A review by green_mm
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon

adventurous challenging emotional funny lighthearted sad tense medium-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? Character
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? It's complicated
  • Diverse cast of characters? Yes
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? No

2.75

I was not a big fan of Liz or Raahosh. Initially, I really sympathized for Liz, who was forced to adapt to life on a new planet after being abducted by aliens, and I respected her for implementing boundaries with Raahosh and strongly enforcing them. I ended up not liking her, though, as she treated her fellow humans rudely and with intense vitriol when it was undeserved. I did not like Raahosh from the get go for kidnapping Liz with the intention of finalizing their mating, especially when he knew how reluctant she was to accept him as her mate. Although we later learn why Raahosh made that decision and Liz forgives him, the explanation given and forgiveness from Liz did not do much to improve my opinion of him. I appreciate how much the sa-khui men protect and love their partners, and I know the call of a mate is immediately accepted by sa-khui people, but as a human in a new place with new customs, all Liz wanted was some semblance of a chance to make her own choices, to reciprocate Raahosh’s affection on her terms, and Raahosh took those options from her.
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