About the Book:
Title: Barbarian’s Prize
Author: Ruby Dixon
Series: Ice Planet Barbarians #5
Page Length: 304
Publication Date: Feb. 28, 2023
Publisher: Berkley Books
Synopsis: Tiffany doesn’t care about all the attention she’s getting from the alien men, but there is one particular hunter she can see herself with–if only she can find a way to move forward from the past. . . .
It’s hard being the most popular girl on the ice planet. The alien men are falling all over themselves to impress me in the hopes that I’ll take them to my furs. But they don’t know my secrets. And they don’t realize that behind my smile, I just wish they’d take their courting presents and their competitions for my affection and go away. I want to be left alone. But on a planet where women are a scarcity, that won’t be happening.
If I had to choose a mate . . . it’d be someone with a gorgeous blue body, big horns, and the most intense gaze ever. Someone who knows the truth of what happened to me and why I don’t like attention. Patient, handsome Salukh knows my secrets. He knows why I have nightmares and why I don’t trust anyone. He’s willing to let me “experiment” with him. I can use him. Take what I need from him to work through my trauma. He’s been a good friend and the best shoulder to cry on.
There’s one small problem.
When it comes to us, he doesn’t just want to be my friend. He wants to be my forever. And day by day, he’s getting harder to resist. . . .
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My Review:
This is the fifth book in the Ice Planet Barbarians series, and it’s a steamy, emotional, and entertaining sci-fi romance! Tiffany and Salukh are such amazing characters, and their love story is really powerful.
After the sexual abuse she endured when she was first taken, Tiffany doesn’t want to resonate with any male, but she does have a nice friendship with Salukh. He is a kind and respectful male, and he doesn’t chase and pressure her like the others do. I like how Tiffany and Salukh begin as friends before their relationship progresses into something more. Tiffany still has nightmares and is traumatized by what happened to her, and the thought of intimacy terrifies her. She needs time, trust, and patience, and Salukh is one of the few who understand that.
In the author’s notes, Dixon explains that Tiffany is the first protagonist who was a victim of sexual assault by the kidnappers, and her closest friend is as well. Dixon does a great job of showing how different people deal with trauma. I like that she created characters who all dealt with trauma, grief, and fear differently. It felt realistic and true to life.
There are some really comical parts too, which balance the more serious undertones well. I particularly like when Salukh misinterprets some of the common sayings on Earth. It adds a levity and humor to his conversations with Tiffany and is really endearing.
Can I just talk about how much I adore Salukh? Oh my gosh, he is just the sexiest cinnamon roll of an alien and the perfect match for Tiffany. He’s so patient and kind and protective, and I love that even though they haven’t resonated yet, he knows they are meant to be together. He’s so sweet when he talks to himself and encourages his Khui to resonate, like he can will it to happen. He is so deeply in love with Tiffany, and he is so selfless when it comes to her. Let’s just say, if I happened to get abducted and dropped on a planet with hunky blue aliens, I wouldn’t be complaining if they were anything like Salukh! lol
The story has as much spice as the previous books in the series, so grab a fan because their sexy times are steamy! And be sure to read the added scenes because they are fantastic. They delve more into how the couple adjusts to resonated life, new living arrangements and family relationships, and more. I thought these scenes were great. They show just how deep and lovely the bond is between Tiffany and Salukh, and they also reveal the problems and fears that often arise in a new relationship. Not everything is sunshine and roses, but Tiffany and Salukh share their concerns and fears and work together as committed partners, and I just love that. If I didn’t already adore this relationship so much, the bonus scenes would have solidified it for me.
The story also reveals who the couple will be in the next book, and I am dying for their emotionally charged enemies-to-lovers romance! They annoy and antagonize each other so much, and their verbal sparring and heated looks are fantastic! I can’t wait to see how they react to what happened at the end of this story!
Special thanks to Berkeley books and NetGalley for providing me with a copy of the book. All thoughts are my own.
Rating:
Favorite Parts:
- The romance!
- The friendships.
Favorite Line:
When you give your heart to another’s hands, you are risking that it will be dropped.”
Recommendations:
I would definitely recommend checking out the content warnings before reading Barbarian’s Prize. There are parts of the story that could trigger readers.
Brilliant review. This is a series I have on my TBR so I’m glad to hear how good it is.
Thanks, Louise! If you like steamy sci-fi romance, I totally recommend it.
This is the book I’ve gotten up to but wasn’t available through my library like the others were. I didn’t realize they’re re-releasing and up on NetGalley! I have a list running of books available through KU for when I finally give in and subscribe again, but your review may have convinced me to do that sooner rather than later if I don’t get it through NetGalley.
Yes!! I think they al have new covers and some added scenes. I really enjoyed this one, though it touched on some difficult topics. And I’m super excited for the next one! I hope you get a chance to read this soon, Cheri! 🙂
I keep meaning to pick up the next book (for me) in this series. Glad to see you enjoyed this one! They’re fun reads.
They are a lot of fun, though this one was a bit heavier than the rest.
Nice