Ooo, ‘tis the season for some monster romance. Am I right? Our read for the next couple of weeks, Bull Moon Rising by Ruby Dixon, is making all sorts of promises. And I am excited. I hope you are, too.
If you don’t have any previous experience with Ruby Dixon’s work (ahem, Ice Planet Barbarians), let me prepare you. There is going to be a lot of steamy bits. Just up my alley.
But also do note that she provides a trigger warning in the front of the book because she also deals with a lot of macho misogyny, and it’s pretty clear from the start in this book that our leading ladies are going to experience their fair share.
In fact, the premise relies on this, Aspeth must marry her tutor, a minotaur descendent, in order to be trained at all. They kick her out with laughter when she tries to join normally, and the men leer at her and the other women with “lewd licking motions with [their tongues].”
I have high hopes for this group of women even though Hawk, our MMC, doesn’t seem to. I like a scrappy group of women being set up to overcome. Dixon seems to as well, from what else I’ve read of hers.
Now, let’s get into Aspeth’s character. She’s interesting. Idealistic with a lot of gumption. And she’s smarter, more diligent, than anyone else seems to see. Except for maybe Hawke as we turn into the second quarter of the book.
What I like best about her is that she has a clear perspective. She has a voice, even if it is a bit snooty. My only qualm with her is that her focus on her father’s holdings and keeping her secrets gets a bit repetitive. I don’t need that many reminders of her motivations. But overall, I get it.
I also like Hawk’s character. Beyond the need to rut, he’s got a backstory we haven’t seen yet, and I can’t wait to get to know him more. Because overall, he seems sweet. He wants someone to take care of and to take care of him.
And that speech about what it will be like between them during the Conquest Moon? That was hot. A nice set up for what we can expect in the romance department between our lovers. It makes me wonder if there will be a public display since he gives us that as his base natural instinct.
Dixon is known for her stories’ kinks afterall.
Lastly, I want to mention how much I love the humor in this, especially with Gwenna. Their conversation about how everyone likes tits (and the subsequent nods back to it) is hilariously accurate. Gwenna is a winning side character. We need more of her.
Lark, too, she’s got an interesting backstory that should develop nicely.
Overall, this was a great setup for what I hope will be a fun story to finish reading with y’all. So, tell me your thoughts. Are you up for the spice? For the girl power? For the fight to make their lives their own? Let me know in the comments below!
And I will see you here next week as we read up through page 209 (Chapter 24).