Ice Planet Barbarians

“‘Good God, you’re Suzy Fucking Sunshine, aren’t you?’ Liz says, staring at Kira.”

This quote is part of the novel’s exploration of group dynamics, community, and problem-solving. Though Liz’s comment is critical, her delivery is not heated; she and Kira continue to work together smoothly after this observation. Yet Liz’s comment implies that there is merit to maintaining a good attitude, even in a bad situation, further suggesting that Kira’s pessimism might not be helpful to their circumstances. Though Dixon does not offer judgment on the different ways the various stranded women react to their unexpected environs, this novel does suggest that in the immediate aftermath of crash-landing, pragmatism may be more important than emotional response.

“Walking out into that snowy landscape with nothing but borrowed alien clothing and a gun I don’t know how to fire? Pretty much takes every ounce of courage I have in my body.”

As exemplified here, the human women’s physical weakness and difficulty with the atmosphere of Not-Hoth are a continual theme in the novel. Despite this, as Georgie’s comment here suggests, the novel does not present them as overall weak. Rather, their comparative physical inability demands a balance of greater emotional strength, as they must gather the courage to face their new environment.

“I start panicking again, because I know how this sort of thing goes down. Luke’s able to free himself before the creature eats him because he’s a Jedi.

Me. I’m just a Floridian in a stolen space suit with no weapon and a busted wrist. I know how this is going to end.”

The protagonist Georgie contrasts herself with Luke Skywalker, the hero from the science fiction film series Star Wars. This type of semi-humorous allusion is characteristic of the sci-fi genre, which often relies on the wider knowledge of the sci-fi fanbase. The reference here also cements Georgie’s Earthen origins to foster empathy for her and provides an ironic contrast as it emphasizes how Georgie sees herself as both like and unlike a sci-fi character.

“I’ve dated guys that I haven’t been able to convince to go down on me, and this one’s doing it as a greeting.”

Vektal’s immediate impulse to perform oral sex on Georgie is largely used in the novel to introduce him as non-threatening and a viable sexual partner. Georgie’s reaction demonstrates surprise and pleasure rather than distress, although she was previously asleep and had therefore not given her consent. The emphasis on women’s pleasure—and cunnilingus in particular—is part of the novel’s erotic fantasy-romance narrative and characteristic of the genre. Romance novels, including sci-fi romance, often prioritize female sexual pleasure and critique male-centric attitudes toward sexual behavior. The fact that Georgie’s inner monologue shows her consenting quickly on waking helps to soften the problematic nature of Vektal’s behavior, largely making this a matter of cultural difference. It also makes him a contrast to the “basketball head” aliens who previously raped the women, causing them physical and psychological damage.

“How can she possibly think I would harm her? But she is cringing back even now, as if expecting a blow to fall. Rage fills me, because this is not a normal response. Someone has hurt my mate in the past.”

This passage is an example of Dixon’s use of inner monologues to explicate the world and cultural attitudes of the sci-fi characters. While Vektal’s assumption that someone has harmed Georgie in the past is accurate, given her experiences with her captors, his characterization of her fear as unusual indicates that members of his species do not abuse their sexual partners. His thoughts inform the reader of wider sa-khui norms long before the rest of his community is introduced. His shock at Georgie’s fearful response is also a critique on the normality of gender-based violence and fearfulness in real-life societies.

“Dnt nnerstnd yew.”

Prior to the language upload at the elders’ cave, Georgie and Vektal cannot understand one another’s language. From Vektal’s point of view, Georgie’s speech is sometimes offered phonetically, whereas from Georgie’s point of view, the speech is rendered more inaccurately. This allows the reader to connect with Georgie more than Vektal, as they can understand her even when her speech is incomprehensible to her interlocutor.

“How can Shorshie be here? […] My people, the sa-khui, are the only intelligent people in the world. There are metlaks, but they are covered in hair and no smarter than rocks. They have not yet mastered fire.”

Vektal’s use of mastering fire as a mark of intelligence suggests similarities between sa-khui intellectual development and that of humans, wherein the broader use of tools is more important than the specific advancement of those tools. Within the context of Dixon’s “barbarian” characterization, this designation is important to differentiate the physically different sa-khui as “people” (where personhood is not equated to humanity) and therefore suitable sexual and romantic partners. This avoids a more bestial presentation that would make such a partnership impossible.

“Being clean has never felt so amazing.”

Georgie’s increased enjoyment of simple pleasures signifies which qualities she and the other women find essential for happiness and which they do not. This builds on the novel’s shifting theme of what truly matters, showing that interpersonal connections and survival rank far higher than material comforts. This is a key point in the progression of a “happily ever after” on Not-Hoth.

“If he wants to play caveman, as long as he keeps me safe, I’m fine with that.”

Georgie’s comment here underscores the novel’s representation of how intent matters in the case of deploying physical strength. While Vektal’s height and strength could threaten her, his continued insistence on acting in her interests makes this strength comforting instead of alarming.

“I hate this place. I hate that it’s cold and it’s snowing all the damn time and everything wants to eat my freaking face. I hate that I’m wearing a smelly, gross jumpsuit and that I ate raw meat and that there are a dozen girls up the hill who would probably kill to be in my place at the moment, and I can’t even feel grateful.”

This moment acts as a low point for Georgie, who typically faces her new surroundings with determination and, quickly, optimism. Here, the expectation of gratitude when someone has a worse situation than you is framed as another weight on Georgie’s already overburdened mind. The novel thus tacitly suggests that it is acceptable to feel frustration and sadness in a bad situation, thus reinforcing romance’s broad acceptance of and attention to women’s feelings.

“How can I possibly take care of someone who is more helpless than a kit?”

Vektal’s comment here foreshadows Georgie’s pregnancy, something that Vektal knows but the reader and Georgie do not yet. This foreshadowing shows that Vektal does not fear fatherhood the way he fears his ability to care for Georgie. 

“She’s fragile, my small five-fingers. I chide myself for not taking better care of her.”

Vektal’s fond comment about Georgie’s physical features underscores the novel’s overarching discussion of how unfamiliar body types can become familiar and beloved for their differences. This element of alien romance is sometimes considered utopic, as it imagines a world where differences can be acknowledged without being denigrated or resulting in prejudice.

“When we leave in the morning, I will break the rules of hunting politeness and she will wear [the furs] as we travel. I won’t have her shivering any more.”

Vektal’s comment here indicates how his loyalties have become organized after meeting Georgie. While his note about the rules of “hunting politeness” indicates his care for his community and suggests the group-mindedness of the sa-khui, his willingness to break these rules shows that Georgie’s comfort and safety rank higher in his concerns. His relative lack of worry over this transgression further suggests that the sa-khui are a society that balances welfare against codes of conduct.

“Really, for a big barbarian, he’s being the perfect gentleman.”

Georgie’s juxtaposition here indicates the novel’s view of “barbarianism.” Though the planet is technologically limited, suggesting an underdeveloped society, the women increasingly learn that the rules of conduct between the sa-khui are generally kinder and more respectful, especially to women, than on Earth.

“I’m not on the pill, not that it matters now. And I’m pretty sure that since we’re different species, you can’t get me pregnant.”

Georgie’s confidence serves as a generic joke to readers, who understand that this dismissal is a set-up for the fact that she will become pregnant by the end of the novel. It also offers a slight nod to the trope in sci-fi romance that maintains that humans are highly biologically compatible with other species, as part of the “Mars needs women” trope.

“‘What’s that word mean?’ I ask Kira. ‘Cwee?’”

Georgie’s phonetic pronunciation acts as a nod to readers, showing them how to correctly pronounce the alien word so prominent in the text. The revelation that Kira’s translator doesn’t recognize it suggests the cultural specificity of the word, thereby continuing the novel’s assertion that alien cultures are highly diverse and specified to place.

“Josie’s listless and weak, and Megan has a deep, racking cough that shakes her entire body. But they’re alive. We can fix everything else.”

Georgie’s assertion illustrates how the novel’s presentation of survival eliminates extraneous concerns and makes decision-making highly straightforward, something the women embrace with a sense of relief at times. Her determination and optimism in addressing challenges support her role as the women’s de facto leader and as the novel’s heroine.

“I cannot bring down a sa-kohtsk by myself. It is a task that requires many hunters with strong spears.”

Vektal’s comment suggests that survival on Not-Hoth is something that can only be accomplished through collective action. This emphasizes his society’s focus on collectivism and offers a tacit criticism of humanity’s excessive individualism and selfishness.

“Though the thought of leaving Earth and friends and family behind me hurts, a life with Vektal could be sweet and full of pleasure. I already am starting to look forward to the sight of his smiles, the feel of his skin against my own. I love the rumble of his laugh.”

Though Georgie here notes the things about Earth that she will miss, these concepts are vaguely described as “friends and family.” Her imagined future with Vektal, by contrast, is oriented in sensory details. This encourages the idea that Georgie will be happy (as part of the “happily ever after” progression) on Not-Hoth.

“My mate is perfect in every way. It is not her fault that she comes from a place with different customs.”

Though Vektal makes this observation about Georgie when Raahosh finds her human customs strange, the comment is also a metric for readers to understand the differences between Vektal and Georgie. Just because they are different, the novel thus asserts, does not mean that they are not “perfect in every way” for one another. Vektal’s acceptance of Georgie and lack of judgment helps characterize him as an empathetic and compassionate partner.

“‘To be fair, I thought he couldn’t make me pregnant if it was interspecies sex.’

‘A Great Dane can still make a Chihuahua pregnant,’ Liz points out. ‘Guess which one you are.’”

Liz here speaks humorously, but her comparison between two dog breeds acts to reduce the difference between Georgie and Vektal, even as it exaggerates the physical differences between them. The humans and the sa-khui, this metaphor implies, are more similar than they first appear, more like two breeds of a species rather than two entirely separate species. As crossbreeding in dogs is quite normal and acceptable in real life, Liz’s comparison helps normalize the relationship between Georgie and Vektal for the reader.

“That there are five women who are young, healthy, and mateable seems as a gift from the gods. Six more is an unthinkable bounty. I want to press Georgie against me and crush her in a hug for saving my tribe from what feels like certain destruction.”

Vektal notes that the long-term survival of the sa-khui people depends on the women as well as vice versa, potentially balancing what the two groups can offer each other. Conversely, the fact that the women’s sexuality and fertility are seen as potential resources for the sa-khui forms part of the novel’s exploration of problematic gender relations and power imbalances.

“Why was I so against the [khui]? I touch my breastbone and feel it humming happily underneath. If this is all it takes to live at Vektal’s side for the rest of my life, I’ll take it.

I mean, there aren’t any toilets, but living as a barbarian? Not so bad when you’ve got a big, sexy barbarian male with you.”

This observation, made after Georgie accepts a khui and is more acclimated to the climate of Not-Hoth, presents the novel’s definition of “barbarianism” as something exclusive to technological limitations. The other implications of the word, including roughness and violence, are supplanted by happiness and contentment.