A review by twistingsnake
Wed to the Barbarian by Keira Andrews

adventurous emotional funny lighthearted reflective fast-paced

• Plot- or character-driven? A mix
• Strong character development? Yes
• Loveable characters? Yes
• Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
• Flaws of characters a main focus? It's complicated

4.5

The cover could not be more deceiving. This is such a gem in the genre. I rarely find a romance lead like Jem, likable, human, and actually tethered to his own convictions and belief even if it disrupts what’s expected of him narratively. I love the barbarian trope, it’s one of my biggest guilty pleasures but it’s not always done well and even if its, the relationship is kind of secondary to the fantasy itself. This book is such an outlier, both the plot and relationship are interesting and developed. I’m not usually one to compliment an author’s world building but this one actually has some footing in itself. 

Does it play by all the tropes? YES but it manages to also be a genuinely great book while doing it. I also loved the ending. I know I’m in the minority when I say that could have been the end to their story and I would have had no notes. I love Jem. I support his beautiful, genre incompatible spine.