The setting of Alaska’s remote wilderness is a symbol of Grace’s changing new life, necessity to adapt, and underlying jeopardies at Katmere Academy. The frozen land is foreign to Grace, a complete contrast to warm San Diego:

Back home, I was always outside—in the pool, at the beach, running through the park. I even did my homework on the front porch swing, watching the sun set over the water. Going from that to being stuck inside almost all the time is more than a little rough (220).

Grace feels like a prisoner within the castle that restricts her. Macy warns her that Alaska takes time to get used to and assures her that her body will adjust soon, but that she should always be careful of the subzero temperatures, wild animals, earthquakes, and more. This harsh setting disorients Grace because she has no idea how to live in this setting. This is also a metaphor for the grief Grace feels, which is a harsh new reality with which she must learn to live.

Alaska forces Grace to adapt, mirroring how she must adapt to the strange customs and rules of Katmere’s supernatural world.