A review by allingoodtime
Barbarian's Prize by Ruby Dixon

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

4.0

Since I have a very small budget for books, there are times I have to stop reading a series because it’s one I just cannot afford to buy. That was the fate of this series for a while as this book wasn’t available through any of the libraries I access. It seems they are being re-released through Berkley so I decided to check again. Yay! My library finally had this book. So after more than half a year, I’m able to pick back up with the Ice Planet Barbarians.

There are only two human women left who are not yet mated when this story picks up. There is speculation amongst the humans that Josie has not resonated because she has an IUD, whereas Tiffany is suffering from PTSD from her time on the ship of their abductors. The attention of the single sa-khui men is overwhelming to her and causes her great anxiety. It’s no wonder she hasn’t resonated. It doesn’t matter. Salukh knows Tiffany is meant to be his mate and he is oh-so-sweet with her.

While Salukh never pushes Tiffany, he is often sad that they haven’t resonated. He is more frustrated with himself and never lets it show with her. Being human myself (surprise!), I think it’s so much more romantic that he still holds such strong feelings for her without resonating. He loves her for her, not because he has an entity forcing the issue. This, in turn, has Tiffany falling in love with him because he treats her so well and is understanding of her needs.

I’m glad to be back in this world. It’s steamy and romantic, but also crazy and makes me laugh. There is something that happens to Josie at the end that had me cracking up because that’s just not how things work in real life, and that’s what makes it so fun to read. I may have to get KU again so I can read these books without such a big gap between them. 
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