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SGX #2

Stargate SG-1: Permafrost

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A 30,000 word novella. Buried secrets A week before Christmas, Dr. Daniel Jackson discovers that archaeologists in Iceland are excavating a Norse burial site that might have connections to the recently encountered Asgard race. Concerned about what they might uncover, Daniel persuades General Hammond to let SG-1 travel to Iceland – much to the annoyance of the field archaeologists. But as the weather closes in, tensions build at the remote dig site and it becomes apparent that the archaeologists are hiding something... In the frozen night of an arctic winter, Colonel Jack O’Neill and his team must battle to contain a nightmare from the past that threatens the future of the entire human race.

102 pages, Kindle Edition

First published December 17, 2014

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About the author

Sally Malcolm

36 books291 followers
Sally Malcolm was bitten by the m/m romance bug in 2016 and hasn’t looked back. It’s fair to say she’s obsessed with the genre. She has four contemporary m/m romances out, set in the fictional Long Island seaside town of New Milton.

She's also the author of eight Stargate novels and novellas, including the hit "Apocalypse" trilogy. She has penned four Stargate audio dramas for Big Finish Productions, including Stargate SG-1: "An Eye for an Eye" starring Michael Shanks, Claudia Black, and Cliff Simon.

Sally lives in South West London.

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5 stars
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews
Profile Image for Alejandro.
1,304 reviews3,777 followers
February 10, 2017
A great entertaining novella


This story is set in the middle of the Second Season of “Stargate: SG-1”, right before of the episode “The Tok’ra” (Part One).


SG-1 Duty Roster:

Field Commanding Officer: Col. Jonathan “Jack” O’Neill

Second-in-Command: Capt. Samantha “Sam” Carter

Primary Scientist & Arqueology Support: Dr. Daniel Jackson

Scout & Weapons Support: Teal’c


NIGHTMARE BEFORE CHRISTMAS

We’re babysitting a couple of geeks digging up an ancient “Do Not Enter” sign. What could possibly go wrong?

Dr. Jackson recognized a rune from the ancient language used by the alien race of The Asgard, in an article about a civilian arqueological discovery in Iceland. When he told this to the team, General Hammond agreed that this should be inspected to avoid any release of a potential alien danger into the Earth, but while Dr. Jackson was suggesting to go alone, Hammond thought best that all SG-1 team should go.

Christmas was going to be in just a few days, but they trust that it will be a quick trip.

Iceland is another country and Stargate Program is an US Air Force’s secret classified operation. Therefore, the SG-1 had to go without explaining their true reasons to go there and only carrying sidearms (that even that was illegal but keeping them hidden to avoid troubles).

This is an interesting story since it’s indeed a proper misión for SG-1 but they hadn’t to go through the Stargate, since the alien menace is on Earth this time, but in a foreign country, so they can’t be well armed as they usually are.

And of course, once they would arrive to the site, there will be a storm avoiding to be able to communicate or getting any back up in at least three days.

An ancient grave in an isolated artic place, very few lightday and too long dark nights, two suspicious hostile arqueologists, minimal weapons, no outside communications, no possible reinforcements...

...YOU CAN BET THAT THIS IS A THRILLING ADVENTURE!!!

Soon enough, the SG-1 will be facing an irresistible fear. They had been through a lot in their experience using the Stargate, they are brave, but for some unknown reason, this time, the fear will penetrate right very inside of them.


THOSE IRRESISTIBLE ARTIC HORROR STORIES

It’s evil, Jack. Don’t ask me to explain. I can’t. I can only tell you how it made feel – how it still makes me feel. That thing… it’s malevolent. We can’t just leave it here.

I don’t you, but I think that there is something irresistible in a story set in an artic (or very snowy) place, remote, isolated from civilization, where the characters are stuck there without chance of getting any help, and facing some kind of unknown menace.

So, when I read the premise of this novella, I knew that it was a wonderful option for me to read it.

There is a lot of tension in the narrative, and since SG-1 can’t reveal their true misión there to the arqueologists, the mission is even more interesting and dangerous, since SG-1 can’t talk between them with freedom since The Asgard and the Stargate Program are top secret information.

There are priceless moments of irony like when the site’s arqueologists questioned the expertise and reputation of Dr. Jackson, since he hasn’t published any material recently and he is taken like a lunatic due theorizing that aliens helped to built the pyramids. He was right, and he has seen enough scientific advance cultures as to publish dozens of books and becoming the most respected scientist on Earth, but sadly, he can’t talk or write about anything of this. So, he is in many times unknown to the scientific international community at best, or even seen as a joke at worst. It’s no easy to be Dr. Jackson.

The story is able to show how formidable is Capt. Carter. She is by far, one of the most respected and loved characters in the whole Stargate franchise, but also, she is a character of great value in the SG-1’s dynamics. Sam can take command of the team at any moment that Jack is unavaible and the leadership will remain strong in the group trusting in her in the same level than if Jack would be there. Sam has a doctorate in astrophysics and she had met a lot of alien advanced technology, therefore, she is as smart as Dr. Jackson, and even able to work it out scientific things as good as Jackson would do. And finally, Sam is great soldier, with awesome skills in shooting and hand-to-hand fighting, therefore, she is as effective as Teal’c, if the situation demanded it.
Even if you aren’t experienced with the sci-fi franchise, I think that you will be able to follow the story and enjoy it as well.








Profile Image for Thibault Busschots.
Author 6 books206 followers
September 22, 2021
Creepy and entertaining.


Dr. Jackson discovers that archaeologists are excavating a Norse burial site. When he sees the runes of the site, he notices they are not only alien but are also a warning sign to the human race not to open the grave. SG-1 hurries to Iceland to see what the site is all about. When they get to the site, it quickly becomes clear that something fishy is going on and that the archaeologists are hiding something.


This is an atmospheric and fast-paced Christmas-themed novella. The characterization is on point, making it feel like you’re watching an episode of the show on TV.
Profile Image for Mir.
4,974 reviews5,331 followers
March 19, 2025
I haven't watched the series, only the film, which was colorful and involved travel to other planets/dimensions. This book wasn't very much like that; for the most part it could be any archaeological horror story with people unearthing something dangerous. The Stargate part is only relevant in that those characters know something the archaeologists don't and are trying to stop it without giving away top secret information.

This was quite short and a little flat, but overall a quick and entertaining read.
Will not keep you awake at night thinking about it.
Profile Image for Kati.
2,341 reviews65 followers
December 25, 2014
SG-1 goes to Iceland! Horror-like mayhem ensues, of course. Or the answer to the eternal question, how does SG-1 celebrate Christmas. Sheesh on a pogo stick, that was creepy!
Profile Image for Helen .
858 reviews38 followers
July 12, 2021
A quick easy read. Characterisation good.
Profile Image for Anja.
76 reviews4 followers
July 27, 2019
This is another wonderful book by Sally Malcolm. The story is fast-paced and a lot of fun to read. All the characters from Jack, over Sam and Daniel to Teal'c were perfectly written.

1,167 reviews4 followers
June 16, 2015
A fun little novella,...would've made a good episode. I thought the author did an excellent job of her portrayal of the characters. Enjoyed it all the way through & plan on reading more of her SG1 novels in the future. If you're an SG1 fan & haven't read this,...then read it, you'll love it!
Profile Image for Dawn Gill.
78 reviews3 followers
July 13, 2020
I love Stargate SG1. I really miss it, so was delighted when I was recommended this author by a fellow creative on Instagram (I'd made a bit of jewellery as a nod to SG1)
Reading it felt just like watching an episode - one of the episodes filled with jeopardy, Norse myths and the undead. What's not to love?
Perfectly paced, written and edited, there wasn't a word misplaced.
It was fabulous.
Indeed ;-)

I shall be buying more from Sally Malcolm, and will try out some of the other authors revisiting this series too.
Profile Image for Puddle Jumper.
143 reviews2 followers
September 9, 2019
I got this as a present and was really disappointed to see how thin it was! Especially as SG books aren't normally available in print in the UK anymore.

But it's still a great read and I loved it.
Profile Image for S.
539 reviews12 followers
April 9, 2019
I could see this as an episode of the show. I thought their voices were written really well, however I was hoping for a bit more insight into the characters. It was a fun, pretty creepy read, though!
Profile Image for Taj.
14 reviews3 followers
November 29, 2019
Quite the page turner with an X-Files like creepy storyline. Great character beats, humor, and action.
Profile Image for Linda Kaban.
349 reviews6 followers
January 1, 2022
Just a novella. But a good one. Sad not to have reached my goal of 90 books this year.....but it was a difficult year. But 88 out of 90 is pretty good.
Profile Image for Chiara.
34 reviews
February 5, 2022
Short story that I read in a few hours and I appreciated very much. Will read more soon!
Profile Image for Chance.
1,107 reviews21 followers
August 28, 2022
Shorter by a hundred pages compared to other fandom books but it was a nice node to the night of the living do.
Profile Image for Lucky.
1 review6 followers
February 24, 2024
This read like really poor fan fiction. It started off well enough but did not end that way. If it wasn't for my familiarity with the series already this would be a 1 star read.
Profile Image for Brittany.
50 reviews
July 19, 2025
This quick novella is silly, cheesy, goofy, and creepy. It’s everything I am and love about this show. A weird little Christmas episode we never got, but I could see being aired.
93 reviews
December 10, 2025
Love it

One of my favourite Stargate books. Would have made a great TV episode. Sally Malcolm is also my favourite Stargate author.
Profile Image for Sarah.
602 reviews5 followers
January 17, 2015
This was a quick little read and I can't help it, I loved Stargate SG-1 as a television show. It was well written with great characters which can make a book with the same set of characters either really good or really bad depending on the author's knowledge of the show. There are fans, and then there are FANS. I can't imagine that it would be easy writing established characters for hard core fans but this author definitely knows her stuff and the characters were well written and true to the show. It would have been nice if the story were a little longer but one of the advantages to writing about well known characters is that not too much time has to be spent on character descriptions and back story. Such is the case with this book. However, there wasn't a lot of scientific explanation given for what was happening in the story and I really didn't like the whole Zombieish feel. That is just my personal dislike. Overall, the story was pretty good and the characters were bang on.
322 reviews3 followers
December 25, 2015
These Stargate tie in novels for the most part are will written. They take place through out the ten seasons of the show.

Sally Malcolm is one of my favorites she really knows the characters and the show's mythology. Because of that the dialog rings true and in this novella I felt like I was seeing a new episodes of one of my favorite shows. This one takes place in season 2 when the team is still carrying their burdens from Jack still recovering from the death of his son to Daniel still easily provoked over his failed archaeology career. We Sam dealing with the estrangement of her father and brother.

The story is fast paced, Jack gets all the witty dialog and Teal'C well is his droll assured self.

This is a must read for fans of Stargate SG1
Profile Image for Joe Pranaitis.
Author 23 books87 followers
April 23, 2016
StarGate SG-1: Permafrost takes place at Christmas time during the third season of the show and deals with an Asgard artifact that held back a thinking incest that can control a corps like a robot but with SG-1 on the sense the bugs are forced to take on the dead or make the dead in order to breed, but thanks to Captain Samantha Carter who is able to rig a crystal to work to contain the bugs they are able to make sure that no one else would be hurt by them. And as the story closes SG-1 becomes closer as they spend Christmas day together. I recommend this short StarGate book to anyone who both misses this show and the adventures in this universe.
Profile Image for Denise.
7,492 reviews136 followers
May 30, 2021
In an article about the excavation of a Norse burial site in Iceland Daniel comes across a photograph of a runestone inscribed in Asgard with a dire warning not to disturb what lies beyond. Hoping to find out what the ominous warning is all about before his overzealous colleagues unwittingly unleash something dangerous upon the world, he and the rest of SG-1 travel to Iceland to investigate.

Sally Malcolm has managed to roll a creepy horrorstory and Christmas feels all into one in this action-packed novella. A thoroughly good read.
Profile Image for Bonnie.
20 reviews
December 25, 2017
zombies, the st-1 way

Great story wish it had lasted longer.

It's a good action packed team story. Poor Daniel his reputation as an ailen believing nut job is still being spread around but his team comes to his defense. There's gun battles for Jack and asguard tech for Sam. All in all a great story !
Profile Image for Jonathan Martin.
45 reviews5 followers
June 12, 2015
A quick, enjoyable read and a classic SG-1 style adventure - despite the Stargate not actually featuring! Well written and good at capturing the team dynamics and characters. Also loved the Norse mythology connection. I could imagine it as an episode of the TV series. The potential for a more elaborate and immersive story is there, had it not been a novella.
Profile Image for Heather.
211 reviews40 followers
July 21, 2024
I love dark, snow-covered landscapes like Antarctica and Iceland as ominous settings. It was used to full effect for this horror sci-fi novella. The characters sounded and acted like themselves, the action was quick, and a feeling of suspense loomed in the background. This is one of my favorite Stargate books.
Profile Image for Emily G.
561 reviews12 followers
December 25, 2014
SG-1 are called in to save the day in Iceland at Christmas...

I really enjoyed the team camaraderie in this short story, and the fact it takes place so early in the SG-1 timeline so includes long missed characters, but I didn't realise it was going to be so creepy!
Profile Image for Pam.
250 reviews6 followers
January 10, 2015
This is the first SG fiction I have read. It's a bit like SG1 and the first bit of Lovecraft's In The Mountains of Madness. The author does a good job of narrating each character in their own voice from the show. It is very true to the TV series.
Profile Image for Alison.
64 reviews1 follower
January 16, 2016
This was a fun little short story with everything you would expect an SG story by Sally Malcolm to have; amazing characterization, action, and a really good plot. The team dynamics are so on point that I feel like I'm watching a new episode of the show.


Displaying 1 - 30 of 34 reviews

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