A review by inkdrinkermal
Barbarian's Taming by Ruby Dixon

slow-paced
  • Plot- or character-driven? A mix
  • Strong character development? Yes
  • Loveable characters? No
  • Diverse cast of characters? It's complicated
  • Flaws of characters a main focus? Yes

2.0

This book did not do it for me. Maddie was such a deeply unlikable character for the first half of the book, and even as she became a kinder, more compassionate person, it wasn't enough of a change to make me forget how absolutely awful she was to literally everyone around her, but especially Hassen and Lila. I also hated how fatphobic this book was. Having a fat character who just constantly complains about being fat is not being inclusive, my friends! I loved the big plot point at the end of the book that's propelling the story forward though. Excited to read more about it in the books to come.