Customer Reviews

Golden Barbarian, The

5 star:		(10)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

I just re-read "The Golden Barbarian" and remembered how endearing this book really is. It's one of my favorite books by Iris Johansen. The setting was fascinating, and the plot never bogged down. The lead characters, Tess and Galen, began the book as sympathetic and likeable and ended the book as loveable people with depth and richness of emotional response. Galen is a sexy hero who actually does heroic things (imagine that)! Tess is intelligent, strong and never petty. The utter lack of stupidity exhibited by the couple is such a refreshing change from so many romances. The secondary characters are well-drawn, and I'd love to see a sequel concerning Tess's cousin who will play a pivotal role in Tamrovia in the future.

A very good book from an excellent author.

This is the most intelligent and non-cheesy Sheik romance that you're ever likely to find. Set around 1800, it's the story of Princess Tess of a fictional Balkan country who marries Galen Sheik of a desert tribe. The marriage takes place pretty early in the book, so this may count as a marriage-of-convenience plot if that's your thing (or not). Tess is no unwilling victim - she's given the chance to exert some control over her life and future and she goes for it. Galen has his own schemes but finds himself falling for his wife.

The wonderful hero and heroine set this romance apart from many others. Galen is hot-tempered and just plain hot. He feels his "barbaric" blood keenly and controls himself rigidly. You get the impression of a volcano trying to keep itself from exploding. Alpha and sexy, he's also very protective towards Tess. He finds he desires her a lot more than he thought he would. He waits though until she's ready for the marital bed and (great hero!) doesn't even look at another woman in the meantime.

Tess is a strong and vibrant young woman, overflowing with vitality and enthusiasm but never dumb. A virgin but thankfully no prude or shrinking violet in the bedchamber. She shows her bravery and quick wits when the villain abducts Galen's sister. She actually has a sound plan and her playacting is delicious. Of course the hero still saves her in the nick of time. This is a romance after all :-)

The sexual tension is very strong leading up to the consummation. Actual sex scenes are rather few and not particularly graphic after the first. The story was so engrossing though, I really didn't miss them much. What I liked best was that the hero and heroine were actually heroic. They both rise above their times, and in the hero's case his inner "barbarian". Galen has a purpose - to unite the warring tribes into 1 law-abiding country. Tess aims to improve the lot of women in the new country. Galen refuses to whip her when she goes too far and he's expected to punish her. He finds another way to make her scream ;-) Ah we should all be "punished" so!

Wonderful story!! A hero who falls in love with a young girl's enthusiasm and vitality and waits to have her until she comes of age! The hero was "heroic," but the heroine was such a wonderfully strong and vibrant character. I hate it when the heroine is a simpering miss who waits around for the hero to rescue her. It was very refreshing to see her take matters into her own hands. I kept imagining women from countries like Iraq or Iran might be going through similar plights -- strong women fighting to change the way they are treated in those countries. The heroine was very inspiring and the hero was heroic because he was willing to forgo long standing traditions of his kinsmen's treatment of their women. The storyline was great, the romance was great! A definite keeper!

This is a well-written romance with likeable, strong-willed, and heroic characters. For those who have read Johansen's other books set in Sedikhan, this is the story of Galen Ben Rashid and Tess Rubinoff - who start off the dynasty. The novel transports you in time and place.

This is the book that got me hooked on johansen's books for the past 3 years!! Although the title is rather embarassing to be seen reading in public, the content is worth all the embarassments in the world!! Characters are boldly drawn and the plot is wonderful. The heroine, if she lives in our modern times, will be the pioneer leader in women lib! This is one book that is worth staying up the whole night for. well done!!!!

I started reading iris Johansen books a month ago, and I love them. They Make you believe in the possibility of a enduring and passionate love. the golden barbarian is another novel of hers that I couldn't put down!!!! Her novels makes you forget about the world and just dream!!!

This is the first in Johansen's Sedikhan series and it's a good one. (See my other reviews for her 5 star historical romances.)

If you like strong, resourceful heroines, handsome desert sheikhs and love stories set in exotic places, you'll love this one. As with all Johansen's historical romances I've read, she takes pains to weave a complex tale with wonderful characters and believable sexual tension.

Tess Rubinoff, Princess of Tamrovia (in the Balkans) first meets Galen Ben Raschid Sheikh of Zalandan (think desert sands) when she is 12 and he pulls her and her dog out of quicksand. Even then, he has designs on her as he wants to link their two countries in order to gain sufficient power to unify the desert tribes of Sedikhan. While she is only 12, he is is a patient man. She spends the next 6 years in a convent at her cousin's suggestion (prompted by Galen) to protect her from an abusive father. When her father rejects Galen's suit, Galen arranges to steal Tess away by making her a proposition she cannot refuse--and she doesn't. Once in Sedikhan, the adventure begins.

Just in case you want to read them all, I have listed the entire Sedikhan Series. Not all are historical. Some are contemporary. But all have a link to Sedikhan:

The Golden Barbarian

The Golden Valkyrie

The Trustworthy Redhead

Capture the Rainbow

Touch the Horizon

A Summer Smile

And the Desert Blooms

Always

Everlasting

Till the End of Time

The Last Bridge Home

Across the River of Yesterday

Star Light, Star Bright

Man From Half Moon Bay

Blue Blue Skies and Shining Promises

Magnificent Folly

Notorious

A Tough Man to Tame

"He rolled over, muttering wild words beneath his breath as he pulled her on top of him and bucked upward, again and again and again. Then, still not satisfied, he rolled over again and sat up, lifting her legs to curve around his hips. 'You're not taking enough.' His flesh was pulled tight over his high cheekbones, his lips heavy with sensuality as his hips jerked feverishly back and forth."

I have found most of Iris Johansen's books I've read hold a pattern for me. The first couple of pages stir my imagination, the main body of the book is boring and choppy with flat characters and eye-rolling sex scenes, then at the very end some action takes place to spark the interest--but too little too late. I think it's time I pass on this author.

Great love story about a unlikely beauty. She's actually smart!! He's tough, beautiful, and seductive. Made me wanna go to the dessert!! A must read and will make you want more.

I loved this book. I was surprised b/c I have only ever read her "mystery" novels. I was very happy and excited that her romance novels are just as good. I couldn't put it down, and enjoyed every page.