Hi! Today I want to talk about a topic which is always foremost in the minds of the characters in Frost—namely, long-term survival in rough conditions.

Frost takes place in an urban environment plunged into a nuclear winter, which means the weather conditions are extreme and volatile, with freezing temperatures and sudden storms. A thick layer of ash and dust prevents the sun rays from reaching the earth, which means that it’s always dark, and things can’t grow. And, of course, there are the lingering effects of nuclear radiation, which would no doubt affect the survivors in years to come.

In such a grim scenario, the difficulties facing the remains of human race seem almost unsurmountable. When I began researching the possible outcomes of a devastating global nuclear war, I was convinced that I, for one, would never been able to make it should the apocalypse strike. Where would you find food? How would you stay healthy? How could you keep safe? With other people vying for the same limited resources, imaginary zombies could very well seem like a better option!

However, we humans are resilient creatures, and we adapt well to change, even if we don’t like it—as long as we have love, hope, and confidence on our side. All these provide a powerful motivation to scramble to do all the necessary things to keep both yourself and your loved ones alive for as long as possible, the most important ones being, of course, finding fresh water and food. In a world where snow is readily available everywhere you look, water is no problem—provided, of course, you make sure to boil it before drinking.

Food is much, much trickier. In an urban environment, canned foods could go a long way, but limited supply makes them extremely valuable, and I imagine they (along with alcohol) would serve as a new kind of currency among groups of survivors. Other sources of food would be hunting small critters and insects (who would have to adjust to the new situation as well).

Shelter and fire, which are super important for keeping warm in unnaturally cold weather, would be easier to come by. After all, there would still be remnants of buildings and houses standing, even if some areas would be completely reduced to rubble. Find a dry enough place with proper ventilation, and you’re pretty much set (unless, of course, disaster strikes, as it did for the characters in Frost!).

Apart from foraging for food, the greatest challenges in these kinds of conditions would be fighting off diseases (imagine being cold all the time, dealing with frostbite and penetrating winds!), and keeping safe from less than friendly neighbors. Those are the main points of conflict in Frost, and for the main characters, the stakes have never been higher. If you want to know how they deal with these threats, you might want to check out Frost!

The end of the world as they knew it had come and gone, and the remnants of mankind struggle to survive in a barren landscape. Twenty-three-year-old Finn sets out on a desperate mission to scavenge for the much-needed medicine to help his sister. He knows better than to trust anyone, but when a total stranger saves him from a vicious gang, the unexpected act of kindness rekindles Finn’s lost faith in humanity.

The tentative friendship with his rescuer, Spencer, gradually turns into something more, and for the first time in years, Finn lets himself yearn for joy and hope in the dead of nuclear winter—right until Spencer goes missing.

They say love is the greatest power of all, but it seems it would take nothing short of a miracle to overcome the dangers that threaten to destroy Finn’s only chance for happiness and the lives of his loved ones.

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Release Date: March 4th

A voracious reader from the age of five, Isabelle Adler has always dreamed of one day putting her own stories into writing. She loves traveling, art, and science, and finds inspiration in all of these. Her favorite genres include sci-fi, fantasy, and historical adventure. She also firmly believes in the unlimited powers of imagination and caffeine.

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Genre: Fantasy Genre: Sci-Fi Orientation: Gay Pairing: M/M Publisher: Nine Star Press Tag: Guest Post Frost Isabelle Adler