I am such a die-hard fan of the Ice Planet Barbarians series, and getting the opportunity to read the re-releases such been such a joy. This release is no different! Seeing Asha learn to open her heart again, be soft, and give in to Hemalo was a thing of beauty. I loved the push and pull between them, and it created a sense of charm.

⭐️⭐️⭐️½

Barbarian’s Hope is a quiet, emotional second-chance romance that dives deep into grief, healing, and the slow rebuilding of love. Asha and Hemalo are struggling after the devastating loss of their child, living separate lives and not knowing how to reach each other. Asha’s pain is raw and deeply felt, and Hemalo’s quiet strength brings a unique softness to their dynamic. With the help of a gentle friendship and a second resonance, they begin to find their way back. It’s not a steamy or action-packed story, but a moving, heartfelt journey about learning to love again after tragedy.

If you’ve been following along with the Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon, we’ve made it to book ten! But Barbarian’s Hope comes with a twist – instead of a human and Sa-Khui relationship we instead get a second-chance romance between a Sa-Khui male and female. It’s a story of loss and recovery, so it gets quite deep and emotional, but I really enjoyed seeing the perspective of life from a Sa-Khui female. There may be spoilers for the earlier novels in this review, but I’m not going to give a synopsis of the series to date as there are previous reviews available, and the author gives a brief introduction to the planet and its inhabitants in each book.

Asha is miserable and lonely. When she resonated to Hemalo, it was a happy time for them both until she suffered a miscarriage and lost their kit. In her grief, she lashed out at Hemalo and drove him away. Now she has a young Sa-Khui female, Farli, as a roommate and Hemalo lives with the single males. Her favorite thing to do is to babysit some of the humans’ babies even though it reminds her of her own loss. As time has passed, she has been taking stock of her life and how much things have changed for her. At one time she had been one of the few single females and had garnered lots of male attention, but with the human females’ entry into the Sa-Khui lives when their ship crash-landed on the planet, everything has changed. Now most of the males have mated a human female, though Hemalo has shown no interest in them. When she’s around him she can tell that their tribemates are waiting for them to come to blows, but she is tired of feeling so sad and wants to move forward in her life.

When Claire, one of the humans, approaches Asha to see if she can help her set up a holiday celebration to recreate some of their familiar human Christmas traditions, Asha is intrigued. She hasn’t bonded with any of the humans so far, but as Claire and Asha plan the events, they become friends and Asha’s loneliness and grief start to fade as she finds a new purpose.

Hemalo is also grieving the loss of his mate and his pre-term kit. He had seen how his presence was making things worse for Asha after the miscarriage and left her, in hopes that it would help her heal. But nothing he does seems to be the right thing. When Asha comes around with Claire to tell them about their holiday plans, he sees that her spirits have improved and he is glad. As they encounter each other more over the next few weeks, their khuis start to sing to each other, proving that they still have a connection. But when they start to resonate again, Asha becomes frightened. Resonance is a sign that mating will result in a kit. Can Asha put aside her fears and trust that this could be a second chance for her and Hemalo to rekindle their earlier happiness and become a family?

This will be a hard read for anyone who has had a miscarriage or lost a child, as Asha’s grief and feelings about the loss and the disintegration of her relationship with Hemalo are not sugarcoated. With the passing of time she is able to see that Hemalo was also grieving and that they processed the loss in different ways. When he thought he was giving her space, she thought he was abandoning her, yet couldn’t blame him for that because she had been treating him poorly. I really enjoyed how her character developed over the course of the story. Asha is portrayed as a strong and passionate female, and in contrast, Hemalo is calm and measured. He’s not an alpha male like so many of the other Sa-Khui males but prefers to keep his head down and work hard. Their differences are what attracted them to each other in the first place. Asha and Hemalo have to go through an adventure (literally!) as they deal with the resonance and work out how to be a couple again.

Many of the other secondary characters make an appearance and the translation of human winter traditions (including a Secret Santa exchange) to the Sa-Khui adds some comedic elements to lighten the mood of the story. There’s also a side storyline with Claire, who is happily mated to Ereven and expecting his baby, but has some unresolved issues with her former pleasure-mate, Bek. As with previous entries in the series, the worldbuilding continues to reveal more interesting tidbits about the planet and its inhabitants. The author treats the sensitive subject matter with the care it deserves, and Barbarian’s Hope stands out as one of my favourites of the series.

Firstly, thank you to the publishers, to Ruby Dixon, & Netgalley for an arc e-copy of the re-release of this book. Here are my honest opinions:

This is a pretty standard book in Dixon’s lineup of the Ice Planet series. The couple this time are Asha & Hemalo. There’s little to add that most readers wouldn’t already know or see from other reviews—so I was surprised to see the arc listed on NetGalley.

Nonetheless—I had such a good time reading it. I did get a little lost with the lore and fantasy niches, seeing as I’ve only read a few other of her books—but that is likely a personal problem and something an experienced reader of this series would not experience. I was not aware of some of the darker topics that’d be covered, and I caution readers to read the triggers or look up some of the topics.

Dixon’s description and prose bring the alien-but-whimsical world to life, and her action was fast paced, dialogue quick and catchy, and plot intriguing enough to capture my attention. If you’re early on in the series, I recommend sticking with it.

Thanks again for the free e-copy of this book!!

-Maeve

This book made me like Asha a little bit more, though didn't entirely restore her character for me. Her relationship with Hemalo was just...okay. I could tell where the author was going with this, with Hemalo being the one who can really handle her, but...idk. I just wasn't that into it. But also, I wasn't really into them going into this book, so maybe that had some sort of affect on my feelings.
However, this story had a lot of grief and I did feel like that was handled pretty well, and it made me feel things. I will, as always, continue to read all of these books because Ruby Dixon is the sci-fi romance queen.

There is just something so charming and warm about the icy world Ruby Dixon has created around these big blue aliens. I genuinely love this series and the characters within it. As always, this story was charming and enchanting, and I finished it at the speed of sound.

It's a nice change of pace for this series to have a romance between two aliens. Asha & Hemalo's story is the most deeply emotional yet, filled with loss, grieving, and healing. "Barbarian's Hope" is a deeply heartfelt story, but not especially entertaining or memorable. A highlight for me was seeing everyone settling into the new village!

I'm looking forward to seeing how this series continues to develop.

Thank you to NetGalley & the publisher for providing an eARC for review.

Barbarian’s Hope follows Hemalo, the quiet and gentle leather tanner of the Sa-Khui tribe, and his boisterous outgoing mate Asha. In this second chance romance we find out why Asha has grown cold and distant with her mate and why Hemalo is withdrawn and melancholic. After facing the heartbreaking loss of their first child Asha is terrified when her and Hemalo begin to resonate for a second time. This is a beautiful story of grief, love and hope. We watch Asha and Hemalo heal together and find joy in life again. I loved getting to read an Ice Planet Barbarians story with a Sa-Khui FMC! It gave more insight to the culture and traditions of the tribe.

Thank you NetGalley for an arc of Barbarian’s Hope

📖 Bookish Thoughts
Asha’s story wrecked me. She’s hurting so deeply and lashing out from a place of real grief. While she definitely had some unkind moments, seeing the pain behind it made me feel for her. I’m so glad she and Hemalo got their second chance. They both had to work through communication struggles and the heartbreak of losing their baby. Their healing was so raw and real.

I loved when they tried out “mouth-mating” like the humans. It was funny and sweet. And shoutout to Claire. Her friendship with Asha made me love her even more.

💬 Favorite Quote
“Because I will be at your side every moment of every day. When you frown, I will give you mouth-matings until you smile again. When you are sad, I will hold you close until you are happy again. When we sleep, it will be together, under the same furs.”

🩵 What You Can Expect
• Grief and healing
• Second-chance romance
• A grumpy, hurting FMC
• Gentle, patient MMC
• Friendship bonds
• “Mouth-matings” aka kissing

Thank you to Berkley Publishing Group and NetGalley for the special edition ARC. All thoughts are my own.

Asha and Hemalo, both sa-khui, are mated but estranged since a tragic event left them bereft. Asha’s sadness made her lash out and unfortunately Hemalo was the recipient of her anger. Hemalo for his part thought it better to leave, which hurt Asha even more.

My heart hurt for both Asha and Hemalo, but especially Asha. For a mother, losing a child/baby would be an unimaginable kind of pain, having your mate leave you would just add insult to injury. However, Hemalo’s leaving was a misguided attempt to help rather than harm.

Barbarian’s Hope was sort of an alien marriage-in-crisis. I was completely invested in their moving journey back to each other. I was also touched by Claire befriending Asha, since Asha alienated herself from the human females even though she really needed support. It helped bring down the wall of protection Asha had erected around herself, opening up a healing between her and Hemalo and helped her become part of the village once again.

I was intrigued and moved by the encounter with the Metlaks. I wonder what it means for future relations with them.

A both heart-breaking and heart-warming second chance romance about two people finding each other again through their grief. Another wonderful addition to the series!

4 ⭐ A touching story that centers on love, loss, and new beginnings. ♥️

WHAT TO EXPECT:
✨ alien romance
✨ both MCs are aliens
✨ second chance
✨ black cat x golden retriever
✨ opposites attract
✨ "it's always been you"
✨ 3/5 spice 🌶️
✨ HEA for the couple
✨ TW: loss of child, depression, heroine tries to involve herself romantically with other characters before reconnecting with her mate.

My Thoughts:

This book was the most painful to read of the series because it's so heartbreaking. After losing their child, Asha and Hemalo drifted apart, and this story focuses on them finding their way back to each other or else deciding they will part ways forever. This story dives deep into grief, love, and the painful work of healing after unimaginable loss, so get your tissues ready.

Asha is strong, fiery, and prickly, while Hemalo is the quietest, gentlest little cinnamon roll of a mate. Maybe too sweet sometimes, but it works. They’re total opposites in how they deal with pain, and that contrast really comes through in this story. Both of them are grieving the loss of their child, but they mourn so differently. Hemalo pulls back and gives Asha space, trying to be supportive in his quiet way. Asha, on the other hand, lashes out. She shuts everyone out and ends up pushing Hemalo away, blaming him and punishing him for something neither of them could control.

It hurts to watch. Especially because you can tell Hemalo never stops loving her, not for a second. But this book lets you sit in Asha’s pain and understand it better. Her anger. Her distance. it all starts to make sense. She’s cruel because she's broken in a way she doesn’t know how to fix. And when she finally starts letting herself feel something other than grief or anger and letting Helamo in again… that’s when the healing starts. It’s slow, but so, so worth it.

I really ended up liking Claire and her POVs. At first, I didn’t get why we needed them, but she was the friend Asha needed. Asha was pushing everyone away, but Claire kept reaching out with no judgment, offering her friendship when no one else would. Their unlikely bond was so beautiful to see unfold, and it gave us an important outsider’s perspective on Asha’s pain and behavior. Claire was exactly the kind of support Asha needed.

I've been a fan of this series for a while and was nervous to read this one but it ended up being one of my favorites. I loved seeing Claire and some of her povs too. And the way Ruby handles the topics made it so special. As a mom who has had my own fertility struggles and a traumatic birth experience I really appreciated the way this story was written.

Ruby Dixon can really do no wrong! I loved the fact that this was the first book in the series where the FMC is native to Nothoff. I felt for Asha and Hemalo! Their love story seemed very real, I kept forgetting this was paranormal romance until the spice came. I love how the book ended and how Asha took care of the metlark and tribes babies because she couldn't care for her own. I do wish the author spent more time telling us how Hemalo felt, its not that she didnt at all he just fell a little dry for me.

This book had the most character depth of any of the previous novels. There wasn't much in the way of world building so I'm looking forward to where the rest of the series takes us and seeing glimpses of this couple as well. This was the only book in the series so far that added a character's perspective who was outside of the resonating couple and I'm not sure I enjoyed that choice. It was nice to see friendship prioritized as well as romance, though.

The story immediately pulls you in with Asha's poignant inner monologue. The reader gets a clear sense of the vibrant, perhaps even slightly self-centered, woman she once was, a stark contrast to the woman burdened by the past. The mystery surrounding the "terrible thing" that shattered their world hangs heavy in the air, creating a palpable sense of dread. You can feel the weight of Asha's fear, her reluctance to embrace the second chance resonance offers because she's terrified that the damage is irreparable.
Dixon masterfully portrays the delicate dance between Asha and Hemalo. While their initial resonance was a silent understanding, their current state is fraught with unspoken grievances and lingering hurt. Hemalo, the quiet and reserved male, is painted as intensely loving, yet his pain is evident in his actions (or lack thereof). The push and pull between them is realistic and heartbreaking.
What makes this read intriguing is that the story delves into the complexities of grief and trauma. This isn't a fluffy romance; it's a story about rebuilding trust after it's been shattered, about forgiveness, and about finding hope in the darkest of times. The question of whether Asha and Hemalo can overcome their past is a compelling one.
Overall, Barbarian's Hope is a powerful and emotionally resonant addition to the Ice Planet Barbarians series. It's a story for readers who enjoy their romance with a healthy dose of angst and a deep exploration of human (and alien) vulnerability.

Ruby Dixon never fails to make me love her books and characters!

“Ask me to return, I beg silently. Tell me that you miss me in your furs. That you miss the warmth of our bodies together. Tell me that you miss my smile like I miss yours.”
The yearning and tension I felt while reading this book was fantastic!! This is one of my favorite quotes from the book and it really shows how much Hemalo cares for her.

I have wanted to get to know Asha and Hemalo since I first met them. I knew they had such a rough history, but I wanted to personally get to experience their heart ache. And boy did I experience it. I wanted to hug both characters so many times!

Asha is so strong willed and has a fiery nature, however, this nature is quickly snuffed out after she loses her child. Lost in her grief she continues to push everything and everyone away and while doing that she loses her mate.

Hemalo is struggling through his grief as well and is trying to find the best way to navigate their new reality. While learning to live through this loss he decides the best way to help Asha heal is with time.

Both of these characters drew me in and made me feel so much for each of them. Seeing their love blossom again after everything they had been through made this experience even better. I also thought it was so cute how we got Claire’s POV and the friendship between her and Asha. I loved this book so much and can easily say it’s one of my top favorites of the series.

Thank you to Berkeley and Net-galley for the opportunity to ARC read this book in exchange for an honest review! This is one of my all time favorite series to read and I was so happy to receive this!

Barbarian's Hope was an entertaining read and Ruby Dixon continues to prove that they are an automatic read... Would definitely recommend this for anyone looking for a quick, enjoyable read.

This was everything it needed to be and more. So bittersweet but also beautiful. I absolutely loved this one.

Here's the deal: ever since I became a mother, I've become the kind of person who absolutely bawls about infant loss. If I tell you I cried about fifty times while reading this book, you might get the hint that it involves the loss of a child. FMC Asha is still grieving the loss of her daughter. Also her mate left her while she was grieving, but didn't think to tell her it was because he thought he was adding to her unhappiness. Also also they've apparently never spoken AT ALL about why he left? In general it's a pretty sad book.

This is the first sa-khui4sa-khui pairing I've read, and I was interested to see how Dixon handled it. Turns out she must think we readers can't handle alien-only POVs because instead of just Asha and Hemalo we get a human POV, Claire. I feel both like I could have been trusted to empathize with Asha without a human butting in with her thoughts AND like it was nice to get away from the "cry your eyes out" headspace. So I guess "conflicted" is how I felt.

As always when I read an IPB book, I imagine what the series would be like if it allowed resonance mating to be messy. Like, wouldn't it be wild to read a book where people resonated with different mates every time? What would society look like it it weren't formed of tidy little fatedly mated pairs? But I get it, that would mean these aren't romances. I still crave a little messiness that's not trauma-based.

This objective review is based on a complimentary copy of the Berkley rerelease.