I love Ruby Dixon, but this book in particular felt so extremely fat-phobic. Maddie drones on and on about how she’s fat and out of shape and always left out because she eats too much and can’t keep up. There was just so much whining and complaining about her weight for the first half of the book that it really put me off, and it only stopped when Hassan told her he liked her body and her size. It doesn’t make a good impression on the reader, who may be self-conscious, to read all about someone who basically hates their body only until a guy comes along and bandaids it better with kisses and pretty words.

The book was short, and besides all the whining Maddie did (which there was a lot of), I enjoyed this book. Hassan was sweet, and I think he and Maddie were a good pair. They were both outcasts until they found each other and their relationship brought them onto the tribe’s radar.

Poor Pashov :,( He didn’t deserve that. This book was also pretty sad.

I've reviewed 8 books in the series of updated special edition releases, it should be relatively obvious what I'm going to say about this book.

Maddie is new to the ice planet and the tribe and she feels lonely and unsure of herself in this new world. Not to mention her sister was kidnapped, then came back safe but now has a mate and a kit on the way, how is she supposed to fit into that dynamic? Enter Hassen, the handsome alien who kidnapped Maddie's sister. He's lonely and adrift as well, but he and Maddie don't exactly get along. When a terrible event rocks the tribe, Maddie and Hassen must team up to keep everyone safe and survive.

I was delighted to have a plus-sized heroine! Her self deprecating thoughts made my heart hurt, but they are the same body image thoughts I have, so Maddie was easy to love. Hassen was a fun and very blunt character who complimented Maddie's blunt/sarcastic humor well. As always the spice was awesome and this book felt like a good set up for a shift in the continuation of the series. I look forward to future editions!

Ruby Dixon never ceases to amaze me. I absolutely love Ice Planet Barbarians. It was my first alien romance experience and I could not stop reading ALL of these.

In the captivating realm of extraterrestrial romance, Ruby Dixon's "Barbarian's Taming" emerges as a compelling saga of forbidden love and self-discovery. As Maddie, a newcomer to an alien tribe, grapples with her fiery nature and the abrupt abduction of her timid sister, her world is turned upside down. Amidst the joyous reunion of her sister and her mate, Maddie finds herself yearning for affection and attention, feeling a profound sense of loneliness. Ironically, the one individual who seems to comprehend her turmoil is Hassen, the blue-skinned alien who initially stole her sister. Despite the inherent taboo surrounding their connection, Maddie and Hassen embark on a clandestine affair, challenging societal norms and exploring the boundaries of their own desires. Their journey is fraught with obstacles, as they navigate the complexities of cultural differences, societal expectations, and their own emotional vulnerabilities. Dixon skillfully weaves a tale that delves into the intricacies of alien customs, highlighting the stark contrasts between Maddie's assertive personality and the more reserved nature of Hassen's people. The story delves into the nuances of communication and understanding, as Maddie and Hassen struggle to bridge the gap between their vastly different backgrounds. "Barbarian's Taming" offers a refreshing take on the alien romance genre, eschewing conventional tropes in favor of a more realistic and emotionally resonant narrative. Dixon's vivid world-building and attention to detail create a believable and immersive setting, while her characters are relatable and authentic. Through Maddie and Hassen's tumultuous journey, Dixon explores themes of self-acceptance, courage, and the transformative power of love. Readers will be captivated by the forbidden romance at the heart of the story, while also being challenged to reflect on their own perspectives and societal norms. With its compelling characters, intricate world-building, and thought-provoking themes, "Barbarian's Taming" is a must-read for fans of science fiction romance and those seeking a unique and emotionally engaging story. Dixon's masterful storytelling prowess shines through in this captivating tale, leaving readers eager for more adventures in this captivating universe.

Trapped on an ice planet and far from home, Maddie never expected to find solace in the company of Hassan - the alien who kidnapped her sister. While Hassan teaches her how to survive in the wild, Maggie must come to terms with her own response to her changing circumstances and carve a space for herself in her new home. When tragedy strikes, will the tribe survive?

This was an interesting installment of this series. Both Hassan and Maddie are impulsive and make selfish decisions that put them at odds with the other members of the tribe. The event at the end of the books almost seems to springboard a new chapter in this series - we shall see.

Love this series. I find the big blue aliens on Not Hoth a sexy fun bunch. The books to me are relaxing way to escape. Please keep them coming

The sweet story of Hassen and Maddie!

Hassen just wants to love someone, Maddie just wants to be appreciated for who she is, without being judged on her size. Sweet story of how the two begin their relationship and how it grows into a true love match!

Thank you to NetGalley for the opportunity to read and review this title!

This book felt a lot more authentic than the others I read, and the characters felt more fleshed out and loved by the author.

I was surprised by the level of… well, fat-phobia and shaming coming from Maddie’s POV. That said, Ruby Dixon is herself extremely overweight and therefore I am left wondering if it is authentic to how the author feels and what she thinks of herself and what her own experience might be like on Not-Hoth. I’d hazard to say Maddie and Hassan might be self-inserts for her in terms of feeling lonely or like an outcast, based on some of her social media content. That said, I sure hope the millions she made selling this series made up for it. 😂 the baby making stuff at the end was weird.

Despite its problematic elements, this is the first book of the series that I feel like I can get behind for it’s existence and did… enjoy isn’t the right word, but maybe… not throw the book at the wall? I liked the bond between the pair.

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkley for the ARC.

I really enjoyed this book. The storyline of Maddie’s journey of forgiveness and understanding of Hassen made a great, relatable lead. I really likes Maddie as a character and enjoyed her story.

At book 8 in the series it’s pretty obvious that I’m going to say I enjoyed this. In all likelihood there are few people who’ve made it this far and have yet to make up their mind on if alien romance is there cup of tea. No spoiler, for me, it is. That said, this is not a personal favorite.

It definitely has upsides and interesting plot points. One of my favorite aspects of the Ice Planet Barbarian series is the development of Not-Hoth and the lives of our Sakhui tribe. This book has that and it was probably the most interesting part for me. It really sets up the world to tell more stories (which, I was starting to worry wouldn’t happen after adding Maddie and Lila)
But I found the relationship in this one to be a little bit bland. It’s fine, but at this stage in the game it’s just not the most unique couple we’ve had. No surprise that that would happen eventually.

Still very much enjoyed and would recommend!

This book took an interesting twist on the resonance/ mate trope of the series, showing two characters choosing each other sexually and romantically and really knowing one another before become mates, creating an interesting dynamic of slow burn (without waiting for the goods). The mate trope definietly wouldn't have felt right for these characters without taking time for them to know one another. On the other hand, this book contained a number of plot developments to change up the world and keep readers on their toes - future books won't become a repeat because of this expansion/development!

This is one of my favorite installments in the Ice Planet Barbarians Series, mostly due to Ruby Dixon’s excellent writing. Up until this book I didn’t care much about Hassen or Maddie but they’re so surprisingly tender, both with each other and themselves. Truly loved this, Ruby Dixon is such a dependable read and quickly becoming an all time favorite!

Thank you to NetGalley and Berkeley Books for the eARC in exchange for an honest review

I can't help but like these, I know exactly how they're going to end and there's definitely a comfort in that. I thought that this one seemed a little more personal for Ruby Dixon? Her author's note was really touching and it felt like she had a strong connection to the heroine, which was nice to see.