Summary
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GENRE
TROPES
AO3 TAGS
You’d think being abducted by aliens would be the worst thing that could happen to me. And you’d be wrong. Because now the aliens are having ship trouble, and they’ve left their cargo of human women-including me-on an ice planet. We’re not equipped for life in this desolate winter wasteland. Since I’m the unofficial leader, I head out into the snow to look for help. I find help all right. A big blue horned alien introduces himself in a rather… startling way.
Hot Takes
What We Liked
Jems
If you’re going to enjoy Ice Planet Barbarians, you have to be willing to suspend a certain amount of disbelief and expectation. It’s a little ridiculous and a lot over the top but an enjoyable read if you lean into the kitschy-ness of it. That being said, there were some interesting world-building aspects like the khui symbiote and alien ecology.
What We Didn’t Like
Apers
I won’t lie, I did not finish this one. I made it to Part III and I still only knew two things about the main characters: she’s from Florida, he’s an alien. The author had a little intro at the beginning that said she found her stride in later books, but that’s not super helpful when I’m not reading those ones. Generally, republication is the chance to fix things you didn’t like about how you wrote the book, especially when you go from self-published to traditionally-published.
Review
Apers
Usually since I did the starred review last week, I’d be doing the spice review this week, but I didn’t make it as far as anything beyond the first non-consensual introduction scene. The first few chapters of the book introduce some aliens who do horrific violence to the abducted girls who will be the focus of the book, but those aliens are out of the story almost immediately and then it becomes a survival story. The main issue I had was neither main character seemed to have any motivation for anything they were doing. I can read a book that has a lot of romance-reasons hand waving for explanation, but I really need to care about the characters to keep going.
Jems gave this two stars, it would feel unsporting not to include her review:
While I didn’t feel much for any of the characters, I did like the world of Ice Planet Barbarians; with its hostile terrain and dangerous flora and fauna, there’s plenty of opportunity for steamy scenes once the danger has come and gone.
Jems
If you like your men big and blue (and with a tail) then this the book for you! While the spice wasn’t anything too crazy in this book, the man himself had some definite… perks shall we say 😏 broad shoulders, over seven feet tall, hunter’s build, and a textured tongue (amongst other extremities), there’s plenty to enjoy about the MMC. Plus for all you who like your partner a little obsessed with you, the fated mates trope ensures that he’s crazy about the heroine from second one.
