What do you think?
Rate this book
Permafrost
The key to the future is a book from the past.
The world is a frozen wasteland. Oskar and his sister Mitzi are fleeing south, trying to escape the Northern Raiders who have slaughtered their people. They find sanctuary in a strange city where they are made welcome. But the Northern Raiders have followed, and the city is besieged.
Oskar joins with his new-found friends and takes up arms to help them defend their home. But then he discovers an old diary hidden away in the library. The diary was written at the time of the city’s foundation and reveals the truth about what happened all those years ago – and what caused the world to freeze. Oskar soon realises that there is more than one way for him to save this city.
The world is a frozen wasteland. Oskar and his sister Mitzi are fleeing south, trying to escape the Northern Raiders who have slaughtered their people. They find sanctuary in a strange city where they are made welcome. But the Northern Raiders have followed, and the city is besieged.
Oskar joins with his new-found friends and takes up arms to help them defend their home. But then he discovers an old diary hidden away in the library. The diary was written at the time of the city’s foundation and reveals the truth about what happened all those years ago – and what caused the world to freeze. Oskar soon realises that there is more than one way for him to save this city.
283 pages, Kindle Edition
Published May 15, 2025
9 people want to read
About the author
Kate Kelly
9 books18 followersKate Kelly was born in Scotland but grew up in Devon. She studied Geology at Dundee University and then Oceanography as a post grad at Southampton. She now works as a Marine Scientist. Her interest in these subjects has inspired many of the themes in her writing.
Kate has written all her life and has had a number of science fiction short stories published. Her debut novel Red Rock is published by Curious Fox.
As well as writing Kate is a keen hill walker and is fascinated by history and archaeology.
She lives in Dorset with her husband, two daughters and assorted pets.
Kate has written all her life and has had a number of science fiction short stories published. Her debut novel Red Rock is published by Curious Fox.
As well as writing Kate is a keen hill walker and is fascinated by history and archaeology.
She lives in Dorset with her husband, two daughters and assorted pets.
Ratings & Reviews
Friends & Following
Create a free account to discover what your friends think of this book!
Community Reviews
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews
April 4, 2025
"I know not with what weapons World War III will be fought, but World War IV will be fought with sticks and stones." -Albert Einstein
This was a fun read! Kelly imagines a cold, desolate world on the edge of survival. I put on a jacket several times while reading this - the thought of permanent winter is literally the worst future I can imagine for myself. The narrative weaves between this present condition, and a very different world 200 years prior. At the core of this is a mystery that overlaps both timelines, something that will determine the fate of humanity. The world is revealed slowly, and Kate does a great job of pulling the reader along for the slow reveal. I was sucked in by that unknown, and the pace of the story never bogged down my engagement. At times though, I found the dialogue a bit wooden and stiff, and some of the characters a bit too two-dimensional. For me, that detracted from some of the emotional punches that the story held. Still, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for those that like climate fiction.
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
This was a fun read! Kelly imagines a cold, desolate world on the edge of survival. I put on a jacket several times while reading this - the thought of permanent winter is literally the worst future I can imagine for myself. The narrative weaves between this present condition, and a very different world 200 years prior. At the core of this is a mystery that overlaps both timelines, something that will determine the fate of humanity. The world is revealed slowly, and Kate does a great job of pulling the reader along for the slow reveal. I was sucked in by that unknown, and the pace of the story never bogged down my engagement. At times though, I found the dialogue a bit wooden and stiff, and some of the characters a bit too two-dimensional. For me, that detracted from some of the emotional punches that the story held. Still, I wouldn't hesitate to recommend it for those that like climate fiction.
Thanks to the author for an ARC in exchange for an honest review.
May 25, 2025
My first Sci-Fi read in a while and so enjoyable.
A novel of a desolate, nuclear winter world hundreds of years in the future. The unthinkable happened. The world heated up and a war broke out - a war ended by a massive nuclear strike that sent the world into a frozen wasteland.
Siblings MMC and younger FMC ran from their home village in hopes of finding the mythical "Summer Lands" where a real summer exists, and escaping a clan of savage, cannibalistic rogues that slaughtered everyone in their village.
They're kindly taken in by a town of kind folks who are incredibly successful. They have gardens, orchards, electricity, plumbing - everything that seems unreal for everywhere else. But upon closer inspection, said town appears to be beginning to crumble at the seams.
MMC discovers a two hundred year old diary that may hold the key to not only saving this community, but the world itself. With the help of his stubborn, headstrong little sister - can they find the solution to healing a broken world? (Hint: they can!!)
A novel of a desolate, nuclear winter world hundreds of years in the future. The unthinkable happened. The world heated up and a war broke out - a war ended by a massive nuclear strike that sent the world into a frozen wasteland.
Siblings MMC and younger FMC ran from their home village in hopes of finding the mythical "Summer Lands" where a real summer exists, and escaping a clan of savage, cannibalistic rogues that slaughtered everyone in their village.
They're kindly taken in by a town of kind folks who are incredibly successful. They have gardens, orchards, electricity, plumbing - everything that seems unreal for everywhere else. But upon closer inspection, said town appears to be beginning to crumble at the seams.
MMC discovers a two hundred year old diary that may hold the key to not only saving this community, but the world itself. With the help of his stubborn, headstrong little sister - can they find the solution to healing a broken world? (Hint: they can!!)
May 25, 2025
I’m new to the science fiction genre, so didn’t know what I’d think of this book—but I’m happy to report that I loved it and didn’t want to put it down! In fact, I think I’ll be adding more of Kate’s books to my TBR list.
Kate masterfully wove together the stories from the past and present to gradually unravel how the world became a frozen wasteland. Every chapter unveiled new details that kept me hooked and reflecting on how something like this could happen. I also really appreciated the relationships that developed and evolved throughout the book. Amidst all the tension and war, there was also deep love, strong friendships, and unbreakable bonds.
I’m so thankful to Kate for providing me with an advanced copy as part of her ARC team.
Kate masterfully wove together the stories from the past and present to gradually unravel how the world became a frozen wasteland. Every chapter unveiled new details that kept me hooked and reflecting on how something like this could happen. I also really appreciated the relationships that developed and evolved throughout the book. Amidst all the tension and war, there was also deep love, strong friendships, and unbreakable bonds.
I’m so thankful to Kate for providing me with an advanced copy as part of her ARC team.
May 6, 2025
The concept of the frozen world is very clever and engaging, and the contrast between optimistic, impulsive Mitzi and measured, pragmatic Oskar works very well.
There’s lots of action, intrigue, and mystery, and I was drawn in by how the story unfolded. I loved how clues were slowly revealed in the two different eras!
This was an introduction to the climate fiction genre for me. Permafrost was a very enjoyable read and I was happy to receive an advance copy for review.
There’s lots of action, intrigue, and mystery, and I was drawn in by how the story unfolded. I loved how clues were slowly revealed in the two different eras!
This was an introduction to the climate fiction genre for me. Permafrost was a very enjoyable read and I was happy to receive an advance copy for review.
Displaying 1 - 4 of 4 reviews