Scan barcode
A review by danielles_reads
Ice Planet Barbarians by Ruby Dixon
adventurous
funny
medium-paced
- Plot- or character-driven? A mix
- Strong character development? No
- Loveable characters? It's complicated
- Diverse cast of characters? No
- Flaws of characters a main focus? No
3.25
I went into this expecting a joke read... and I actually had a pretty good time, lol.
Now, as a longtime science fiction reader, the world building in this makes no sense. I was confused by the seeming contradictions of the history of Vektal's people. I kept getting pulled out of the story every time Georgie nodded or shook her head and an alien immediately understood what that meant. Not even every human society does that! This book is just sooo American and heterosexual lol with a heavy focus on the nuclear family, and it's so obvious in the world building. The aliens are essentially every Native stereotype you can think of but with blue skin, and the added complication of their body choosing their partners for LIFE.
Ok yeah yeah, the point of this is not the world building, sure. But for something so often advertised as smutty fun, I was surprised how much actual plot is in this, lol. I thought there would be waaay more sex. And yeah, there was still quite a bit, and it was pretty sexy. Vektal and Georgie ended up being pretty cute together too, even if I thought they said “I love you” way too soon considering how much of the book they couldn’t actually communicate with each other. I honestly see this series as a form of wish fulfillment for a lot of women—like who wouldn't want a partner who obsesses over you, does everything for you, is meant to be with you forever, and gives you mindblowing orgasms regularly? So I get why people like this.
But I also get why people don't like it, lol. I didn't really see any reason for Georgie to be the leader of the women. She didn't really have any qualities differentiating her from the other women (neither did anyone else, really) to justify that, other than being the first one to suggest escaping. I was also kinda annoyed at her in the bonus story, where shetook responsibility for the dead women, and didn't tell anyone else she was burying them. Like the other women wouldn't want to do that with her? That moment should be about the victims, not her.
I doubt I'll ever continue on in the series (it is a great way to get out of a reading slump though), but fortunately I don't regret my time spent reading this at all! I blew through it in a few days and had a fun, silly time.
(I was honestly considering reading Liz’s book though because she was hilarious, but I really do not want to read about her getting kidnapped.)
Now, as a longtime science fiction reader, the world building in this makes no sense. I was confused by the seeming contradictions of the history of Vektal's people. I kept getting pulled out of the story every time Georgie nodded or shook her head and an alien immediately understood what that meant. Not even every human society does that! This book is just sooo American and heterosexual lol with a heavy focus on the nuclear family, and it's so obvious in the world building. The aliens are essentially every Native stereotype you can think of but with blue skin, and the added complication of their body choosing their partners for LIFE.
Ok yeah yeah, the point of this is not the world building, sure. But for something so often advertised as smutty fun, I was surprised how much actual plot is in this, lol. I thought there would be waaay more sex. And yeah, there was still quite a bit, and it was pretty sexy. Vektal and Georgie ended up being pretty cute together too, even if I thought they said “I love you” way too soon considering how much of the book they couldn’t actually communicate with each other. I honestly see this series as a form of wish fulfillment for a lot of women—like who wouldn't want a partner who obsesses over you, does everything for you, is meant to be with you forever, and gives you mindblowing orgasms regularly? So I get why people like this.
But I also get why people don't like it, lol. I didn't really see any reason for Georgie to be the leader of the women. She didn't really have any qualities differentiating her from the other women (neither did anyone else, really) to justify that, other than being the first one to suggest escaping. I was also kinda annoyed at her in the bonus story, where she
I doubt I'll ever continue on in the series (it is a great way to get out of a reading slump though), but fortunately I don't regret my time spent reading this at all! I blew through it in a few days and had a fun, silly time.
(I was honestly considering reading Liz’s book though because she was hilarious, but I really do not want to read about her getting kidnapped.)
“That’s what held her up. Alien nookie.”