If you're a fan of romance books, but find yourself looking for something a little...different... then the Ice Planet Barbarians series by Ruby Dixon is an absolute must-read. From the very first page, I was hooked by the endearing alien characters as well as the humans hell-bent on surviving an ice planet. Once I got further into the series, however, it was the fast-paced and thrilling plot, filled with danger and intrigue at every turn, that had me completely hooked. But what really sets this series apart are the endearing and fully fleshed-out characters. Each one is unique and has their own struggles and complex back stories, making them feel real and relatable even though they're literally on an alien ice planet with two suns. And the aliens get those complex back stories, too!
I know that the Ice Planet Barbarians series has somewhat of a silly reputation in the book community as "the blue alien smut," and I'll be the first to admit that the spice between the characters is definitely a delight. But don't let that fool you into thinking that this series is shallow or one-dimensional. The relationships between the characters are so much deeper and more complex than that, and the themes explored in the series are heavy and at times difficult to grapple with.
Whether it's the deep love between a human and an alien barbarian, or the strong bonds of friendship that form between the humans (and the entire tribe, tbh), Dixon has a knack for crafting complex and nuanced love stories that will leave you swooning and invested in the fates of the characters time and time again.
As a fan of the genre, I was constantly surprised and delighted by the twists and turns of the plot, and the spice started to become a nice addition to an otherwise fascinating adventure plot (not that it was bad, I just needed to know more about the world and what happened next). But be warned: these books are not always for the faint of heart. The themes explored in the series can be lighthearted and sweet, but there are also books that have themes that are heavy and at times difficult to grapple with, and some readers may find them triggering.
However, if you're ready to dive deep into this fascinating world and open your heart to such wonderful blue aliens, I highly recommend giving the Ice Planet Barbarians series a chance. It's a passionate and captivating escape from reality that will leave you feeling emotionally vulnerable and completely invested in the lives of its characters. Don't write it off as just "blue alien smut," because there is so much more to these books than meets the eye. Trust me, you won't be disappointed.
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