A review by cass_herg
Barbarian Alien by Ruby Dixon

1.0

The first book was obviously bad but in a fun and ridiculous kind of way that made me want to return to the series for a quick head-empty read. But this one was just bad without much of the silly and redeeming aspects. There is HEAVY dub-con for at least half the book and the “happy ending” is essentially just Stockholm syndrome. 

Also, quick rant about one part in particular I didn’t like:
when they introduced his family backstory I immediately thought the angle was going to be he and his mom and brother were abused and he was going to learn and grow and not repeat patterns. Like the story is literally that his mom hated his dad and did not want to be with him, was forced into multiple pregnancies, and then the family was taken hostage until raahosh returned severely scared with his mom and brother dead. That could not be more black and white an abusive relationship. But no. It’s used to justify his actions and give a reason for the law (which is a good one!) but then they circle back and basically justify his fathers too???? It’s just such an unnecessary addition to the book to give that as his backstory but show he learned nothing from it and that it’s fine he didn’t because his “punishment” is a dream life.
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