Genre: Science Fiction Romance

Disclaimer: Reading is all about exploring new worlds, but this Book Review does not shy away from spoiling specific scenes as this is more of a look inside the good and bad of a book.

The Analysis:

I was recommended this book through booktube, but I can’t remember who because it’s been that long ago. It could only be one of two, but that’s neither here nor there. This is my first Ruby Dixon book since the Ice Planet Barbarians and yo girl was weary. Just because (personally) I’ve come to consider those books erotica and I wanted sci-fi romance with more plot. So, let’s book review it. But first, follow me on Goodreads.

Here’s The Blurb:

No one likes a rebellious captive.

I learned that the hard way. I’ve been abducted from earth and cruelly tormented for my fighting spirit until I learned that the only thing that would keep me safe is to be sweet and calm and agreeable. It’s what keeps me alive.

When I’m rescued by space pirates, they tell me I’m safe. I’m told I can be myself again, get as angry as I want, laugh and cry and scream all I need. I don’t believe them, of course. I certainly don’t believe Alyvos, the ‘muscle’ of the pirate ship. Everyone says that he likes nothing more than a good fight, but to me, he’s kind and protective. How can I fear someone who holds me tenderly through the night and has fuzzy skin?

But my pirate wants more from me than I’m ready to give. He wants my fiery spirit…and I’m not sure it’s there anymore.

Cover Critique:

The cover is a tad misleading in that it’s far more sensual than the book’s actual contents. For one thing, the red ribbon means something far different than the kink one might associate it with. But even before I knew who Ruby D was or her books, I knew this cover, and I loved the attention to detail.

Now The Story:

Book Info:
Pages: 188
Author: Ruby Dixon
Available: Amazon

It could be my imagination, but this book really seems like an improvement. We’re still only getting minimal setting, but the story is focused on the relationship. It also doesn’t feel like every other chapter is a sex scene. We’re really getting to know the characters.

This is the first book of the series that I’m reading and I would need to read the others to really be able to confirm and compare.

For most of the book, I’d give it 4 stars with an asterisk first.

Let me explain:

This book has managed to completely turn me off to reading any more heroes or heroines with immense trauma like this.

Disclaimer? I appreciate the realism and sensitivity that this book brings to the subject. Anyone going through a similar trauma (not this exaggerated) should feel seen and understood. I also hope this book gives them hope that they too can find love and find a way out of the fog.

This book was just not fun to read and did very little in terms of escapism. You just felt so deeply for the heroine, but none of those feelings were ever happiness or excitement or joy. It was just one note of pure misery from beginning to end. I almost DNF at 55%. Also, imagine going through your own drama, however minor, and then reading this. Definitely not a mood booster. Let’s then pivot to the hero, who in these types of stories is almost close to a saint, and acknowledge that he’s carrying his half of the relationship and hers. This happens in marriages where people have been together for years and its betrayal would be much more nuanced and thought-provoking if set during that time. But now, thrust into a scenario where the hero has literally walked onto the scene being perfect it comes across as grossly unfair. Even if the heroine deserves the time and attention. I for one hope these stories continue to be told for those who need them. But I’m going to look twice before picking up a story with a hero or heroine with extreme trauma.

^{So, why four stars?} It’s just believable. Her trauma. His devotion. There mutual struggle. The friends in the background who are there for them, but not too overbearing. I don’t fault her for feeling everything she’s feeling. And I love the hero for trying so hard. Despite the fact that he’s dealing with his own anger issues. Heck, I even identified with the hero in that regard. For me, he didn’t fall to the wayside. I felt his frustration and frequently wanted to give that man hugs. At the same time, I wanted to take the heroine to the airlock and just let her have shouting matches. Just so she could escape her body. The sex scenes were also kept to a minimum. It’s just too much tension to feel with no rest. Which hopefully makes everyone more sympathetic to the victims of abuse and rape.

^{But what lowers it to a three?} The last conversation between our couple at the end of the book gives me pause. Below is what it says and it’s harmless, but allow me a minute to explain.

Hero: “I don’t want you to do anything you don’t want to do.”

Heroine: “I never do.” … “Guess what I want to do right now?” (It’s just some smexy time.)

The above statements seem to confirm that the hero doesn’t have a personality, wants, or needs. He just has whatever the heroine allows him to have. Which he’s happy with, but it shouldn’t be that way. This leap some might say is confirmed by the ending.

The ending to this is complex and depending on how you see things, bad. They’re pirates and she changes him so much he can’t even technically be called that. The hero is constantly admitting to having anger issues that we don’t really see. He can be a tad reckless and is always in a fight, but it’s with the bad guys. He’s not picking fights at a bar and falling down drunk in these space streets lol. So, all we see is the heroine ruling him out of fear. He’s not allowed to go after the bad guy because it’s not what she wants. Never mind the kidnapped women and other species aboard. He just decided they were going to turn the illegal ship into the space cops and let them take over. Ultimately avoiding any conflict that might not make her feel safe. The reader doesn’t even get to see the conclusion of what that looks like. Okay, that’s one solution, but the hero is not in charge of this ship. How does he get more than half the say? And how does wanting to get the bad guys equal anger issues? For the latter question, the movie Training Day calls to mind of a law and order man who frequently crossed the line into villain territory to get the bad guy and thus was slowly turning into a blood-thirsty goon. See, nuisance. This lacked that. The hero just seemed neutered by love.

Story At A Glance:

Recommendation:  3 out of 5

Read Series Continuation:  Yes

 The Ratings:

Book Cover Appeal:

🍓🍓🍓🍓🍓

Story & Narration:

🍓🍓🍓

Romance:

🍓🍓🍓🍓

Character/(s) Personality:

🍓🍓🍓