Reviews

4.5 ⭐ This is probably my favorite couple so far! The author was already repeating relationship dynamics by the 3rd or 4th book, so color me surprised that we get something different and so enjoyable so far into the series. I like both characters and their relationship a lot, Marlene was not a character entirely compromised of quips, sass, and a belief that she is right like most female leads in this series lean toward, and the male lead is not an annoying asshole who always thinks he is right. They are both their own individuals in a series where at least three of the couples are the exact same dynamic with different names.

And the current day scenes were good and had an impactful story of their own, incredibly different from the other books that follow this same structure in the series. All in all I really enjoyed!

dracofeuministe's review against another edition

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Forced French accent

peytonm's review against another edition

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5.0

Marlene, the bold French woman, is rad as hell! Her shy mate, Zennek, is a great match. Cute!

jull1980's review against another edition

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emotional lighthearted medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

3.0

jeska_lee's review against another edition

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emotional funny hopeful inspiring relaxing medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? A mix
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? No

4.0

princessrobotiv's review against another edition

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4.0

Pleased, I think of my handsome mate and how he looked that day, his long hair pulled back in a tight, stern braid…that I immediately loosened. I think I shall loosen his braid for him tonight and perhaps we will be tigress and prey once more.

I LOVE stories about shy, gentle men and spitfire women, so Marlene and Zennek's story was right up my alley. Definitely my favorite of the immediate resonances!

IPB and Icehome are meant to be comfort reads, so Dixon (I think intentionally) strays away from super polarizing topics like politics, religion, and real-world prejudice (racism especially). Because of this, all of the women are pretty absent any sort of religious identity . . . which, while it certainly allows the reader to divorce themselves from the conventions of Earth, doesn't exactly do any favors for realistic character expression. It's definitely a trade-off, and one I like more than I dislike.

I was really happy to get glimpses of religious thinking in this book, though. Marlene's inner strength is structured around her belief that her late mother is watching over her from heaven or some other "after death" plane by sending her signs of comfort and solidarity in the shape of hearts (clouds, footprints, snowdrifts, you get the picture). While it isn't explicitly stated as an expression of religious belief, it can definitely be read that way.

Actually, that was my favorite portion of the book. Marlene's relationship with Zennek was enhanced by that core of spirituality she possessed. It paved the way for their bold and unapologetic romance and really set Marlene apart. Before this, she was nothing but a French girl, but now she has a really lovely personality that quickly became one of my favorites of the original tribe.

And Zennek was just adorable. I love shy, blushing heroes! They're SO underutilized in romance!

The tired recycling of the whole "we're endangered by metlaks!" plot with Zennek and Zalene dampened my enjoyment slightly, but not much. Likewise for the awkward use of French words and phrases in the middle of sentences. It wasn't as annoying in Callie or Mari's books, for some reason (perhaps because I actually speak a little Spanish lol).

sarahndipity9's review against another edition

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adventurous challenging emotional hopeful lighthearted reflective medium-paced

Plot- or character-driven? Character
Strong character development? No
Loveable characters? Yes
Diverse cast of characters? Yes
Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.0

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