Abducted by alien slavers, experimented on, and left blind, the last thing doctor Winter Ashworth needs is a big barbarian gladiator in her life, especially an annoying one who thinks she’s small and weak.Rescued by gladiators on the desert world of Carthago, Winter is doggedly working to embrace her new life. But two of her friends are still missing and she’ll do anything to help get them … help get them back…even if she has to work alongside Nero Krahn: hunter, barbarian, gladiator. The scowly, brooding man is too big, has too many muscles, and pushes all her buttons.
Nero is the House of Galen’s best hunter and tracker. Raised on a barbarian world, where strength and might are prized, he was bred to hunt and fight. Now the arena is his home and his loyalty is to his imperator. He knows he can use his skills to find the two lost women, even if that means protecting a small blind woman who takes every chance to misjudge his words and lash him with her sharp tongue.
But as they follow a dangerous trail to save their friends, a new enemy emerges–one who wants Winter. The pair find themselves reluctantly attracted to each other, uncovering a scorching desire that shocks them both. As Nero fights to protect Winter, the barbarian gladiator will discover the true meaning of strength from the small Earth woman he wants to claim as his.
Note to readers: This sci fi romance contains a lot of action (think wild gladiatorial fights and daring rescues), tough gladiators (the warriors of the House of Galen) and a steamy romance (between a scowly barbarian gladiator and a determined doctor). So if you like it fast, and gritty, and sexy, this is for you!
Includes a preview of Marcus, Book 1 of Hell Squad.
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Barbarian is book six in the Galactic Gladiators series by Anna Hackett.
I love this series so much that I devoured it. Book bing!
Barbarian is another remarkable read in the Galactic Gladiators series.
Winter was abducted by alien slavers, experimented on, and left blind. She’s a doctor who can no longer do what she was trained to do. Now she’s been rescued by Nero and The House of Galen gladiators. She’s trying to adjust to her new life. What I love about her is that she doesn’t let her impaired sight affect who is is and what she can do. She’s strong willed and a strong women in general.
Nero was raised on a barbarian world where strength and might are prized. Where the strongest survive. This has made him be blunt in his speaking and he’s not doing it to be cruel it’s just how he is. He’s the best hunter and tracker in The House of Galen and will use his skills to find the other human women still out there.
Winter and Nero, but heads. These two where great together. Nero makes a blunt remark and Winter would fling it right back with a smart assed comment. Winter made remarkable strides in proving her worth to herself and to Nero. She acknowledger her limitations and weakness and in doing so made them her strengths. Their romance was fantastic.
The action this time takes us far away from the arena and deep into the uncharted and inhospitable desert. The author lets her imagination have free-reign and introduces new creatures and situations that are incredible. I liked how she explored having someone physical impaired. This impairment let the author explore other avenues and introduces some alien technology, but it didn’t overshadow how hard and difficult being impaired can be.
The world and characters keep expanding and evolving. We are introduced to a new Importer who runs the House of Ron, Cyborg clan. Each novel we keep finding and discovering new human women as the search goes on to rescue them all.
Barbarian is a captivating read. If you love science fiction romance then you should pick up the Galactic Gladiators series.
Rated: 4.5 Stars
Abducted by alien slavers, Winter Ashworth has been experimented on, blinded, and is struggling to deal with everything that has happened. The last thing she needs is a big hunky barbarian telling her she is weak. But the more time she spends with Nero the more she realizes he is actually very sweet. While dealing with their developing feelings Winter and Nero help search for the missing women.
Nero and Winter start off on the wrong foot but Winter quickly realizes that Nero is just bad at communication. Nero is a big grumpy barbarian who has a sweet side. I loved him and the contrast between strength and sensitivity. He is probably one of my favorite gladiators so far.
“Watching you has taught me that true strength has very little to do with muscles.”
Winter was a successful surgeon before she was blinded. She is struggling to deal with her lack of sight but she isn’t letting that stop her from living her life. I loved that she was determined to live her life to the fullest even if she never regained her vision completely. Winter was just a beautiful and caring woman who could kick asss if she needed to. I adored her!
“My imperfections are a part of me. My vision doesn’t make me better or worse than someone else, or more or less useful. I’m just me and I’m fine the way I am.”
This book was nonstop action from the beginning and I loved it. The new enemy was fascinating and disturbing. What he did to his slaves really creeped me out and is now part of my nightmare scenarios. With each book we get closer to finding the hidden fight rings and I cannot wait until we find the mysterious Zaabha. Also I can’t wait for Zhim and Galen to fall. Those two cranky men need some happiness in their lives.
Great series. All the books in this series are great.
The gorgeous Gladiators of Carthago are back!! House of Galen is getting decidedly crowded with all these earthlings seeking refuge!
This story picks up where book 5 ended, Mia and Dayna have been abducted and the search continues to trace them. Winter may be blind but she finally feels useful in the medbay, although not anything like the skills she utilised as a surgeon on Earth. She can’t help but feel useless and helpless when Nero is around. He is huge, strong and powerful. He never seems to tire of telling her what she cannot do and how much danger she would be in.
Nero was bred to be powerful, only the strong survived on his planet. But as he survived and flourished in the arena he has learned that might is not always right, he just cannot seem to curb his alpha caveman tendencies around Winter. She is fragile and ill-equipped for the terrain they must cover in their search for her friends but she has a willpower like no other!
But when she and Blaine are continually singled out and attempts made to kidnap them during the search, the others realise that Humans are being especially sought out, not just the women. But can Winter survive long enough to find out what happened to her friends?
I love this series hard! The Gladiators may be big and tough but these determined, spine of steel humans have them wrapped around their fingers! Winter is brilliant as the incapacitated but far from helpless Winter. Nero is big, brash and has a severe case of foot-in-mouth-itis when it comes to dealing with her! I almost cried when we wound out why the Humans were being rounded up! But I laughed at the discovery of a certain hacker who became their inside woman! I think a certain Zhim might have a fight on his hands for the title of House of Galen hacker!!
PS We also learn “Blue’s” real name!
Nero and Winter’s story is here and hold on to your hats – it’s a fast ride! This is a case of opposites attract, each completing the other and making the whole stronger. Nero’s large, strong and gruff while Winter proves you should never underestimate someone who is small. New villains and new abductees are introduced and Carthago has added detail. And as usual, it leaves you wanting more.
I loved it! Willow is a human doctor blinded by aliens. Niko was the gladiator who carried her out of her captivity. She is tiny in body but a tremendous spirit. This story is amazing. The characters, the world building and the unexpected twists make it a riveting read.