The Earth colony of Landin continues to be stranded on the planet Werel for ten orbits, each which is sixty Earth years very long. As Werel once again enters its fifteen-year-long winter, the lonesome and dwindling individual settlement is became a member of by the nomadic hilfs, an indigenous humanoid individuals who only settle down for the cruel cold spell. The hilfs dread the Earthmen, whom they call farborns, concerning them as witches and staying away from discussion with them. Although both populations share a common hereditary history in the Hainish people, the distinctions are believed to be significant plenty of to avoid interbreeding. But hilfs and farborns also talk about common foes: the hordes of ravaging barbarians called gaals as well as the eerie preying snow ghouls. As the winter dangers approach, a visit in the curious young hilf Rolery towards the individual colony becomes an indicator of coming adjustments.

Will they get together or end up being annihilated?