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buffyreads 's review for:
Barbarian Alien
by Ruby Dixon
The Good
Well... I liked the fact that Raahosh and Liz can actually understand each other and the urgency/danger is gone. I liked that Dixon made the dynamics polar opposite of the first book. Liz consistently referring it as a "cootie" was funny. As usual, the world building was good and i loved learning more about the planet and culture of the tribes. Liz is such a badass! I loved her being able to hunt and wanting to fight.
The Bad
The "forced marriage/mates" trope isn't one I particularly like, it always relies on my turning my rational thinking brain off to enjoy the story. However, it was harder to do that in this story. Raahosh is got less and less enjoyable as a lead because his misunderstandings were based in an a lack of attempts to communicate. He didn't listen to Liz and doesn't try to understand her. His narration was all his wants and desires. He did things for Liz because it benefited him not out of love. The story relief HEAVY on sexual tension, never truly on developing a emotional connection. Rashosh never changed and improved to become less of a dick, Liz just gave up fighting and started to feel bad for him. Also hearing Raahosh's background made his character even more confusing My thinking brain is turned on too much for this but I couldn't get over it. An in the last 20% of the book, Liz is so love struck she looses all sense. If another girl had gotten kidnapped, she would be pissed off at their kidnapper too but she think Raahosh should be able to break the rules (aka let women choose, don't force them) because she eventually loved him. Ignoring all the struggles and frustration she felt before Stockholm syndrome kicked in.
The Rating
Many people said Raahosh and Liz were their favorite couple so I expected to love this but am left exasperated. I give this book a 2/5
Well... I liked the fact that Raahosh and Liz can actually understand each other and the urgency/danger is gone. I liked that Dixon made the dynamics polar opposite of the first book. Liz consistently referring it as a "cootie" was funny. As usual, the world building was good and i loved learning more about the planet and culture of the tribes. Liz is such a badass! I loved her being able to hunt and wanting to fight.
The Bad
The "forced marriage/mates" trope isn't one I particularly like, it always relies on my turning my rational thinking brain off to enjoy the story. However, it was harder to do that in this story. Raahosh is got less and less enjoyable as a lead because his misunderstandings were based in an a lack of attempts to communicate. He didn't listen to Liz and doesn't try to understand her. His narration was all his wants and desires. He did things for Liz because it benefited him not out of love. The story relief HEAVY on sexual tension, never truly on developing a emotional connection. Rashosh never changed and improved to become less of a dick, Liz just gave up fighting and started to feel bad for him.
Spoiler
At once point, Raahosh is ingryed and wants her to leave him and all i could think was "She doesn't know where the village is because of you so she'll be stuck out here alone until maybe, possibly, someone stumbles upon her..." Like you kidnapped her dude she has no one else by your design.Spoiler
his mother was kidnapped by his father and eventually died away from their tribe because of it and what did he learn? To do the same thing to Liz and hope it turns out better.The Rating
Many people said Raahosh and Liz were their favorite couple so I expected to love this but am left exasperated. I give this book a 2/5