So, what is Ice Planet Barbarians? A Primer and a Top Ten
*contains mild spoilers for the Ice Planet Barbarians series - also this article is rated M for Mature, reader discretion is advised*
In June 2021, Ruby Dixon’s Ice Planet Barbarians series went viral on Tik Tok. The series, about a group of human women stranded on a frozen planet in the middle of nowhere, and the very tall, handsome aliens who fall in love with them took the internet by storm. It prompted Barnes and Noble to start carrying the books on their shelves (as of writing this, no such luck for us Canadians - come on, Indigo). Just in my personal experience, I was seeing people on Twitter whose circles don’t normally intersect talking about this. Naturally I had to check it out.
And, may I just say: Damn.
The basic premise is that a group of human women are abducted from Earth by a group of aliens looking to sell them on the intergalactic market. Their ship, however, crash-lands on a frozen planet the women dub “Not-Hoth”, and they are found by the tribe of local sentient beings known as the sa-khui. Because sa-khui culture is technologically primitive, they have no way to return the women home. Therefore, each new arrival is given a “khui” - essentially, a parasite - that not only helps them survive the harsh conditions, but also draws them to their most compatible mate, ostensibly for the purposes of procreation in a process known as “resonance”. It not only draws you to the other person but...well...makes you really horny for them. But given how compatible each couple is personality-wise, there is probably more to it than that.
In case you couldn’t tell by the very nature of this article, I was immediately pulled into the world of the residents of Not-Hoth. I read the entire series - that’s 30 novels/novellas - in a month. I’m a fast reader anyway, but not that fast. They were just that addictive. The two genres that have kept me sane throughout this pandemic have been science fiction and romance, and when they blend so well into such a cohesive, delightful, well thought out world like this? Perfection.
And really, what’s not to love about a planet inhabited by seven foot tall, handsome and chiseled men. Consent kings whose primary objective in bed is the pleasure of their partner. Remember that Variety article where the creators of Harley Quinn revealed DC made them cut a scene of Batman going down on Catwoman because “heroes don’t do that”? Let’s just say that if that were the case, the men of Not-Hoth are the most villainous around *wink*
Every single one of these books - novel and novella alike - is packed with humour, heart, and so many steamy, steamy moments I had to angle my iPad a certain way when reading in public to make sure no one could see over my shoulder.
I do want to stress that this is not the kind of series you can jump around in, especially after the first few. Each story builds on the last in terms of development and setting! If this is your thing, then they’re well worth your time. There are, in my view, no misses in the bunch. But which books were my favourites? Enough dancing around the idea, let’s get right to it.
10. Barbarian’s Choice
Where is it in the series: Book 12
Who is the couple: Farli and Mardok
Why I like it: Because for the first time in the series, the offworlder is the male love interest, Mardok. It also brings with it a huge status quo change that only makes the world around it richer.
Did I cry: Yes, once towards the end when I thought things with Farli were about to go all Red Tent on me.
9. Barbarian Mine
Where is it in the series: Book 4
Who is the couple: Harlow and Rukh
Why I like it: Most of the books in the series overcome the issue of language barriers thanks to a machine inside the ancient ship that brought the sa-khui to Not-Hoth in the first place. But because Rukh has lived apart from everyone, he doesn’t communicate easily. Also please note that even the literal isolated cave man respects the concept of consent.
Did I cry: No, but they’re so sweet together I got very emotional.
8. Barbarian’s Hope
Where is it in the series: Book 11
Who is the couple: Asha and Hemalo
Why I like it: It’s a second chance romance between a couple that was together before book 1 even starts. They’ve drifted apart since the death of their infant, both hurting the other in different ways, unwilling to face how they themselves are hurting. I wasn’t expecting to like this one as much as I did.
Did I cry: No, but again, lots of feelings, particularly when it came to frank discussions of loss.
7. Barbarian’s Lady
Where is it in the series: Book 14
Who is the couple: Kate and Harrec
Why I like it: A TALL HEROINE. Seriously, she’s 6’1. And though I don’t get the impression that Ruby Dixon is quite that tall, she absolutely nails every aspect of constantly feeling gargantuan around your peers, of never getting to feel delicate or desirable. That constant, pervasive worry that no one could ever be interested in you when there are smaller choices available. It all hit very close to home. And yet our tall girl gets her taller man by the end.
Did I cry: With emotion? No. With envy and longing, yes. A 6’1 woman. With a loving supportive man who towers over her. Ruby Dixon, I see what you’ve done for others…
6. Barbarian’s Bride
Where is it in the series: Book 22
Who is the couple: Nora and Dagesh
Why I like it: Every other couple in the books, no matter their level of sexual experience, found themselves compatible in that respect, even if they weren’t compatible emotionally. Not only is it the opposite here, but this is the only book in the series where the heroine is notably more sexually aggressive than the hero is, and the two of them need to communicate to reach a place where they’re both comfortable. Though don’t worry, Dagesh is just as much of a...cunning linguist...as the other heroes. It’s a sa-khui thing.
Did I cry: With laughter. Which I don’t usually do.
5. Barbarian’s Mate
Where is it in the series: Book 7
Who is the couple: Josie and Haeden
Why I like it: Ice Planet Barbarians doesn’t really do enemies to lovers, but this is as close as it gets. They hate each other, which makes the whole soulmate thing extra delicious. Naturally, there’s a lot of pain both of them are concealing from the other and they fall in love by working through it together. Not an easy feat to make a “fall in love” story out of a forced proximity soulmate scenario, but this book manages wonderfully.
Did I cry: No. I just liked the snark
4. Barbarian’s Redemption
Where is it in the series: Book 13
Who is the couple: Elli and Bek
Why I like it: It’s right there in the title. Local asshole Bek fucks up big time and needs to redeem himself. Which he does. And it’s not a question of him being fixed by a woman, but of him fixing his own damn self. Then, there is Elli, who is dealing with a lifetime of captivity and trauma, whose arc mercifully doesn’t resolve with “well, she got laid, guess she’s ok now”. It’s clear healing is a journey, and one the two of them will take together.
Did I cry: No but hearing about Elli’s circumstances did freak me out a little
3. Barbarian’s Beloved
Where is it in the series: Book 18
Who is the couple: Arianna and Zolaya
Why I like it: First of all, I like that Arianna, who the others rolled their eyes at a lot, finally had her chance to shine. I also appreciate a story about crippling anxiety being told in such a real way, particularly the mentions of how it never really does go away and those of us with it just learn to cope how we can. Doesn’t hurt that she has a wonderfully supportive partner to help her through it all.
Did I cry: Yes, because I completely understand the crippling anxiety Arianna has, and some of it felt a little too real at times.
2. Barbarian Alien
Where is it in the series: Book 2
Who is the couple: Liz and Raahosh
Why I like it: Simply put: I want to be Liz when I grow up. This is less the “enemies to lovers” vibe, and more two people at the exact same level of snarky, aggressive intensity who wind up stuck with each other, horny for each other, and abjectly refuse to do anything about it. Plus Liz is a huge Star Wars nerd, so how can I resist?
Did I cry: The ending did make me cry. That’s how I knew the series had me hooked.
1. Barbarian’s Heart
Where is it in the series: Book 10
Who is the couple: Stacey and Pashov
Why I like it: Second chance romance? Amnesia? People trying their best no matter how much they hurt? Yes please, all around. I wasn’t expecting the pain in this book to feel so visceral and to tug at my heart as much as it did, but oof what a ride. It put one of the quieter, more content couples through the wringer, and did the same with my emotions.
Did I cry: Yes. A lot.
***
This series may not be for everybody, but I hope this little sampling has encouraged you to give it a try. Now if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to cope with my Ice Planet Barbarian withdrawal by diving headfirst into the Icehome spin-off series.
Also Ice Planet Barbarians omnibus when? Gimmie that nice hardcover with the maps and a family tree!
Happy reading!
Ice Planet Barbarians is available on Amazon and through Kindle Unlimited
