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30something_reads's review against another edition
adventurous
emotional
fast-paced
4.0
4⭐
In this flashback story, we learn the story of Ariana and Zolaya – who resonated immediately back in the beginning. We get to see what was going on with Ariana (up until this point the only thing know that she was a heavy crier). And here we learn about her diagnosed anxiety/ panic attacks and how she’s trying to cope while no longer having her medication. And we meet Zolaya… sweet, sweet Zolaya who is kind, patient, and observant. He is fiercely protective over Ariana and goes out of his way to help her adjust to life on this new world.
I’m not sure why exactly, but Ariana and Zolaya feel like a better version of Elly and Bek, whose codependence feels unhealthy. (Even more so after the last novella). Bek is kind of rude and thoughtless to everyone else and Elly doesn’t take care of herself when he is not around. So these two have started to feel icky to me.
Ariana and Zolaya though… this feels more like a partnership rather than codependence. Yes, Zolaya is her “safe space” but rather than him taking up the mantle of being her ONLY safe space and protecting her from the world, he helps her build routines to mitigate her anxiety and gives her space to stand alone. He understands her anxiety but also emphasizes her own strength. And I absolutely love this about them.
Something about this couple just really resonated with me (honestly, no pun intended). Ruby was very aware that Ariana might not be for everyone, but I really connected with her. I understood her motivations and fears (maybe almost too well). And Zolaya was just so great. The original consent king (it would seem lol).
Series Rankings:
Book 1: Ice Planet Barbarians - (Georgie/Vektal) 3 ⭐
Book 2: Barbarian Alien - (Liz/Raahosh) 4.25 ⭐
Book 3: Barbarian Lover - (Kira/Aehako) 3.75 ⭐
Book 4: Barbarian Mine - (Harlow/Rukh) 4 ⭐
Book 4.75: Ice Planet Holiday - 3 ⭐
Book 5: Barbarian's Prize- (Tiffany/Salukh) 4.25 ⭐
Book 6: Barbarian's Mate - (Josie/Haeden) 4 ⭐
Book 7: Barbarian's Touch - (Lilah/Rokan) 4.5 ⭐
Book 8: Barbarian's Taming - (Maddie/Hassen) 4.5 ⭐
Book 9: Barbarian's Heart - (Stacey/Pashov) 3⭐ (begrudgingly)
Book 10: Barbarian's Hope - (Asha/Hemalo) 3.75-4 ⭐
Book 11: Barbarian's Choice - (Farli/Mardok) 3.75⭐
Book 12: Barbarian's Redemption - (Elly/Bek) 3.75 ⭐
Book 13: Barbarian's Lady - (Kate/Harrec) 3.5⭐
Book 14: Barbarian's Rescue - (Summer/Warrek) 3.75-4 ⭐
Book 15: Barbarian's Tease - (Brooke/Taushen) 2.75-3 ⭐
Book 15.5: The Barbarian Before Christmas- 3.5 ⭐
Book 16: Barbarian's Beloved - (Ariana/Zolaya) 4 ⭐
In this flashback story, we learn the story of Ariana and Zolaya – who resonated immediately back in the beginning. We get to see what was going on with Ariana (up until this point the only thing know that she was a heavy crier). And here we learn about her diagnosed anxiety/ panic attacks and how she’s trying to cope while no longer having her medication. And we meet Zolaya… sweet, sweet Zolaya who is kind, patient, and observant. He is fiercely protective over Ariana and goes out of his way to help her adjust to life on this new world.
I’m not sure why exactly, but Ariana and Zolaya feel like a better version of Elly and Bek, whose codependence feels unhealthy. (Even more so after the last novella). Bek is kind of rude and thoughtless to everyone else and Elly doesn’t take care of herself when he is not around. So these two have started to feel icky to me.
Ariana and Zolaya though… this feels more like a partnership rather than codependence. Yes, Zolaya is her “safe space” but rather than him taking up the mantle of being her ONLY safe space and protecting her from the world, he helps her build routines to mitigate her anxiety and gives her space to stand alone. He understands her anxiety but also emphasizes her own strength. And I absolutely love this about them.
Something about this couple just really resonated with me (honestly, no pun intended). Ruby was very aware that Ariana might not be for everyone, but I really connected with her. I understood her motivations and fears (maybe almost too well). And Zolaya was just so great. The original consent king (it would seem lol).
Series Rankings:
Book 1: Ice Planet Barbarians - (Georgie/Vektal) 3 ⭐
Book 2: Barbarian Alien - (Liz/Raahosh) 4.25 ⭐
Book 3: Barbarian Lover - (Kira/Aehako) 3.75 ⭐
Book 4: Barbarian Mine - (Harlow/Rukh) 4 ⭐
Book 4.75: Ice Planet Holiday - 3 ⭐
Book 5: Barbarian's Prize- (Tiffany/Salukh) 4.25 ⭐
Book 6: Barbarian's Mate - (Josie/Haeden) 4 ⭐
Book 7: Barbarian's Touch - (Lilah/Rokan) 4.5 ⭐
Book 8: Barbarian's Taming - (Maddie/Hassen) 4.5 ⭐
Book 9: Barbarian's Heart - (Stacey/Pashov) 3⭐ (begrudgingly)
Book 10: Barbarian's Hope - (Asha/Hemalo) 3.75-4 ⭐
Book 11: Barbarian's Choice - (Farli/Mardok) 3.75⭐
Book 12: Barbarian's Redemption - (Elly/Bek) 3.75 ⭐
Book 13: Barbarian's Lady - (Kate/Harrec) 3.5⭐
Book 14: Barbarian's Rescue - (Summer/Warrek) 3.75-4 ⭐
Book 15: Barbarian's Tease - (Brooke/Taushen) 2.75-3 ⭐
Book 15.5: The Barbarian Before Christmas- 3.5 ⭐
Book 16: Barbarian's Beloved - (Ariana/Zolaya) 4 ⭐
Content Warnings
Graphic: Chronic illness
Minor: Pregnancy
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