash after a prison riot. We don't know much about the circumstances of how he ended up in a prison transport ship, only a few sprinkled hints he grew up in a society that shuns people with his sexual preferences.

Somewhat similar to the train scene in Harrison Ford's film The Fugitive, there's chaos, flames, pain shooting through his body, biting cold weather in an unforgiving forest and a recently deceased prison guard. With few options left, Ash strips the guard and steals his high-tech wrist cuff, vest and baton that grant a myriad of interesting abilities such as embedded energy fields around any object he holds, flashlights, pain meds and a nifty translation device. I was constantly laughing everytime the wrist AI nicknamed Vee would reply with Vitalguard slogans. 'Thank you Vee for zapping me awake.' 'You're welcome, Ash, Vitalguard is the best wrist guard for all your daily needs.' LOL

Some things start veering off in a different direction from that film. So far, there are zero hints the penal colony has started searching for Ash, he has not encountered other survivors from the mutiny and instead is encountering nonstop dangers in a haunting forest with interminable winter. Readers that enjoy survivor stories in the wilderness will certainly enjoy this book.

At the 30% point, we are starting to learn more of the world surrounding Ash and the possible implication there will be romancing alongside alien civilization contact tropes. I am enjoying this book a lot, feel it is well written and am voting yes for it to continue in the competition.

[Alastair H · Rating 5 out of 5]

Sometimes I like to (very rarely) stress myself out while reading queer sci Fi horror. As such I knew I needed to read this one. It's under 200 pages so relatively short and a good book to pick up when you want something that will keep your eyes wide the entire way through. It really reminded me of a book I read a few years ago called The Scientist, The Spaceman, and The Stars Between them. Both books are drenched in desperation and the characters clinging to what little they have left with all their might.

While this is mainly a survival/apocalypse story and the relationship is a bit of a subplot, I found the connection between Leim and Ash very touching. They come together while trying to survive in their harsh world and use each other for the stability and comfort they both need.

There are quite a lot of dark themes in this book so make sure it's a genre you like and you're alright with the CW & TWs. If you are though, it's quite good, with lyrical writing and a story that has something attention worthy occurring on every page. I found it a very unusual and poetic read.

[Ben Andrews · Rating 5 out of 5]

need to write a longer review but wow, this was strangely beautiful. a story about two strangers who slowly learn to communicate with each other, and a fantastic twist towards the end. an easy and quick read.

[BasheeeReads · Rating 5 out of 5]

Queer Viking-esque aliens?? You got me, A.M Weald!

From the very first frozen breath of its night-clad forest, Fimbulvinter’s Fires grips you with tension, heart, and unflinching danger. A.M. Weald has the uncanny ability to find deeply emotional stories into the most unlikely places—this time it’s an apocalypse!

Ash is a deeply compelling protagonist—resourceful, flawed, and heartbreakingly human. The unlikely bond he forms with Leim (now my all time favourite alien) is tender and emotionally resonant, especially against a backdrop of survival horror and apocalyptic stakes.

The worldbuilding is vivid, the pacing is perfect, and the story balances heart-pounding action with moments of quiet intimacy—A.M Weald’s speciality!

Themes of love, compassion, and protection run throughout, giving the book an emotional depth rare in high-stakes sci-fi.

Fimbulvinter’s Fires is intense, immersive, and deeply moving—this is a story that lingers long after the last page. To put it simply, I adored this book. It’s become one of my firm favourite reads. I don’t think I’m the same after reader Ash and Leim’s story!

I received this as an advanced reader copy. My thoughts and reviews are my own.

[Helyna Clove · Rating 5 out of 5]

I read the first 30% of this as a judge in SPSFC5, and although my team did not end up sending the book through the quarterfinals, I knew I wanted to read the whole thing anyway. The setup and the writing style in the first segment definitely put it into top3 for me.

The chaos and panic of the beginning immediately grabbed me. Ash, our main character, crashes onto a strange, cold, forested planet after a violent rebellion on his prison spaceship. His capsule is broken, his fellow passengers (a prison guard, and his lover, Jasin) are dead, and his life is only saved by the strange, high-tech vest he takes from the guard when strange humanoids attack him in the freezing outside. Ash starts walking, hoping to find civilization, his body functions boosted by the vest, at least as long as it has charge...but gets attacked again, this time only saved by a strange, taciturn warrior who takes him to his village.

Leim helps him to heal and survive in the hostile environment, but Ash is an outsider: he doesn't understand the language, the place he arrived at, their customs, their rules, and he's still grieving his partner. It is only Leim alone who protects him. It was quite clear even after the first 30% that the book will be more romance than sci-fi or horror, and there's quite a bit of spice in it which is not usually my thing, but I too enjoyed the evolution of the relationship between Ash and Leim. It was an added, unique barrier that they couldn't communicate well and we readers only saw part of the picture, leaning heavily on vibes. The writing style remained lovely, and many things are revealed about the world as well. It's a tragic, intriguing story with a strange ending that ultimately fit the style. Made me want to read more from the author for sure.

[Helen Whistberry · Rating 4 out of 5]

An intriguing stew of genres that starts out strongly sci-fi before diving into folkloric horror mixed with a dystopian, survivalist narrative. Our protagonist, Ash, struggles to make it in an unfamiliar and hostile landscape of bitter cold, snow and ice after escaping a prison spaceship and crash landing (where exactly? that's part of the mystery). His chances of escaping a painful death of one kind or another from the many hazards he encounters increase after meeting up with some of the planet's wary but curious inhabitants who reluctantly offer him shelter.

There's lots of great worldbuilding here from the structure and customs of the community Ash joins to the language which he can't understand, leading to some very interesting conflicts and dilemmas. He's aided by tech salvaged from the wreckage that becomes another character in the story as it's the only "being" with which he can communicate easily for much of the time. The final genre element falls into place when Ash begins a tentative romance with one of his rescuers. Their attempts to connect despite their cultural and language differences forms the heart of a narrative that asks, is it worth the potential pain and heartache of reaching out for love when everything around you is falling apart?

I recommend paying attention to the author's content warnings on this one as there are a lot of very heavy themes, horror imagery, and no guarantees of a happy ending, but for readers who enjoy tales of perseverance, tenacity, and even a stubborn kind of hope amid disaster, this is a satisfying and skillfully-blended mix of genres.

[Katherine Shaw · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is a gripping novella that kept surprising me at every turn!

I'm a big fan of a genre mash-up, and the mix of sci-fi, horror and romance is balanced perfectly here. The survival aspect feels real, with the danger of the harsh surroundings feeling ever-present throughout the story. While Ash swings from one bleak situation to another, there are real moments of tenderness as his relationship with Liem develops, and I thought the handling of the language barrier was done wonderfully. What was especially great was the use of the sci-fi tech that Ash managed to salvage - it provided just enough benefit without becoming a deux ex machina, and its massive help with communication felt truly earned when it came.

There's a lot that remains mysterious and unanswered throughout the story, but I think it works well. Although I would love to know more about Ash's background and how exactly this situation came to be, I understand it isn't part of this narrative and it doesn't have to be for the story to work. I do wish there had been more build-up to the ending - it came as quite a surprise and I'd have liked more time to work through it before it was all over. The rest of the story gave us time to sit with Ash and be in the moment with him, and I would've loved one more chance for that as everything came to an end... but perhaps that is the point?

[Pepper_Mind · Rating 4 out of 5]

This is for you if...
... you like fast paced action driven stories
... you love a novella for the end of the year aboit the end of the world
... you like romance (with spice) paired with apocalyptical horror survival

Asher's ascape pod carshed un an unknown planet. He is immediately attacked, has to scramble to survival and has to face the death of his lover Jasin.

Only good thing: their prison giard is dead too. Ans then he has to run.

The pace and writing are super fast. We don't get time to take a breath and, just like Asher, get thrown into full survival mode. The emotions are raw and real and the snow is so damn cold.

When Asher meets other people, the can't communicate and the language barrier adds the struggle.

I loved how real this novella felt. There was no sugar coating those emotions. That, paired with good writing and fast events, made this a page turner at its best. It took me just a couple of hours ro finish. I have no regrets.

No spoilers, but I also thought the ending was intriguing and I wasn't expecting it.

[Chiara D'Agosto · Rating 5 out of 5]

Not a romance per se, but a very romantic survival story at the end of the world. Stunning prose, incredible character development for such a short novella, amazing depiction of language and cultural barrier. Also really true to the harshness of the environment created: nothing was sanitised or glossed over. This world is scary and horrifying and COLD. Leim being terrified of blizzards and crying in the snow shelter had me crying as well 🥹🥹🥹🥹 Ash and Leim's connection was authentic, well established, and despite their language difficulties, you can feel their mutual affection and the despair around them. Because tbh this is such a heartbreaking story. Finding joy when we can, while we can. And perhaps we get to watch the sky fall on us together.

absolutely brilliant little gem.

[Syn McDonald · Rating 5 out of 5]

I am a reader who doesn’t always need to know “why” or “when”. All I need is the story. This is a STORY. While it is a story of an apocalypse, it is also an incredible love story, which always makes me happy. There’s pulse-pounding action, danger, and fear. There’s wonder and discomfort. There’s doubt and question. We’re all going to die, and all we can ask for is happiness along the way. This story has that, and it made me very fulfilled to see it. I read this book all in one night, because I couldn’t stop reading it. All in all, a wonderful MM romance. I will read it again.

[Chrys Kosheluk · Rating 5 out of 5]

Doomed yaoi... NB/M... This one fascinated me, destroyed me. It's a bleak read, but you could guess from the horrormance part of the title. It feels so real. Even a couple weeks after reading it, I still think about it.

The world building is incredible, especially for a shorter book. There's a mystery about it that unravels at a great pace for me, holding my attention almost too well (distracting me from doing anything else with my free time!) The writing itself is done very well in my opinion.

[Abella · Rating 4 out of 5]

Enjoyed this a lot. A very refreshing entry into the genre. The book is rather short imho, and it left me with lot of questions, which lowered the rating some. But i also understand this is by the authors design. It feels intentional rather than forgotten, if that makes sense. Im just a curious bitch, sue me.
Really would suggest.

[may · Rating 3 out of 5]

3.75

so fucking depressing I did this to myself


I’m relieved.
I’m absolved.
And somewhere, my Jasin is smiling, and waiting.


): just stab me already

[Ashe Hale · Rating 4 out of 5]

one of the best done language barriers I've come across in Queer SciFi but the rest of this book was one big ??? to me yet an enjoyable ???

[Ceallaigh · Rating 5 out of 5]

‘“The… end?”
Leim turns their gaze back to me, speaks to me instead of the void.
“As a child I did not believe the stories. Winters are always difficult.”
They look away again.
“The prophecy spoke of unceasing bitter cold. Starvation. Rivers of kin-blood. Wolves eating the moon and the sun. Fire and ice colliding. And, before the end—the true end—stars will fall, and the [unknown] will burn this world, aching to try again.”’

I’ve never read anything like this before and I think it was the novelty more than anything else that I really loved about this book. It was deeply bleak and gorey and tense and violent but the writing, structure, plot (especially the plot devices!) were all incredibly clever and original. I buddy read this with some other folks from the Archaeo Bookclub (the author is one of our members) and we all had a fantastic time with it.

I guess I would call this book sci-fi horromance? Again my first time reading anything remotely close to this subgenre so I could be wrong in my assessment. I thought the tension of the romance and the tension of the LIs’ situation worked really well together & Weald did a great job balancing both storylines & interweaving them together in a way that was both believable and sympathetic.

Click here to read my full review of FIMBULVINTER’S FIRES complete with my full thoughts, further reading suggestions, & more of my favorite quotes, notes, & annotations!

★ ★ ★ ★ .75

CW // a lot of violence, gore, sex, cannibalism