Anna's Reviews > R'jaal's Resonance

“R’jaal’s Resonance” by Ruby Dixon

5⭐️/5⭐️
3🌶/5🌶

“He smiles at me as if this is all he’s ever wanted, and he’s so handsome and affectionate that I wonder what’s wrong with the women here that they weren’t climbing him the moment he opened his mouth.”

Immediately following the events of “Flor’s Fiasco”, R’jaal finds himself imprisoned in a strange cell. Underground and isolated from his tribe, R’jaal must find a way out. His situation is further complicated by his cellmate, Rosalind. Rosalind does not have a khui, and R’jaal has just resonated with her. Can Rosalind and R’jaal escape their prison before she succumbs to the toxic atmosphere of the planet?

-I know I’m a little vague with the description above, but I truly don’t want to spoil any aspect of the plot; it’s a wild ride from start to finish.

-I’m totally elated I get to experience a new Ruby Dixon series in the “Ice Planet Barbarians” universe! I binged all the IPB books at the end of 2021 and going into 2022, then promptly moved on to the adjacent “Ice Home” series. Both series have such a special place in my heart; they’re my number one comfort reads. Reading about Not-Hoth in new Ruby Dixon books feels like returning home (even though I’d never survive in such a harsh environment).

-While I’m up-to-date on all the IPB and IH books, I haven’t read the “Corsairs Brothers” series. I follow Ruby on Facebook and knew about “Corsairs: Mathiras” being continually updated, and I also knew the ending of the book would play a significant role in R’jaal’s book. I’m happy to report you do NOT need to read any of the “Corsairs Brothers” books in order to understand the events of R’jaal’s book; however, you definitely need to read all the books in IPB and IH.

-For the longest time I had a theory R’jaal and Tia would get together, so when they were the last two left to not resonate I felt so smug. But then the huge twist ending to Flor’s book happened and…now I don’t feel so smug. Yet, I’m so happy with Rosalind, she’s the perfect mate for R’jaal.

-Out of all the FMCs Ruby has written in this universe, Rosalind might be the most relatable. I remember having a conversation with some friends years ago, when I was still studying for my master’s degree in library science, and we were all deciding what our ‘job’ would be during an apocalypse setting. And when it was my turn, I was like “well…I could organize whatever books aren’t destroyed”. So when Rosalind was trying to figure out her role in the tribe, it felt like an internal conversation I would be having with myself. I also really appreciate reading about librarianship as an information science field, and not just about shelving and checking out books. Librarians help users find and disseminate information, they make information freely available to everyone. I love that the tribe quickly realizes they need a way to preserve their history, and who better to figure out a solution than Rosalind.

-R’jaal skyrocketed to my top five favorite Barbarian/alien boyfriends (Zolaya, Warrek, Rukh, Ashtar are the top four). I loved getting to know him on a deeper level. In past books he’s very emotionally closed off due to his leadership; he presents a very strong public persona, but when you read his POV you understand how lonely he is. Like most Barbarians, R’jaal is respectful, patient, and understanding. However, he goes above and beyond most Barbarians with his emotional intelligence. The Barbarians are quite emotionally intelligent and in-tuned with their human mates, but R’jaal takes it a step further with Rosalind. Rosalind experiences an intense identity crisis (not going to say what it is due to spoilers), but R’jaal handles her anxiety and depression flawlessly. This man is a textbook definition of ‘supportive partner’ in literally every category. I struggle to think of a flaw, but I suppose R’jaal’s only flaw is how he withholds the truth about khuis and resonance from Rosalind.

-The smut was incredible. I don’t know how Ruby is able to write such unique smut about the same alien species that has the same type of anatomy, but every single time it’s a unique experience as a reader. R’jaal utters some of my absolute favorite type of dialogue by a MMC during sex; another reason to love him above other Barbarians. The first time R’jaal and Rosalind have sex is going to live rent free in my mind for a long time.

-This is the perfect start to a series, it does an excellent job referencing past characters and events, while also setting up some interesting storylines. I started the book with a set of questions, and ended the book with even more, and I’m so excited to read further and learn their answers.